South Sudan Records 77 Humanitarian Access Incidents in August

Copyright: OCHA/ Basma Ourfali

South Sudan recorded 77 humanitarian access incidents in August, including 42 involving violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities, according to a humanitarian access snapshot released Sept. 9 by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and humanitarian partners.

The incidents included robbery, theft, threats, harassment and damage to humanitarian assets, accounting for 55% of all reported incidents during the month.

Insecurity disrupted humanitarian operations in several parts of the country. An organization suspended activities in Chemedi, Renk County, and withdrew most of its staff, affecting an estimated 33,600 people. Violence at Bentiu internally displaced persons camp on Aug. 19 temporarily prevented humanitarian staff from entering, disrupting assistance for a population of approximately 120,000.

Armed clashes in Ulang on Aug. 20 also led to the suspension of humanitarian activities, affecting an estimated 3,000 people.

Humanitarian personnel faced additional risks in the Yei area, where abductions affected Ebola-preparedness operations. An international nongovernmental organization-contracted driver transporting fuel was abducted Aug. 9 and released the following day. Three humanitarian staff were reportedly abducted Aug. 11 along the Yei-Lasu road while transporting infection-prevention and control supplies.

In Mundri East, an attack on a humanitarian convoy involved the assault of drivers and the looting and destruction of relief cargo, the report said.

Administrative and operational restrictions also affected aid delivery. In Leer, administrative requirements delayed the delivery of construction materials. In Twic, allegations of interference in beneficiary selection prompted the suspension of a cash-for-protection activity pending investigation.

A dispute over unpaid incentives temporarily interrupted refugee cash distributions in Jamjang before they resumed following a temporary resolution.

In Fangak, insecurity restricted movement between Manajang, Paguir and Barbuoi payams, affecting humanitarian access, supply movements and monitoring. An estimated 1,670 people were reportedly affected, while 12 humanitarian personnel were relocated from the area.

The looting of nutrition supplies and equipment in Guit further disrupted service delivery.

The snapshot recorded 533 humanitarian access incidents from January through August 2026, a 44% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

OCHA cautioned that the figures reflect only reported incidents and may not capture the actual scale of events, as other incidents may have gone unreported.