The South Sudan Red Cross was established by an act of Parliament in March 2012and admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2013. Formerly a part of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, its staff and volunteers have decades of experience responding to emergencies, providing health services and promoting social inclusion. In its auxiliary role to public authorities during emergencies, the South Sudan Red Cross works closely with relevant government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management Affairs. This engagement is at both at national and state levels. The National Society maintains autonomy and acts in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
South Sudan Red Cross wide network of volunteers, 21 branches and 102 local units enables it to reach people in need across the country. There are teams in all the branches that are trained and equipped for emergencies, and are capable of mobilizing volunteers to respond to both low and medium-level emergencies. According to recent reports, in 2022, South Sudan Red Cross assisted 76,000 people with emergency food and non-food items, 100,500 people with access to safe water thanks to the drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes, and installed 54 hand washing facilities. The National Society also provided cash transfers to over 6’000 people to help them meet their household needs in a dignified way, and 4,100 households received agricultural inputs. The National Society works to improve public awareness on heath and to provide community-based services, empowering people to manage their own health. It also advocates for a wider understanding and fuller application of the Fundamental Principles, by promoting social inclusion through all its activities and services.
In its Strategic Plan 2022-2026, the South Sudan Red Cross focuses on three strategic and two transformative goals:
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People mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment by performing risk reduction and preparedness initiatives, and possess capacities to respond to disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies while ensuring food security and livelihoods
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People live healthy lives with access to health care and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and practice health promotion based on knowledge and changed attitudes
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People who are marginalized and vulnerable are included, protected, empowered and actively engaged in their communities
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A stronger National Society that is a trusted and accountable national actor, with increasingly well-functioning and self-reliant structures throughout the country
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A partner of choice acknowledged by partners and stakeholders for strong coordination and evidence-based communication and advocacy efforts on behalf of vulnerable populations