(JUBA) – South Sudan is facing a worsening food security crisis, with an estimated 7.8 million people now experiencing Crisis level hunger or worse, according to the latest Integrated Phase Classification analysis.
The report shows that households across large parts of the country are struggling to meet basic food needs, with many forced to adopt harmful coping strategies, facing significant food gaps or experiencing extreme deprivation conditions.
Out of the total affected population, about 73,000 people are classified in Catastrophe conditions, the most severe level of food insecurity. A further 2.5 million people are in Emergency conditions, while approximately 5.3 million are in Crisis conditions.
The figures represent an increase of around 280,000 people compared with the September 2025 assessment, showing a continued deterioration in food access and household resilience.
The classification system used in the analysis defines Crisis conditions as a situation where households cannot meet minimum food needs without damaging coping strategies. Emergency conditions indicate severe food gaps and serious threats to livelihoods, while Catastrophe conditions reflect extreme deprivation, with a high risk of loss of life if conditions do not improve.
The report also highlights a growing nutrition emergency. About 2.2 million children between six and fifty nine months require treatment for acute malnutrition, an increase of around 90,000 cases from the previous assessment. In addition, around 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are now in need of nutrition support.
These trends suggest that the crisis is increasingly affecting groups with the highest vulnerability to long term health damage and mortality risks. Malnutrition in young children and mothers can quickly become life threatening when combined with disease, poor water conditions and limited access to health services.
The analysis identifies a risk of famine in Luakpiny Nasir and Ulang in Upper Nile State, as well as Nyirol and Akobo in Jonglei State under worst case conditions. These areas are already affected by overlapping pressures including conflict, displacement and limited humanitarian access.
Ongoing insecurity continues to disrupt livelihoods, markets and essential services. Many households have been forced away from farmland and livestock activities, reducing their ability to produce food or generate income.
Market disruption and high food prices have further reduced household purchasing power. Even when food is available, many families are unable to afford sufficient quantities to meet basic needs.
Health and sanitation challenges are adding further pressure. Disease outbreaks, limited access to clean water and reduced health services are contributing to higher vulnerability among children and other at risk groups. Malnourished individuals face greater risks when exposed to illness, creating a cycle of worsening health outcomes.
The report also points to funding constraints affecting humanitarian operations. Reduced financial support has limited the availability of nutrition and health services, while shortages of essential supplies have affected response capacity in several regions.
Humanitarian agencies warn that access restrictions in conflict affected areas are making it difficult to reach communities before conditions worsen further.
The most affected populations include households already in Crisis, Emergency and Catastrophe conditions, particularly in Upper Nile and Jonglei states. Displaced communities and those cut off from markets and services are among the most exposed.
Children under five years of age and pregnant and breastfeeding women remain the most at risk groups due to their higher nutritional needs and vulnerability to disease.
Humanitarian organisations are also under pressure, with operational disruptions reported in some areas due to insecurity. In certain locations, aid delivery has been suspended following spikes in violence, further limiting support to vulnerable populations.
The report warns that the combination of conflict, displacement, inflation, weak services and funding shortages continues to drive the crisis. These factors are reinforcing each other and making recovery more difficult even where assistance is available.
The situation presents a narrow window for intervention in high risk areas. Without timely support, more households could move from Crisis into Emergency and Catastrophe conditions.
Food prices, access to markets and displacement trends will remain key indicators of how the situation evolves in the coming months. Nutrition treatment capacity is also expected to play a critical role in preventing further deterioration, particularly among children and mothers.
The overall assessment shows that South Sudan’s food insecurity is not only a shortage of food supply but a broader structural crisis driven by conflict, economic pressure, weak infrastructure and limited humanitarian resources.