Fighting between opposition forces and national troops in South Sudan has intensified, with reports of airstrikes and daily civilian casualties. UN agencies warn that the worsening insecurity is blocking lifesaving aid, while hunger projections deteriorate and cholera treatment centres struggle to cope with newly displaced people. This violence comes amid the collapse of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, stalled reforms, rising political tensions ahead of the planned 2026 elections, and the influx of over one million refugees fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) suspended all activities in Baliet County, Upper Nile state, after a convoy carrying more than 1,500 metric tonnes of food and relief supplies was repeatedly attacked and looted by armed youth. The suspension will remain until the safety of staff and contractors is assured and authorities take steps to recover stolen supplies. WFP emphasized that attacks on humanitarian workers are unacceptable and called for the protection of aid personnel and facilities.
The convoy attack reflects a broader collapse of humanitarian access, particularly in Jonglei state, where clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition have displaced around 280,000 people since late December 2025, including over 235,000 in Jonglei alone. Many of the displaced have fled to areas with minimal water, sanitation, and health services, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Humanitarian partners report that at least seven aid facilities have been looted or damaged, forcing the suspension of operations in several locations.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that government forces bombarded its hospital in Lankien, Jonglei State, destroying its main warehouse and critical medical supplies, while another facility in Pieri was looted, leaving about 250,000 people without healthcare as these were the only providers in the area. The escalating conflict is expected to worsen food insecurity, particularly in northern Jonglei and Upper Nile states. Projections indicate that the number of counties facing emergency-level hunger could more than double between February and May, with some households at risk of slipping into catastrophic conditions.
Insecurity has also forced WFP to pause plans to pre-position 12,000 metric tons of food ahead of the rainy season in Jonglei, raising concerns that access will further deteriorate once roads become impassable. Since September 2024, South Sudan has recorded nearly 98,000 cholera cases and more than 1,600 deaths, with treatment centres overwhelmed, particularly in Jonglei, highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis compounded by conflict, displacement, hunger, and disease.
