In South Sudan, more than 450,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition as violent clashes in Jonglei state have caused mass displacement and disrupted critical health and nutrition services, UNICEF warned. Since the beginning of 2026, fighting in Jonglei has displaced at least 250,000 people, particularly in the northern and central areas of the state.
UNICEF Country Representative Noala Skinner expressed grave concern for women and children affected by the violence, noting that malnourished children without treatment are twelve times more likely to die. She urged all parties to end the violence and allow rapid, safe, and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to reach vulnerable and displaced populations.
Access for humanitarian agencies has been severely restricted due to travel limitations by river, air, and road. Six counties in Jonglei are already facing or are close to running out of therapeutic foods, which are essential for treating severely malnourished children. Across South Sudan, 17 health facilities have closed due to conflict, halting associated nutrition services, and there have been ten reported incidents of looting of health and nutrition supplies, five of which occurred in Jonglei state.
Despite these challenges, UNICEF is responding to the crisis. Water purification equipment, buckets, and soap have been dispatched to Duk county amid concerns over a cholera outbreak. Emergency supplies, including malaria treatment, therapeutic food for malnourished children, and health kits capable of serving over 10,000 people, have also been sent to Akobo in Jonglei state.
