By William Madouk
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that escalating conflict in Jonglei State is threatening to cut off life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people, as hunger levels surge ahead of the annual lean season.
In a statement released on Friday, WFP called on all parties to the conflict to immediately halt military operations, de-escalate tensions and guarantee safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian workers.
The agency cautioned that renewed fighting could force large-scale displacement in Jonglei, home to nearly two million people.
Almost 60 percent of the population is already expected to face crisis levels of hunger during the coming lean season, when food shortages typically peak.
“This military escalation could not have come at a worse time,” said Adham Effendi, WFP’s Acting Country Director in South Sudan. “Our window to reach the most vulnerable is quickly closing. The time to act is now.”
WFP stressed that February is a critical period to pre-position food and relief supplies closer to hunger hotspots, before heavy rains between April and July render many roads impassable and isolate communities—particularly women and children.
However, the agency said humanitarian operations are already being hampered by access restrictions.
According to WFP, the Logistics Cluster and the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) have not yet received clearance to operate road convoys or passenger flights needed to support aid delivery across Jonglei.
“Without urgent action, entire communities will be left beyond the reach of the vital assistance they require,” Effendi warned.
He added that WFP has the personnel and logistical capacity to respond if access is granted.
“With safe and unimpeded passage, WFP can reach the most vulnerable families. Hundreds of thousands of lives depend on it,” he said.
Across South Sudan in 2026, WFP aims to assist 3.3 million of the most vulnerable people with emergency food aid, nutrition support, school meals, resilience programmes and cash-based assistance, amid persistent conflict, climate shocks and economic hardship.
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, providing food assistance in emergencies while supporting long-term recovery and stability in conflict-affected countries.