South Sudan

A group of returnees and their luggage arrive at the Juba port after a long journey from Sudan. More than 620,000 individuals have returned to South Sudan from Sudan since October 2010.

Christy Forster/USAID

More than a year after independence, South Sudan continues to experience a steady inflow of returnees from Sudan, many of whom require humanitarian assistance in transit and support to restart their livelihoods.  In addition, localized conflict continues to cause population displacement.  The U.N. estimates that 2.9 million people are in need of food and livelihoods assistance countrywide.

Moreover, conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North that began in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states in 2011 continues to cause refugee influxes to South Sudan.  Insecurity, landmines, and transportation and communication challenges due to limited infrastructure also hinder the delivery of critical assistance to populations in need.  On October 6, 2011, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Christopher J. Datta re-declared a disaster in South Sudan due to the ongoing complex emergency.  As of July 17, the U.S. Government (USG) had provided nearly $244.3 million to support humanitarian activities across South Sudan in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012.

USAID AND STATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO SOUTH SUDAN PROVIDED IN FY 2013*

*These figures are current as of April 24, 2013

Key Developments

Relief agencies are pre-positioning emergency supplies in areas that will become inaccessible during the rainy season, expected to begin in May. However, road closures due to insecurity and poor infrastructure are hampering pre-positioning efforts in some areas. Approximately 60 percent of the country will become inaccessible by road during the rainy season, leaving humanitarian organizations primarily reliant on costly air transport to reach populations in need, according to the U.N..

Insecurity and violent clashes in Jonglei continue to displace civilians and limit relief agency access to affected populations. Humanitarian organizations have pre-positioned relief supplies and are providing assistance to conflict-affected individuals in accessible areas. With support from the USAID/OFDA-funded Rapid Response Fund (RRF), International Medical Corps is increasing surgical capacity at two Jonglei hospitals to treat civilians injured in the conflict.

To date in FY 2013, the USG has provided more than $68 million to assist vulnerable populations across South Sudan. USAID/OFDA-supported activities strengthen emergency response capabilities, increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, and foster returnee reintegration through agriculture and economic recovery assistance. USAID/FFP has contributed $42.8 million to the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) for emergency food and nutrition assistance, while State/PRM has contributed $9.6 million to UNHCR for multi-sectoral protection assistance.