Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF) has relocated its medical operations from the South Sudanese town of Burbeiye to Mattar in Ethiopia in response to a dangerous surge in armed violence and a growing health crisis along the border.
The shift comes after intense fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and opposition groups, forcing thousands to flee from towns such as Nasir and Ulang. The humanitarian group reports that many refugees arrived in Ethiopia’s Gambella region after days of walking without basic necessities like water, medicine, or food.
Joshua Eckley, MSF’s Head of Mission in Ethiopia, said thousands of people fled overnight, escaping bombings and gunfire. “This isn’t migration—it’s survival,” he said.
On May 12, cross-border gunfire wounded several civilians in Burbeiye. MSF treated nine people that day, and since February, over 217 injured individuals have been cared for in their Burbeiye facility.
The crisis has coincided with a worsening cholera outbreak in Ethiopia’s Wanthoa Woreda district, where displaced South Sudanese are now sheltering in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. MSF has treated more than 1,200 cholera cases and conducted over 3,000 outpatient consultations even before the latest wave of arrivals.
In Mattar, current estimates suggest between 35,000 and 85,000 people have gathered, placing massive pressure on local resources. MSF reports alarming health indicators: over 40% of malaria tests are positive; 7% of children under five are suffering from severe acute malnutrition; and 14% of pregnant and lactating women show signs of global acute malnutrition.
Nyayul, a refugee now in Mattar, described walking for days to escape the violence. “I lost my children in the chaos. I only have two with me now,” she said.
In response, MSF has launched emergency services in Mattar, including cholera treatment, trauma care, nutritional screening, mental health support, and assistance for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The organisation is urging the international community, donors, and humanitarian agencies to act immediately. “These communities are escaping the complete collapse of protection systems. They cannot wait any longer,” said Eckley.
MSF called on all armed actors to ensure safe humanitarian access and protect both civilians and aid workers. The group emphasized the urgent need for shelter, clean water, and medical supplies in Mattar to avert a full-scale catastrophe.
