South Sudan crisis: displacement outpaces aid as 280,000 flee fighting in Jonglei State

A man with a clipboard is taking details while a woman in speaking to him standing in front of a large crowd of seated people.

Ongoing fighting and airstrikes in South Sudan’s Jonglei State have displaced an estimated 280,000 people, with the humanitarian situation in Mingkaman-Awerial county now critical as assistance struggles to keep pace with rapidly growing needs.

IN EARLY JANUARY families began arriving at sites across Mingkaman after fleeing violence and insecurity. Many walked long distances with nothing but the clothes on their backs. While host communities initially shared their limited resources, that capacity has now been exhausted.

According to the South Sudan government’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), approximately 29,000 displaced people were recorded in January. By February, that number had surpassed 94,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Registration efforts by humanitarian agencies are ongoing, but the pace of arrivals means many families remain unregistered and without support.

Even among those registered, assistance is severely limited. Global funding cuts and operational constraints have reduced the presence of several humanitarian organisations in Mingkaman. In some cases, a single household food ration must be shared among multiple family members, while others rely on borrowing food from neighbours who are themselves struggling.

A large group of people sitting on the ground
Internally Displaced Families shelter on the outskirts of Mingkaman Town, where many are living in open areas following recent displacement. Photo taken during an assessment visit by Maketh Deng – Project Officer Livelihood Mingkaman office.

In response, FCA is supporting 200 households with emergency cash assistance for two months through its Disaster Fund. However, the scale of need far exceeds available resources.

Without urgent intervention, food insecurity will worsen and further displacement becomes likely. The crisis in Mingkaman reflects a broader pattern across South Sudan, where humanitarian needs continue to rise as funding declines. Increased and flexible funding is urgently needed to scale up life-saving assistance.

Donate now