South Sudan

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)

18 June 2024

By 13 June 2024, more than 700,000 people had arrived in South Sudan from Sudan following the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, averaging 1,605 arrivals per day. While the majority were South Sudanese returnees, the proportion of Sudanese refugees had risen to 32% compared to 2023. Consistently, 83% of the arrivals entered through the Joda-Renk border crossing in the northeast. The refugees and returnees urgently need food, water, shelter, sanitation facilities, and medical care. Acute food insecurity is expected to increase both for the arrivals and host communities as the influx puts additional pressure on already scarce resources, heightening the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Strain on the limited services at border points and destination areas also threatens to reignite intercommunal violence in Renk, Malakal, and other parts of the country. (ECHO 14/06/2024, MSF 18/06/2024, Protection Cluster 29/03/2024)