South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (October 2024)

In October, humanitarian access in South Sudan faced notable challenges due to rising violence, threats to aid personnel and assets and increasing administrative hurdles. Physical access issues delayed the delivery of essential services to communities across the country. Thirty-nine access incidents were recorded, highlighting the persistent threats to safety, logistical obstacles, bureaucratic delays and economic barriers affecting humanitarian operations.

Unauthorized taxation imposed by communities obstructed aid delivery in key areas. In Warrap State, supplies for hepatitis E response were delayed for two weeks in Twic County, with demand for payments for release. In Jonglei State, local authorities in Nyirol demanded a fee of 600,000 South Sudanese pound (about US$180) per boat carrying supplies to Nasir, further straining aid delivery. Illegal checkpoints along the Sobat River collected unauthorized taxes – ranging from $100 to $300 per boat – and harassed operators, leading to looting and delay of delivery, increased costs and security risks faced by humanitarian staff.

Interferences in the recruitment processes in Ayod, Fangak of Jonglei, and Maiwut, Maban and Renk of Upper Nile State limited the ability of humanitarian partners to implement their projects.

Targeted attacks on humanitarian assets continued, adding to operational risks. In Magwi, Eastern Equatoria State, armed criminals shot at a humanitarian vehicle, injuring one staff member. Clashes in Central Equatoria State’s Wonduruba and Warrap’s Tonj East resulted in looting of vital supplies, including a WFP warehouse, and delayed assistance for displaced communities.

Flooding and heavy rains rendered critical routes impassable in Upper Nile, Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, forcing organizations to rely on costly air and river transport and limiting service capacity.