UNICEF South Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report #23, 20 - 27 May 2014

Highlights

• The cholera outbreak declared on 15 May by the Ministry of Health has evolved rapidly with an increasing caseload. Overall, a cumulative of 266 cholera cases including 13 deaths have been reported in Juba since the onset of the outbreak. Additional suspected cases have been reported in other parts of the country, mainly in Twic East County, Jonglei and Kaka, Upper Nile.

• Despite the signing of the peace agreement to resolve the crisis by both the Government and opposition earlier this month, fighting continued in Bentiu, Unity State, including around the UN Base, where up to 25,000 people are sheltered, as well as in Akobo County in Jonglei State.

• During the Oslo pledging Conference for South Sudan this week, International donors pledged more than $600 million dollars in aid, aimed at preventing famine and upholding human rights in the country. This is about half of the funding required ($1.26 billion) to allow for the provision of vital nutrition supplies, water and child protection services.

• The recent outbreak of cholera in parts of Juba as well as in other states clearly indicates the fragility of the current humanitarian situation in South Sudan which still requires sustained investment on the part of the humanitarian community including UNICEF and its donors, to scale up the current response and meet the critical needs of the children and the women of South Sudan.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

The humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate, with more than a million people internally displaced since the crisis started - of which around 87,000 people are being sheltered in UNMISS bases. In addition, more than 350,000 people have fled to neighboring countries in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.

In Unity State, clashes were reported around Bentiu, including around the UNMISS PoC area resulting in flights to Bentiu being suspended for several days, delaying the delivery of aid supplies. In Jonglei State, clashes were reported in Akobo County.

On the 15 May, the Ministry of Health declared a cholera outbreak, and to date, there have been 266 suspected cases and 13 deaths in Juba, with additional suspected cases reported in other parts of the country, mainly in Twic East County, Jongeli and Kaka, Upper Nile. A national emergency task force to coordinate cholera response was activated and partners are scaling up their response.

An IRNA was carried out in Renk, Upper Nile, last week by a team from Malakal with the participation of two UNICEF staff. The IRNA team visited several locations, Abayok, Renk, Shimudi and Wontou. Those IDPs, who are settled in Wonthou (13,000), Ulith (300) and Renk UNMISS PoC (56), are living in poor conditions in absence of basic humanitarian assistance. Two more IRNAs were carried out with UNICEF participation to New Fangak and the other was organized from Bor and went to Pibor. The reports for both IRNAs will be finalized shortly.