“While the arrival of Riek Machar and other opposition leaders is a positive step in the path to peace, the humanitarian crisis is far from over,” warned NRC’s Country Director in South Sudan, Victor Moses. “Though the peace process resolves some national level political disputes, it does not resolve escalating humanitarian and protection needs on the ground.”
Humanitarian needs in South Sudan are staggering. Some six million people need humanitarian assistance - more than half the population. Over two million people have been forced to flee their homes. Over half of all school-aged children are not attending classes. Despite these figures, only 20 per cent of the aid appeal for South Sudan has been funded. Aid agencies, including NRC, have less money to respond to greater needs.
“The deteriorating humanitarian situation is affecting the lives of millions of people,” said Victor Moses. “But the political leadership now has an opportunity to improve the plight of its people. We call on the country’s leaders to protect civilians and create an environment where communities feel safe so they can return home to rebuild their lives, and aid workers can reach them safely. We call on the international community to do all it can to support the aid operation and prevent families from sliding deeper into crisis.”
Serious food insecurity continues in South Sudan, with some 2.8 million people estimated to be severely food insecure. A report in December projected an estimated 40,000 people in parts of Unity State (Ruweng, Northern and Southern Liech) to be experiencing catastrophe levels of food insecurity. These communities are in need of urgent food and other humanitarian assistance to avoid any further deterioration and escalation of the food insecurity. Political tensions and cattle raiding related to national-level conflict dynamics plague humanitarian access in the central part of Unity State (Ruweng, Northern and Southern Liech).
Over 55,000 South Sudanese have fled to neighbouring Sudan since January, escaping conflict and food shortages. Over 44,000 have crossed into Sudan’s Darfur region, with 41,000 people reportedly arriving in East Darfur alone and over 27,500 to one single camp.
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 has humanitarian programmes in Central Equatorial, Jongeli, Lakes, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Unity, Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states. In 2015 NRC provided aid to almost 700,000 people in South Sudan.
Media contacts
Michelle Delaney, Media Adviser + 47 941 65 579 michelle.delaney@nrc.no
