Highlights
WFP strongly condemns the attacks conducted against girls and women in Bentiu from 19 to 29 November.
With the support of DANIDA, WFP launched Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) in multiple locations across the country.
WFP has deployed three SHERPs - all-terrain vehicles - to Ganyel (Unity state), to be piloted for distribution of humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach locations.
In Numbers
4.4 million people facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity in October—December 2018 (IPC)
2.1 million acutely malnourished women and children (HRP)
2.32 million people assisted by WFP in October 2018
1.76 million internally displaced people (OCHA)
2.47 million South Sudanese refugees (UNHCR)
Situation Update
WFP strongly condemns the attacks conducted against girls and women in parts of Northern Liech state. Between 19 and 29 November, over 150 women and girls were physically assaulted and raped while travelling to Bentiu town for multiple reasons – including collection of firewood, going to markets and attending food distributions. WFP is working with partners to mitigate further attacks. UNMISS have commenced patrols along risky parts of the road during days of distribution, and is clearing bushy areas along roads and community paths. In the meantime, WFP has prepared itself for the possibility of bringing distribution points closer to communities and, together with partners, will continue to engage with the community to determine the people’s perceptions of safety and security, as well as their preference for locations of assistance.
WFP commemorated World AIDS Day on 4 December, in conjunction with the Republic of South Sudan. This year’s theme ‘Know Your Status’ was celebrated throughout the country led by the Ministry of Health and People Living with HIV associations. WFP continues to support those living with HIV/TB through nutritional and food security support.
WFP is conducting the review of its 2018 Annual Performance Plan (APP) between 7 and 8 December. The objective is twofold: 1) to review WFP’s performance in 2018, identifying main achievements and areas for change and improvement, and 2) to highlight key priorities for 2019, as well as mitigating measures to address major challenges and risks. The APP exercise enables the country office to define how WFP will transform the financial, human and physical resources it has available into the programmatic results it aims to achieve.
WFP’s priority in South Sudan continues to be to focus on the most vulnerable, food insecure populations, and on finding ways of identifying and reaching them more effectively and cost -efficiently