UN report: 420,000 displaced in the country in 5 months
The United Nations warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Written by: Mohammed Omran
revealed United Nations More than 420,000 people were displaced and made homeless across the country between January and May of last year, due to conflicts, violence and insecurity, in a new indication of the worsening humanitarian crisis.
UN report: 420,000 displaced in the country in 5 months
A recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), based on data from the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix, stated that Jonglei State was the most affected by the latest wave of displacement, with violence there alone displacing more than 324,000 people.
The United Nations warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis as the number of displaced people rises.
According to the report, 261,570 internally displaced persons remained within Jonglei State, while approximately 29,000 people fled to the Mengkaman area of Awerial County in Lakes State. More than 27,000 people also moved to Nasir, Fanyakang, and Ulang counties in Upper Nile State, while over 6,000 sought refuge in Juba County in Central Equatoria State.
The report noted that the figures were still being verified by humanitarian partners, but stressed that the humanitarian situation in Akobo County, Jonglei State, remained fragile and volatile, despite periods of relative calm in the region.
The report stated, “Between January and May, more than 420,800 people were displaced across the country due to the conflict,” adding that ongoing local violence, protection risks, and population movements continue to exacerbate humanitarian needs.
He explained that Akobo Hospital currently serves about 267,000 people, which is nearly five times its original capacity, while the western Akobo area is almost devoid of functioning health facilities.
The report also warned of escalating protection concerns, noting an increase in child abductions, conflict-related sexual violence, and recruitment by armed groups in Akobo and surrounding areas.
In this context, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified more than 500 unaccompanied children in Jonglei State, with the actual number likely to be much higher.
In another development, renewed tribal clashes in the southern province of Bor on May 20 displaced more than 3,000 people, in addition to destroying homes and livelihoods, according to the report.
The displacement crisis coincides with the outbreak of several health crises, with more than 103,800 cases of cholera and 1,673 deaths recorded since September 2024, while 105 cases of monkeypox have been recorded since the beginning of this year.
The report stated that “the country continues to face multiple public health emergencies,” warning that the risk of an Ebola outbreak remains high due to the fragility of the health system and the ease of movement across borders, at a time when the country’s preparedness to confront the disease does not exceed 29 percent of the standards set by the World Health Organization.
For years, the country has faced ongoing challenges including local conflicts, community violence, climate disasters, and disease outbreaks, leaving millions of citizens in constant need of humanitarian assistance.
