Plane Carrying Flood Relief Crashes in South Sudan’s Unity State, Killing Three Aid Workers

Juba, South Sudan

A small aircraft carrying humanitarian aid crashed in Unity State, South Sudan, early Tuesday morning, killing all three crew members, according to Samaritan’s Purse, the international charity that organized the relief flight. The plane, operated by Nari Air, was transporting roughly two tonnes of food supplies from Juba to flood-displaced communities before it went down about 20 kilometers from the Leer airstrip. The crash site lies in a remote part of Leer County, and heavy flooding has complicated rescue and recovery efforts.

Samaritan’s Purse later confirmed the fatalities, saying their “team has reached the crash site … it is with deep sadness that [we] share the confirmation that all three crew members have passed away.” Local authorities are coordinating with the charity to secure the area. There is currently no publicly available detailed manifest of the deceased, and investigations into the cause of the crash are just beginning. The charity has not confirmed whether any of the cargo was recovered or how much of the relief load was lost or damaged.

This disaster amplifies the already dire humanitarian situation in Unity State. The region has seen severe flooding that has displaced thousands, making aerial supply one of the few reliable ways to reach vulnerable communities. Without that capacity, aid delivery becomes even more perilous and unpredictable. The crash raises urgent questions about aviation safety for humanitarian operations in South Sudan, where infrastructure is weak and airstrips are rudimentary.

There are also broader implications: Samaritan’s Purse and other NGOs may need to reassess their logistical strategies, especially during the rainy season, to minimize risk to crew and cargo. Donor agencies and governments will likely demand accountability, not only from the airline but also from regulatory bodies in South Sudan. Meanwhile, locals are mourning, and communities that depend on aid are facing even more uncertainty.

What to Watch For
In the next days, we expect to hear from South Sudan’s civil aviation authority about the formal investigation. Samaritan’s Purse may issue a detailed statement regarding the flight manifest, the amount and type of cargo, and how they will adapt their operations. There may also be calls from international aid groups for stricter aviation safety rules in South Sudan and for donors to re-evaluate risk policies for relief flights. Finally, monitoring how quickly and effectively relief is redirected will be key — especially given how cut off many flood-affected areas already are by road.