UNCT Country Results Report 2025

In 2025, South Sudan faced a number of overlapping challenges, including a protracted humanitarian crisis, economic downturn, recurrent climate-induced flooding and spillover effects from the conflict in Sudan. These challenges were further exacerbated by rising political tensions and localized conflict. Concurrently, the UNCT experienced a reduction in development financing, as global priorities shifted.

Despite these challenges, the UNCT, in close collaboration with the government and partners, redoubled its efforts to advance South
Sudan’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the United Nations Cooperation Framework, we focused on five
collective outcomes: food security, essential services, durable solutions, rapid response, and governance, peace and justice. This approach
allowed us to address the country’s most pressing needs while laying the groundwork for
sustainable progress.

Regarding food security, partnerships were expanded to strengthen resilience and economic opportunities. National cereal production remained stable at 1.123 million metric tons for the second consecutive year, while 790 micro, small and medium enterprises were registered, with 123 of these accessing 2.3 billion South Sudanese pounds (approximately 400 million United States dollars) in financing.

 Initiatives such as a joint rural development program with the UNCT, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the government and financial institutions supported agricultural value chains and rural finance, while youth employment programs linked young people to private sector opportunities. These efforts align with the upcoming national agricultural conference, a key opportunity to mobilize
investment and policy support for food production and resilience.

In the area of health, more than 2 million people accessed essential health services, and 292,163 children were treated for severe acute
malnutrition. Similarly, in the area of education, over 325,000 children accessed learning opportunities, while more than 236,000 crisis affected children were supported through emergency education interventions.

In pursuit of enduring solutions, efforts continued on shifting from emergency response towards more sustainable approaches, including
access to services and livelihoods, and social cohesion in host communities. Significant progress is visible in priority areas, including
the creation of settlement capacity for up to 18,000 people in Unity State, the return of over 900 former internally displaced persons
in Upper Nile and expanded housing, land and property support. Area-based coordination mechanisms are now operational across all 10 states, strengthening subnational leadership and reducing duplication. State Task Forces on Solutions, co-chaired by state governments and
area-based coordination state coordinators, are also functional in several states, providing a structure for joint planning and monitoring.

Concerning governance and justice, around 17,000 people accessed justice services and landmark transitional justice legislation was enacted. Women’s representation under the National Elections Act increased from 25 to 35 percent. Regarding rapid response, a government led cholera program, supported by the United Nations, vaccinated 8.6 million people, deployed treatment across more than 190 sites and reduced cases by 78 percent in targeted areas, while maintaining mortality below emergency thresholds.