South Sudan in Conflict: Food Insecurity Worsens, 56% of Population (7.8 Million) Face Crisis, 700,000 Children Severely Acutely Malnourished [Press Release]
Three UN agencies, including UNICEF, warn that 7.8 million people (56% of the population) in conflict-ridden South Sudan are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2026. This crisis includes 700,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition, necessitating immediate international humanitarian aid.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:40
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A child receiving a nutritional screening using a mid-upper arm circumference tape at a UNICEF-supported health center in Juba, South Sudan (photographed on July 24, 2024) © UNICEF/UNI632024/Naftalin
[Rome/New York, April 28, 2026]
Three UN agencies, including UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), issued a warning on the 28th that according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, food insecurity in South Sudan is further deteriorating. An estimated 7.8 million people are at risk of facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) between April and July 2026. This represents 56% of the population, making South Sudan one of the countries with the highest levels of acute food insecurity in the world.
* * *
Of the people projected to face acute food insecurity, 73,300 are facing "Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5)" conditions, meaning "Famine," a dramatic 160% increase from previous estimates. Meanwhile, 2.5 million people are in "Emergency (IPC Phase 4)" and 5.3 million are in "Crisis (IPC Phase 3)" conditions.
This crisis is driven by escalating conflict, mass displacement, economic decline, climate shocks, floods, and a downturn in agricultural production, all contributing to reduced food supplies and households' inability to access sufficient food. In Jonglei State alone, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced, and many communities remain cut off from humanitarian assistance. Simultaneously, soaring food prices, market disruptions, and reduced household purchasing power are further exacerbating food insecurity.
People waiting for child nutrition screening at a UNICEF-supported health center in Jonglei State, South Sudan (photographed on January 4, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI971642/Travis
At the same time, in areas where facilities have been damaged or closed due to conflict, access to health and nutrition services remains unavailable, leading to a wider and more severe spread of acute malnutrition. Furthermore, shortages of supplies and funding are limiting opportunities for life-saving treatment. Outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and measles are further deepening the crisis, especially among vulnerable children who are already acutely malnourished.
The reception area of a health center destroyed by fighting in Uror, Jonglei State, South Sudan (photographed on January 4, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI971647/Travis
The three agencies are warning of a realistic risk of famine in four counties in Upper Nile and Jonglei States. Conflict-affected communities are cut off from food, markets, and essential services under the worst-case scenario of intensifying conflict, further displacement, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. The IPC predicts that a total of 11 counties in Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei States will face Phase 5 (Catastrophic/Famine) conditions in the IPC acute malnutrition analysis, indicating an extremely severe situation. While humanitarian assistance has been expanded in some areas, its reach is inconsistent, and some communities remain inaccessible with little or no aid reaching them.
For children, the nutritional situation continues to worsen. Currently, 2.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years are acutely malnourished, an increase of 100,000 from six months ago. By July this year, 700,000 children are projected to face the most deadly form of "severe acute malnutrition." Similarly, 1.2 million pregnant and lactating women are acutely malnourished, putting both mothers and infants at high risk.
Concurrently, floods and a decline in agricultural production are leading to further reductions in food supply.
UNICEF and the other three agencies, along with the Nutrition and WASH clusters, are calling on the international community and national governments to take immediate action. Sustained funding for food assistance, nutrition programs, safe water and sanitation facilities, and health services is essential to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Lucia Elmi, Director of UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programs, states: "We are witnessing a life-threatening vicious cycle where 2.2 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, nearly 700,000 of whom are on the brink of death from severe wasting. Every day that humanitarian aid and supplies are delayed puts children's lives and futures at risk. We urge all parties to allow timely and safe delivery of aid to conflict-affected areas, including areas where displaced people reside, and to ensure nutrition
[Rome/New York, April 28, 2026]
Three UN agencies, including UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), issued a warning on the 28th that according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, food insecurity in South Sudan is further deteriorating. An estimated 7.8 million people are at risk of facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) between April and July 2026. This represents 56% of the population, making South Sudan one of the countries with the highest levels of acute food insecurity in the world.
* * *
Of the people projected to face acute food insecurity, 73,300 are facing "Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5)" conditions, meaning "Famine," a dramatic 160% increase from previous estimates. Meanwhile, 2.5 million people are in "Emergency (IPC Phase 4)" and 5.3 million are in "Crisis (IPC Phase 3)" conditions.
This crisis is driven by escalating conflict, mass displacement, economic decline, climate shocks, floods, and a downturn in agricultural production, all contributing to reduced food supplies and households' inability to access sufficient food. In Jonglei State alone, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced, and many communities remain cut off from humanitarian assistance. Simultaneously, soaring food prices, market disruptions, and reduced household purchasing power are further exacerbating food insecurity.
People waiting for child nutrition screening at a UNICEF-supported health center in Jonglei State, South Sudan (photographed on January 4, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI971642/Travis
At the same time, in areas where facilities have been damaged or closed due to conflict, access to health and nutrition services remains unavailable, leading to a wider and more severe spread of acute malnutrition. Furthermore, shortages of supplies and funding are limiting opportunities for life-saving treatment. Outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and measles are further deepening the crisis, especially among vulnerable children who are already acutely malnourished.
The reception area of a health center destroyed by fighting in Uror, Jonglei State, South Sudan (photographed on January 4, 2026) © UNICEF/UNI971647/Travis
The three agencies are warning of a realistic risk of famine in four counties in Upper Nile and Jonglei States. Conflict-affected communities are cut off from food, markets, and essential services under the worst-case scenario of intensifying conflict, further displacement, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. The IPC predicts that a total of 11 counties in Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei States will face Phase 5 (Catastrophic/Famine) conditions in the IPC acute malnutrition analysis, indicating an extremely severe situation. While humanitarian assistance has been expanded in some areas, its reach is inconsistent, and some communities remain inaccessible with little or no aid reaching them.
For children, the nutritional situation continues to worsen. Currently, 2.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years are acutely malnourished, an increase of 100,000 from six months ago. By July this year, 700,000 children are projected to face the most deadly form of "severe acute malnutrition." Similarly, 1.2 million pregnant and lactating women are acutely malnourished, putting both mothers and infants at high risk.
Concurrently, floods and a decline in agricultural production are leading to further reductions in food supply.
UNICEF and the other three agencies, along with the Nutrition and WASH clusters, are calling on the international community and national governments to take immediate action. Sustained funding for food assistance, nutrition programs, safe water and sanitation facilities, and health services is essential to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Lucia Elmi, Director of UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programs, states: "We are witnessing a life-threatening vicious cycle where 2.2 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, nearly 700,000 of whom are on the brink of death from severe wasting. Every day that humanitarian aid and supplies are delayed puts children's lives and futures at risk. We urge all parties to allow timely and safe delivery of aid to conflict-affected areas, including areas where displaced people reside, and to ensure nutrition