Critical Funding Gap Threatens Lives of Nearly Two Million Displaced People in South Sudan
Juba, 25 February 2026
The International Organization for Migration warns that severe funding shortfalls are endangering 1.9 million displaced people in South Sudan as the country struggles with an overwhelming influx of returnees from Sudan’s ongoing conflict. Since April 2023, over 1.3 million people have crossed into South Sudan, with two-thirds being South Sudanese returnees, placing extraordinary strain on already fragile infrastructure and services. IOM faces a USD 29 million funding gap under its 2026 Response Plan, whilst nearly 10 million people require humanitarian assistance. The crisis is compounded by fresh violence in Jonglei state displacing 280,000 more people, creating what UN officials describe as a ‘perfect storm’ of conflict, climate shocks, and deprivation threatening the world’s youngest nation.
Overwhelming Border Pressures at Key Entry Points
The massive displacement from Sudan continues to overwhelm South Sudan’s border infrastructure, particularly at Renk, one of the main entry points for people fleeing the conflict [1]. Emergency assistance, health screening, protection support, and onward transportation remain critical to stabilising new arrivals and easing the burden on host communities that are already facing severely limited resources [1]. The scale of this challenge becomes apparent when examining the composition of arrivals: 0.871 million of the 1.3 million people who have crossed since April 2023 are South Sudanese returnees [1], creating a dual crisis of refugee assistance and citizen reintegration.
Fresh Violence Compounds Humanitarian Crisis
The situation has deteriorated further with fresh clashes in Jonglei state propelling nearly 280,000 people from their homes across eight counties in February 2026 [4]. UN officials describe this as creating a “perfect storm” of conflict, climate shocks, and deprivation [4]. Health centres have been damaged or looted, humanitarian workers attacked and killed, whilst cholera, which began in September 2024, continues to spread with more than 98,000 cases and 1,624 deaths recorded nationally [4].
Healthcare System Collapse Amid Rising Demand
The healthcare system faces total collapse under the pressure of multiple crises. In Abyei Special Administrative Area, which has been hosting internally displaced people for years, the situation has become critical due to the war in Sudan [5]. Abyei Hospital has become the only reliable point of care, stretched beyond its capacity due to the surge of displaced people [5]. Photographer Nicolò Filippo Rosso, documenting the crisis, observed “a total collapse of the health system and an extremely layered crisis both for Sudanese refugees and internally displaced people” [5].
Development Initiatives Attempt Long-term Solutions
Despite the overwhelming challenges, development organisations are launching initiatives aimed at sustainable solutions. On 24 February 2026, the United Nations Development Programme launched the “Pathway to Community Reintegration” project in Western Bahr el Ghazal State [2]. This initiative aims to strengthen local governance, reduce community violence, and advance durable solutions for displacement-affected populations, targeting 70,000 beneficiaries [2].