The humanitarian and security situation in Akobo County, Jonglei State, has deteriorated rapidly following a 72-hour evacuation order issued by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) on 6 March 2026 ahead of planned military operations. The directive triggered large-scale civilian displacement and the withdrawal of humanitarian actors, leaving an estimated 112,000 people without access to basic services, including healthcare.
Preliminary estimates indicate that more than 200,000 people fled Akobo town and surrounding areas between 7 and 9 March, although verification remains constrained due to limited access. Women and children constitute the majority of those displaced, many of whom had already been displaced in recent months due to escalating violence in neighbouring counties, including Uror, Nyirol, and Duk.
The looting of civilian infrastructure, including Akobo hospital, the only functional health facility in the area, and humanitarian compounds, has further compounded humanitarian needs. Thousands of displaced individuals have crossed into Ethiopia’s Gambella region, placing additional pressure on already overstretched reception capacities.
This escalation follows recent commitments by national authorities to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, raising serious concerns regarding compliance with these obligations. Without urgent de-escalation and restoration of access, the situation risks evolving into a major cross-border humanitarian emergency with significant implications for both South Sudan and Ethiopia.
