UN agencies warn that worsening insecurity is blocking life-saving aid, while hunger projections deteriorate and cholera treatment centers struggle to cope with the influx of newly displaced people.
The renewed violence comes as South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement continues to unravel amid stalled reforms, rising political tensions ahead of elections scheduled for 2026, and mounting pressure from more than a million refugees fleeing the brutal war in neighboring Sudan.
South Sudan humanitarian statistics as of December 2025.
A WFP convoy is attacked and its activities suspended
The UN World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday suspended all activities in Baliet CountyUpper Nile state, following repeated attacks on a convoy transporting humanitarian aid downriver.
Between last Friday and Sunday, a convoy of 12 boats carrying more than 1,500 metric tons of food and other relief items was attacked several times by armed youths.
The cargo was subsequently looted in several locations, despite having received prior security guarantees for the safe passage of the aid.
The WFP said the suspension will remain in place until the safety of its staff, partners and contractors is ensured. and authorities take immediate action to recover the stolen supplies.
“Attacks against humanitarian personnel are never acceptable,The WFP said, urging all parties to respect humanitarian workers and safeguard essential facilities and resources to deliver aid.
Access to aid is threatened
The attack on the convoy reflects a broader collapse in humanitarian access, particularly in Jonglei State, where renewed fighting since late December has intensified clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition in several counties.
According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, Fighting and airstrikes have displaced some 280,000 people. since late December, including more than 235,000 in Jonglei alone. Many have fled to areas with minimal water, sanitation and health services, significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Humanitarian partners report that at least seven aid facilities have been looted or damaged in Jonglei, assets have been confiscated and aid workers have been intimidated, forcing the suspension of operations in several locations.
South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (December 2025).
Hospitals affected and services suspended
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that government forces bombed its hospital in Lankien, Jonglei State, overnight on February 3, destroying the main warehouse and most critical medical supplies. One MSF staff member suffered minor injuries.
In another incident on the same day, the MSF health center in Pieri was ransacked by unknown assailants, forcing staff to flee. The NGO said the violence had left around 250,000 people without healthcaresince the organization had been the only supplier in the area.
Risks of hunger and disease increase
UN agencies warn that escalation of conflict is expected to increase significantly worsen food insecurityparticularly in the northern states of Jonglei and Upper Nile.
Projections indicate that the number of counties facing emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4) between February and May will more than double, and some households will be at risk of falling into catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5).
Insecurity has already forced the WFP to suspend its plans to pre-position 12,000 metric tons of food ahead of the rainy season in Jonglei, raising concerns that access will deteriorate further once roads become impassable.
Since September 2024, South Sudan has recorded nearly 98,000 cholera cases and more than 1,600 deaths, and Jonglei is among the most affected and overwhelmed treatment centers.