UNICEF South Sudan Flash Update External (Focus on Akobo), June 2026

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Situation

On 6 March 2026 an order to leave Akobo town was issued, which triggered mass displacement [unicef.org], [unocha.org]. Within days, the majority of the population fled with more than 100,000 people crossing the border to Ethiopia [nrc.no]. Akobo town was emptied with services collapsing and humanitarian actors withdrawing. [unocha.org].
By late April, hostilities had decreased and following a successful high-level mission to engage authorities on access and safety of humanitarian personnel and assets, on 7 May, an inter-cluster assessment mission took place to inform decisions on the resumption and scale-up of operations, with two UNICEF staff participating. Needs were assessed as high across sectors, with health, nutrition, WASH, protection and food consistently identified as top priorities in discussions with authorities, community leaders, and women.
The nutrition status of children was flagged as particularly alarming. MUAC screening of 13,400 children identified an estimated 35 per cent with global acute malnutrition - with 12 per cent suffering from severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF distributed ready-to-use therapeutic food to severe acute malnourished children on the spot during the assessment and it has been a top priority in the response.
The UNICEF team on the ground in Akobo observed the following: the Akobo hospital had been completely looted with all medical equipment, drugs, nutrition commodities taken, the stabilization centres, water systems, and all operating generators vandalized; schools were also vandalised with latrines and water systems destroyed and all learning materials destroyed; a child friendly space was looted and vandalized and the youth centre was occupied by IDPs seeking shelter. Schools remained closed during the visit, with school-age children observed in markets and on the streets during school hours. The County Education Office was vandalized, and no school cleaning or rehabilitation activities were underway.

Since 6 May 2026, thousands of people have returned to Akobo from Tiergol, Ethiopia. Overall, the population figures remain unclear, as the situation is highly fluid. Returnee and IDP population estimates range from 270,000 from South Sudan’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) to 119,000 (UN). During a UNICEF field mission, significant needs were also identified in surrounding payams due to displacement from Walgak, Lankien and Uror.
UNICEF and humanitarian actors have full access across Akobo East (the town and neighbouring payams). However, movement outside Akobo town remains limited due to lack of vehicles, high fuel costs and heavy rainfall will restrict access and delivery over the coming months during the rainy season.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/unicef-south-sudan-flash-update-external-focus-akobo-june-2026