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Country analysis

South Sudan


Since December 2013, South Sudan has experienced intermittent civil war and intercommunal and localised violence. These have resulted in widespread insecurity; large-scale internal displacement; increased refugee outflow to Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda; and deteriorating food security. 9 million people in South Sudan are estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2024.

The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan was signed in 2018, but its implementation has been slow. The agreement has led to a fragile truce and resulted in the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020. While hostility between the Government and the main opposition has decreased, localised violence has surged because of conflict over land and resources, cattle-raiding, and reprisal attacks.

From 2019–2023, South Sudan experienced five consecutive years of flooding, resulting in the displacement of people and damage to homes and farmlands.

Malaria is endemic in South Sudan and is a leading cause of death among children aged under five. Intermittent disease outbreaks, such as of measles, cholera, and hepatitis E, also cause public health concerns. (OCHA 28/11/2023, UNHCR accessed 09/02/2024, UNHCR accessed 09/02/2024, MSF 01/08/2023, UN 19/10/2022)

Since December 2013, South Sudan has experienced intermittent civil war and intercommunal and localised violence. These have resulted in widespread insecurity; large-scale internal displacement; increased refugee outflow to Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda; and deteriorating food security. 9 million people in South Sudan are estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2024.

The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan was signed in 2018, but its implementation has been slow. The agreement has led to a fragile truce and resulted in the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020. While hostility between the Government and the main opposition has decreased, localised violence has surged because of conflict over land and resources, cattle-raiding, and reprisal attacks.

From 2019–2023, South Sudan experienced five consecutive years of flooding, resulting in the displacement of people and damage to homes and farmlands.

Malaria is endemic in South Sudan and is a leading cause of death among children aged under five. Intermittent disease outbreaks, such as of measles, cholera, and hepatitis E, also cause public health concerns. (OCHA 28/11/2023, UNHCR accessed 09/02/2024, UNHCR accessed 09/02/2024, MSF 01/08/2023, UN 19/10/2022)

Latest updates on country situation

22 February 2024

Approximately 5,400 individuals have fled Wonduruba payam in Central Equatoria state following clashes between an armed group and the national army in February 2024. The displaced people have sought refuge in government facilities and lack food and shelter. Similar clashes have also displaced 79 families further south in Lainya county. (BNN 20/02/2024, Ground 20/02/2024, Eye Radio 20/02/2024)

24 January 2024

Between 23 December 2023 and 5 January 2024, about 68,100 refugees and asylum seekers crossed from Sudan to South Sudan, significantly higher than the 27,100 between 9–22 December. The movement is stemming from the intensification of clashes in southern Sudan. Reports point to a change in displacement trends, with nearly 63% of the recent arrivals being Sudanese nationals, when the majority from 15 April to 22 December were South Sudanese returnees. The arrivals are coming through the Joda crossing point in Upper Nile state of South Sudan, and they likely need food, nutrition, shelter, and healthcare services. Humanitarian organisations face access restrictions because of waterlogging on some roads and insecurity in the border district of Abyei (disputed between Sudan and South Sudan). From 15 April 2023 to 21 January 2024, 516,600 people crossed from Sudan to South Sudan. (OCHA 12/01/2024, UNHCR/IOM accessed 24/01/2024)

05 July 2023

Between 15 April and 27 June 2023, about 138,000 people arrived in South Sudan following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan. Over 90% of these were South Sudanese returnees. Wunthow border entry near Renk in Upper Nile state has been receiving the majority of these arrivals likely because the road is paved and relatively safe between Khartoum and Renk. Many have secured onward movement, with 41,000 South Sudanese returnees remaining in Renk, 40% of whom are in collective centres and the rest living in town. Transport from Renk is by boat or road, with poor road conditions affecting onward transport. People continue to arrive in Paloich, further south, where air transport to the capital Juba is available. Conditions in transit sites in Renk and Paloich are poor, with congestion, increasing daily arrivals, and limited aid provision. The need for shelter and NFIs, food, WASH, and healthcare remains high.
REACH 21/06/2023, OCHA 30/06/2023, OCHA 25/06/2023)

24 April 2023

Between 16–30 April, more than 23,600 displaced people crossed from Sudan to South Sudan, fleeing the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in Sudan on 15 April. The number of arrivals is likely higher because they are not being registered at the border and will continue to increase as the crisis unfolds. Most of the arrivals are South Sudanese, while the rest are Eritrean, Kenyan, Somali, Sudanese, and Ugandan. The main points of entry are in Renk, Upper Nile and Aweil North, Northern Bahr el Ghazal. The Government and international actors are mobilising a response effort as humanitarian needs are likely to increase, including the need for food, water, shelter, and onward transportation. There are 1.1 million refugees in Sudan, including over 800,000 South Sudanese, with humanitarian organisations likely to assist about 125,000 of them to return to South Sudan. (OCHA 25/05/2023), (Reuters 24/04/2023), (AA 25/04/2023), (TVP 25/04/2023), (UNHCR 25/04/2023), (UNHCR accessed 26/04/2023)

current crises
in South Sudan


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

SSD001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 26/02/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Floods
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.1 Very High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on South Sudan

South Sudan: conflict-related displacement

17 May 2023

South Sudan: conflict-related displacement

DOCUMENT / PDF / 293 KB

As at 14 May 2023, the conflict that began on 15 April in Sudan had displaced more than 57,000 people to South Sudan. 90% of this number were conflict-displaced South Sudanese returnees. The majority of the displaced are settling in border towns in Upper Nile state. 

Conflict and violenceDisplacement
South Sudan: Impact of floods

27 October 2022

South Sudan: Impact of floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

Since August, flash and riverine floods have been severely affecting South Sudan, as is typical during the rainy season (April–November). Most of the country had below-average rainfall in June–July. The extent of flooding more than doubled between early August and early October, from 22,000km2 of South Sudan’s landmass to 48,000km2.

Natural hazards
South Sudan Scenarios: Movement patterns and humanitarian needs

18 December 2020

South Sudan Scenarios: Movement patterns and humanitarian needs

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Possible developments of movement and settlement patterns and humanitarian needs in the next six months after the redesignation of the Protection of Civilians sites.

Humanitarian accessMixed migration
South Sudan: Access to basic needs and services

12 August 2020

South Sudan: Access to basic needs and services

DOCUMENT / PDF / 546 KB

Taking into account a range of variables that affect South Sudanese access to basic needs and services, these scenarios consider developments that could have humanitarian consequences and impact on access to basic needs within South Sudan over the coming six to twelve months.

Food security & livelihoodsShelter & NFIs
South Sudan: Analysis Ecosystem

11 March 2020

South Sudan: Analysis Ecosystem

DOCUMENT / PDF / 951 KB

ACAPS mapped the information landscape in South Sudan with the objective of identifying information gaps and needs, as well as good practices in data collection and analysis. The overall aim is to support the assessment and analysis community in South Sudan by seeing clearly what is already available in terms of data and information and what areas of the analysis ecosystem could be strengthened.

Conflict and violence
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