Jun 06, Kathmandu - The UN refugee agency UNHCR has warned of a serious humanitarian and security crisis in South Sudan’s eastern Jonglei state.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes due to months of conflict and insecurity. According to the UN refugee agency, about 140,000 people have been displaced from Akobo county in Jonglei state alone.

More than 300,000 people have been forced to flee their homes from Jonglei and neighboring states since December 2025. About 100,000 have fled to neighboring Ethiopia in search of safety.
The situation is considered volatile and challenging as the population movement in the affected area continues. The UN refugee agency has warned that families sheltering in Akobo and surrounding areas will be even more vulnerable in the coming days.
As heavy rains continue, they will be further isolated from external assistance, the risk of various diseases will increase and relief efforts will be more difficult. Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has repeatedly faced armed conflict, widespread displacement and climate-related disasters.

According to statistics, around 2.4 million South Sudanese refugees are currently living in neighboring countries, while nearly 2 million people are displaced within their own country.

Meanwhile, South Sudan has hosted more than 1.3 million people due to the ongoing war in Sudan since April 2023. These include returnees, refugees and asylum seekers. Humanitarian agencies have urged the international community to urgently expand assistance, protection and relief programs in conflict-affected areas.