SOUTH SUDAN: Save the Children suspends essential aid operations in Jonglei due to escalating violence

JUBA (March 12, 2026) – Escalating violence in South Sudan's Jonglei State has forced aid agencies including Save the Children to withdraw from key areas, leaving families stranded and without essential and life-saving service.

The aid agency was forced this week to suspend all humanitarian operations and relocate staff from Akobo East – a refuge for people fleeing violence across Jonglei – following another uptick in violence.

South Sudan’s military issued an order on March 6th for all civilians, NGOs, United Nations agencies and the United Nations Mission of peacekeepers in South Sudan, to vacate Akobo County due to conflict.

At the time of withdrawal, Save the Children was providing critical health, nutrition, education, child protection and water and sanitation services to about 100,000 children in Akobo town, who are now going without these essential services and facing increasing violence. More than 45 staff members had to relocate.

The latest withdraw of services follows a similar suspension of operations last month from Walgak, another town in the state, after gangs looted and burnt down a Save the Children office, destroyed a healthcare center, and stole four of the organization's vehicles.

Violence has displaced over 280,000 people since December in Jonglei, more than half of them women and children.

Across South Sudan, conflict has escalated significantly following renewed fighting since late December, particularly in the eastern part of Jonglei, the largest state in the country which is also one of the most food insecure parts of the country.  

Chris Nyamandi, Save the Children’s South Sudan Country Director, said:

"The absence of humanitarian workers in Akobo will have serious implications on the population who rely on humanitarian support. The disruption of aid operations risks further exacerbating an already severe humanitarian situation in Jonglei State.

"Reports from the field show that many families are already living in extremely difficult conditions while on transit, with limited access to food, safe drinking water, healthcare, and protection services. Children are among the most affected, as disruptions to nutrition programs, health services, child protection services and community support mechanisms place them at heightened risk of malnutrition, disease, and other protection concerns.

"Any prolonged disruption to humanitarian presence and operations in Akobo risks deepening an already fragile humanitarian situation and placing additional strain on communities that are already struggling to cope.

"The protection and safety of civilians must always remain a priority, particularly in areas experiencing escalating conflict."

Save the Children calls on all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access to already affected communities.

Save the Children strongly emphasizes that humanitarian organizations are neutral and impartial actors whose sole purpose is to provide lifesaving support to children and communities in need. Restrictions or forced relocation of humanitarian personnel and operations risk leaving thousands of vulnerable people without access to essential services at a time when needs are already acute.

Save the Children has worked in South Sudan since 1991, providing children with access to education, healthcare and nutrition services, and supporting families with food security and livelihoods assistance. 

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