South Sudan

Introduction

The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan continues to intensify due to a combination of:

• armed conflict
• inter-communal violence
• economic instability
• spillover effects of the war in Sudan
• climate-related shocks
   

In 2026, 10 million, about 2/3 of the population require humanitarian assistance.  

The EU remains committed to providing lifesaving, needs-based humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those most in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

over €1.2 billion since 2011

What are the needs?

The ongoing armed conflict has led to devastating humanitarian consequences. Civilians are being killed, homes and essential infrastructure are destroyed or looted and hundreds of thousands are uprooted from their homes. Insecurity also severely restricts humanitarian access, leaving many communities cut off from critical aid.

Extremely poor health conditions

South Sudan’s health indicators are among the worst in the world, with the highest neonatal and maternal mortality rates globally and extremely limited access to health facilities. The country also continues to grapple with a cholera outbreak.

Displaced people

The crisis in South Sudan is further intensified by the impact of the war in neighbouring Sudan. As of April 2026, more than 1.3 million people have arrived in the country, including 900 000 South Sudanese returnees. In addition, flooding displaces hundreds of thousands of people across the country every year. 

Protection crisis

This is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a protection crisis, with high levels of sexual and gender-based violence. Humanitarian actors operate in a volatile and complex environment. Repeated attacks on aid workers and looting of humanitarian assets continue to undermine access and slow the delivery of aid. This comes in addition to significant logistical challenges.

How are we helping?

In 2025, the EU allocated €106 million for humanitarian actions in South Sudan, covering responses across food assistance, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene services, protection, and logistics, as well as other urgent needs arising from the war in Sudan. This makes the EU the one of the largest humanitarian donors in the country. 

With food insecurity and malnutrition at record highs across the country, the EU is helping to reduce excess mortality and morbidity through emergency food assistance, nutrition interventions, and cash-based support, including in hard-to-reach areas, while also supporting the response to the ongoing cholera outbreak. 

Furthermore, in 2025 €5.5 million has been allocated to support both static and mobile education interventions, focusing on primary education for newly displaced and out-of-school children.

Emergency life-saving interventions

In addition, EU humanitarian funding addresses critical needs through emergency life-saving interventions, particularly in response to new shocks, using:

• integrated multi-sector approaches
• mobile outreach teams
• cash-based assistance 

EU-supported projects also provide protection services to communities affected by:

• violence
• new displacement
• climate-related shocks

The consequences of the Sudan crisis

The EU further supports the humanitarian response to the consequences of the Sudan crisis, including border-area interventions such as camp management and onward transportation, as well as assistance to the most vulnerable communities affected by the large number of returnees.  

The EU continues to strongly support principled humanitarian action, advocating for the protection of humanitarian workers and ensuring their safe and sustained access to all parts of the country.