South Sudan: Displacement Crisis Worsens as ICRC Reports 445,000 Flee Conflict
JUBA, South Sudan T
he International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan after reporting that more than 445,000 people have been internally displaced so far in 2025 due to escalating armed conflict across several states. The surge in fighting — affecting regions like Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central and Western Equatoria — has combined with shrinking humanitarian funding to create dire conditions for displaced populations.
ICRC teams, working with local partners, say they have delivered life-saving aid to over 100,000 displaced people this year, including food, clean water, household items and psychosocial support. But resources are stretched thin and more help is urgently needed as many displaced families remain without secure shelter, access to basic services, or means of livelihood.
Local communities describe scenes of chaos: families abandoning homes, fields, and livestock; rising insecurity in towns hosting IDPs (internally displaced persons); and growing fears that displacement could become protracted if the violence continues.
Why It Matters
This wave of displacement not only threatens livelihoods and safety for hundreds of thousands but also risks further destabilizing an already fragile country. When communities lose their homes, they lose access to farmland, basic services, and income — making them highly vulnerable. The simultaneous drop in aid funding increases the risk of starvation, disease outbreaks, and long-term social breakdown.
What to Watch For
We will monitor whether international donors respond with increased funding and whether humanitarian corridors remain open. Focus will also be on whether the ICRC and other agencies succeed in scaling up assistance, and if local authorities can provide protection and basic services for displaced populations.
