Situation report

South Sudan Situation Report

Humanitarian situation report: South Sudan Situation Report.

1. Executive Overview

South Sudan is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis driven by a volatile convergence of conflict, economic instability, and extreme climate shocks [18]. Riverine flooding has caused extensive infrastructure damage and population displacement, while simultaneously triggering violent conflicts between herders and farmers in the states of Unity, Lakes, Warrap, and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal [1]. In the Abyei region, irregular rainfall and rising temperatures have disrupted agricultural productivity and intensified resource competition between the Misseriya, Ngok Dinka, and Twic Dinka communities [4]. Security remains precarious, with UNISFA recording 196 security incidents between October 2025 and March 2026 [4], and intercommunal conflict since July 2026 displacing more than 87,000 households [15].

Humanitarian needs are acute, with 520,135 internally displaced persons and 3,653 refugees recorded [HDX]. Approximately 7.8 million people, representing 55% of the population, face acute food insecurity at IPC Phase 3 or worse, with a credible risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) in Akobo, Nyirol, Ulang, and Nasir [16]. Public health is in a critical state, characterized by over 50,000 cases of acute malnutrition [1] and active Mpox transmission in Yambio, Juba, and Ezo [15]. Furthermore, an estimated 1.3 million South Sudanese refugees in Sudan face extreme poverty, with 98% to 99% categorized as poor or vulnerable [7].

The humanitarian response is severely constrained by significant funding gaps and logistical barriers. While 71.2% of the required $14.2 billion has been funded [HDX], specific sectors are critically underfunded, with the WASH sector reporting an 88.5% funding gap in Quarter 2 2026 [9]. Operational effectiveness is further hindered by deteriorating infrastructure, such as the Juba-Nimule highway [11], and systemic insecurity, including the hijacking of humanitarian vehicles and the imposition of illegal taxation by soldiers along the River Nile [4][18].

2. Detailed Situation Analysis

Food Security and Nutrition

Food insecurity has reached critical levels, with 7.8 million people facing IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse [16]. The risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) is particularly acute in Nasir, Ulang, Nyirol, and Akobo [16]. In Unity State, acute malnutrition rates remain elevated due to extreme food consumption deficits, the looting of nutrition supplies, and a lack of access to health facilities [8]. These conditions are exacerbated by poor WASH conditions and the prevalence of communicable diseases like cholera [8]. Between January and July 2026, admissions for severe and moderate acute malnutrition increased by 45.7% compared to the previous year [17].

Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness

South Sudan is grappling with multiple health emergencies. Mpox transmission is active in Yambio, Juba, and Ezo, with Yambio recording the highest cumulative confirmed cases at 50 [15]. To manage regional risks, cross-border coordination workshops involving the WHO and Africa CDC have focused on Ebola preparedness, surveillance, and case referrals [6]. However, movement dynamics complicate these efforts; IOM data shows that 57% of departures and 54% of arrivals are centered in Juba, with a high percentage of travel occurring via foot or small vehicles, which may hinder contact tracing efforts [6]. Additionally, a 2025 heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C led to nationwide school closures after students collapsed from heat exhaustion in Juba [1].

Protection and Displacement

Displacement remains a primary concern, with over 87,000 households displaced by intercommunal conflict since July 2026 [15]. In the Abyei region, environmental stressors have shifted migration patterns and fueled territorial claims and cattle raiding between the Twic and Ngok Dinka [12]. Protection efforts are focused on the mainstreaming of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) requirements across all programs, with sub-national PSEA networks established in key locations including Juba, Malakal, and Wau [18]. Community feedback mechanisms, managed via the Kobo-Power BI system, are being used to identify protection risks and adapt programming [2].

Economic Volatility and Logistics

Economic instability is deepening vulnerability, with the informal exchange rate reaching SSP 7,312 per USD against an official rate of SSP 5,627 per USD [3]. Market costs for MPC values increased by 15% or more in several locations, including Baliet (21%) and Tonj South (19%) [3]. Logistics are severely impaired by the deterioration of the Juba-Nimule highway, increasing travel times from 3 to 8 hours [3]. Furthermore, the delivery of essential supplies via the River Nile is obstructed by soldiers imposing illegal taxation and checkpoints, forcing some areas like Malakal to become dependent on expensive air transport for food [10].

3. Key Findings & Trends

The most critical trend is the convergence of climate shocks and conflict, where riverine flooding and heatwaves are not only destroying livelihoods but actively driving intercommunal violence over dwindling resources [1][12]. A significant quantitative trend is the sharp rise in malnutrition, with a 45.7% increase in SAM and MAM admissions in early 2026 [17]. Economically, the widening gap between official and informal exchange rates, combined with rising MPC costs in locations like Baliet and Tonj South, is pushing millions further into poverty [3][18]. Additionally, the high vulnerability of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan—where up to 99% are categorized as poor—highlights a critical regional protection gap [7].

4. Gaps & Recommendations

Information and Operational Gaps

There is a critical lack of all-terrain high-mobility vehicles, particularly in the Abyei region, which renders main supply routes unusable during the rainy season and limits situational awareness [12]. There is also a noted need for verified data regarding the 1.3 million South Sudanese refugees in Sudan [7]. Funding gaps remain a primary barrier, most notably the 88.5% shortfall in the WASH sector [9].

Recommendations

Immediate priority must be given to addressing the famine risk in Akobo, Nyirol, Ulang, and Nasir through scaled-up food and nutrition interventions [16]. It is recommended that humanitarian actors increase the use of alternative mobility solutions, such as the self-built boats and aerial reconnaissance utilized in Abyei, to maintain access during the rainy season [12]. Finally, cross-border coordination for Mpox and Ebola must be formalized and strengthened to prevent regional epidemics [6][15].

Evidence register

Sources

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