The impact of conflict and civil insecurity is deepening food insecurity in South Sudan, with over half of the population (about 7.7 million people or 57 percent of the analysed population) experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity IPC AFI Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) between April and July 2025. Among them, 83,000 people are experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, classified in IPC AFI Phase 5 (Catastrophe), particularly in Pibor County (Greater Pibor Administrative Area), and the counties of Luakpiny/Nasir, Ulang, and Malakal in Upper Nile State. Among them are 39,000 returnees who fled the conflict in Sudan and are currently classified in IPC AFI Phase 5.
In Luakpiny/Nasir and Ulang, which face a risk of Famine under a worst-case scenario, urgent and immediate action is needed for these populations, including large-scale and multi-sectoral response and the protection of humanitarian access to prevent the total collapse of livelihoods, increased starvation, death and possible deterioration into a full-blown Famine.
In addition, around 2.4 million people (18 percent of the analysed population) are in IPC AFI Phase 4 (Emergency) and nearly 5.2 million people (38 percent of the analysed population) are in IPC AFI Phase 3 (Crisis). These populations require urgent humanitarian response to meet food needs, protect lives and livelihoods, and reduce further deterioration.