“Despite the peace process, South Sudan’s fifth birthday is gravely overshadowed by a dangerous mix of insecurity, political challenges and an overwhelming humanitarian crisis,” said NRC’s Country Director in South Sudan, Victor Moses.
“The Government must work with communities to bring stability to South Sudan. We can support humanitarian needs, but without stability people will continue to flee their homes, farmers will not be able to plant, and families will not be able to feed themselves. South Sudan will spiral further and further into poverty. It’s a vicious circle that can only be stamped out by tackling insecurity.”
Despite renewed hope after the peace agreement was signed in August 2015, violence continues to drive people from their villages and disrupts their lives. Insecurity threatens communities all the way from Kajo-Keji in the south to Malakal in the north. In recent days, fighting in Wau in former Western Bahr el Ghazal State has torn the previously calm city apart, and forced an estimated 60,000 people to seek shelter in churches and makeshift camps.
The volatile security situation in many parts of the country has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation. Over six million people need humanitarian assistance - more than half the population. Some two million people, one in every five, have been forced to flee their homes.
Close to five million people, over a third of the population, will face severe food shortages in the coming months, and a potential hunger catastrophe threatens parts of the country. These figures do not include the 350,000 displaced people sheltering inside United Nations bases across the country who are entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance.
In the face of these immense challenges, NRC continues to reach communities in the hardest hit areas. The organization assisted close to 700,000 South Sudanese in 2015 with emergency shelter, food security, education, and counselling and legal assistance for displaced people.
However, funding shortages are reducing the ability of aid agencies like NRC to help more people in need. “On South Sudan’s Independence Day we call on the international community to increase its support to lifesaving humanitarian and early recovery work that aid organizations all over the country are doing,” said Victor Moses.
Note to editors:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a humanitarian organization working in more than 25 countries globally. NRC has been working in Southern Sudan since 2004. It provides relief humanitarian assistance in the former states of Central Equatorial, Jongeli, Lakes, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Unity, Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Media contact:
Michelle Delaney, Media Adviser, + 47 941 65 579, michelle.delaney@nrc.no.
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