Attachments
SUMMARY OF CRISIS AND KEY FINDINGS
Tensions are running high in South Sudan in recent weeks, with the country likely to slip toward a renewed conflict and political upheaval.3
The conflict in Nasir County has deepened nationwide instability, while continued delays in implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) are fuelling political uncertainty. 4 Ongoing power-sharing disputes, rising ethnic tensions, cross-border incursions from Sudan, and complex regional dynamics are compounding the crisis and heightening risks to humanitarian operations.5
In March, tensions escalated in Nasir, Baliet, Ulang, Longochuk, Manyo and Panyikang counties of Upper Nile State, following clashes between government forces and armed groups in Nasir town on 4 March.6 By early April, relentless armed clashes along the Sobat River corridor, especially in Nasir, Ulang and Longochuk Counties, have led to the forced displacement of an estimated 80 000 persons in those three counties. 7 Furthermore, population displacement into the Gambella Region of Ethiopia of as many as 23 000 persons, mostly women and children, has also occurred. Clashes were also reported in parts of Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Unity states.8
The northern part of the Greater Upper Nile region (Upper Nile State) is the hardest hit by the escalating conflict. Aside from being one of the most food insecure states in South Sudan, it is also where the majority of the 1.1 million people who fled the Sudan war into South Sudan arrived, adding to the humanitarian needs.9 An average of 17% of children across all counties in Upper Nile state are malnourished.10
The fighting in parts of the country has deepened a severe public health crisis. Health facilities data reveal a spike in cases of diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, in counties affected by fighting in Upper Nile State, which are set to worsen during the rainy season.11
More broadly, there are concurrent outbreaks across South Sudan. Nine states are impacted by the ongoing cholera outbreak. Other disease outbreaks also continued to be reported including Hepatitis E in Rubkona County in Unity, Fangak County in Jonglei, Wau County in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Twic County in Warrap and Abyei area; mpox in Juba County, Central Equatoria and Malakal; and measles in Yambio, Western Equatoria, Juba in Central Equatoria, and Twic in Warrap State.