More than 100,000 people have fled South Sudan's escalating conflict into neighboring Ethiopia since early March 2026, according to a UNICEF report released this week. The mass displacement follows a government military order to evacuate the opposition-held town of Akobo in Jonglei State, exacerbating humanitarian challenges in the region.
UNICEF confirmed that Akobo's hospital has been abandoned and looted, while 28 health and nutrition facilities in Jonglei have been destroyed or closed this year. A cholera outbreak and "worryingly high" malnutrition rates among displaced children compound the crisis, with many families seeking refuge in Ethiopia or safer areas within South Sudan.
Despite the army's claim of controlling Akobo since March 6, communication barriers have made ground reports difficult to verify. The town's evacuation order, which included foreign aid agencies, has drawn international concern as South Sudan grapples with renewed instability following its 2011 independence.
"Violence across Jonglei is creating a devastating situation for children," UNICEF stated, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian access. The agency warns that without intervention, the displacement could strain regional resources and deepen one of Asia's most complex refugee crises.
