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South Sudan
Why are we in South Sudan? South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 and has experienced a long history of conflict, displacement, and deepening humanitarian needs. The Human Development Index (HDI) places South Sudan last out of 91 countries. Conflict and flooding have increased the number of IDPs to 2.2 million people in 2023 across the country. We are responding by providing emergency, resilience, and long-term development programming.
Widespread displacement puts untold pressure on people’s ability to cope
In February 2020, the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) marked a step forward in South Sudan’s peace process, which has seen a largely successful ceasefire and a reduction in conflict since 2018. However, the impact of years of fighting has destroyed livelihoods, and persistent localised insecurity means an estimated, 9.4 million people (76% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023.
In 2023, an estimated 7.8 million people (63% of the population) are expected to experience severe food insecurity at the peak of the lean season (April-July). Between July 2022 and June 2023, an estimated 1.4 million children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
“It’s hard to cope with what you’re seeing because people have nothing. It was two days wandering around the camp before I saw a child with a piece of paper. There are no toys. Nothing.”
Latest achievements
Programme impact
In 2022, Concern reached over 430,000 of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in South Sudan through health and nutrition, livelihoods, WASH, food security and shelter programmes.
Emergency response
Building NGO capacity
Chagawa* who is 9 months pregnant stands in front of a Mobile Health Clinic in a remote rural area of Aweil, South Sudan. With her is Concern midwife Rebekka. Photo: Abbie Trayler-Smith
Nyakolo is at the Concern Nutrition Centre with her daughter Kialeach Tut. Kialech was assessed and identified as malnourished, she is receiving treatment such as supplementary food to increase her weight and ensure she is healthy. Juba, South Sudan Photo: Samir Bol / Concern Worldwide
Concern Nutrition Facilitator, Angelina Nyagan, works at the Nutrition Centre in a POC in Juba. She will assess members of the community and distribute medicine and supplementary food to those needing support. South Sudan Photo: Samir Bol / Concern Worldwide
Over 200,000 people in 2021, more than a quarter of the local population in Unity state, were forced to leave their homes due to severe flooding. Photo: Kirk Prichard/Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide launched an enhanced emergency response in South Sudan after hundreds of thousands of people were forced from their homes by the worst floods in almost 60 years.
Nyaluit Khan and her 14 month old child Chudier are at the Concern Nutrition Centre today to receive supplementary food such as plumpynut and cereal to help increase their nutritional level.
Brian Maguire programme visit
Irish artist Brian Maguire travelled with Concern Worldwide to a Protection of Civilian camp in Bentiu in 2018. The site is home to 112,829 people who have been displaced by war in South Sudan. His ‘HUMANITY Site Unseen’ exhibition is inspired by the people he met there. His works bear witness to a crisis so vast, its sufferers have been rendered anonymous by scale.
HUMANITY Site Unseen: Irish artist Brian Maguire in South Sudan
How we're helping South Sudan
We're working hard to respond to the growing needs in South Sudan through emergency programming which includes activities around health, food security, and water sanitation and hygiene.
Health and nutrition
Food security and livelihoods
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Latest from South Sudan
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