UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher began a five-day visit to South Sudan this week, aiming to spotlight the nation's escalating humanitarian crisis fueled by conflict, climate shocks, and chronic poverty. The visit comes as over 7 million people—nearly 60% of the population—require urgent assistance in 2026.
Fletcher traveled to Malakal in Upper Nile State, where he met displaced families and local leaders. "The convergence of armed violence, flooding, and food insecurity has created one of the world's most underfunded emergencies," he stated during a briefing with South Sudanese officials.
The UN reports that $1.8 billion is needed this year to address critical needs, with only 15% of funding secured to date. Recent climate patterns have destroyed crops across the Sudd wetlands, compounding challenges for 2.2 million internally displaced persons.
