South Sudan: Conflict in Jonglei State - Flash Update No. 5 (as of 6 February 2026)

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 3 February, intensified fighting between SSPDF and SPLA-iO in Walgak town, Akobo County, led to the looting and burning of an NGO compound and widespread destruction of the town.
• Displacement: Renewed violence and airstrikes in Jonglei State since late December 2025 have displaced an estimated 280,000 people as of 6 February (RRC).
• Children/Education: An inter-agency needs assessment mission to Bor South County on 5 February found severe impacts on children and education, with over 3,000 children unable to attend the school year opening on 2 February due to displacement.
• Humanitarian access: On 6 February, major donor nations condemned the attack and looting of a WFP convoy in Baliet County, warning that the stolen assistance was intended for tens of thousands of vulnerable people.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

As of 6 February, the humanitarian situation in Jonglei State continues to deteriorate due to renewed violence, large-scale displacement, and increasing access constraints. Fighting that initially affected central Jonglei including Pieri, Pathai, and Yuai has since spread northeastward to parts of Waat (Uror County), Walgak (Akobo County), and Lankien (Nyirol County).

Between 3 and 5 February, heavy fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-iO) was reported across multiple locations in Nyirol, Duk, Uror, and Akobo counties. While information on civilian casualties and displacement remains limited, preliminary reports indicate widespread looting and destruction of public infrastructure, homes, and personal property. Armed actors also looted and burned local markets, further exacerbating food insecurity for already vulnerable communities.

In Nyirol County, airstrikes in Thol Payam and Lankien town, caused extensive damage. Additional airstrikes were reported in Walgak town, Akobo County, on 4 February, with unconfirmed reports of civilian casualties.

Violence escalated further in Walgak town on 3–4 February, with fighting between SSPDF and SPLA-iO forces resulting in the looting and burning of an NGO compound and large parts of the town. A Primary Health Care Centre operated by an international NGO was looted and set ablaze, and the water yard located within the facility compound was destroyed, significantly reducing access to essential health and water services. Humanitarian staff and community members have fled to nearby villages in search of safety.

The crisis is compounded by the continued spread of cholera, particularly in Duk County, where overcrowding at displacement sites and limited access to safe water and sanitation are driving new infections. Over the past month, at least 179 cases and six deaths (case fatality rate: 3.4 per cent) have been reported in Jonglei State, including 173 cases in Duk County and six in Bor South County. Given ongoing population movements, the risk of further spread remains high. Humanitarian partners are seeking Government approval for sustained access to expand assessments and response activities beyond Duk County, including in opposition-controlled areas. The UN and partners are scaling up treatment capacity and preparing vaccination campaigns. Since the outbreak began on 28 September 2024, South Sudan has recorded at least 98,000 cases and 1,600 deaths across 55 counties in nine states. Without rapid access approvals, cholera transmission is likely to accelerate ahead of the rainy season.

HUMANITARIAN IMPACT AND NEEDS

• Displacement: According to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), renewed fighting has displaced an estimated 280,000 people, including 105,400 in Uror, 57,200 in Nyirol, 27,000 in Duk, 17,000 in Ayod, 11,800 in Akobo, 8,000 in Twic East, 4,068 in Canal/Pigi, and 4,300 in Bor South counties. The scale of displacement is placing severe pressure on host communities and basic services, while ongoing clashes and volatile security conditions continue to severely restrict humanitarian access and life-saving assistance.
• Nutrition: On 3 February, UNICEF warned that more than 450,000 children nationwide are at risk of acute malnutrition as hostilities disrupt health and nutrition services. Six counties in Jonglei State are reportedly close to running out of therapeutic food supplies.
• Attacks on humanitarian assets: On 5 February, Save the Children International reported that armed men looted and burned its office and destroyed a Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in Walgak, Akobo County, cutting off essential services for hundreds of children and families. The attack followed the seizure of four NGO vehicles the previous week. The organization has suspended all operations in the county and relocated 30 staff for safety.
• Humanitarian access – Upper Nile: On 4 February, the World Food Programme (WFP) suspended all activities in Baliet County, Upper Nile State, following repeated attacks on a river convoy carrying humanitarian assistance. Between 30 January and 1 February, a 12-boat convoy transporting over 1,500 metric tons of food and relief items for approximately 73,000 people was attacked multiple times and subsequently looted, despite prior security assurances. WFP stated the suspension will remain in place until staff safety is assured and authorities take immediate steps to recover the stolen supplies.
• Health facilities targeted: On 3 February, an (MSF)-supported hospital in Lankien, Nyirol County, was struck during an airstrike, injuring one staff member and destroying the main warehouse, resulting in the loss of most critical medical supplies. Later the same day, MSF’s health facility in Pieri, Jonglei State, was looted by unknown assailants. Staff from both locations fled alongside community members and remain unaccounted for. These attacks have severely constrained access to essential health services previously serving more than 250,000 people, who now have no alternative care.
• Pattern of attacks on healthcare: Since the escalation of conflict in late December, at least 11 attacks on healthcare have been documented across Jonglei State, including in Yuai, Yakhor, and Pieri (Uror County); Pajut (Duk County); Ayod (Ayod County); and Walgak (Akobo County). At least 11 health facilities have been rendered non-functional due to looting and destruction, disrupting inpatient, maternity, and emergency services. The attacks also resulted in the confiscation of 12 vehicles, including an ambulance, alongside looting of personal belongings and cash. Humanitarian compounds have been repeatedly targeted, and NGO staff were reportedly assaulted in Walgak. Despite follow-up engagement, only two vehicles were briefly recovered before being re-confiscated amid continued insecurity.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND CHALLENGES

• Assessments and displacement: An inter-agency needs assessment mission to Bor South County on 5 February highlighted severe impacts of the conflict on children and education, with more than 3,000 children unable to attend the school year opening on 2 February due to displacement. In Mingkaman, Awerial County (Lakes State), two assessments were conducted: an RRC-led assessment identified approximately 29,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), while findings from an Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism (ERRM) assessment are pending.
• Akobo access and humanitarian needs: During a 24-hour Flight Window II authorized by the Government on 5 February, an inter-agency team accessed Akobo County, visiting Akobo Hospital and its warehouse, engaging local authorities and humanitarian staff, and briefing UNMISS. The mission observed severe, multi-sectoral humanitarian needs across WASH, Education, Shelter, Protection, Health, and Food and Nutrition. An estimated 7,000 people have been displaced, with many hosted by local communities and others sheltering in schools and churches.
• Operational constraints: Akobo Hospital remains functional but faces significant challenges, including unreliable power supply. The limited one-day flight window was insufficient to restore regular operations. The mission recommended establishing twice-weekly flight windows to enable predictable staff movements and regular delivery of life-saving supplies. Increased militarization in and around Akobo town was also observed. Local authorities, including the County Commissioner and RRC, appealed for expanded humanitarian assistance and committed to facilitating unhindered access; however, assessment coverage remains partial due to insecurity.
• Humanitarian access and protection: On 6 February, major donor nations strongly condemned the attack and looting of a WFP river convoy in Baliet County, Upper Nile State. The 12-boat convoy, carrying over 1,500 metric tons of food intended to support approximately 73,000 people, was attacked and looted. In a joint statement, the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, together with the European Union delegation, denounced the attack on humanitarian assets and called on South Sudan’s leaders, across all parties and levels, to ensure safe and unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to populations facing famine, malnutrition, and conflict-driven displacement.