(JUBA) – Ongoing clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and armed groups in parts of Jonglei and Upper Nile states are preventing humanitarian organisations from reaching over 150,000 people in urgent need of assistance, according to a new report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The Humanitarian Access Snapshot for June 2025 revealed that aid workers are unable to reach areas including Fangak, Pigi Canal, Ulang, and Nasir counties. These counties are home to an estimated 154,500 people who have been displaced by conflict and natural disasters and are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, and medical aid.
In the month of June alone, the humanitarian community recorded 53 incidents that disrupted humanitarian operations. These include violence, bureaucratic interference, movement restrictions and checkpoints established by both government and opposition actors.
OCHA reported that the most affected areas are Unity and Upper Nile states, where opposition groups have created parallel civilian authorities. These new structures are demanding additional documentation and approvals from aid groups, adding to the existing bureaucratic delays and complicating humanitarian delivery.
One major incident involved humanitarian supply trucks transporting critical goods from Unity State to the capital, Juba. The trucks were held at a checkpoint after officials demanded extra clearance documents from the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), further delaying supplies meant for vulnerable populations.
| Location Affected | Population in Need | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fangak | ~40,000 | No access due to armed clashes |
| Pigi Canal | ~30,000 | Blocked by insecurity |
| Ulang | ~44,500 | Access restricted |
| Nasir | ~40,000 | No operational clearance |
| Total Affected | 154,500 |
These blockages come at a time when South Sudan is experiencing rising humanitarian needs, fuelled by ongoing violence, climate related disasters such as flooding and disease outbreaks including cholera. Aid agencies have warned that delays in assistance delivery will worsen already severe food insecurity and put vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly at increased risk.
The report also highlights growing concern over the administrative pressure on aid organisations, warning that unless parallel governance structures and checkpoint demands are resolved, access to remote and conflict affected communities will remain severely limited.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian workers continue to engage with authorities on both sides to negotiate safe and unrestricted access to affected regions. However, they stress that long term solutions must include unhindered humanitarian access and respect for international humanitarian law by all parties.
