South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (February 2025)

In February, humanitarian partners in South Sudan faced 25 reported access challenges, including active hostilities among armed groups, bureaucratic impediments, and violence targeting humanitarian personnel, facilities, and assets. These events continue to hinder the delivery of lifesaving services, and with the rainy season approaching, the prepositioning of essential supplies to ensure the continuity of critical services when roads become impassable.

Nasir County, Upper Nile state, has seen clashes between a militia and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), resulting in displacement, loss of life, destruction of property, and disruption of humanitarian services. February saw the relocation of 23 humanitarian staff from Nasir, Mandeng, Jikmir, and Ulang.

Humanitarian personnel, facilities, and assets have been targeted in Jonglei, Central Equatoria, and Western Equatoria. Aid workers faced ambushes, attacks, intrusions, looting, and armed robberies. In Jonglei state, armed youth, allegedly from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), killed two security guards at an OXFAM warehouse in Motot and looted food supplies. While on 26 and 27 February, two separate shooting incidents in Jonglei State targeted a humanitarian convoy and a UN contractor, highlighting the increasing risks associated with road travel. On 12 February, armed individuals suspected of being SSPDF detained a UNSMS-contracted boat at a river checkpoint at Canal, delaying the delivery of humanitarian supplies from Malakal to Baliet.

Bureaucratic access challenges remain prevalent in Renk County, Upper Nile State; an INGO was requested to pay a US$1,500 registration fee by county labour officers, reflecting an ongoing pattern of irregular levies that add financial and administrative burdens to aid agencies. Security forces in Aweil East County restricted vehicular movement on 14 February, preventing an INGO team from reaching Wedwel as planned. Ongoing bureaucratic challenges and escalating security concerns continue to hinder humanitarian efforts, delaying the delivery of essential aid to those in need.