South Sudan

A report released today by the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women on how funding reductions are impacting local women-led groups in crisis settings revealed that nearly half of the over 400 organizations in 44 countries expect to have to close their operations within six months.

In occupied East Jerusalem, heavily armed Israeli Forces entered three UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools in Shu’fat Camp this morning and forced out over 550 children, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini reports. One UNRWA staff member has been detained.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 April 2026.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees is gravely concerned by the rapidly increasing number of Sudanese refugees crossing into eastern Chad due to escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur region, with nearly 20,000 people — mostly women and children — arriving in the past two weeks alone.

In South Sudan, Acting Humanitarian Coordinator Marie-Helene Verney deplored the deadly air strike Saturday on a hospital in Old Fangak in Jonglei State that led to the suspension of critical medical care for over 100,000 people and destruction of medical supplies. The UN is airlifting vital medical supplies to replenish stocks.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) by nine days, until 9 May, apparently to allow more time for members to discuss the matter amid escalating tensions in the country.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is deeply concerned by reports of clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition in Morobo and Yei Counties, Central Equatoria State, which have led to civilian displacement and casualties.

Consensus has been reached on a draft pandemic agreement after more than three years of intensive negotiations. By that, Member States of the World Health Organization took a major step forward in efforts to make the world safer from pandemics.

A sharp deterioration in South Sudan’s political and security situation threatens to undermine the peace gains achieved so far and plunge the country back into war, the Head of the UN Mission warned the Security Council today, stressing the need for all parties to cease hostilities and honour the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

The horrific war in Sudan today entered its third year. Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami called for protecting civilians and aid workers. Demand for life-saving support after sexual violence is up 288 per cent; the number of children needing aid has doubled since 2023 to over 15 million.