South Sudan continues to face severe humanitarian emergencies driven by climate shocks, relentless violence, multiple disease outbreaks and a struggling economy. These intersecting crises have systematically eroded community resilience, shattered essential services and displaced millions of people. 

In 2026, more than 10 million people, two-thirds of the population are projected to require some form of humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian situation is characterized by acute food insecurity, widespread displacement, fragile health and education systems, and severe protection risks, particularly for women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups who face heightened exposure to gender-based violence, exploitation and harmful coping mechanisms such as early and forced marriage.

The conflict in Sudan, now entering its third year, also continues to place immense pressure on South Sudan’s humanitarian and socio-economic systems. 

In 2025, the lasting impacts of the 2024 El Niño event produced a severe flood-drought paradox: while parts of the country faced extensive flooding that affected more than 1.3 million people, at the same time some northern and south-eastern regions experienced prolonged dry spells.

The cumulative impact of the shocks has depleted local coping capacities, leaving communities with little time or resources to recover between shocks. Scaled-up anticipatory action and investment is urgently needed to reduce the severe needs.

The influx of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan has pushed host communities and services to a breaking point. In Renk, Maban, and surrounding areas, water systems, health facilities, and schools are operating at 300-400 per cent of their capacity. The strain on services has disproportionately affected women and girls, who often shoulder caregiving responsibilities and face heightened risks of gender-based violence, particularly in overcrowded transit and reception centres. 

Sudan’s collapsing health system has also contributed to the cross-border spread of communicable diseases, including cholera, measles, and hepatitis E. South Sudan is currently facing its largest cholera outbreak on record.

In 2026, the UN and partners are asking for more than US$1 billion to help 4 million people. The response will focus on improving food security, essential services, provide durable solutions for displaced people, strengthen peace and governance, and build people's adaptive capacities to better withstand future shocks.