The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned of a serious protection crisis in Jonglei state in eastern South Sudan, saying months of ongoing clashes and insecurity have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

According to the UN refugee agency, approximately 140,000 people have been displaced in the Akobo area of Jonglei state alone, while more than 300,000 people have been displaced across Jonglei and neighboring states since December 2025.

The agency also said that around 100,000 people have fled into neighboring Ethiopia in search of safety, adding that population movements in the region remain highly fluid and unstable.

UNHCR warned that displaced families in Akobo and surrounding areas are becoming increasingly isolated due to rising seasonal rainfall, growing health risks, and mounting challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance.

South Sudan has faced repeated cycles of armed conflict, mass displacement, and climate-related shocks since gaining independence in 2011.

According to UNHCR, around 2.4 million South Sudanese refugees are currently hosted in neighboring countries, while nearly two million people remain internally displaced within the country.

The country has also received more than 1.3 million people fleeing the conflict in Sudan since April 2023, including returning nationals, refugees, and asylum seekers. (ILKHA)