Attachments
SUMMARY OF CRISIS AND KEY FINDINGS
Heavy rains and significant water release from Lake Victoria in Uganda into the Nile River have caused widespread flooding nationwide.
As of 8 November 2024, South Sudan is facing unprecedented floods, impacting more than 1.4 million people nationwide, with Jonglei, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Unity states being the most affected.4 Damaged and impassable roads continue to hinder physical access to affected communities.5 The people affected are spread across 43 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area, with Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states comprising more than 51% of the affected population.6 Over 379 000 individuals are displaced.
Large areas of the country have been submerged year-round and there have been sudden floods in new areas unaccustomed to them.8 Due to heavy rains and flooding, 15 major supply routes have become impassable, affecting greater Upper Nile and greater Bahr el-Ghazal. Humanitarian actors have been forced to use air and river transport, which are costly and unreliable alternatives.9 The severe floods- together with recurrent outbreaks of violence, weak governance, persistent underlying poverty and a lack of basic infrastructure and services – have created a complex humanitarian crisis and prevent the young nations progression.
As a result of these factors, South Sudan grapples with a severe health crisis. The nation's health system, heavily reliant on international aid, faces staffing and resource shortages. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, have limited access to health care and face heightened risks of illness and mortality.
High levels of food insecurity, elevated prevalence of diseases, and poor hygiene and health, are the main drivers of acute malnutrition.12 In the coming months, the food insecurity situation remains severe due to the impact of another record year of flooding, sporadic conflict, high returnee and refugee burden, and severe deterioration in purchasing capacity amid worsening economic conditions.
More broadly, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains concerning with increasing needs and a growing number of people requiring assistance. There is also a continued influx of refugees and returnees due to the Sudan crisis, with 840 000 new arrivals.