As clashes escalate between national troops and opposition forces, reports indicate a surge in airstrikes and civilian casualties on a daily basis. United Nations agencies have raised alarms about the deteriorating security situation, which is obstructing the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance. This comes amid worsening hunger forecasts and cholera treatment facilities that are struggling to accommodate a growing number of newly displaced individuals. The recent upsurge in violence occurs as South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement continues to disintegrate, hindered by stalled reforms, increasing political tensions ahead of the upcoming elections in 2026, and the influx of over one million refugees fleeing the violent conflict in neighboring Sudan. For a comprehensive overview of the threats to South Sudan’s peace process, including the intertwined political, security, and humanitarian crises and their effects on civilians, click here.
**Humanitarian Update for South Sudan as of December 2025**
**WFP Convoy Attacked, Operations Halted**
On Wednesday, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced the suspension of all operations in Baliet County, located in Upper Nile state, following a series of attacks on a convoy that was transporting humanitarian supplies by river. From last Friday to Sunday, a 12-boat convoy carrying over 1,500 metric tons of food and essential relief items was targeted multiple times by armed youth. The cargo was ultimately looted at various points, despite having received prior assurances regarding the safe passage of aid. WFP stated that operations would remain on hold until the safety of its personnel, partners, and contractors is guaranteed, and authorities take swift action to recover the looted goods. “Attacks on humanitarian workers are never justifiable,” WFP emphasized, calling on all factions to respect the integrity of humanitarian workers and protect the facilities and resources necessary for aid delivery.
**Threatened Humanitarian Access**
The attack on the convoy highlights a significant decline in humanitarian access, especially in Jonglei state, where renewed hostilities since late December have escalated confrontations between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition across various counties. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that fighting and airstrikes have displaced approximately 280,000 individuals since late December, with over 235,000 of those in Jonglei alone. Many have sought refuge in areas lacking adequate water, sanitation, and health services, significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Humanitarian organizations have reported that at least seven aid facilities in Jonglei have been looted or damaged, with assets seized and aid workers threatened, resulting in the suspension of operations in several locations.
**Hospitals Attacked, Services Suspended**
The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that government forces bombarded its facility in Lankien, Jonglei State, overnight on February 3, destroying the main warehouse and a majority of essential medical supplies. One MSF staff member sustained minor injuries. In another incident on the same day, MSF’s health center in Pieri was raided by unidentified attackers, compelling staff to evacuate. The NGO indicated that this violence has left approximately 250,000 people without healthcare services, as it was the sole provider in the region.
**Increasing Risks of Hunger and Disease**
UN agencies have cautioned that the escalating conflict is poised to significantly exacerbate food insecurity, particularly in northern Jonglei and Upper Nile states. Projections suggest that the number of counties experiencing emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4) is expected to more than double from February to May, with some households at risk of falling into catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5). The insecurity has already led WFP to suspend plans to pre-position 12,000 metric tons of food in Jonglei in anticipation of the rainy season, raising concerns that access will further decline as roads become impassable. Since September 2024, South Sudan has reported nearly 98,000 cholera cases and over 1,600 fatalities, with Jonglei being one of the most severely impacted areas, overwhelming treatment facilities.
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