Latest updates on country situation
10 December 2024
A severe cholera outbreak in Malakal, South Sudan, has surged to 737 cases by 3 December 2024, overwhelming the limited response efforts. Poor living conditions and inadequate hygiene are worsening the crisis, with urgent needs including public health measures, more oral rehydration points, and improved water and sanitation services. (Al Jazeera 06/12/2024, MSF 06/12/2024)
19 November 2024
According to the latest IPC projections, between September–November 2024, approximately 6.3 million people in South Sudan will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity, marking an increase of 500,000 compared to the same period in 2023. Among this number, 1.71 million will experience critical acute food insecurity categorised as Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and an additional 41,000 will face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5). Those facing IPC 5 include approximately 10,000 people in Malakal county (Upper Nile state) and an estimated 31,000 South Sudanese returnees displaced by the current conflict in Sudan. Key drivers include conflict and insecurity, economic instability, flooding, and low agricultural yields. Nearly 2.1 million children are projected to be at risk of malnutrition between July 2024 and June 2025. (AJ 18/11/2024, FAO et al. 18/11/2024, IPC 18/11/2024)
12 November 2024
In November 2024, a notable increase in malaria cases was observed in Central and Western Equatoria, Jonglei, Northern Bahr Al Ghazal, Unity, and Upper Nile states, further straining the already fragile healthcare system. In Northern Bahr Al Ghazal, malaria cases typically rise during the rainy season, but the situation since August has been particularly severe. By September, severe malaria admissions among children had surged to approximately 400 per week, resulting in 41 deaths, including 36 children, in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. (AA 05/11/2024, MSF 07/11/2024)
05 November 2024
By 1 November 2024, flooding had affected over 1.4 million people across 43 counties in South Sudan and the Abyei Administrative Area, with lowland areas in Jonglei and Northern Bahr Al Ghazal states among the hardest hit. The natural hazard-related disaster has displaced nearly 375,000 people in 21 counties and the Abyei Administrative Area. Heavy rainfall and flooding have also made 15 major supply routes impassable, significantly limiting access to the affected populations. (OCHA 01/11/2024, Eye Radio 02/11/2024)
08 October 2024
On 3 October 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the declaration of a state of emergency in flood-affected states of South Sudan. Since August, flooding has affected more than 890,000 people, displacing about 226,000 until 4 October. Unity state has been the hardest hit, with 114,480 people displaced. Access remains a challenge, given damaged and impassable roads. The flooding is expected to peak in November, causing further damage. The floods have already damaged schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure. (OCHA 04/10/2024, AA 03/10/2024)
12 September 2024
By 11 September 2024, flooding had affected over 710,000 people across 30 counties in South Sudan and Abyei, affecting Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Unity, and Warrap states the most. Since May, the floods have damaged and destroyed homes, crops, and essential infrastructure, affecting access to education and healthcare services and increasing the risk of outbreaks of diseases, particularly cholera and malaria, which are endemic in the country. (OCHA 06/09/2024, ECHO 12/09/2024, Africanews 09/09/2024)
02 September 2024
Since May 2024, heavy rains have been causing flash floods that have affected over 472,000 people across 26 of South Sudan’s 78 counties. The floods have destroyed homes, crops, and infrastructure and disrupted education and health services. Before May, the hardest-hit states, Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, and Western Bahr el Ghazal, were already contending with the aftermath of previous floods in 2023, active conflict, displacement, and severe food insecurity. The influx of returnees and refugees fleeing the Sudan conflict has worsened these challenges. Displaced populations are seeking refuge with relatives, in public spaces such as schools and churches, or along roadsides. There has been an increase in cases of malaria, respiratory infections, acute diarrhoeal disease, and snakebites, placing additional pressure on already stretched healthcare services. Those affected are in need of health, WASH, food security and livelihoods, shelter, and NFIs. (OCHA 29/08/2024, Radio Tamazuj 29/08/2024, The Guardian13/08/2024)
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.
SSD001 - Complex crisis
Last updated 28/11/2024
Drivers
Conflict
Floods
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
4.5 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
Analysis products
on
South Sudan
19 August 2024
South Sudan: key crises to watch
DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB
This report provides an overview of key humanitarian crises expected to deteriorate or see a significant humanitarian impact in the next five months in South Sudan.
Attached resources
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.
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.
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.
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.