The acute food insecurity and malnutrition situation in South Sudan is deteriorating as a result of the economic crisis, repeated climatic shocks – primarily widespread flooding – and conflict and insecurity. The inflow of returnees and refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan is exacerbating the situation – putting additional pressure on an already fragile country.

An estimated 2.1 million children aged 6-59 months suffering or expected to suffer elevated levels of acute malnutrition between July 2024 and June 2025, including 650,000 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). About 1.11 million pregnant or breastfeeding women (PBW) are also suffering or expected to suffer elevated levels of acute malnutrition in the same period. An estimated 67 percent of the acute malnutrition burden is concentrated in the five states of Jonglei, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Unity and Warrap.

In the current analysis period (July to September 2024), 53 counties are classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 or above (Serious or worse). During the post-harvest period of October 2024 to March 2025, the acute malnutrition situation is expected to deteriorate in 13 counties, while improvement in acute malnutrition is expected in only four counties. The AMN classification in 76 counties is projected to remain the same in the post-harvest projection period.

During the lean season (April to June 2025), the severity of acute malnutrition is expected to deteriorate in 62 counties, remain similar in 16 counties and improve in two counties. The situation in Baliet County of Upper Nile State is projected to deteriorate from Phase 4 to IPC AMN Phase 5 (Extremely Critical) because of elevated morbidity and poor access to health services.