South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (November 2025)

In November 2025, active hostilities, including ground attacks and airstrikes, continued between armed groups and the SSPDF, significantly affecting Jonglei, Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Unity, and Eastern Equatoria States. The violence resulted in widespread displacement, including 6,017 people in Baliet, 5,469 individuals in Torit, and an estimated 226,564 people across multiple counties in Western Equatoria State. Due to intensified clashes, 14 humanitarian workers were relocated from Pieri and Lankien in Jonglei to Juba, while an additional four aid workers were evacuated from Torit in Eastern Equatoria to Juba.
On 14 November, intercommunal violence in Baliet County, Upper Nile, killed one aid worker and two community volunteers and destroyed the Adong health and nutrition facility serving over 15,000 people. The incident left thousands without essential services, increasing risks of diseases and malnutrition among vulnerable groups. A total of 58 access incidents were reported in November.
Violence and threats against humanitarian personnel, facilities, and assets continued to disrupt the timely delivery of assistance. On 4 and 26 November, two aid workers were abducted by armed individuals while travelling between Yei and Morobo, Central Equatoria. In Juba, an expatriate NGO staff member was attacked and injured during a robbery at a guesthouse, and on 4 November NGO activity funds were stolen at gunpoint along Airport Road. In Jonglei, two humanitarian workers were arrested in Lankien by local authorities. In Upper Nile, a vehicle belonging to a humanitarian organization was forcibly seized and held for several days.
Bureaucratic and administrative impediments continued to affect operations in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Western Bahr El Ghazal States. Key barriers included: mandatory travel permits for all missions departing Malakal; pressure from officials to use state-owned armed escorts; demands for 20,000 South Sudanese Pound (SSP) to approve NGO job advertisements; a three-week suspension of UN drivers; and a suspension of humanitarian recruitment in Ulang County, Upper Nile State. In Western Bahr El Ghazal, authorities directed all organizations to include RRC representatives in every training and cover related costs. In Unity State, individuals in military uniforms demanded letters of no objection for humanitarian vehicles operating in Bentiu and nearby areas.
Physical access constraints, particularly due to flooding, continued to hinder operations in Unity State. Key routes, including Bentiu–Kilo 30–Rotriak and Rotriak–Pariang–Yida, remain impassable. The Rubkona–Wunrok road has also significantly deteriorated due to seasonal winds and water flow, further restricting humanitarian movements between Unity and Warrap states.