The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched an urgent humanitarian response in South Sudan’s Unity and Upper Nile states. Escalating conflict, widespread displacement, and severe food insecurity have deepened the crisis, forcing communities to the brink. Upper Nile State, in particular, bears the heaviest burden, hosting most of the 1.1 million refugees fleeing Sudan’s war.
IRC is delivering critical aid in Unity’s Panyijar County and Upper Nile’s Nassir and Ulang counties through trusted local partners. Their response includes health services, protection, nutrition support, and vital cash assistance to sustain vulnerable populations.
Richard Orengo, IRC South Sudan Country Director, highlighted the alarming famine conditions in Nasir and Ulang counties. “Nearly 250,000 people face emergency conditions, with disease outbreaks like cholera compounding the suffering,” Orengo said.
Through local partners, IRC is reaching close to 50,000 people displaced by conflict, floods, and illness in these areas. The organization emphasizes its commitment to expanding aid efforts to save lives and ease the region’s despair.
IRC calls on all parties to guarantee unrestricted humanitarian access to affected communities and protect aid workers. The group also appeals to donors to increase funding for the response plan, currently only 28.3% financed.
Without adequate support, millions risk falling deeper into hunger and disease in this unfolding tragedy. As South Sudan faces one of its darkest hours, humanitarian lifelines like IRC’s are crucial to survival and hope.
