UN Humanitarian Coordinator Warns of Rising Risks to Aid Workers in South Sudan
Thirty-six humanitarian workers and contractors have been killed in South Sudan since January, surpassing the 31 humanitarian personnel killed during all of 2025, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator said Wednesday.
In a statement marking World Humanitarian Day, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Ramanathan Balakrishnan said humanitarian workers continue to provide life-saving assistance despite growing threats to their safety and security.
“Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible held accountable,” Balakrishnan said, describing the continued loss of humanitarian personnel, most of them South Sudanese nationals, as unacceptable.
The U.N. said more than 450 incidents of violence against humanitarian workers and assets were reported between January and July, more than twice the number recorded during the same period in 2025. Renewed conflict has also forced some humanitarian organizations to relocate from operational areas, further limiting access to people in need.
The worsening security situation comes as about 10 million people are expected to require humanitarian assistance in South Sudan in 2026, including more than 7.5 million facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
The humanitarian response is also facing a funding shortfall. The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 35% funded, with food assistance pipelines facing possible disruption from October if additional resources are not secured, according to the statement.
Despite the challenges, humanitarian organizations reached 2.6 million of the 4.3 million people targeted between January and June. However, insecurity, access restrictions and bureaucratic impediments continue to hamper efforts to reach millions of others in need.
Balakrishnan called on the South Sudanese government and all parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law by protecting humanitarian personnel, civilians and aid assets, investigating attacks and ensuring safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access.
“Humanitarian workers and the people they serve must never be targeted,” he said, stressing that access to affected communities should not be obstructed, politicized or used as a bargaining tool.
The U.N. said protecting humanitarian workers is essential to ensuring life-saving assistance reaches millions of people who depend on humanitarian aid across South Sudan.
