Juba, South Sudan — In an escalating humanitarian disaster, South Sudan faces an unprecedented level of food insecurity, driven by prolonged conflict, the collapse of essential services, and global supply chain disruptions.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis has painted a dire picture, with 7. 8 million South Sudanese, or nearly 55 per cent of the population, enduring crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2026.
The situation is gravely exacerbated in parts of Greater Jonglei and Upper Nile states, where 73,000 individuals are confronting catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5), and another 2. 5 million are experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions, struggling with severe food shortages and malnutrition. Amid the turmoil, the health system in South Sudan has suffered a catastrophic breakdown, with Akobo County in Jonglei State exemplifying the horror.
All 15 health facilities in Akobo have been destroyed, leaving a sole referral hospital in disarray. Chandiga Kennedy, a humanitarian manager with CARE, described the heart-wrenching scene: “Patients were lying on the cold floor waiting for care, some weak, some in pain, all longing for assistance.”This crisis is also compounded by the soaring global energy prices resulting from Middle Eastern conflict, which have driven up the costs of food and transportation, further straining the already vulnerable population.
The health situation has deteriorated alarmingly, with preventable illnesses like malaria, diarrheal diseases, and respiratory infections going untreated due to the lack of health services and supplies.
The IPC estimates that 2. 2 million children under 5 require treatment for acute malnutrition, and 1. 2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women need nutritional support.
CARE South Sudan Country Director James Akai summed up the dire consequences: “Hunger is accelerating the collapse of an already fragile health system, and women and children are bearing the brunt.”.
The international community’s response is urgently needed to address the immediate crisis, which includes providing aid, supporting peace efforts, and investing in long-term solutions to stabilize South Sudan.
The international community must act now to prevent the crisis from spiraling out of control, ensuring that the human cost of conflict is mitigated and that sustainable peace and development are fostered.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: CARE
