JUBA — At least 36 aid workers and contractors have been killed in South Sudan in the first eight months of 2026, according to the United Nations, highlighting the growing risks faced by humanitarian personnel operating in the country.
This figure already surpasses the 31 killed during the entirety of 2025, the UN humanitarian coordinator has warned.
Speaking at an event marking World Humanitarian Day in Juba on Wednesday, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said South Sudan has seen a deadly surge in attacks on humanitarian personnel, with 36 aid workers and contractors killed since the beginning of 2026.
“Since January, 36 humanitarian staff and contractors have been killed in the line of duty, already surpassing the 31 killed throughout 2025. These are not just statistics. Behind each loss was a parent, a son or daughter, a colleague, a friend, and a member of a community,” Ramanathan said.
Ramanathan emphasized that every killing must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
“The continued loss of humanitarian personnel, overwhelmingly South Sudanese nationals, is unacceptable.”
He said the broader security situation remains equally alarming, with more than 450 incidents of violence against humanitarian workers and assets reported between January and July.
“Renewed conflict has also forced humanitarian organizations to relocate from some operational areas, further restricting access to people in need,” he said.
“This comes as approximately 10 million people require humanitarian assistance in South Sudan in 2026, including more than 7.5 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.”
He called on the government of South Sudan and all parties to the 2018 peace deal to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect humanitarian personnel, civilians, and humanitarian assets.
He urged the government to investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable and ensure safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need.
“The courage of humanitarian workers must be matched by a collective commitment to protect them. Their safety is essential to ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches the millions of people across South Sudan who depend on it.”
He said conflict, hunger, disease, and climate-related shocks continue to drive humanitarian needs among vulnerable populations in Africa’s youngest nation.
“With the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) only 35 percent funded, the response is under fiscal strain, with food assistance pipelines facing imminent disruption starting in October if resources are not secured.”
He added that despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations have stayed and delivered.
He revealed that between January and June, partners reached 2.6 million of the 4.3 million people targeted.
However, millions remain in need, while insecurity, access restrictions, and bureaucratic impediments are making it increasingly difficult to reach them.
“Humanitarian workers and the people they serve must never be targeted. They must be able to operate safely and reach affected communities without obstruction, harassment, or politicization, in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.
“Safe, sustained, and principled access must be ensured, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and must never be used as a bargaining tool.”
