The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday, September 14, 2026, called for safe, predictable and sustained humanitarian access to conflict-affected communities in South Sudan as worsening insecurity disrupts essential services.
UNICEF said it and its partners had restored life-saving assistance to isolated communities in Wiechjol and Waat in Jonglei State, reaching families who had been cut off from humanitarian support for months. According to the agency, escalating conflict, mass displacement and unsafe travel routes have disrupted services across the region since January 2026, forcing some health facilities to close and limiting access to healthcare, clean water, nutrition and protection services.
Through its Rapid Response Mechanism, UNICEF delivered more than eight tonnes of essential supplies. Health teams screened 1,666 children under five for acute malnutrition, with 146 severe cases admitted for life-saving treatment and another 602 moderate cases referred for follow-up care.
About 1,241 patients, including 250 young children, also received primary healthcare services, while 1,200 households were provided with water filters and purification supplies. More than 2,000 people received hygiene and disease-prevention information.
UNICEF Representative to South Sudan Noala Skinner warned that access restrictions in Jonglei were putting mothers and children at serious risk.
The Agency called for an end to grave violations against children, including their recruitment and use by armed forces and groups. It also appealed for greater investment in protection services and sustained, flexible humanitarian funding to maintain supplies of therapeutic food, medicines and clean water.