Escalating violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei State has forced aid agencies to withdraw from key areas, triggering mass displacement and leaving families without essential, life-saving services, the charity Save the Children said.
In a statement on Thursday, the agency said it was forced this week to suspend all humanitarian operations and relocate staff from Akobo East — a refuge for people fleeing violence across Jonglei — following a surge in fighting.
South Sudan’s military ordered all civilians, nongovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies and U.N. peacekeepers to leave Akobo County on March 6 because of the conflict.
At the time of the withdrawal, Save the Children said it was providing critical health, nutrition, education, child protection, and water and sanitation services to about 100,000 children in Akobo town. With the suspension of operations, those services have stopped, leaving children increasingly exposed to violence and hardship. More than 45 staff members have been relocated.
The latest suspension follows a similar halt of operations last month in Walgak, another town in the state, after armed groups looted and burned a Save the Children office, destroyed a health center, and stole four of the organization’s vehicles.
The charity said violence has displaced more than 280,000 people in Jonglei since December, more than half of them women and children.
Conflict has intensified across South Sudan following renewed fighting since late December, particularly in eastern Jonglei — the country’s largest state and one of its most food-insecure regions.
“The absence of humanitarian workers in Akobo will have serious implications for the population who rely on humanitarian support,” said Save the Children’s country director, Chris Nyamandi. “The disruption of aid operations risks further exacerbating an already severe humanitarian situation in Jonglei State.”
Save the Children called on all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to affected communities.
The organization has worked in South Sudan since 1991, providing children with access to education, health care and nutrition services, and supporting families with food security and livelihoods assistance.