UN Halts Food Aid in South Sudan After Armed Groups Steal 1,500 Tonnes of Supplies
Juba, 5 February 2026
The World Food Programme suspended operations in northern South Sudan’s Baliet County after armed youth attacked aid convoys between 30 January and 1 February, looting 1,500 tonnes of food destined for vulnerable families. Despite security assurances from local authorities, no intervention occurred during the raids on twelve WFP boats. The suspension threatens assistance to over 4.2 million people facing severe hunger in a region already devastated by conflict and climate change. WFP demands security guarantees and recovery of stolen goods before resuming operations, while also cancelling plans to store 12,000 tonnes of emergency food supplies in neighbouring Jonglei State due to deteriorating security conditions across the humanitarian corridor.
Security Breakdown Exposes Humanitarian Vulnerability
The attacks on WFP convoys highlight the deteriorating security landscape across South Sudan’s humanitarian corridors. Armed youth targeted the twelve boats carrying essential supplies without facing any resistance from Baliet County security forces, despite prior assurances of protection [1]. This brazen assault occurred over a three-day period from 30 January to 1 February 2026, demonstrating the systematic nature of the looting rather than an opportunistic raid [1]. The incident underscores the fundamental challenge facing humanitarian organisations operating in conflict zones where local security arrangements prove inadequate against organised criminal activities.
Broader Regional Impact on Food Security
Beyond the immediate suspension in Baliet County, WFP has been forced to cancel its strategic food storage plans for Jonglei State, where it intended to position 12,000 tonnes of emergency supplies [1]. This decision, announced on 3 February 2026, compounds the humanitarian crisis as it eliminates a crucial buffer against future food shortages [1]. The security situation has particularly deteriorated in Jonglei State, with damage reported to humanitarian infrastructure in Akobo, Ayod, Nyirol, and Uror districts [1]. These disruptions threaten WFP’s capacity to reach more than 4.2 million people who depend on emergency food assistance across the region [1][2].
Implications for Regional Refugee Movements
The suspension of food operations creates significant uncertainty for South Sudanese refugees contemplating voluntary repatriation from camps in neighbouring Kenya, particularly those housed at Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee facilities [GPT]. The deteriorating food security situation in areas like Upper Nile and Jonglei states may influence refugees’ decisions about returning home, as reliable access to humanitarian assistance represents a critical factor in repatriation planning [GPT]. WFP’s warning that the fate of millions depends on political will and security underscores how localised attacks can have cascading effects on broader regional stability and population movements [1].
Conditions for Resuming Operations
WFP has established clear prerequisites for resuming its suspended operations in northern South Sudan. The organisation demands concrete security guarantees from local authorities and the recovery of the stolen 1,500 tonnes of food and essential non-food items before considering a return to Baliet County [1][2]. This firm stance reflects the organisation’s determination to protect both its staff and resources whilst ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries rather than being diverted by armed groups. The suspension will remain in effect indefinitely until these conditions are met, leaving vulnerable populations without critical food support during a period when South Sudan faces the combined pressures of ongoing conflict and climate-related challenges [1].