South Sudan

Violence, caused by armed conflict between opposition forces and government forces as well as other organized armed groups and intercommunal clashes, persists in several areas of the country. This is in spite of the peace agreement and recent formation of a unified government on February 22, 2020.

The economic situation of the country is worsening, with a constant fluctuation of the monetary exchange rate and a decrease in the purchasing power of the population – affecting their access to basic resources. The displacement of 338,000 people within the country and the migration of 2.3 million people to neighboring countries, in response to the violence, have exacerbated the already extensive and urgent humanitarian needs. In addition, since November 2017, 380,000 refugees (including 241,390 following the signing of the peace agreement in 2018) from neighboring countries have returned to their villages of origin, considerably increasing the pressure on settlements and already limited existing services.

Currently, of the 11.2 million South Sudanese living in the country, 8.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance or protection – nearly three quarters of the country’s population. The prolonged nature of the conflict has led to an increased need for resources related to Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), as well as Food Security and Livelihoods (SAME). In terms of food insecurity, around 5.5 million people are in a state of crisis (IPC phase 3), while around 1.8 million people are in a state of emergency (IPC phase 4). The increased need for basic resources is aggravated by the recurrence of natural disasters, in particular floods and droughts, which destroy homes and undermine the livelihoods of the population – leading to more displacement.

Residents of Juba County, located in Central Equateur State, are not only adversely exposed to COVID-19, but also face increased risk of being exposed to cholera epidemics and the spread of the Ebola virus that is present in   At the community level and institutional level, access to drinking water is very limited, and there is poor management of sanitation and solid waste. Ensuring appropriate sanitation and waste management measures are taken is essential for preventing and combating the spread of these diseases.

In the Aburoc internally displaced persons camp, and in neighboring villages in the Upper Nile State, the population has had to resort to drinking water from the swamps. Defecation in the open air is a common practice there, particularly due to the lack of latrines, and the presence of livestock near the swamps exposes the population to high risks of water-borne diseases. In addition, since March 2021, the floods have affected more than 15,473 people. Habitats have been destroyed, and issues concerning the lack of basic drinking water and sanitation infrastructure have been exacerbated. Household goods and food were washed away, undermining many individual’s livelihoods. Finally, the spread of mosquitoes has increased the risk of malaria, and health and nutrition centers have been made inaccessible. Thus, communities have urgent needs in terms of shelter, water, hygiene and sanitation, food security and nutrition, and health and protection. Despite the aforementioned, the presence of humanitarian actors in the region is very limited.

In Jonglei State, the increasing impact of rainfall during the rainy season has been a main driver in exacerbating the crisis. Between May and September 2021, an estimated 426,000 people were affected and displaced by the floods, with Jonglei and Unity being the most affected states.

Finally, in the state of Western Bahr el Ghazal, since the signing of the peace agreement in 2018, the situation has been relatively stable. IOM DTM data shows that Western Bahr el Ghazal is one of the states with the highest number of returnees since 2016, with 236,987 individuals migrating home. In Raja County however, returnees are still in dire need of access to basic services, related to housing, water, hygiene and sanitation, food security and means of subsistence. Local communities are in particular need of food. The lack of means to carry out income-generating activities has led to a dire food and nutrition crisis in many of these households. Returnees therefore create additional pressure on already limited resources.