By Our Correspondent

National News – An urgent humanitarian crisis has erupted in South Sudan as fighting escalates in the eastern state of Jonglei.

Earlier this month, the South Sudanese army ordered the evacuation of Akobo, an opposition-held town, prompting around 100,000 people to flee across the border into Ethiopia.

The army claims control of the town, though reports remain conflicting due to limited communications in the area.

Aid agencies and residents have abandoned the town, leaving critical services disrupted.

The situation has severely impacted children, with UNICEF warning that malnutrition rates among displaced kids are alarmingly high.

Hospitals in Akobo, once safe havens for the sick and injured, have been looted and closed.

In addition, 28 health and nutrition facilities in Jonglei have been destroyed, looted, or shut down so far this year amid a cholera outbreak.

The United Nations agency called for urgent humanitarian assistance as violence continues to destabilize the region.

The roots of the conflict trace back to South Sudan’s independence in 2011, followed by civil war and ongoing political instability.

A 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar has been eroding since early 2025, with renewed clashes across multiple states.

The renewed fighting in Jonglei underscores fears that the nation could descend once more into full-scale civil war, leaving civilians vulnerable to displacement, disease, and hunger.

The international community is being urged to respond quickly as thousands of families struggle to find safety.

UNICEF’s appeal emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid to protect children and other vulnerable groups, ensuring access to food, healthcare, and shelter.

As South Sudan faces this critical period, the safety and survival of tens of thousands hang in the balance.