Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
South Sudan continues to receive refugees and returnees fleeing conflict in Sudan. As of 30 November 2023, a total of 417,910 individuals, including 216,443 children, entered South Sudan since April 16, 2023.
A total of 64,552 children were provided with safe and appropriate WASH facilities and hygiene services in learning spaces in Upper Nile, Unity, and Eastern Equatoria States.
In Roriak, Unity State, 4,190 children (1,511 girls), mostly South Sudan returnees, were registered in local schools.
In November, 9,487 people were provided with primary health care services in Malakal and Unity States, 2,577 of whom were children under 5 years old.
FUNDING OVERVIEW AND PARTNERSHIPS
Over 9.4 million people in South Sudan, including 5.5 million children, need humanitarian assistance. Conflict, flooding, disease outbreaks and the devaluation of the South Sudan pound are exacerbating the situation. The conflict in Sudan has further worsened the existing situation in South Sudan, with over 400,000 South Sudanese and refugees crossing the border into South Sudan, in dire need of life-saving assistance.
In November 2023, the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) requirement was $217.2 million to meet the critical needs of women and children in South Sudan. UNICEF is grateful to its donors for the $127.3 million funds received to provide essential humanitarian services to the most vulnerable women and children.
Despite the pressing needs, by November 30, 2023, the South Sudan Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal had a funding gap of (41 per cent) against the required funding.
SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
South Sudan continues to receive refugees and returnees fleeing conflict in Sudan. The conflict remains a threat to the well-being of children and women who are undergoing horrific journeys to the border of South Sudan. As of November 30, 2023, a total of 417,910 individuals, including 216,443 children, entered South Sudan since the start of the conflict. Those arriving from Sudan and returning to places of origin are returning to areas that are already significantly under-resourced.
Of those that have returned, the following States of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Unity, Upper Nile, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, and Central Equatoria are preferred areas of return. Here, multiple deprivations already exist for host communities. For example, in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile State and Unit State, over half of the State is already in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 4 (IPC 4).
In South Sudan, the high level of food insecurity is concerning as most people in different locations are severely affected by the consequences of climate change, such as flooding and dry spells that have adverse ramifications. The economic crisis due to local currency devaluation and skyrocketing prices, coupled with this, could potentially worsen conflict and insecurity. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicates that 5.83 million people, which is 46 per cent of the population, are experiencing high levels of food insecurity in South Sudan.
Due to climate change, river surges in flood-prone areas like the Greater Upper Nile Region are getting worse as the spillover of the Nile River continues to inflict suffering and displacement. On November 13 and April 16, 2023, over 17,000 households and 90,000 individuals were displaced in Bor, Jonglei State, when the Nile River broke the existing dyke in the town. The same surge of the Nile River in November affected some parts of Central Equatoria State, especially in Terekeka County. The estimated population affected, according to the County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission report estimated that 48,700 people in Lado Payam and Tereka payam's were displaced. In Unity State, the water level is still high, and people have sought refuge on high grounds where limited land space has made it difficult to sustain agriculture initiatives and livestock.
Disease outbreaks continue to ravage the country, especially measles outbreaks that have emerged in different locations. In Meiwun of Jebel Boma of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, a measles outbreak was confirmed, with 15 child deaths reported in November 2023. Many parts of the country reported measles outbreaks in November, including Eastern Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Jonglei States. Additionally, insecurity and conflict, including the killing of an aid worker on November 6 in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), have hindered humanitarian access to some locations. In GPAA, the humanitarian worker was killed on his way back to his residence after his routine monitoring visit to project sites. Jonglei, Unity, Warrap States, and the Abyei Administrative Area have reported insecurity and conflict-related incidents in November, compounding already pre-existing vulnerabilities.