Humanitarian and political context
Four million individuals were displaced from and within Southern Sudan during the 20 year conflict. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, approximately 1.7 million individuals have returned to their places of origin in the South. Of the remaining, 2.3 million Sudanese are still displaced, and approximately 160,000 reside as refugees in Uganda.

Three years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the SPLM and the Government of Sudan, substantial concerns over its implementation remain, and continuing clashes in the Three Areas run the risk of re-igniting the conflict. Major steps have been taken under the CPA, such as the introduction of a new national currency, large scale IDP returns, and the recent national Census, however the key outstanding issue of control of Sudan’s oil resources in general and of Abyei in particular remains unresolved. Important milestones under the agreement, like the population census in the south and preparation for the 2009 elections, are facing delays. The ICC indictment of President Omar Al bashir has brought new uncertainties to the already uncertain future of Sudan and the CPA.

The Darfur conflict, which caused ongoing internal displacement of more than 3 million Sudanese has stagnated in South and North Darfur, and intensified in West Darfur, with a return to full scale warfare after a hiatus of several years. 

 NRCs priorities and program implementation
The NRC Country office in Juba is the administrative centre for NRC’s activities in Sudan. In South Sudan, NRC has presence in Juba, Aweil and Yei running projects within education, school construction and ICLA. The ICLA project in South Sudan is working closely with the NRC office in Uganda West Nile to provide Sudanese refugees with Information, Counseling and Legal Assistance on return.

NRC priorities for 2010 and beyond
All activities in Southern Sudan are linked to the ongoing return process, and NRC plans to continue working towards a holistic approach in the implementation of all projects in Sudan. In 2010, NRC intends to expand its program portfolio, both in terms of geographic areas and in terms of core activities. In most areas where NRC is currently programming it is planned to start additional core activities to complement and support ongoing programs.