South Sudan Faces Compounding Crisis as Food Aid Funds Run Low

The World Food Programme has issued a stark warning that more than one million residents of South Sudan risk losing access to critical food assistance by the end of October. According to the agency, this potential loss of support stems from a convergence of severe climate shocks, ongoing conflict, and a significant shortfall in international funding. The situation has escalated into one of the most acute food emergencies the country has faced, leaving millions deeply vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

Matthew Hollingworth, the WFP’s Assistant Executive Director for Operations, stated at a press conference in Geneva that 7.8 million people, representing more than half of the population, are currently struggling to secure adequate food. The agency reported that an additional 2.2 million children and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers require urgent nutritional support. Hollingworth emphasized that without immediate additional resources, the organization faces a financial cliff at a time when needs have reached their highest levels in over a decade.

Climate Shocks Drive Food Emergency

South Sudan is experiencing a compound crisis driven by extreme weather patterns. According to the WFP, consecutive floods and prolonged dry spells have devastated agricultural sectors and grazing lands. The 2024 El Niño event created a paradoxical situation where some regions suffered extensive flooding while others endured severe droughts. This dual impact has displaced more than 375,000 people in recent months, destroying livelihoods and forcing families to sell possessions to survive.

The agency noted that the rainy season exacerbates the difficulty of delivering aid, as flooded roads hinder logistics and food prices rise sharply. Since 2019, repeated flooding events have affected over one million people annually, undermining the economic stability of rural communities. The destruction of crops and livestock has left many households unable to feed themselves, leading to reduced consumption and cuts in spending on health and education.

Regional Conflict and Economic Strain

The humanitarian crisis is further complicated by regional instability and economic decline. Renewed clashes between government forces and opposition groups since March 2025 have displaced hundreds of thousands, particularly in the Greater Upper Nile and Equatorias regions. Additionally, the war in neighboring Sudan continues to exert pressure, with South Sudan receiving approximately 3,000 refugees and returnees each week, adding to the existing population of 1.3 million refugees in the country.

Macroeconomic challenges, including soaring fuel costs and currency depreciation, have driven up cereal prices to extremely high levels. Aid operations face further obstacles due to illegal checkpoints and taxation along the Nile, which increase costs and delay deliveries. The IPC has identified a credible risk of famine in four counties, with about 73,000 people facing catastrophe-level acute food insecurity.

Funding Gap Threatens Aid Continuity

The WFP currently faces a shortfall of 86 million US dollars, with a total funding gap exceeding 400 million US dollars over the next six months. This deficit occurs during a critical period when food access is most precarious. Earlier this year, the WFP and UNHCR warned that more than 650,000 refugees and asylum seekers risked losing support, with rations already reduced due to funding constraints. The agency’s warning highlights the broader decline in humanitarian contributions globally.

The situation in South Sudan reflects a complex interplay of climate vulnerability, conflict, and economic instability. As the organization prepares for the coming months, the urgency to secure additional resources has never been more pronounced. The potential loss of food aid for over a million people underscores the immediate need for international support to prevent a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.