Escalation of Violence in South Sudan Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis

January 9, 2026 — New York

The United Nations has sounded the alarm over a dramatic escalation of violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, where renewed fighting and airstrikes since late December have uprooted an estimated 100,000 people and severely disrupted the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Majority of Displaced: Women, Children, and Elderly

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), most of those displaced are women, children, and older persons. Many have sought refuge in remote and hard-to-reach areas in an effort to avoid further attacks, while others have traveled to neighboring states for safety. Authorities in Lakes State, for example, reported registering more than 11,000 new arrivals from Jonglei earlier this week, as conveyed by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a briefing in New York.

Humanitarian Operations Severely Impacted

The renewed insecurity has forced humanitarian agencies operating in northern Jonglei to relocate staff, following directives to evacuate for safety reasons. Organizations that are still present, often relying on local personnel, are encountering increasing challenges—especially in restocking health facilities and maintaining essential services—due to the deteriorating security situation.

Looting and Aid Confiscations Worsen Crisis

The crisis has been compounded by mounting reports of looting and confiscation of aid facilities and assets by parties involved in the conflict. These incidents have further hampered humanitarian access and the delivery of life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations. In response, OCHA has stated that it is actively engaging all sides of the conflict to secure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to affected communities.

Part of a Larger National Emergency

This latest wave of displacement adds to an already severe national crisis in South Sudan. In 2025 alone, conflict and widespread flooding had forced more than 715,000 people from their homes throughout the country, according to United Nations data. The current situation in Jonglei underscores the continuing volatility in the region and the urgent need for increased international attention and humanitarian support.