South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (August 2025)

In August 2025, 70 humanitarian access incidents were recorded nationwide. Partners report a marked surge in violence targeting staff, compounds, and supplies—likely linked to worsening economic hardship—resulting in mission stand-downs, delayed deliveries, temporary program suspensions, and heightened risks for civilians and aid workers.

Armed clashes repeatedly disrupted aid delivery in Tonga (Panyikang), Kurwai (Pigi), and Mandeng (Nasir), including reported airstrikes against opposition-aligned positions that caused civilian casualties, displacement, and interruptions to NGO operations. Tensions and periodic bombardment in Canal-Pigi/Fangak kept access limited across Fangak, Ayod, and Nyirol, with insecurity and logistics constraints impeding life-saving services. Violence against humanitarian staff and assets proliferated in August. In Mangala an INGO driver was injured in a roadside banditry, while in Warrap, at an illegal checkpoint, five NGO passengers were injured during an attack and their belongings looted. Compounds and supplies were targeted too: an INGO base and four stores were looted/vandalized in Ajoung Thok and INGO nutrition commodities were looted in Canal/Pigi. Abduction incidents of humanitarian staff included seven INGO staff kidnapped in Yei, a NNGO staff member abducted in Tambura and a UNSMS contractor was abducted in Juba. An INGO local staff member was also arrested in Longuchuk, Upper Nile.

Authorities denied/limited access in multiple locations: the Eastern Corridor of Nasir, with access allowed only to SSPDF-controlled areas. In Pigi County, local authorities denied access, disrupting health and nutrition. The first large river convoy since April was halted at New Fangak checkpoint for two weeks. Additional interference included reinstated travel-permit demands in Upper Nile; coercive letters pressuring NGO returns to Nasir/Ulang towns and requesting organograms, staff/asset lists, audits, and county registrations; beneficiary-list demands in Wau; and a 5% personal income-tax demand on NGO staff in Renk. In Ayod, humanitarians verified 10,000 people but had limited access to them. Medical supplies for an INGO supported facility were detained near Yei. In Malakal town, suspension of school feeding over ration changes now affects 10 schools and 900 children, risking reduced attendance.

Seasonal weather conditions have also impacted physical access, with floods in Longuchuk affecting an estimated 15,000 people and impeding movement of supplies, while the airstrip in Agok (serving Abyei) has become unusable due to the road connection to Abyei, as well as the condition of the airstrip.

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