7.8 Million South Sudanese Face Acute Hunger as UN Agencies Warn of Famine Risk
JUBA, South Sudan — The United Nations has issued an urgent warning that more than half of South Sudan’s population — 7.8 million people — are facing acute food insecurity between April and July 2026, with famine threatening four counties in the country’s northeast.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF, 56 percent of South Sudan’s population is now experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity — among the worst rates in the world.
The report warns that 73,300 people are already facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5), a staggering 160 percent increase from the previous estimate. Another 2.5 million people are in the Emergency phase (IPC Phase 4), while 5.3 million are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Conflict and Displacement Driving the Crisis
UN agencies said the deepening hunger crisis is being driven by escalating conflict, mass displacement, economic decline, climate shocks, flooding, and below-capacity agricultural production. In Jonglei state alone, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced, with many communities completely cut off from humanitarian assistance.
Rising food prices, disrupted markets, and weak household purchasing power are further deepening the crisis, the agencies said.
Children Bearing the Brunt
The situation for children is particularly dire. Currently, 2.2 million children aged six months to five years are suffering from acute malnutrition — an increase of 100,000 cases in just six months. By July 2026, an estimated 700,000 children are projected to face severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form.
Additionally, 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished, placing both mothers and infants at heightened risk.
Risk of Famine
The UN agencies warn of a credible risk of famine in four counties across Upper Nile and Jonglei states. The IPC projects 11 counties across Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei states to face IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 (Extremely Critical) outcomes.
Disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and measles, are compounding the crisis, particularly among vulnerable and already acutely malnourished children.
Race Against Time
“Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a significant increase in conflict in Jonglei and Upper Nile and repeated blockages in our attempts to access people in these areas,” said Ross Smith, WFP’s Director of Emergencies and Preparedness.
“We are now engaged in a critical race against time to expedite and increase our deliveries to remote locations in anticipation of an early rainy season,” he added.
Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergencies, warned: “We are witnessing a deadly downward spiral with 2.2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition and nearly 700,000 among them are at grave risk of dying from severe wasting. Every day of delayed humanitarian access and supply delivery is a day a child’s life and future hang in the balance.”
Call for Action
FAO, WFP and UNICEF are urgently calling on the international community and all parties to the conflict to ensure safe, rapid, and unfettered humanitarian access to all affected areas. Sustained funding for food assistance, nutrition programmes, clean water and sanitation, and health services is critical to prevent further deterioration.
“Now, more than ever, we cannot afford to lose the hard-won gains made in recent years,” said Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience. “We must act urgently and collectively to protect livelihoods, sustain food production, and prevent millions more people from falling deeper into hunger.”
The agencies warned that without rapid, large-scale intervention, the people of South Sudan risk facing an irreversible humanitarian catastrophe.
— JubaGlobal News
