South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (October 2024)

In October, the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate in South Sudan, driven by high food prices, a severe economic crisis, conflict, disease outbreaks and cross-border movements from Sudan and flooding. As of 31 October, multi-agency assessments identified about 1.4 million flood-affected people across the country. Over 377,000 people have been displaced by floods, seeking shelter on higher ground.¹ In Unity State, overcrowding on higher ground in Mayom, Panyijiar and Koch counties resulted in conflict among flood-displaced people. In Upper Nile State, fighting between Government forces and local armed people on 16 and 17 October reportedly killed several people and displaced about 16,500 people in Nasir County. Over 6,000 individuals fled their homes following intercommunal fighting in Panyikang County. In Central Equatoria State, armed clashes erupted between armed groups in Kajo-keji County on 18 October, reportedly displacing an unconfirmed number of civilians towards the border with Uganda. As of 31 October, 855,000 people have arrived from Sudan since 16 April 2023.² Of those, an estimated 32,197 arrivals were registered in October alone – an average of 1,038 per day. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has declared quelea birds' infestation in Upper Nile and Unity states and the Ruweng Administrative Area, putting thousands of acres of grain fields under threat. On 28 October, the Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, Upper Nile.³ As of 31 October, health authorities had reported 50 suspected cases of cholera, with six confirmed cases. A measles outbreak continued across the country, with an increasing number of cases reported in Tonj East County, Warrap State.