BREAKING: 7.8 Million People in South Sudan Face Acute Hunger as Famine Threat Looms, UN Agencies Warn
JUBA, South Sudan — A deepening hunger crisis is pushing 7.8 million people in South Sudan — more than half the country’s population — into high levels of acute food insecurity, with a credible risk of famine in four counties, the United Nations and its partners warned Tuesday.
The joint warning from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF follows the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which projects that 56 percent of South Sudan’s population will face crisis-level hunger or worse between April and July 2026.
According to the report, 73,300 people are already facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) — the most severe level of acute food insecurity — representing a dramatic 160 percent increase from the previous estimate. Another 2.5 million people are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), while 5.3 million are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Children at Breaking Point
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. Nearly 700,000 children are projected to face severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form, by July. Disease outbreaks including cholera, malaria, and measles are compounding the crisis among already vulnerable children.
“Without rapid, large-scale intervention, the people of South Sudan risk facing an irreversible humanitarian catastrophe,” the agencies warned in a joint statement.
Conflict, Displacement, and Economic Collapse
The crisis is being driven by escalating conflict, mass displacement, economic decline, climate shocks, and flooding. In Jonglei State alone, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced, leaving many communities cut off from humanitarian assistance.
Heavy clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and opposition groups have intensified in recent months. The tensions stem from a long-standing feud between President Salva Kiir and suspended Vice President Riek Machar, who is currently on trial in Juba on charges he denies.
Rising food prices, disrupted markets, and weak household purchasing power are further deepening food insecurity across the country.
Famine Risk in Four Counties
The IPC projects a credible risk of famine in four counties across Upper Nile and Jonglei states, where conflict-affected communities have been cut off from food, markets, and essential services. Eleven counties across Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei are facing IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 5 (Extremely Critical) outcomes.
Humanitarian assistance is being scaled up in some areas, but coverage remains uneven, with some communities still inaccessible and receiving little or no support.
The agencies are calling on the international community and all parties to the conflict to ensure safe, rapid, and unfettered humanitarian access to all affected areas without delay. Sustained funding for food assistance, nutrition programs, clean water, sanitation, and health services is critical to prevent further deterioration.
This is a breaking news story. More details to follow.
