South Sudan has long experienced high medical and humanitarian needs – with multiple competing emergencies – compounded by a chronically underfunded public health system that is reliant on external support by international donors and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).



The humanitarian and medical response in South Sudan does not match the context, where high needs, crises, and gaps in response, have become increasingly normalised. Since 2022, major long-term donors to South Sudan’s health system have stepped back (UK, Sweden), with further cuts announced in 2025 (US), and a prevailing narrative that this is in support of development priorities through a transition to government leadership. However, the fragile health system and weak humanitarian response cannot meet basic needs, let alone respond to emergencies, especially in conflict-affected areas.



Since the start of 2025, South Sudan has faced a steep escalation in political tension and violence, with clashes between government and opposition forces, airstrikes, and attacks on civilians and health facilities taking place on a scale not seen since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in 2018.

This violence adds to the barriers that limit people’s access to healthcare, while threatening the meagre gains in the healthcare system due to the massive damage to infrastructure, displacement and the increased risk of resurgence or spread of infectious diseases such as cholera and measles.