South Sudan: Conflict in Jonglei State - Flash Update No. 8 (as of 17 February 2026)

HIGHLIGHTS

• 14 February: Shelling reportedly struck a civilian residential area in Phom Payam, Fangak County, resulting in damage to multiple homes and raising concerns about the impact of hostilities on civilian populations and infrastructure.
• 14 February: Preliminary findings from an inter-agency rapid needs assessment in Duk and Twic East counties identified escalating protection risks, including reported incidents of conflict-related sexual violence affecting women and girls, family separation, and the alleged recruitment and use of adolescents by armed actors.
• 15 February: The Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) communicated that, following a directive from the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, humanitarian personnel are authorized to resume travel to previously restricted locations, effective 16 February. Humanitarian partners have submitted movement requests to facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

As of 17 February, the security situation in northern and central Jonglei State remains volatile, with intermittent clashes reported between the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-iO) forces. Civilians continue to face heightened protection risks amid ongoing insecurity. On 12 February, clashes were reported in Padoi, Akobo County; casualty figures remain unverified. On 14 February, shelling reportedly struck a civilian residential area in Phom Payam, Fangak County, damaging multiple homes.

An inter-agency rapid needs assessment conducted on 14 February in Duk and Twic East counties identified escalating protection concerns, including conflict-related sexual violence (CSRV) affecting women and girls, family separation, and the alleged recruitment and use of adolescents by armed actors. Protection partners stress the urgent need to expand safe spaces, gender-based violence (GBV) response services, psychosocial support, and protection monitoring.

On 13 February, UNFPA in a statement expressed concern due to escalation of violence in Jonglei State, and the grave impact it is having on women and girls. With maternity and emergency obstetric and newborn care services disrupted, many women are being forced to give birth without skilled attendance, increasing the risk of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. According to Health Cluster partners, at least 16 health facilities have been attacked or looted since late December 2025 — 13 in Jonglei, one in Central Equatoria, and two in Unity State — significantly constraining access to essential health services.

On 15 February, the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM) confirmed that, following a directive from the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, all humanitarian personnel — including UNMISS — are authorized to resume travel to previously restricted locations, including areas under SPLA-iO control, effective 16 February. The directive follows a 13 February meeting between the Humanitarian Coordinator and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to address access constraints in Jonglei State. The JVMM requested that the authorization be communicated widely to humanitarian partners.

In response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Tearfund are planning to deploy assessment teams to Lankien (Nyirol County) for the first time since January to evaluate damage to health facilities. While these developments are welcome, sustained implementation at field level will be essential to ensure safe and predictable humanitarian access.

HUMANITARIAN IMPACT AND NEEDS

• Displacement: According to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, nearly 280,000 people are displaced across Uror, Nyirol, Akobo, Duk, Ayod, Canal/Pigi, Twic East and Bor South, with secondary displacement into Upper Nile and Lakes states due to escalating tensions and airstrikes in Jonglei. Of those, estimated 105,400 people in Uror, 57,200 in Nyirol, 17,700 in Duk, 17,000 in Ayod, 20,000 in Akobo, 10,000 in Canal/Pigi, 5,000 in Twic East, and 4,300 in Bor South. In addition, 29,500 people have been registered in Mingkaman (Awerial County, Lakes State), and approximately 12,000 people have arrived in Ulang County, Upper Nile State, from Nyirol, placing severe strain on host communities and basic services. IOM/Displacement Tracking Mechanism (DTM) verification is ongoing with nearly 189,000 verified as of 16 February.
• Inter-agency rapid needs assessment mission: From 12 to 14 February, an inter-agency assessment mission was conducted in several locations in Duk and Twic East counties. The team identified approximately 17,710 conflict-affected IDPs in Duk County. Improved security conditions have enabled limited returns, with the IDP population in Twic East reportedly decreasing from nearly 8,000 to around 5,000 individuals. However, needs remain acute. Reported return locations include: Poktap, Pajut and Padiet (Duk County), Wernyol Payam (Twic East County). Despite the emerging returns, communities continue to face significant humanitarian needs. Priority gaps include food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and non-food items, and protection services.
• During focus group discussions conducted as part of the inter-agency assessment in Nyirol, Uror and Duk (Pajut), women, girls, men and boys reported widespread conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) perpetrated by armed actors. Incidents described included rape, abduction, sexual assault and forced stripping, with reports of women and girls killed while attempting to resist. Several girls were reportedly taken into captivity, and others experienced sexual violence while fleeing. A high number of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), including adolescent girls, was identified across assessed locations. Many were separated during displacement and are now staying with extended family or community members. Most adolescent girls consulted were unaware of available child protection services in Padiet and Poktap (Duk County) and Panyagor (Twic East County), relying primarily on peers for support.
• The assessment also found that inadequate shelter, non-food items (NFIs), and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions are compounding protection risks. In all assessed areas, internally displaced persons (IDPs) are sheltering with host communities, occupying abandoned structures, or sleeping in the open. IDPs in Padiet, Poktap and Panyagor indicated they intend to remain in displacement sites due to fears of renewed violence in their areas of origin.
• Access to GBV, child protection and health services remain limited. In Duk Padiet, one Women and Girls Friendly Space (WGFS) operated by LWF is functional, but no GBV caseworkers are currently deployed. No WGFS are operational in Canal or Poktap, and only one functional space exists in Panyagor. For child protection, CINA operates one child-friendly space in Duk Padiet and one in Poktap; however, current capacity is insufficient to meet the scale of needs among displaced children.
• New IDPs arriving in Akobo County: The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) report a sharp influx of displaced people to Akobo County from Lankien in Nyirol County. As of 17 February, over 40,000 people have reportedly arrived in Akobo town, totaling some 82,000 across Akobo County.
• Cholera situation: In the past 14 days (2–15 February 2026), 347 new cholera cases and 13 deaths (CFR 3.7%) were reported across seven counties. Most cases were from Duk (189), Ayod (64), Mayendit (41) and Mayom (33). In Duk, 79 cases were among IDPs, while Ayod recorded 59 new cases and 17 deaths during the same period. About 18.6% of new cases in Ayod had severe dehydration. Ayod is reported experiencing a resurgence after more than two months without reported cases, attributed to arrival of displaced people. Since the start of the outbreak (28 September 2024 to 15 February 2026), 98,372 cases and 1,624 deaths have been reported in 55 counties, 9 states and all 3 administrative areas.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND CHALLENGES

• The Bor Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), in consultation with the National ICCG and the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism (ERRM), is planning a coordinated emergency response across central, northern and eastern Jonglei State following the inter-agency rapid needs assessment completed on 14 February.
• Cholera response: In response to the outbreak in Ayod County, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has deployed a medical team to support case management and outbreak control. Local authorities have indicated their willingness to facilitate humanitarian movement to enable an effective response. The Bor-based ICCG is preparing to deploy simultaneous assessment missions to Ayod Town and Magok (Ayod County), Lankien (Nyirol County) and Akobo West (Akobo County).
• UNFPA, with support from OCHA and the Logistics Cluster, airlifted medical supplies to Akobo County over the past week. Additional consignments have been delivered to Bor South County and Mingkaman (Awerial County, Lakes State). UNFPA is also coordinating with UNICEF to dispatch medical supplies to Duk County following the recent assessment.
• On 16 February, FAO launched its 2026 dry-season livestock vaccination campaign, targeting more than 10 million animals nationwide, including in Jonglei State, to protect livelihoods and strengthen food security. In Bor South County, FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has begun distributing fish-smoking ovens to fisheries groups to reduce post-harvest losses and support income generation.
• On 13 February, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management submitted a proposal of approximately SSP 93 billion (about US$20 million) to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to support humanitarian operations during the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The proposal aims to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems and critical infrastructure for flood and displacement response. It is currently under parliamentary review as part of the national budget process.
• Links to previous Flash Updates.
• Flash Update No 7: https://tinyurl.com/2k67ea39
• Flash Update No. 6: http://ourl.in/@cydtts
• Flash Update No. 5: https://tinyurl.com/4sy9fcfa
• Flash Update No. 4: https://tinyurl.com/5x9byux4
• Flash Update No. 3: https://bit.ly/4qfRIDh
• Flash Update No. 2: https://bit.ly/3OkZvlR