South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (December 2025)

In December 2025, renewed fighting across several states, particularly Jonglei and Unity States, worsened humanitarian needs. In Jonglei, clashes between Government forces and opposition groups, including air strikes in Ayod, Duk, Nyirol and Uror Counties, triggered large-scale displacements and severely disrupted humanitarian operations.

More than 100,000 people were displaced in Duk, Nyirol and Uror counties in late December, with many fleeing to remote areas or neighbouring states. Both parties ordered civilians and aid workers to leave the affected areas, and reports indicated that children were missing and at increased protection risks. Repeated violence destroyed homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure, forcing suspension of essential health services, including maternal health and malnutrition care. Facilities run by humanitarian organizations were hit in air strikes particularly in Jonglei State. In Western Equatoria State, IOM/Displacement Tracking Matrix verified that conflict displaced 96,000 people in five counties between June and October 2025.

On 28 December, about 2,000 people fleeing conflict in the Central African Republic arrived in Tambura County, where they sheltered in schools or with host families. Conflict in Sudan continued to push new arrivals into South Sudan in December. IOM registered more than 21,900 people crossing at border points between 1 and 31 December 2025.

By the end of December, total arrivals since April 2023 had surpassed 1.3 million, putting further strain on already overstretched resources. Public health risks remained critical. Across the country, the cholera outbreak had affected more than 97,200 people and caused about 1,600 deaths in 55 counties. Other outbreaks; hepatitis E, measles, anthrax, vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) and mpox; strained the health system, and 17 mpox cases were reported in Juba, Rumbek Centre, Rumbek East and Malakal Counties during the month. Flood-affected communities faced higher risks of diseases because water sources were contaminated and access to health care was limited.