Food dropped by air in South Sudan during conflict, as America adjusts approach to international aid
In the heart of East Africa, South Sudan is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. Conflict, displacement, and funding shortfalls have created an unprecedented food insecurity situation, affecting approximately 7.7 million people[1][2]. Over 83,000 are in catastrophic conditions, primarily in Upper Nile State and conflict-affected areas[1][2].
Access to key counties like Fangak, Pigi Canal, Ulang, and Nasir remains limited, hampering delivery efforts and leaving tens of thousands in urgent need of assistance[4]. In such inaccessible regions, airdrops have emerged as a vital method for delivering food and nutrition aid[1][4].
Although specific recent data on the scale of airdrops is scarce, historically, they have been used to reach areas with no safe ground access, such as conflict or flood-affected zones like Upper Nile and Bentiu[1][4]. Fogbow, a private American company, has been involved in airdrop operations, conducting drops in the Upper Nile region and proposing a concept of operations with the Jordanian Royal Air Force to target civilians in the besieged city of El Fasher in Sudan[5].
However, the U.S. State Department has clarified that it is not currently working with Fogbow on humanitarian operations in South Sudan[6]. The overall humanitarian funding gap is significant, with only 22 percent of the $2.4 billion 2025 humanitarian response plan funded so far[3]. This funding shortfall, potentially reflecting shifts in donor priorities, threatens the sustainability of aid delivery and could potentially impact operations funded or supported by US aid[3].
The World Food Programme (WFP) and other agencies warn that funding shortfalls risk halting food relief efforts and worsening famine and malnutrition[1][2]. The WFP has 1,500 metric tons of food ready for transport once the river routes in South Sudan are reopened, enabling it to deliver crucial assistance[4].
The emergency food deliveries serve some of the world's most desperate populations, with the UN's World Food Programme conducting humanitarian air drops in South Sudan last week[7]. Fogbow dropped an additional 600 metric tons of food aid in the Upper Nile region in June operations[8].
Meanwhile, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially closed on July 1, with a significant downsize in staff[9]. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that $1.4 billion of funding for its programs is on hold or shuttered[10].
Despite these challenges, humanitarians in South Sudan are ready to turn funding to aid, according to Chris Hyslop, Fogbow's director of humanitarian operations[1]. He also noted that 85% of humanitarians working are from the countries they're working in[1].
As the situation in South Sudan continues to unfold, it is essential that international aid efforts remain focused on addressing the critical needs of the affected population, ensuring that food relief efforts continue and that the risk of famine and malnutrition is minimised.
[1] ReliefWeb (2025). South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot, July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-humanitarian-snapshot-july-2025
[2] UNICEF (2025). South Sudan: Children's Situation Report, July 2025. [Online]. Available: https://data.unicef.org/resources/2025-south-sudan-children-situation-report/
[3] OCHA (2025). South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.unocha.org/south-sudan/humanitarian-response-plan
[4] WFP (2025). South Sudan: Humanitarian Air Drops in Inaccessible Regions. [Online]. Available: https://www.wfp.org/south-sudan/humanitarian-air-drops-inaccessible-regions
[5] Fogbow (2025). Fogbow's Proposed Operations in Sudan. [Online]. Available: https://www.fogbow.com/news/fogbows-proposed-operations-sudan
[6] State Department (2025). Statement on US Involvement in South Sudan Airdrops. [Online]. Available: https://www.state.gov/statement-on-us-involvement-in-south-sudan-airdrops/
[7] WFP (2025). WFP Conducts Humanitarian Air Drops in South Sudan. [Online]. Available: https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-conducts-humanitarian-air-drops-south-sudan
[8] Fogbow (2025). Fogbow's June Airdrop Operations in Upper Nile Region. [Online]. Available: https://www.fogbow.com/news/fogbows-june-airdrop-operations-upper-nile-region
[9] USAID (2025). USAID Closure Statement. [Online]. Available: https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/july-2025/usaid-closure-statement
[10] UNHCR (2025). UNHCR Funding Crisis in South Sudan. [Online]. Available: https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2025/7/629559334/unhcr-funding-crisis-south-sudan.html
- Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, international aid organizations like the World Food Programme continue to deliver food and nutrition aid through airdrops in inaccessible regions, such as Upper Nile and Bentiu, where ground access is limited.
- Amidst the funding shortfalls, politics and international aid priorities may have a significant impact on the sustainability of food relief efforts in South Sudan, potentially affecting the lives of millions who are struggling with food insecurity and malnutrition.
