Jonglei State clashes drive fresh displacement
Nearly 8,000 people have been displaced into Twic East County after renewed fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Pajut payam, Duk County, and parts of neighbouring Uror County, local authorities said.
County assessment details households and vulnerable groups
A county assessment puts the number at 7,938 people, or 1,323 households, who fled after clashes erupted in January. Officials say 820 households arrived from Duk County, while 503 fled from Uror County.
The displaced population includes more than 3,000 children under 18 and over 1,000 people aged 65 and above, according to the same local estimates.
Homes damaged and families flee with few belongings
Local authorities report that the fighting in Pajut has been linked to destroyed homes, loss of property and civilian casualties. They say many families left with little or no belongings, moving toward Twic East in search of safety.
RRC warns of deteriorating humanitarian conditions
Elijah Biar, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator in Twic East County, said most families escaped amid active hostilities and are now living in extremely precarious conditions.
“The majority of these families fled suddenly due to active fighting. They are now living under trees and in makeshift shelters without adequate food, health services, or protection,” Biar said.
Health and shelter risks raise outbreak concerns
Biar said food insecurity is widespread, with many households depending on host communities already under strain. He added that shelter remains a critical gap, with exposure to harsh weather hitting women, children and older people hardest.
He also pointed to mounting health risks linked to overcrowding, lack of latrines and open defecation. Biar said these conditions increase the likelihood of disease outbreaks, including acute watery diarrhoea and cholera.
Calls for urgent aid as local clinics struggle
Biar said protection concerns are growing, particularly for women and children, and urged humanitarian partners to provide food or cash support, emergency shelter materials, medical supplies, hygiene services and protection programmes.
“The situation is critical and requires immediate humanitarian response,” he said.
Twic East County Commissioner John Juach Arok said local health facilities cannot absorb the rising caseload. “These people are in severe need of support, and we are calling on the state government, national authorities, and humanitarian organisations to urgently assist them,” Juach said. “Some women delivered along the way, yet our hospital has no medicine to treat them.”
Wider humanitarian pressure across Jonglei State
The new displacement adds to broader humanitarian pressure in Jonglei State, where renewed clashes between government and opposition forces continue to weigh heavily on civilians, local authorities said.