South Sudan crisis
The civil war in South Sudan forced Malual’s family to flee to Sudan in 2016, but the recent fighting has forced them to prematurely return to their native South Sudan.
His family must now survive amid the complex combination of food insecurity, climate change and fragility due to conflict.
Last updated 20th August 2025
Malual and his family are among the millions of people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict in South Sudan. Please help people like them survive.
Shelter
for those who’ve fled with nothing.
Essential supplies
like mattresses, blankets and kitchenware.
Protection
for vulnerable women and children.
What’s happening in South Sudan?
Since December 2013, brutal conflict in South Sudan has claimed thousands of lives. Over two million people, mostly women and children, have been driven from their homes. Many children are forced to flee alone after losing their parents, often becoming weak and malnourished as they search for safety.
South Sudanese refugees have settled primarily in Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, with a smaller population seeking sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has seen over 600,000 South Sudanese refugees return to South Sudan.
Many South Sudanese people have been internally displaced by the conflict, with the precarious conditions being worsened by chronic food insecurity and the devastating impact of the recent floods which washed away homes and devastated lives. Protection concerns remain high for women and girls, especially those fleeing Sudan.
UNHCR is providing shelter, protecting vulnerable people and delivering lifesaving aid across the region. However, displacement in the region is expected to continue until a political solution is found.
Where are people from South Sudan fleeing to?
Almost 2 million people are displaced inside the country, but more than 2.3 million people have fled to neighbouring countries in a desperate bid for safety. Uganda generously hosts over 40% of South Sudanese refugees in the region, with Sudan hosting around 27%, followed by Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Host countries are keeping their borders open to those seeking asylum, but are also struggling with limited resources.
Many South Sudanese refugees continue to face precarious conditions in their country of destination. Thousands have fled to areas in the region that suffer from violence, drought, and food insecurity.
How is the situation in Sudan impacting South Sudanese refugees?
Sudan hosts over 700,000 South Sudanese refugees – the second largest population after Uganda. Since the outbreak of violence in Sudan, South Sudan has also received almost 1 million arrivals from Sudan, some South Sudanese returnees and others Sudanese and other refugees and asylum seekers. UNHCR teams and partners are at border crossing points to monitor new arrivals and provide essential assistance.
Most South Sudanese returnees are expected to go back to parts of the country that are fragile as a result of conflict, climate change or food insecurity – or a combination of all three.
To read more about the situation in Sudan, please visit our website here.
Why is more public support needed?
This year, UNHCR has received just 34 per cent of the funds needed to support displaced South Sudanese people. The lack of funding means that UNHCR may need to cut essential services that are urgently needed.
How are children impacted by the crisis?
Women and children continue to make up the majority of those displaced by the crisis. Family separations are increasing due to airstrikes and mass displacement, with children forced to flee alone, facing increased risks of exploitation. Many children are out of school as a result of the crisis. These youngsters are missing out on their chance to learn, grow and fulfil their potential through education.
UNHCR is actively working to protect and assist children affected by the ongoing conflict and displacement, providing lifesaving relief items, shelter and protection services and supporting family reunification efforts. Protection teams help new arrivals by offering safe housing and child-friendly activities. However, more aid is urgently needed to protect and assist South Sudanese people forced to flee.
Where can I access the latest reports?
South Sudan Operations – for the latest on UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside South Sudan.
South Sudan Situation Portal – for the latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from South Sudan.