South Sudan Ranked Among Most Dangerous Countries for Aid Workers

(JUBA) – South Sudan has again been ranked among the most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers, according to new figures released on World Humanitarian Day 2025. The country currently stands as the second most dangerous place globally for aid workers, highlighting the growing risks faced by those delivering life saving support.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, said the day was an opportunity to honour the courage of humanitarian workers across the world and in South Sudan in particular. She paid tribute to those who had lost their lives while serving communities and called for renewed support to people affected by crises.

Since the beginning of 2025, there have been 26 casualties in South Sudan involving humanitarian staff and contractors, a steep rise from 15 during the same period last year. This year’s figures include 15 aid workers and 11 contractors who have been killed or injured while on duty.

Between January and July 2025, aid agencies reported more than 200 incidents of direct violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, compared with 176 in the same months of 2024. Insecurity has also forced 56 humanitarian workers to relocate away from their duty stations, reducing the reach of assistance to communities in urgent need.

Most humanitarian workers in South Sudan are South Sudanese nationals, many serving their own communities despite insecurity, flooding, and limited resources. This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme, “Act for Humanity,” is seen as especially meaningful in South Sudan, where over 70 per cent of the population relies on aid and 1.6 million people are expected to be affected by floods in 2025. Since January, violence has displaced an estimated 355,000 people.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian organisations continue to deliver services across the country. By June 2025, agencies had reached around 3.2 million people with essential assistance, representing 59 per cent of the target set in the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan. Deliveries have been made in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas using all available means.

The Humanitarian Coordinator said the needs of the country are rising while the operating environment becomes more dangerous. She cited funding reductions alongside an increase in attacks on aid workers, including killings, kidnappings and injuries, as pressures that make operations more difficult.

On World Humanitarian Day, the humanitarian community called on the Government, non-state actors and all stakeholders to ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers. They also urged the international community to remain engaged in supporting South Sudan on its journey towards peace, recovery, and resilience.

Humanitarian Situation in South Sudan 2025 (January – July)