South Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (June 2023)

KEY HUMANITARIAN ACCESS HIGHLIGHTS

• The overall humanitarian access environment remains complex in South Sudan.

• On 8 June, violent clashes broke out in the UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) Site in Malakal.

• On 9 June, an off-duty INGO staff member was killed in Renk town.

ACCESS OVERVIEW

The overall humanitarian access environment remains complex in South Sudan. Humanitarian organizations in South Sudan navigate the humanitarian space through sustained engagement with counterparts to ensure the needs of the affected populations are reached.

In June 2023, 27 access incidents involving humanitarians and humanitarian operations were reported, with 30 per cent of them having a significant impact on operations.

On 8 June, violent clashes broke out in the Malakal PoC site, triggered by a stabbing incident when a young boy was killed. This incident followed a previous killing in the PoC the week prior.

The clashes resulted in large-scale displacement from the PoC site, with some people moving temporarily to the areas around the humanitarian hubs and others to Malakal town. While the situation in and around Malakal is calm, the situation remains volatile.

As the impact of the Sudan crisis escalated, over 150,000 returnees and refugees crossed the border into South Sudan seeking refuge. It is expected that people will continue to arrive in the weeks and months ahead.

The influx of arrivals has increased pressure on existing services, affecting the population's access to assistance and resources. On 9 June, an off-duty INGO staff member was killed in Renk town. The circumstances are still under investigation.

The slow onset of the rainy season has provided for prolonged response to people in need in areas that would usually be inaccessible during the rains. However, heavy rains are forecasted and anticipated in the coming weeks, which will slow operations.

Pre-positioning of relief supplies remains paused in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, due to insecurity and poor road conditions, limiting the capacity of partners to respond to people affected by emergencies.