UN Aid Chief Sounds Alarm on South Sudan Humanitarian Crisis

The United Nations aid chief has issued a stark warning over the worsening humanitarian situation in South Sudan, highlighting the devastating impact of reduced aid funding.

During a visit to Akobo, near active conflict zones in Jonglei state, Tom Fletcher described overwhelmed hospitals treating victims of gunshot wounds, including elderly civilians and orphaned children.

According to the UN, about 280,000 people have been displaced in eastern Jonglei since December as fighting intensifies. Medical teams, including surgeons from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), say they are struggling to cope with the surge in casualties.

The conflict largely pits forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against those aligned with former vice president Riek Machar, deepening ethnic and political tensions.

Aid agencies warn that without urgent international support, the humanitarian crisis could spiral further out of control.