Thousands rely on external aid.

The taxes, introduced in February, affected cargo tracking, security escorts, and fuel.

The government kept charges for UN peacekeeping mission services.

The Finance Minister of South Sudan, Awow Daniel Chuang, announced that the UN would be subjected to taxes and charges for conducting food airdrops in the country.

This decision has paused the airdrops, affecting 60,000 people in March, with the number expected to rise to 135,000 by May. The UN Humanitarian Affairs Agency stated that these people live in areas inaccessible by road and are in dire need of food.

The new measures would increase the mission's monthly operational costs to $339,000.

The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, consisting of nearly 20,000 personnel, is also affected and is reviewing all its activities, including patrols, construction projects, and educational support.

The UN made no immediate comment on when the airdrops could resume.

Approximately 72% of South Sudan's population, which is around 9 million people, require protection and humanitarian aid due to internal conflict, according to the UN.

The situation is worsened by an influx of refugees from neighboring Sudan, where a war between military and paramilitary forces is taking place, making it more challenging to provide assistance to those in need.