South Sudan: UN suspends food aid after attacks on convoy

The World Food Programme suspended operations in Baliet County after repeated attacks and looting of a 12‑boat river convoy carrying more than 1,500 metric tonnes of food and relief items; renewed fighting in Jonglei has displaced hundreds of thousands and strained health services.

UN agencies have suspended some humanitarian operations in parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei states after attacks on aid deliveries and a surge of fighting. The World Food Programme halted activities in Baliet County following repeated attacks and looting of a 12‑boat river convoy carrying more than 1,500 metric tonnes of food and relief items. Clashes between national forces and opposition groups have intensified since late December and have driven large‑scale displacement. Health and water services are under strain and agencies report rising cholera cases alongside growing gaps in care. Key developments: - The World Food Programme suspended all activities in Baliet County after a 12‑boat convoy carrying more than 1,500 metric tonnes was attacked repeatedly and its cargo looted. - The UN relief coordination office (OCHA) reports roughly 280,000 people displaced since late December, including over 235,000 in Jonglei state. - Médecins Sans Frontières reported its hospital in Lankien was hit overnight and its Pieri facility was looted, leaving about 250,000 people without the organization’s medical services; one MSF staff member sustained minor injuries. - UN agencies say insecurity has disrupted plans to pre‑position 12,000 metric tonnes of food in Jonglei, projections show a rise in counties at emergency‑level hunger, and since September 2024 nearly 98,000 cholera cases and more than 1,600 deaths have been recorded. Summary: Humanitarian access is severely constrained, reducing delivery of food and medical support to large numbers of displaced people. The WFP said its suspension in Baliet will remain until the safety of staff, partners and contractors is assured and until authorities take steps to recover stolen supplies. The broader situation and its implications for aid delivery and public health remain under close monitoring by UN agencies.