UN Warns of Malaria Crisis as South Sudan Floods Displace Hundreds of Thousands

Floods Displace Nearly 380,000 in South Sudan, Triggering Malaria Crisis and Food Shortages Amid Political Stalemate

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN- Floods sweeping across South Sudan have displaced nearly 380,000 people and affected over 1.4 million, according to the United Nations, which warned of a malaria outbreak overwhelming the country’s already fragile health system.

The latest figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) show widespread devastation across 43 counties and the disputed Abyei region, with 379,000 people forced from their homes. Flooding, exacerbated by climate change, has left communities stranded and driven a surge in malaria cases, particularly in the northern states, straining healthcare resources.

“Millions Face Food Crisis as Floods and Conflict Weigh on South Sudan”

South Sudan, which declared independence from Sudan in 2011, faces increasing humanitarian challenges, from historic floods to armed conflict. A recent World Bank report indicated that the current floods have compounded severe food insecurity, with more than 7 million people in need of food assistance and 1.65 million children at risk of malnutrition.

Political Instability Hinders Relief Efforts

Adding to the crisis, South Sudan’s political progress remains stalled. The transitional government, formed under a 2018 peace deal, recently extended its mandate, postponing elections to December 2026. Key peace deal provisions, including the creation of a constitution and unified armed forces, remain unfulfilled, fueling frustrations among international partners and the United Nations.

In the midst of South Sudan’s challenges, its vital oil sector has also suffered after a pipeline was damaged in neighboring Sudan, cutting off a major source of revenue and worsening the economic strain.

UN envoy Nicholas Haysom called on local and international parties to use this extended period to establish peace and stability, saying,

“This extension must be the last, for the sake of the South Sudanese people.”