Attachments
Key messages
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The situation in South Sudan remains among the world's biggest humanitarian crises since the outbreak of civil war in December 2013.
Over 2 million people have fled their homes, including over half a million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries (70% of them are children). At the same time, the country hosts around a quarter of a million refugees, mainly from Sudan. -
South Sudan continues to face a food security crisis. The UN estimates that 2.5 million people face food insecurity. The number is expected to rise to 3.5 million during the lean season starting in May.
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The United Nations has declared South Sudan a level-3 emergency – the highest level of humanitarian crisis. The country ranks second in the European Commission's Global Vulnerability and Crisis Assessment index (after the Central African Republic). South Sudan is the world's most fragile State (see Fragile States index).
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A political solution is urgently needed as a precondition for peace and reconciliation among the various fighting groups. Humanitarian assistance saves life and alleviates suffering but it cannot solve the crisis – and it cannot be sustained at the current level for very long.
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Main humanitarian needs include food, clean water, health care, sanitation and shelter. The protection of civilians remains a major concern. Since the beginning of the crisis, 3.5 million people in South Sudan have received humanitarian assistance.
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The EU with its Member States has so far provided humanitarian funding of over €377 million since 2014 – more than one third of all humanitarian financing, according to the UN. The Commission has moreover provided €50 million for the urgent needs of refugees in the Horn of Africa, including South Sudanese refugees in 2014.