disaster
Children surviving on leaves and water lilies as conflict drives parts of South Sudan to the brink of famine - Save the Children
By Save the Children at ReliefWeb
· June 9, 2026
· 4 min read
. Many families in Jonglei state have been left without essential and life-saving services since an escalation in violence in March led to the suspension of aid operations in areas and government orders to aid agencies to evacuate, triggering mass displacement. Save the Children suspended its humani
Key takeaway Save the Children suspended its humanitarian operations in Akobo East - a refuge for people fleeing violence across Jonglei – and relocated staff due to increased violence.
Why this matters
The crisis in South Sudan's Jonglei state has severe implications for the country's already fragile humanitarian situation. With over 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity, the suspension of aid operations in areas like Akobo East has left families without essential services, forcing them to resort to extreme coping mechanisms. The fact that children are surviving on leaves and water lilies highlights the desperation of the situation. The Integrated Phase Classification's analysis showing four counties at risk of famine, including Nyirol and Akobo, underscores the need for urgent intervention. The increase in acute malnutrition cases among children under five, now totaling 2.2 million, is particularly alarming, with nearly 700,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition requiring immediate medical attention. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is crucial that aid agencies are able to safely resume operations and provide critical services to those in need, particularly in areas like Jonglei state where the humanitarian crisis is most severe.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 9, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Many families in Jonglei state have been left without essential and life-saving services since an escalation in violence in March led to the suspension of aid operations in areas and government orders to aid agencies to evacuate, triggering mass displacement. Save the Children suspended its humani
When was this published? This article was first published on June 9, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .