- On 6 March 2026, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces ordered civilians, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UN agencies and NGOs to leave Akobo County ahead of planned military operations.
- Over the past three days, preliminary assessments indicate that around 35 000 people have already crossed the border from Akobo into Ethiopia, seeking protection and asylum. Akobo County hosts an estimated population of 250 000 people, raising concerns of further mass displacement.
- Since the resumption of armed conflict in South Sudan’s Upper Nile and Jonglei States in February 2025, about 82 000 South Sudanese asylum seekers have arrived in Ethiopia. Preliminary registration has been completed for 50 000 individuals, while around 32 000 people are still waiting to be registered after the process was suspended by Ethiopian authorities in October 2025.
- DG ECHO partners who are already providing lifesaving assistance to South Sudanese asylum seekers in Gambella are gearing up to support the new arrivals.
Ethiopia + 1 more