South Sudan ranked second most dangerous country for humanitarian workers
Since January 2025, at least 26 casualties have been reported in the country, including 15 humanitarian staff and 11 contractors who were killed or injured, a study has revealed
By Anak Dut
South Sudan has been ranked the second most dangerous place in the world to be a humanitarian worker, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.
The harsh statistic comes as the world marks World Humanitarian Day, with growing calls for greater protection of aid workers who continue to serve communities amid escalating violence, natural disasters, and dwindling resources.
Since January 2025, at least 26 casualties have been reported in the country, including 15 humanitarian staff and 11 contractors who were killed or injured.
This marks a sharp rise compared to 15 recorded casualties during the same period last year between January and July, when over 200 incidents of direct violence against humanitarian workers and their assets were documented; an increase from 176 in 2024. This, the security Database noted, is due to the worsening insecurity, which has forced 56 aid workers to relocate from their areas of operation.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to humanitarian workers in South Sudan and around the world, remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and rally support for people affected by crises,” Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said.
She added that despite the dangers, the vast majority of aid workers in South Sudan are nationals serving their own communities, a situation she described as of “extraordinary courage and commitment.”
This year’s global theme, “Act for Humanity,” carries particular weight in South Sudan, where humanitarian challenges remain dire as over 70 percent of the population requires assistance, while recurrent floods are expected to affect at least 1.6 million people.
According to UN reports, since January, more than 355,000 individuals have been newly displaced due to violence.
By June 2025, humanitarian partners had managed to reach approximately 3.2 million people with life saving aid; 59 percent of this year’s response plan target as deliveries have included food, healthcare, clean water, and emergency shelter, often reaching conflict-affected and hard-to-access areas.
However, aid agencies warn that funding cuts, a surge in violent attacks including kidnappings and killings have placed unprecedented strain on relief operations.
“Whilst the country needs humanitarian workers more than ever, the humanitarian community faces immense pressures, from a reduction in funding to a surge in attacks on workers,” Gbeho stressed.
The humanitarian community urged the Government of South Sudan, non-state actors, and all stakeholders to uphold international humanitarian law, ensure the safety of civilians including women and children and guarantee secure access to people in need.
The UN and aid organizations further called on the international community to remain engaged in supporting South Sudan’s fragile journey toward peace, recovery, and resilience.
World Humanitarian Day is also a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by aid workers who operate in some of the world’s most dangerous environments.
“We honour the commitment of humanitarian workers who, each and every day, reach people in need with life-saving assistance, often under the most challenging and dangerous conditions,” said Gbeho.
As South Sudan faces another year of overlapping crises conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and climate-related disasters the resilience of humanitarian workers remains a crucial lifeline for millions of people.
