The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Mr. Ramanathan Balakrishnan, said on Wednesday that, on World Humanitarian Day, they are honouring the courage and commitment of humanitarian workers in South Sudan who continue to deliver life-saving assistance despite growing threats to their safety and security.
World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on August 19 to honor aid workers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate people who risk their lives to help others. Coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), it marks the 2003 bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.
The theme for World Humanitarian Day 2026 is “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities”, alongside the focused emergency call and messaging “Protect those who protect humanity.”
Balakrishnan said that since January, 36 humanitarian staff and contractors have been killed in the line of duty in South Sudan, already surpassing the 31 killed throughout 2025.
“These are not just statistics. Behind each loss was a parent, a son or daughter, a colleague, a friend, and a member of a community. Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible held accountable. The continued loss of humanitarian personnel, overwhelmingly South Sudanese nationals, is unacceptable,” he stated. “The broader security environment is equally alarming. More than 450 incidents of violence against humanitarian workers and assets were reported between January and July, more than double the number recorded during the same period in 2025. Renewed conflict has also forced humanitarian organizations to relocate from some operational areas, further restricting access to people in need.”
“This comes as around 10 million people require humanitarian assistance in South Sudan in 2026, including more than 7.5 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity,” Balakrishnan added.
He said conflict, hunger, disease and climate shocks continue to drive needs. With the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) only 35 percent funded, the response is under fiscal strain, with food assistance pipelines facing imminent disruption starting in October if resources are not secured.
“Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations have stayed and delivered. Between January and June, partners reached 2.6 million of the 4.3 million people targeted,” he said. “But millions remain in need, while insecurity, access restrictions and bureaucratic impediments are making it increasingly difficult to reach them.”
Balakrishnan stressed that humanitarian workers and the people they serve must never be targeted. He said they must be able to operate safely and reach affected communities without obstruction, harassment or politicization, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Safe, sustained and principled access must be ensured, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and must never be used as a bargaining tool, he added.
“On this World Humanitarian Day, we call on the Government of South Sudan and all parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law: protect humanitarian personnel, civilians and humanitarian assets; investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable; and ensure safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need,” he emphasized. “The courage of humanitarian workers must be matched by a collective commitment to protect them. Their safety is essential to ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches the millions of people across South Sudan who depend on it.”
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