South Sudan, March 9 -- Many thousands of people are fleeing Akobo, Jonglei state, South Sudan, as government forces prepare an offensive on the opposition-led town, following evacuation orders on March 6.

People affected by the government's evacuation order on Akobo and surrounding areas include over 17,000 who were displaced just weeks ago in the ongoing conflict in the country. People must now either flee Akobo without protection or remain at risk of being killed, while losing access to health care and other essential services.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) calls on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and establish safe zones for those seeking shelter, to ensure secure access to humanitarian aid ...