Southern and Eastern Africa

South Sudan

Children, women and men flee the conflict in Sudan in a bus headed for Maban, South Sudan.
Children, women and men flee the conflict in Sudan in a bus headed for Maban, South Sudan. May 2024. Photo: OCHA/Liz Loh-Taylor
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Conflict and insecurity continue to be major drivers of need in South Sudan. The humanitarian crisis persists due to a combination of sporadic armed clashes, intercommunal violence, food insecurity, public health challenges, and climate shocks. These factors have severely affected people’s livelihoods and hindered access to essential services such as water, sanitation, education, and healthcare.

In 2024, the economic crisis, ongoing conflict in Sudan, and widespread flooding further deepened people’s needs. Protection concerns remain particularly high for women and girls, especially those fleeing Sudan, who face extreme protection risks during their journey to South Sudan. Many arrive in poor physical and psychological conditions, having been exposed to gender-based violence and abuse. As of late December 2024, more than 900,000 people had arrived from Sudan, with projections estimating an additional 337,000 arrivals in 2025.

South Sudan remains the world’s second-most vulnerable country to extreme weather events, which will continue to affect communities across the country.

The food security situation continues to deteriorate due to a combination of shocks, including conflict, displacement, flooding, and a high cost of living. The ongoing influx of returnees and refugees from Sudan further worsens this situation. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification of November 2024, approximately 6.1 million people (45 per cent of the population) are projected to face crisis-level or more severe acute food insecurity from December 2024 to March 2025. This number is expected to rise to 7.7 million (57 per cent of the population) during the lean season of April to July 2025. Meanwhile, 85 per cent of South Sudanese returnees from Sudan are likely to experience crisis-level or worse food insecurity. 

Malnutrition rates remain alarmingly high among children and women, with more than 2.1 million people at risk of acute malnutrition in 2025.

In 2025, US$1.7 billion will be required to assist 5.4 million of the most vulnerable people in South Sudan. Although more than half of the required $1.8 billion was received in 2024, this is insufficient to meet the increasing demands.

The response will continue to prioritize protection focusing on reducing risks, decreasing vulnerability, and enhancing the capacities of affected communities. Collaborative efforts with development and peace partners will be key to building community resilience and achieving sustainable solutions for crisis-affected people.

Overview of humanitarian response in South Sudan

For a full overview of the humanitarian response, visit humanitarianaction.info
Total population
13.4M 2025
People to be covered by assistance
5.4M 2025
Total requirements (USD)
1.7B 2025
Total requirements (USD)
1.7B 2025
Funding coverage (%)
19.80 2025
Funding gap (USD)
1.4B 2025

Top 5 donors

European Commission
$60.2 million
United Kingdom, Government of
$44 million
Germany, Government of
$43.6 million
Denmark, Government of
$35.5 million
United States of America, Government of
$25.1 million

Top 5 funded sectors

Not specified
$89.4 million
Food Security and Livelihoods
$63 million
Refugee Response
$29.2 million
Nutrition
$18.9 million
Protection
$16.6 million

The South Sudan Humanitarian Fund

The South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) is a multi-donor humanitarian financing mechanism established in 2012 by the Emergency Relief Coordinator. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, the SSHF is managed by the OCHA South Sudan's Humanitarian Funding Unit based in Juba. The mandate of the SSHF is to allocate funding to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity based on humanitarian needs and priorities identified. By providing timely, coordinated, and principled assistance, the Fund aims to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response.

Top 5 donors

Netherlands
$8.4 million (paid)
Germany
$5.2 million (paid)
Ireland
$4.3 million (paid)
United Kingdom
$3.8 million (paid)
Sweden
$3 million (paid)

Resources

South Sudan

Infographic

2024 South Sudan Humanitarian Response In Review

In 2024, multiple shocks and trends continued to affect the humanitarian situation, exacerbating the needs of vulnerable people in South Sudan. An estimated 9 million people were projected to need...

Originally published
Source
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Read more

South Sudan + 1 more

Other

South Sudan Humanitarian Fund Annual Report 2024

Donor contributions In 2024, donors contributed $42.5 million to the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF), enabling critical support to the country’s most vulnerable communities. While this...

Originally published
Source
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Read more

South Sudan

Infographic

South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (April 2025)

In April, fighting between armed groups continued to trigger fatalities and mass displacement in Upper Nile State and northern Jonglei, undermining essential services and worsening the humanitarian...

Originally published
Source
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Read more

South Sudan + 1 more

Infographic

South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (April 2025)

Conflict severely impacted the lives of people in multiple states, particularly Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Central Equatoria, significantly hindering the delivery of life-saving assistance to...

Originally published
Source
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Read more

Funding for OCHA South Sudan

Total requirements (USD)
N/A 2
Opening balance (USD)
N/A 2
Earmarked funding (USD)
N/A 2
Total (USD)
N/A 2