Renewed fighting across South Sudan has forced more than 445,000 people to flee their homes this year, deepening one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian crises, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned on Tuesday.
The organization said the intensifying conflict, coupled with dwindling humanitarian funding, has left many families without adequate food, shelter, or access to essential services. It urged all parties to the conflict, as well as donors and authorities, to take urgent action to avert a worsening catastrophe in the months ahead.
“Civilians are bearing the brunt of conflicts and violence,” said Florence Gillette, ICRC Head of Delegation in South Sudan. “They flee, try to rebuild their lives, and are forced to flee again. This cycle must end so that communities can recover from years of crisis.”
According to the ICRC, hostilities have spread across seven of South Sudan’s ten states, with the worst-affected areas including Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Western Bahr el Ghazal. Inter-communal clashes and spillover effects from the war in neighboring Sudan have further fueled instability.
The humanitarian situation has also been worsened by extreme weather events. The ICRC said climate shocks have affected more than 900,000 people, including 300,000 who were forced to leave their homes due to severe flooding.
“When the fighting started in the village, I ran with my children and never looked back,” said Grace Wani, a displaced mother of four sheltering in Yambio, Western Equatoria. “We walked for days without food, and my youngest fell sick on the way. Life in this temporary settlement is not easy. I worry for my children’s safety and our future.”
The ICRC warned that conditions for displaced families could deteriorate further unless civilians and key infrastructure—such as farmland, water sources, hospitals, and schools—are protected.
“The protection of civilians and civilian objects must remain a priority,” said Gillette. “Displaced people will continue to face unbearable conditions unless all parties take concrete steps to safeguard them.”
Many people fleeing the conflict in Sudan have also sought refuge in South Sudan, joining the country’s already displaced population. Achol Marial, who fled Sudan with her three children, described the relief she felt upon receiving aid in Kuajok, Warrap State. “That evening, I cooked beans and porridge, and my children smiled again. For the first time in months, we slept safely and full,” she said.
Since January 2025, the ICRC, working alongside the South Sudan Red Cross (SSRC), has assisted around 196,000 displaced people and returnees. The support includes food aid, cash transfers, agricultural and livestock assistance, and essential household items to help families rebuild their lives.
