South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (February 2026)

Continuing military operations between the SSPDF and armed groups, primarily in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity States, undermined the delivery of humanitarian assistance to an estimated 263,000 conflict-affected and displaced people, mainly women, children and the elderly.
Widespread hostilities, including air strikes and ground fighting, led to the evacuation of seven humanitarian staff from Ulang, Upper Nile State to Bor South, Jonglei State. Violence, intimidation and threats against humanitarian staff, assets and facilities continued to disrupt operations nationwide. Four humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty.
Four humanitarian facilities were looted; 10 humanitarian vehicles, equipment and supplies were confiscated. Lankien Hospital, Nyirol County, Jonglei State, the only facility providing specialized health-care services to about 250,000 people in the County and neighbouring Uror and Akobo Counties, suffered significant structural damage following an air strike.
Bureaucratic and administrative access constraints persisted, in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity States. In Western Bahr El Ghazal, authorities prevented several INGOs from accessing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Getti and Bazia areas, Wau County. On 3 February 2026, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) national office issued a directive requiring all NGOs to obtain a recommendation letter for work permits from the Ministry of Labour, at a cost of US$50. Humanitarian air access requests to Kuerengke, Luakpiny/ Nasir County, Upper Nile State, as well as Lankien, Nyirol County, Uror and Ayod Counties in Jonglei State, were denied. The continued denial significantly impeded delivery of life-saving assistance to displaced populations facing acute humanitarian needs. However, prior to the visit of the Under-Secretary-General, the Government granted clearance for humanitarian flights to Akobo.
On 10 February 2026, State authorities in Bor, Jonglei State, detained medical, WASH and nutrition supplies facilitated by the Logistics Cluster in transit to Fangak, Jonglei State and Nasir, Upper Nile State. The authorities cited concerns that the supplies were destined for opposition-controlled areas. On 18 February 2026, Unity State authorities, with the Ministry of Health and State RRC, suspended delivery of medical supplies to Panyijiar County, Unity State. On 10 February, a partner providing health services in Guit County, Unity State, was restricted by county authorities over allegations of supply diversion to opposition-controlled areas. These restrictions deprived vulnerable populations of essential medical support, amid heightened cholera risks.
The operational environment remained constrained, with active hostilities, access denials, violence against aid workers and administrative barriers limiting the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance.