South Sudan: Conflict in Jonglei State - Flash Update No. 1 (as of 19 January 206)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Since 29 December 2025, renewed fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-iO), combined with airstrikes in Nyirol, Uror, Ayod, and Duk counties, has triggered mass displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis across Jonglei State, which has been declared a no-fly zone. Civilians and aid workers face increasing danger as humanitarian operations remain severely disrupted.

Tensions remain extremely high, with daily clashes and airstrikes reported as SSPDF, SPLA-iO, and allied forces continue mobilizing. Both parties have ordered civilians and aid personnel to leave affected areas. On 8 January, partners reported residents fleeing Ayod town after armed groups instructed civilians to evacuate the county within 72 hours for safety.

These developments are affecting communities already suffering from severe food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and damage from last year’s floods. Vulnerable families are being displaced again, with rising numbers of unaccompanied and separated children facing heightened protection risks. Recurrent violence has destroyed homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure, including health facilities.

Looting and confiscation of humanitarian assets, reportedly by both parties, have forced the suspension of essential health services for thousands. Ongoing conflict and displacement are driving escalating humanitarian needs, while disrupted services leave children, pregnant women, and people with chronic or life-threatening conditions at acute risk.

On 17 January, the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, warned of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and protection situation in Jonglei State adding that the situation is compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis marked by food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and the aftermath of catastrophic floods. “Innocent civilians must be protected,” said Ms. Gbeho in a statement. “All parties must immediately end the violence, de-escalate tensions and guarantee safe, unhindered humanitarian access to those in desperate need.”

HUMANITARIAN IMPACT AND NEEDS

More than 180,000 people were displaced in Jonglei State by renewed fighting and airstrikes in Nyirol, Uror, Akobo, and Duk counties between 29 December 2025 and 19 January 2026, according to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC). This includes approximately 57,200 people in Nyirol, 105,000 in Uror, 9,500 in Akobo, and more than 12,000 in Duk County.

In Mingkaman, Awerial County, Lakes State, authorities had registered over 18,000 arrivals from Jonglei as of 16 January. Most displaced people are women, children, and older persons. With daily fighting and airstrikes continuing, further displacement is expected. These figures have not been verified by humanitarian partners.

On 15 January, the Canal/Pigi County Commissioner reported the arrival of approximately 2,000 people displaced from Nyirol County to Wunlith Payam, where they are sheltering with host families and accessing basic health and nutrition services.

An interagency rapid needs assessment conducted on 4–5 January identified over 3,600 people displaced to four locations in Ulang County, Upper Nile State, after fleeing fighting in Nyirol County. They are sheltering in a school and a church with limited services, relying on contaminated water, with reported malnutrition among children under five and pregnant and lactating women, no functional nutrition facilities, and signs of psychological distress.

Reports indicate widespread looting of health facilities, confiscation of humanitarian assets, and relocation of aid personnel due to insecurity. Between 31 December 2025 and 8 January, 48 aid workers were relocated. Four health facilities in Waat and Riang (Nyirol County) and Yuai and Kaljak (Uror County) were looted. A health worker was killed at Waat Primary Health Care Centre. On 7 January, armed personnel entered an NGO compound in Walgak, Akobo County, confiscating assets, including three vehicles.

On 8 January, the United States Government suspended assistance in Ayod County, Jonglei State, due to interference by local authorities. An international NGO halted activities worth US$950,000 for 2026, affecting over 85,000 people.

In Unity State, renewed fighting in Guit, Rubkona, and Leer counties displaced an estimated 48,700 people as of 16 January: 7,250 in Guit, 24,500 in Rubkona, and 17,000 in Leer. In Bentiu IDP camp, civilians reported fear of arbitrary arrests, harassment of aid workers, and one reported detention.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND CHALLENGES

While several humanitarian organizations have temporarily relocated staff from central and northern Jonglei State for security reasons, around 15 NGOs have maintained a presence through locally recruited staff. However, they face severe access constraints due to restrictions on air and river movement, limiting operations and the ability to verify displacement figures. As a result, they cannot conduct medical referrals for wounded individuals, pregnant women, or other emergency cases, nor restock health and nutrition facilities with medicines and essential supplies.

Insecurity and bureaucratic impediments continue to restrict movement. Plans for an interagency needs assessment in Duk County scheduled for 13–16 January were postponed. On 15 January, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Guit County instructed an international NGO to immediately suspend health and nutrition activities in Kuerlatjor and Thorgow payams, citing insecurity. This has deprived thousands of people of critical assistance.

On 7 January, the embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the UK, and the US condemned a reported order by an SPLA iO commander in Jonglei State requiring humanitarian organizations to surrender vehicles, describing it as a serious violation of humanitarian principles that endangers aid workers and disrupts life-saving assistance.

For further information, please contact:

David Carden, Head of Office, +211 922690696 carden@un.org

Iramaku Vundru Wilfred, Reports Officer, +211 9222453857 and vundru@un.org

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.