South Sudan’s 19 million lives at risk: UN

Kathmandu. More than 19 million people in South Sudan are at risk due to a lack of financial aid, according to the UN migration agency.

South Sudan, one of the world’s worst-displaced countries, is experiencing a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs, the UN migration agency (IOM) said in a statement.

According to the United Nations, there has been an escalation of violence between supporters of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his longtime rival Riek Machar. Most of its territory is concentrated in the Zhonglei State. At least 2.8 lakh people have been displaced. South Sudan has been plagued by civil war, poverty and rampant corruption since its founding in 2011.

South Sudan, which has been displaced by years of conflict, flooding and instability, is also struggling to manage new arrivals fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. More than 1.3 million people have entered South Sudan since the war began in April 2023. It has put “enormous pressure” on border communities, services and vulnerable infrastructure, the UN said.

IOM Project Deputy Director-General Ugochi Daniel said the funding shortages could undermine progress toward sustainable solutions for millions of people. The IOM said that the $2.9 million assistance for the 2026 response plan was too low.

The United States, the United Nations’ largest contributor to the United Nations, has cut its foreign aid fund since President Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025. Other countries have also tightened their aid.