South Sudan Unified Plan - Mid-year report 2023

Country Context

South Sudan’s humanitarian situation remains complex, characterised by protracted internal displacement, localised conflicts, recurrent flooding and droughts, epidemic outbreaks, currency depreciation, food insecurity, malnutrition and social inequality and exclusion.

Conflict continues to be a major driver of humanitarian needs in South Sudan, resulting in widespread loss of lives, displacement, and loss of livelihoods by communities. While the country has experienced relative calm at national level since the signing of the revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020, there has been a spike in conflicts at sub-national level which have resulted in displacement of thousands of communities in many areas. The conflict situation has also exposed segments of the populations to protection risks such as child abduction and child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), forced recruitment into armed groups, family separation, physical assault, looting, extortion and intimidation. As of January 2022, the total number of displaced populations stood at 4.3 million people (2.02 million internally displaced people and 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo).

Conflict continues to be a major driver of humanitarian needs in South Sudan, resulting in widespread loss of lives, displacement, and loss of livelihoods by communities. While the country has experienced relative calm at national level since the signing of the revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020, there has been a spike in conflicts at sub-national level which have resulted in displacement of thousands of communities in many areas. The conflict situation has also exposed segments of the populations to protection risks such as child abduction and child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), forced recruitment into armed groups, family separation, physical assault, looting, extortion and intimidation. As of January 2022, the total number of displaced populations stood at 4.3 million people (2.02 million internally displaced people and 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo).

Severe food insecurity persists in flood-, drought, and conflict-affected areas including Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria (FewsNet, January 2022). The current poor food security outcomes are a result of conflicts, displacement, and floods (that destroyed crops) as well as inadequate rainfall in some areas which have seen reduced food availability. The deteriorating security situation along the Nimule – Juba highway, which is a key supply route disrupted commodity supply driving food prices significantly higher than the long-term averages. The extremely high food, and fuel prices are significantly affecting household purchasing capacity further compounding the worsening food security outcomes. As per Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) for the period of February 2022, approximately 8 million people (60% of the population) in South Sudan are estimated to be facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity outcomes.

South Sudan is also severely affected by the outbreak of diseases including, Cholera, Malaria and the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaria and diarrhoeal diseases contribute significantly to the community disease burden in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria calling for continued engagement and sensitization of communities to reduce the risk of exposure of these diseases. Water and sanitation coverage in South Sudan is low, with 63% of the total population practicing open defecation and 41 % coverage regarding basic water supply. The low coverage in basic water and sanitation combined with poor hygiene practices means that population remain vulnerable to outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases.

In addition, the Ministry of Health’s restrictions for management of COVID-19 pandemic which included movement restrictions, curfews and disruption of commodity supplies, livelihoods and economic activities in the country affected community's ability to meet their needs. COVID-19 continues to pose a risk to communities due to the very low levels of vaccine uptake in the country (only 2.1% of the population are vaccinated) coupled with less developed basic health infrastructure in the country.

Traditional gender roles and social norms in South Sudan result in gender inequality and exclusion, particularly around girls' education, restrictions of their mobility, limited decision- making power, and lack of access and control over resources. Gender-based violence affects 41% of South Sudanese people and 70% of people know someone who has been a victim. In South Sudan due to existing socio-economic conditions, cultural beliefs and traditional practices, women are more likely to be disproportionately affected by disasters, including increased loss of livelihoods, gender-based violence, and even loss of life during, and in the aftermath of, disasters. People with disabilities also often face stigmatization, marginalization, exclusion, and are left unable to access the support needed to live in dignity as equal members of society.

The combined effects of these multiple crises coupled with very low levels of development and high levels of poverty among the population, continue to expose communities to the adverse effects of shocks and stress calling for a concerted effort to enhance the population's resilience and protect lives in disaster prone areas of the country.

1. General overview: political, social, demographic, economic issue - The Republic of South Sudan became the world’s newest nation and Africa’s 54th country on July 9, 2011, following a peaceful secession from Sudan through a Referendum in January 2011. However, years of conflict have left South Sudan with limited investment in essential services (i.e., health, water, education), lack of opportunities for youth employment, and high levels of food insecurity holding people back from stability and sustainable development. Despite the signing of the ‘’Revitalized Peace Agreement’’ in 2018, its implementation has neither addressed nor reduced the humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese people. Most of the population of South Sudan live in severe poverty and an estimated 80% live below the absolute poverty line.

2. 8.9 million people need humanitarian assistance.

3. South Sudan is at the bottom of the Human Development Index, ranking 185 out of 189 countries.