UNICEF South Sudan Humanitarian Flash Update No. 2 (Conflict in Jonglei, Unity and Eastern Equatoria States), 11 February 2026

Situation Update:

Renewed hostilities between armed actors have intensified across northern and central South Sudan since late December 2025. Sustained fighting and aerial bombardment in parts of Jonglei State have triggered a sharp deterioration in security conditions, large-scale displacement, and widespread civilian flight.

As of 3 February 2026, OCHA, citing Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) data, estimates that approximately 280,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei State amid highly volatile frontlines. Active clashes persist across Uror, Nyirol, Akobo, Duk, Ayod, and Canal/Pigi counties, with fresh fighting reported on 30 January and 2 February in Yuai, Pathai, Pulchuol, and Motot. Airstrikes in Walgak (Akobo County) on 2 February prompted additional displacement and the temporary suspension of humanitarian activities in affected areas.

The escalation has also driven significant cross-state movements. As of late January, an estimated 18,000 people had arrived in Ulang County (Upper Nile State) and parts of Canal/Pigi after fleeing violence and fear of further attacks in Nyirol County. In Central Equatoria, approximately 6,000 new arrivals—mainly women and children from Jonglei—are sheltering in Mangala Payam, alongside around 35,000 people previously displaced by flooding. These movements are placing severe strain on already overstretched basic services and deepening humanitarian needs in receiving areas.

Humanitarian access has been critically hindered by insecurity, movement restrictions, and no-fly zones imposed in opposition-held areas since 1 January, leaving air operations curtailed and supply routes to the most affected counties severely strained. Despite these constraints, authorities approved a one-day humanitarian flight window on 2 February, enabling UNICEF and partners to relocate staff and deliver 2.5 metric tons of lifesaving health and nutrition supplies to Akobo, followed by a second limited window on 5 February for additional therapeutic commodities. At the same time, cholera treatment centres in Jonglei remain overwhelmed. These limited access windows have enabled small-scale dispatches of critical supplies but vast areas hosting large concentrations of displaced people remain inaccessible to humanitarian actors.

Access is further deteriorating as large parts of Uror, Nyirol, and Ayod remain completely inaccessible. Persistent looting and confiscation of humanitarian assets—including vehicles and communications equipment, particularly in Yuai, Lankien, Wat, and Bentiu, continue to undermine operational capacity.

Outside Jonglei, insecurity is worsening in Eastern Equatoria, following clashes around Narus (Kapoeta East) that caused casualties, displacement toward the Kenyan border, and precautionary relocations of UN personnel. Broader conflict dynamics, including evacuation directives and military offensives announced in late January, are driving additional civilian flight across multiple states.

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