Famine projected to reach catastrophic levels in South Sudan as 7.8 million face acute hunger

South Sudan's food crisis intensifies in 2026, with over 50% of the population at risk of starvation. Read the UN's urgent report on malnutrition and displacement.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 4:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from IPS UN Bureau Report

Escalation of a Nationwide Hunger Crisis

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan has reached a critical breaking point in 2026. A joint statement released by UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) reveals that approximately 7.8 million people—roughly 56 percent of the population—are projected to face acute food insecurity by mid-year. According to Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergencies and Preparedness, hunger in the region is intensifying rather than stabilizing. The current drivers include a combination of devastating floods, climate shocks, and persistent armed conflict, all of which have decimated local food production systems and left families with few resources for survival.

Vulnerable Populations and Child Malnutrition

Children and mothers are bearing the heaviest burden of the food shortage. UNICEF reports that 2.2 million children aged between six months and five years are currently suffering from acute malnutrition, an increase of over 100,000 cases compared to the previous year. Furthermore, approximately 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished, creating a cycle of health risks that threatens the long-term well-being of the next generation. Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergencies, emphasized that every day of delayed humanitarian access directly puts a child’s life at risk, calling for an immediate scale-up of nutritional interventions.

Displacement and the Collapse of Healthcare

Widespread displacement is significantly complicating relief efforts. In Jonglei state alone, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced this year, often fleeing to overcrowded shelters where basic services are non-existent. These unsanitary conditions have led to a sharp rise in infectious diseases, including cholera, malaria, and measles. The crisis is compounded by the fact that many healthcare and nutritional facilities have been damaged or forced to close due to active conflict. According to UN agencies, the lack of medical supplies and personnel means that life-saving interventions are currently unavailable to many of the most at-risk communities.