Humanitarian agencies in South Sudan say they are prepared to expand emergency assistance in Akobo County following renewed commitments by parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to allow humanitarian access and guarantee the safety of aid workers.
The development comes amid President Salva Kiir’s declaration of a ceasefire aimed at reducing violence and restoring calm in conflict-affected areas with the SPLA-IO
However, the SPLA-IO responded cautiously, saying implementation of the ceasefire should include the release of political detainees arrested during recent tensions.
In a statement, the Acting United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, welcomed the commitments made by the transitional government parties, describing them as critical for the delivery of life-saving aid to vulnerable communities in Akobo and surrounding areas.
According to Dr. Karamagi, humanitarian organizations have already pre-positioned relief supplies and response teams and are ready to rapidly scale up food assistance, nutrition support, protection services, and healthcare interventions.
He warned that aid agencies are facing a limited window of opportunity before the start of the rainy season, which is expected to further cut off access routes and worsen humanitarian conditions in the area.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis identified Akobo among the counties expected to face catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition — classified as IPC Phase 5 — between April and July 2026.
The humanitarian crisis in the area has worsened following clashes reported in March and April that triggered massive displacement. Humanitarian agencies estimate that nearly 200,000 people have been displaced, including more than 100,000 who reportedly crossed into Tiergol across the border.
Reports also indicate that civilian infrastructure in Jonglei State, including Akobo Hospital, was looted and damaged during the violence, disrupting essential health services for affected populations.
Dr. Karamagi further thanked the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for supporting humanitarian operations and helping maintain a safe environment for aid workers and humanitarian supplies.
“Full, safe and sustained humanitarian access at this time is essential to enable urgent life-saving assistance to reach affected communities and help avert a further deterioration of this worrying humanitarian crisis,” Dr. Karamagi said.
