South Sudan

21 October 2025

Flooding had affected more than 927,000 people across 26 counties in six states by 17 October 2025, with Jonglei and Unity states accounting for over 91% of those affected. Approximately 335,000 people have been displaced, aggravating an already critical humanitarian situation featuring food insecurity, conflict, and recurrent disease outbreaks. At least 61 schools have been damaged, disrupting education for more than 22,000 children and 700 teachers. In Unity, persistent heavy rains have again submerged the Ganyiel airstrip and damaged essential infrastructure. Access challenges and bureaucratic impediments, including more than 30 illegal checkpoints along the Nile and River Phow, which drove up transport costs between August–September, increasingly constrain humanitarian operations. Elevated fuel prices and limited market supplies hinder aid delivery, while shortages of WASH materials, shelter, and NFIs persist. Forecasts indicate above-average rainfall through December, further increasing flood risks in already vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas. (OCHA 17/10/2025, OCHA 17/10/2025, IOM accessed 21/10/2025)

15 September 2025

Since June 2025, over 9,300 South Sudanese refugees have returned from Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps in Kenya, with daily arrivals peaking at over 220 in August. The movement is prompted by food ration cuts that have left 85,000 (45% of camp populations) without assistance, triggering protests. Kakuma and Kalobeyei were hosting nearly 191,000 South Sudanese refugees. Two-thirds of the returnees are children, many arriving through Nadapal town into eastern Equatoria before moving to Budi, Ikotos, Kapoeta, and Torit towns. Families face ambush risks, lack of reception facilities, unsafe sanitation, and exposure to gender-based violence and disease at the border. While many returnees rejoin relatives, host households are increasingly overstretched, leading to overcrowding, food insecurity, and limited health and shelter access. Urgent needs include food, safe water, health services, and protection support especially for children and women, alongside assistance for host communities. (UNHCR 11/09/2025, TRT Afrika 29/08/2025, Radio Tamazuj 14/08/2025)

15 September 2025

By 11 September 2025, floods in South Sudan had affected over 311,000 people in 13 counties, with Jonglei and Unity the worst hit. More than 110,000 are displaced, farmland and infrastructure are damaged, and cholera risks are rising. Greater Pibor has declared a state of emergency, while forecasts of further heavy rains threaten worsening impacts. (OCHA 12/09/2025, UN 12/09/2025)

01 September 2025

By 27 August 2025, flooding had affected 263,000 people across Greater Pibor, Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile, with further impacts in Fangak, Leer, Mayom, Rubkona, and Twic East. Prolonged flood exposure is raising health risks, as stagnant water, unsafe drinking sources, and poor sanitation drive confirmed cholera outbreaks. (OCHA 29/08/2025, Eye Radio 03/09/2025, Radio Tamazuj 02/09/2025)

13 August 2025

Armed clashes on 28 July 2025 in Kajo-Keji county, Central Equatoria, between South Sudanese and Ugandan communities over a contested border have displaced more than 16,000 people into four temporary sites in Kangapo 1 and 2 payams in the county. Displaced households are sheltering in churches, schools, and makeshift structures, facing urgent needs for food, safe water, shelter, and healthcare. Overcrowding raises protection risks, particularly for women and children. Humanitarian assistance is limited as insecurity highly constrains access. Disruption to cross-border trade and livelihoods is likely to worsen already severe food insecurity levels – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse – in South Sudan. Without a rapid response, humanitarian conditions could deteriorate further. The violence follows earlier July tensions involving the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, highlighting the fragility of the Uganda–South Sudan border. Continued tensions may trigger additional displacement, including into Uganda. (Radio Tamazuj 06/08/2025, Xinhuanet 12/08/2025, AJ 01/08/2025)

30 July 2025

In June, violence against humanitarian workers and assets in South Sudan increased significantly as a result of the conflict between the Government and opposition forces, renewed attacks by the White Army, and escalating intercommunal tensions. Attacks have become more frequent, systematic, and widespread, affecting Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Warrap states. In Jonglei, three UN contractors were killed in an attack on the Bor-Pibor road, while a UN driver was injured in a separate incident. In Central Equatoria, 13 humanitarians were kidnapped for ransom near Yei and Mugwo counties. Armed groups also looted a health facility in Morobo and burnt ambulances. In Upper Nile’s Longochuk county, two health centres were vandalised, disrupting cold chain systems and halting services for 13 health facilities, affecting over 150,000 people. In Unity State’s Panyijiar County, aerial bombardments by the South Sudan People's Defence Forces and Uganda People’s Defence Forces forced the evacuation of aid workers and reduced humanitarian presence, further limiting assistance to people in need. (OCHA 15/07/2025, ECHO 29/07/2025, Radio Tamazuj 26/06/2025)

27 May 2025

Heavy flooding triggered by three consecutive days of rainfall has affected several counties in Unity state, South Sudan, with at least five deaths and widespread displacement. In Koch county, the floods have destroyed 69 buildings in the main market, damaged nine schools and four churches, and led to the loss of 70 cattle. In Mayendit county, the floods have destroyed the homes of approximately 6,000 people, driving displacement. Rubkona county has reported two deaths, several injuries, and significant damage to schools, health facilities, and homes. The rainy season is expected to worsen the situation, with above-average rainfall predicted between June–August, potentially affecting more people across the country. The current conditions may also contribute to the spread of cholera, already reported in parts of the country. Those displaced urgently need food, clean water, emergency shelter, and medical assistance as the humanitarian situation deteriorates. (Eye Radio 23/05/2025, WFP 26/05/2025, Radio Tamazuj 23/05/2025)