The war, and the famine it has caused, has claimed about 2 million lives and forced millions more to flee their homes. But the issues are far more complex, involving competition for resources, political power and other historical struggles. At the hospital in Lui, which was bombed five times between March 1 and April 16, civilians told Rice of their constant fear. Deep craters near the hospital compound and central market bear testimony to the exploded shells. The hospital is the only functioning medical facility for miles.
Patients sometimes walk for as long as three days to reach it.
Boboya's mother died trying to reach the hospital after she was injured in a bomb attack Sunday on the town of Tali, about 55 miles north of Lui. Shrapnel had ripped her thigh, and she bled to death, hospital officials said. Boboya's left hand was almost blown off, and doctors said he could have difficulty using his fingers. The psychological terror is as harmful as the physical injuries, according to medical personnel. Relief organizations said Monday that government planes had bombed a market in the rebel stronghold of Yei 14 times, killing 18 people and injuring more than 50.