Alert - South Sudan: Increasing humanitarian needs in Unity State amid flooding and access constraints (May 2026)

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Key messages

• Recent health and nutrition data point to a severe and worsening public health crisis in Unity State. Mortality data from February indicated emergency-level conditions in Panyijiar County, and a rise in cholera cases was reported across Unity State in May 2026. Malnutrition levels remain critical and continue to deteriorate, with Abiemnhom and Rubkona counties classified as AMN Phase 5 (Extremely Critical) for the April-June period.
• Annual flooding remains a major risk in Unity State and is expected to have severe impacts in the second half of 2026, although not at the extreme levels seen in 2021. Spatial analysis from 2025 estimated that 283,000 people across five counties were affected by flooding as of 30 September 2025. Overlay analysis further suggested that a substantial share of public infrastructure was impacted, including up to 72% of mapped facilities in Panyijiar. While below 2021 levels, annual flooding is expected to again be widespread in 2026, typically peaking between September and November, and to continue disrupting lives and essential services.
• Ongoing insecurity, economic pressures and declining humanitarian support are compounding vulnerability and limiting access to essential services in Unity State. Localised clashes in Rubkona and Guit have triggered displacement and heightened insecurity, placing additional strain on already fragile livelihoods and services. At the same time, food and commodity prices continue to rise across the country, with particularly sharp increases in parts of Unity State, while reduced funding and ongoing violence are further disrupting humanitarian service delivery.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/alert-south-sudan-increasing-humanitarian-needs-unity-state-amid-flooding-and-access-constraints-may-2026