The recent escalation of fighting in South Sudan has intensified risks for civilians and aid workers, with three humanitarian personnel killed between 7 and 16 February in Jonglei and Upper Nile states, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Despite repeated commitments by authorities to allow relief operations, access to the most affected areas remains uneven, hampering aid delivery.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher visited South Sudan on a five-day mission to highlight the worsening and underreported crisis. He described the situation as a “perfect storm” of conflict, climate change, inequality, and poverty, emphasizing that many affected communities feel ignored amid the growing humanitarian emergency.
The resurgence of clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition since late December has triggered widespread displacement. Nearly 280,000 people have been forced to flee across eight counties, with many relocating to Upper Nile and Lakes states. Displaced families are sheltering in the open or in makeshift structures, facing urgent needs for food, healthcare, and basic supplies. Market disruptions and halted agricultural activities have left several communities with limited access to food, prompting the UN World Food Programme to scale up assistance, although looting and insecurity continue to hamper relief efforts.
In Akobo, southern Jonglei, Fletcher visited a local hospital treating at least 93 patients with gunshot wounds, including an 18-month-old child and a 70-year-old grandmother. Reports of sexual violence, abductions, and extreme hardship were widespread, with many communities going weeks without support or food. Fletcher highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the devastating human impact and the urgent need for sustained aid.
The conflict has also severely affected health services. Thirteen health facilities have been damaged or looted, resulting in casualties among health workers, while many others have suspended operations. Cholera continues to spread, with 106 new cases and three deaths reported in one week, adding to the over 98,000 cases and 1,624 deaths recorded nationwide since the outbreak began in September 2024.
Humanitarian access remains inconsistent despite repeated directives, with aid convoys facing denials and operational constraints. Fletcher stressed that resolving the crisis requires not only immediate relief but also long-term peace, security, and political solutions. He urged global attention to cut through the “noise of distraction and apathy” and support communities caught in the crossfire.
