South Sudan clashes disrupt humanitarian access
JUBA – The International Committee of the Red Cross said intensified fighting in parts of South Sudan has left aid workers unable to reach wounded civilians. In a Friday statement, the organization urged warring factions to guarantee safe passage for humanitarian relief.
ICRC cites barriers in Jonglei and Equatoria states
Daniel Bunnskog, head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan, said the escalation in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria has created major obstacles for medical teams. He linked the access challenges to a rise in violence since late 2025, according to the ICRC.
Weapon-wounded patients left without life-saving care, ICRC says
“Ongoing access constraints in certain areas of South Sudan mean that the ICRC cannot reach several weapon-wounded patients in need of life-saving medical care,” Bunnskog said (ICRC statement). The ICRC framed the issue as an urgent operational constraint rather than a lack of capacity.
International humanitarian law obligations highlighted
The ICRC called on all conflict parties to strictly distinguish civilians from combatants. It also asked them to protect medical personnel and health facilities, pointing to requirements under international humanitarian law as the baseline for reducing harm and enabling assistance.
Call for safe passage and protection of aid workers
“We urge the parties to the conflict to ensure the swift and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid … and to respect and protect humanitarian personnel engaged in impartial activities,” Bunnskog said (ICRC statement). The organization stressed that impartial relief depends on predictable security guarantees.
ICRC dialogue continues amid access restrictions
The ICRC said it remains in dialogue with the parties to secure access. It warned, however, that current restrictions are preventing the delivery of neutral and independent support to people most affected by the conflict, reinforcing concerns about continuity of care in hard-to-reach areas.