Khartoum: Aid workers in Sudan and South Sudan are confronting unprecedented dangers in 2025 as escalating conflict, targeted attacks, kidnappings, and natural disasters converge to create one of the most perilous environments for humanitarian operations in recent history.

In South Sudan, over 30 aid workers have been kidnapped this year, more than double the total recorded in 2024.

Some hostages were released after ransom payments, but tragically at least one aid worker died while in captivity. These abductions have significantly disrupted humanitarian services, leaving vulnerable communities without essential medical care, food, and shelter.

The increase in kidnappings coincides with renewed fighting between the South Sudanese national army and opposition factions, reigniting instability despite the 2018 peace agreement. Analysts suggest the clashes are linked to uncertainty over President Salva Kiir’s succession, as speculation grows over his declining health.

Targeted attacks on humanitarian facilities have further compounded the crisis. On May 3, 2025, a bombing destroyed a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital and pharmacy in Fangak, Jonglei State, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 27. The attack rendered the hospital partially inoperable, leaving tens of thousands of displaced residents without access to urgent medical care.

Aid organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross report increasing difficulties operating safely as armed groups continue to threaten both staff and civilians.

In Sudan, the humanitarian situation is equally severe. The civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has claimed the lives of at least 22 aid workers and countless civilians. Aid workers have faced increased risks in conflict zones, exacerbating the challenges of operating safely.

The involvement of foreign mercenaries has further complicated the crisis, with Sudan accusing the United Arab Emirates of sponsoring Colombian mercenaries to support RSF operations against the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Natural disasters have added to the humanitarian burden. On August 31, 2025, a devastating landslide in Tarasin village in Sudan’s Marrah Mountains killed up to 1,000 people and destroyed local infrastructure, making the delivery of aid even more challenging.

Relief agencies report difficulties accessing affected areas due to both security threats and damaged transport routes, further delaying assistance to those in urgent need.

Experts warn that 2025 is shaping up to be the deadliest year on record for aid workers globally. The United Nations has consistently designated Sudan and South Sudan as extremely hazardous countries for humanitarian operations, but the recent surge in kidnappings, targeted attacks, and obstruction of aid delivery represents a new and alarming development.

International aid agencies express concern that if these trends continue, the ability to provide life-saving assistance will be severely limited, leaving millions of civilians without food, shelter, or medical care.

The combined effects of armed conflict, targeted violence against humanitarian infrastructure, and natural disasters have created a near-impossible operating environment for aid organizations.

Aid workers continue to risk their lives to deliver essential services, but dwindling funding, logistical barriers, and growing threats on the ground jeopardize both immediate relief efforts and long-term humanitarian programs.

The international community is being urged to increase diplomatic pressure, provide additional funding, and implement protective measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel. Failure to address these challenges could have catastrophic consequences for the millions of vulnerable South Sudanese and Sudanese civilians who rely on international assistance for survival.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan and South Sudan is a stark reminder of the dangerous conditions faced by aid workers worldwide. As the conflicts intensify and natural disasters strike, the ability of international organizations to provide timely and effective aid is increasingly compromised.

The combination of political instability, armed clashes, and deliberate attacks on humanitarian operations underscores the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to protect aid workers and ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those most in need.