South Sudan

Conflict, climate shocks, economic instability and the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan are driving a severe hunger crisis in South Sudan.

Over half of the population – 7.56 million people – will face crisis or worse levels of hunger during the 2026 lean season (April to July), according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report.

A total of 28,000 people living in Luakpiny/Nasir and Fangak counties, who face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of hunger. The southern parts of Luakpiny/Nasir County are at risk of famine.

The risk of escalating conflict in Jonglei State means many of the 2 million people living there will be forced to flee in search of safety and food.

WFP urges all parties to the conflict to urgently halt military operations, de-escalate the situation, and allow safe humanitarian access to deliver life-saving food assistance to hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan’s Jonglei State.

Over 1 million people have fled to South Sudan since Sudan's war began, only to find more hunger on arrival as severe economic deterioration, extreme weather and conflict take a heavy toll.

The World Food Programme (WFP) aims to reach 3.3 million of the most vulnerable women, men and children with life-saving emergency food, nutrition, school meals, resilience and cash-based assistance in 2026.

However, a critical funding shortfall of US$321 million to April 2026 threatens our operations.

Urgent and sustained support is essential to save lives, protect livelihoods, and prevent the situation from deteriorating into a deeper humanitarian crisis.