Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Findings present a complex and multifaceted humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, highlighted in acute emergencies like the response to the Sudan crisis involving extremely vulnerable transient populations. The research indicates substantial barriers to an accountable and responsive humanitarian response, while also highlighting opportunities for addressing and bridging these gaps.
Key takeaways
Findings indicate that affected populations in South Sudan have experienced a deterioration in their needs, particularly relating to access to food, which is attributed to reduced aid and services, displacement, and increased population densities in areas with scarce resources, intensifying competition. These challenges are reflected in Renk and Malakal, affected by the Sudan crisis, where urgent survival needs of displaced individuals are compounded by broader humanitarian conditions in the country. These transient populations require targeted life-saving assistance and security to facilitate prompt and safe transitions to final destinations, highlighting both the cross-cutting and unique challenges faced by displaced individuals from Sudan and the wider population in South Sudan.
In South Sudan, safety and security concerns reportedly restricted essential movements necessary for meeting basic needs. This may force communities into adopting high-risk coping strategies, such as foraging wild food or reducing the number of meals, which not only expose them to further security risks but also exacerbate their existing needs, perpetuating a cycle of escalating vulnerability. Transient populations displaced from Sudan are, in particular, extremely vulnerable and may be compelled to undertake even greater risks to meet their needs, further intensifying their challenges in an already precarious security environment.
Findings suggest significant and persistent gaps in communication and community feedback mechanisms with affected populations, triangulated by the 2021 household survey finding that 60 percent of households experienced inadequate information about available services. Moderate use of complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) and an increased response rate to feedback from affected populations were reported, along with high levels of trust. However, challenges remain, including underutilisation and fear of repercussions for voicing concerns within communities. Additionally, the most reported barrier to using CFMs was the lack of direct communication channels with NGOs. In Malakal’s transit context, despite established community structures, there was a reported lack of use of them due to limited awareness, accessibility and perceived discrimination. Positive examples emphasised the potential for integrated area-based, collective mechanisms to enhance community participation, build trust, and improve the responsiveness of aid efforts.
Sensitive issues such as sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (SEAH), and corruption within humanitarian operations may often be underreported, due to fears of retaliation or the potential loss of aid. Such reluctance to report misconduct can lead to unresolved grievances and increase tensions within communities. These challenges are compounded by the reported inability of some communities to communicate directly with humanitarian agencies and a lack of awareness and accessibility of CFMs. There is a reported reliance on traditional, community-based hierarchical structures, including community leaders, for information access, community engagement and use of CFMs. However, this is reportedly compromised by experiences of nepotism, corruption, and exclusion, leading to low trust and reduced community participation in humanitarian activities. The erosion of trust of community leaders, usually the key intermediaries between communities and humanitarian actors, can lead to the exclusion of the most vulnerable, deepening inequalities and misdirecting aid intended for those in need. These barriers are compounded by reported lack of awareness, accessibility, and availability of mechanisms for community engagement and feedback, which is consistently highlighted across findings. Such challenges may be particularly acute in areas like Renk and Malakal, where extremely vulnerable populations across all communities may face risks of exploitation and exclusion.
Regarding the responsiveness of humanitarian assistance to the needs of affected communities, a significant portion (63 percent) of households surveyed reported being in need but unable to access assistance (in the three months prior to data collection, i.e. March to May 2023). Qualitative findings highlight issues with the adequacy of aid. In two-thirds of qualitative interviews, participants felt that the aid received did not meet their needs, with others questioning the relevance and fairness of the humanitarian aid. In Malakal and Renk, similar patterns are reflected in the concerns raised by communities there, emphasising the widespread nature of these challenges across different settings. Findings indicate that challenges in accessing assistance, communication, and community engagement mechanisms are particularly pronounced in rural and remote areas, attributed to inadequate infrastructure and a limited presence of humanitarian agencies compared to urban areas. Additionally, poor telecommunications and limited access to digital devices like phones and radios exacerbate these issues in a country with one of the lowest levels of communication infrastructure. These barriers restricted inclusive participation in humanitarian programs and the responsiveness of assistance to meet needs adequately in rural areas. The challenges were also reported to be acute in specific areas Renk and Malakal transit centres, reflective of the broader national context. These accountability gaps, in rural and transit areas, highlight the significant role development and humanitarian actors, such as the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), may have in bridging broader infrastructural and socio-economic gaps in South Sudan and support equitable access to aid and effective communication across diverse settings.
Across qualitative interviews, people with disabilities, women, children, and older persons were consistently identified as the most vulnerable, with their pre-existing challenges intensifying their needs. Women face significant safety risks and are often marginalised by structural issues in maledominated societies22. People with disabilities have unique challenges related to mobility and social exclusion. These issues, related to gender and social exclusion, were reportedly also prevalent in areas like Renk and Malakal, where calls for better representation in community structures highlight the desire to participate more actively in humanitarian decision-making.
The erosion of traditional information sources, such as dialogue with traditional community actors, and gaps in community engagement during acute crises, highlight the need for reliable and accessible humanitarian communication and community engagement systems. Findings emphasise a preference for direct, face-to-face communication with aid agencies as the most effective and transparent method. The absence of such direct communication can significantly erode trust. To improve engagement, aid agencies should maintain transparent and consistent interaction and establish community engagement and feedback mechanisms tailored to vulnerable groups. Inclusive mechanisms are essential to bridge socio-economic and infrastructural gaps effectively, ensuring that all community members can access and benefit from aid and support services. This approach mitigates the exclusion of vulnerable groups from participation, which could lead to their needs being misunderstood and serious issues like SEAH and corruption being underreported.
These findings emphasise the importance of Communication, Community Engagement, and Accountability (CCEA) as both a critical form of aid and essential infrastructure in effectively addressing needs and ensuring responsive aid to prevent exacerbation of vulnerabilities, particularly in remote areas and among vulnerable groups. Substantial conflict sensitivity concerns were also reported by key informants. The provision or absence of humanitarian assistance can have a profound impact on social dynamics within communities. A majority of key informants reported that insufficient aid often leads to theft and heightened community tensions. Moreover, experiences of nepotism and exclusion in aid and underreporting of these issues may risk escalation of tensions within communities. Contexts such as the Malakal transit centre are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and rumours fuelling tensions within a precarious security environment. Conversely, there are opportunities to maximise positive outcomes: several key informants observed that when aid is perceived as fairly distributed, it not only reduces the impetus for theft but also helps alleviate inter-community tensions, with the potential to promote a harmonious coexistence.