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Juba, 17 January 2026 – The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, is warning of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and protection situation in Jonglei State following renewed fighting in Nyirol, Uror, Ayod and Duk counties over the past week.
The violence is triggering significant displacement placing civilians and aid workers at grave risk, and severely disrupting already fragile health services.
These developments are further compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis, marked by severe food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and the aftermath of catastrophic floods.
Since 29 December 2025, more than 180,000 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, have been displaced from their homes, according to Government sources. Many are sheltering in remote bush areas, while others have sought refuge in neighboring states.
As humanitarian needs escalate, already overstretched humanitarian operations are coming under increasing strain. At least four health facilities have been looted, depriving more than one hundred thousand people of access to essential services. Restrictions on air, river and road movements in some areas have significantly constrained humanitarian access, impeding the delivery of life-saving assistance, disrupting medical referrals and resupply, and delaying the completion of critical needs assessments.
“Innocent civilians must be protected" said Ms. Gbeho. “All parties must immediately end the violence, de-escalate tensions and guarantee safe, unhindered humanitarian access to those in desperate need.”
For further information, please contact:
David Carden, Head of Office, +211 922690696 carden@un.org
Iramaku Vundru Wilfred, Reports Officer, +211 9222453857 and vundru@un.org
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- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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