Area-Based Coordination in South Sudan: Upper Nile - Fact Sheet (as of April 2026)

Country: South Sudan

Source: United Nations

Please refer to the attached Infographic.

Overview

The Upper Nile state, particularly Malakal, has been one of the most affected areas in South Sudan by conflict, displacement and recurrent climatic shocks. Once a major commercial hub, Malakal has experienced repeated cycles of violence - including renewed clashes in March 2025 - disease outbreaks and economic instability.

Today, Upper Nile has over 225,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), 20 per cent of whom reside in the former Malakal “Protection of Civilians” (PoC) site which was redesignated as an IDP settlement in February 2026. The state also hosts the country’s largest number of refugees at over 293,000 people. In spite of challenges, recovery efforts are gradually enabling returns and livelihood opportunities. Upper Nile records the highest number of returnees in South Sudan, with over 736,000 people having returned from within the country and abroad.

ABC in Action

Following the operationalization of Area-Based Coordination (ABC) in 2023, the Government, supported by the UN and partners, launched the Upper Nile Durable Solutions Roadmap in 2024.

Coordinated interventions, such as peacebuilding efforts, landmine clearance, restitution of land rights, shelter construction and provision of protection services, have supported safe and voluntary returns in Malakal, Fashoda and Manyo. Investments in livelihoods and economic recovery are also helping households to recover. Since 2025, additional pilot activities have been underway in Nasir, Ulang, Baliet, Longochuk and Maiwut.

Background

Area-Based Coordination (ABC) was established in South Sudan in 2023, under the auspices of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, in three pilot states: Upper Nile, Unity and Western Bahr el Ghazal. ABC aims to facilitate the transition from life-saving assistance to longer-term solutions, enabling greater complementarity of humanitarian, development and peace actions through joint planning and programming with governments and partners at the local level. In 2025, amidst unprecedented funding cuts and building on progress from the pilot states, the UN and humanitarian leadership have pooled resources to scale up ABC to cover all ten states in South Sudan.

For More Information:

Dmytro Charskykh, Area-Based Coordinator for the Upper Nile, charskyk@unhcr.org ...