PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
458TH MEETING
17 SEPTEMBER 2014
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
PSC/PR/BR.2(CDLVIII)

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 458th meeting held on 17 September 2014, was briefed by the Commission on the situation in South Sudan. Council took note of the statements made by the representatives of South Sudan, the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), as well as by those of France, Rwanda, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as members of the UN Security Council.

Council recalled its earlier communiqués and press statements on the situation in South Sudan.
Council expressed its deep concern over the lack of progress in the political negotiations, including the non-compliance with the sixty days deadline for the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity, and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Council also strongly condemned all violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January 2014.

Council reiterated its gratitude to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its Chairperson, Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, as well as the Team of Special Envoys, for their tireless efforts in the search for a lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan. In this respect, Council welcomed the outcome of the 27th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the situation in South Sudan, held in Addis Ababa, on 25 August 2014, which, inter alia, endorsed the Agreed Principles on Transitional Arrangements Towards Resolution of the Crisis in South Sudan. Council urged the South Sudanese stakeholders to conclude, within six weeks, negotiations on the necessary details to fully operationalize these Principles, as requested by the above-mentioned IGAD Summit.

Council welcomed the resumption, since 15 September 2014, of the South Sudan multi-stakeholders talks in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, under the auspices of IGAD. Council reminded the South Sudanese stakeholders of their primary responsibility in ending the untold suffering inflicted upon their people and achieving lasting peace, security, stability and reconciliation in their country.

Council reiterated its appeal to the parties to honour their commitments under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and other subsequent Agreements, including the Implementation Matrix they signed and which sets out a timetable for disengagement, separation and disposition of forces.

Council, once again, reiterated its determination, in coordination with IGAD, to take the necessary measures against any party that fails to honour its commitments and continues to undermine the search for a negotiated solution to the current crisis. In this respect, Council requested the Commission to urgently initiate consultations with IGAD, with a view to making concrete recommendations on the way forward.

Council expressed its deep concern about the prevailing humanitarian situation in South Sudan and called for renewed efforts to assist the affected populations.

Council reiterated its full support to the AU Commission of Inquiry, mandated, as per communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM.1(CDXI) adopted at its 411th meeting, held in Banjul, The Gambia, on 30 December 2013, to investigate the human rights violations and other abuses committed during the armed conflict in South Sudan and make recommendations on the best ways and means to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South Sudanese communities. Council looks forward to the submission of the report and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

Council reiterated its gratitude to the international partners for their invaluable support to the AU and IGAD efforts in South Sudan, and called upon them to pursue and increase their assistance.

Council agreed to remain actively seized of the matter.

09/22/2014 09:18 GMT

ADDIS ABABA, September 22, 2014 (AFP) - Talks aimed at ending South Sudan's civil war resumed in Ethiopia on Monday, mediators said, as sporadic fighting continued to rage between rebel and government fighters in the oil-rich country.

The talks have been on hold since late August, when President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed a new ceasefire deal -- the fourth since fighting began nine months ago -- and forge a unity government by October 9.

On Saturday east Africa's regional IGAD bloc, which has been mediating the talks, denounced ongoing "senseless fighting" in South Sudan and complained that hostilities appeared to flare each time talks were on the verge of resuming.

The talks are now being held in the northwestern Ethiopian town of Bahir Dar, having been shifted away from the capital Addis Ababa -- where peace delegates have been accused of running up huge bills in luxury hotels and not being serious about peace.

According to European diplomats, the talks have so far cost close to 20 million euros.

Taking part are delegations from the government, rebels, political parties and civil society groups, who are supposed to be discussing the formation of a 'Transitional Government of National Unity'.

"What is very important now is the issue of the president and the prime minister. We shall discuss the issues of appointment and powers of the prime minister. If that is agreed, that will be a step forward," said Taban Deng, a former governor of Unity State who now leads the opposition delegation.

The government meanwhile accused the rebels of systematic ceasefire violations.

"We are expecting the mediation and the rebels and all the other stakeholders to respect and abide by the protocol and the rebels to commit to the matrix so that a cessation of hostilities is operationalised," said South Sudan's Information Minister Michael Makuei, a member of the government delegation.

Fighting broke out in the world's youngest nation in December 2013 following a clash between Kiir's troops and fighters loyal to Machar. The war spread rapidly across the country and has been marked by widespread human rights abuses and atrocities by both sides.

Previous ceasefire agreements have all been broken, and efforts to form a unity government have so far failed.

As the power struggle between Kiir and Machar continues, the United Nations has said that the country's food crisis is the "worst in the world" and aid workers have warned of the risk of famine.

Thousands of people have been killed and more than 1.8 million have fled.

str-sas/yad

© 1994-2014 Agence France-Presse

September 20, 2014 (NIMULE) – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and South Sudanese authorities launched on Saturday the biometric registration of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled armed conflict to Nimule, a border town with Uganda.

South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state authorities, UNHCR and other partners joined local authorities to launch the seven-day exercise, which saw two registration centres established at Melijo primary school and Baptist church in Nimule.

Registration of the IDPs will take place from 20-23 September and again from 25-26.

During the launch, UNHCR and its partners lauded the state government, local and national authorities for their efforts towards promotion and supporting this initiative, which follows an assessment conducted by aid workers operating in Nimule.

In the past, however, registration of IDPs was undertaken by individual agencies in the past in Nimule area for the purposes of distributing the much-needed humanitarian assistance. The total population of the IDPs reportedly ranged from 3,000 to 30,000.

"This UNHCR registration will be the first comprehensive biometric registration exercise in Nimule, and is intended to provide an accurate and updated number of IDPs, verify newly arrived IDPs, eliminate double registrations of the same individuals, as well as to better understand continuing movements," UNHCR said in a statement.

"It will also help identify Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), including unaccompanied minors, separated children, child-headed households and single women with family support so that authorities and humanitarian personnel can better provide appropriate services," it added.

Meanwhile, the IDPs were requested to bring all household members as well as all documents relating to themselves and their family members, such as identity cards, school certificates, birth certificates, ration cards and any other documents to enable authorities accurately conduct the registration process.

The majority of IDPs, mainly women, children and the elderly reportedly hailed from Jonglei state. Initially, the population gathered mainly in churches, schools and under trees while some were hosted by relatives who arrived in Nimule at the intensity of the conflict.

Since violence broke out in South Sudan late last year, over 1.3 million people have reportedly been displaced mainly from Juba and the states of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile.

(ST)

The humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate, with more than 1.8 million people displaced and 1.3 million people facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Partners are saving lives by responding to the basic needs of the most vulnerable by providing food and livelihood support; and preventing the loss of a generation of children by addressing acute malnutrition and protecting those most exposed to violence, abuse and exploitation. A total of US$1.8 billion is required for the Crisis Response Plan in 2014. As of 15 September, some $838 million is still needed to provide assistance until the end of December 2014.

DISPLACED POPULATION OF SOUTH SUDANESE
REFUGEES: 451,445
IDPS: 1,300,000
TOTAL: 1,751,445

22 September 2014, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: The Sixth Session of the Second Phase of the IGAD-led multi-stakeholder peace talks on South Sudan officially opened today. The participants accepted the First Draft of the Text Arising from the 25 August Protocol and Stakeholders’ Positions as a basis for the negotiations in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State.

Since reconvening on 13 September 2014, the IGAD mediators have engaged and consulted with the delegates to build consensus on the way forward for the South Sudan peace process.
It is to be recalled that IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government endorsed the Protocol on Agreed Principles on Transitional Arrangements towards Resolution of the Crisis in South Sudan in Addis Ababa on 25 August 2014.

The heads of delegations representing the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army (In Opposition), the SPLM Leaders (Former Detainees), the Civil Society Organizations and the Faith-Based Organizations were provided on 20 September 2014 with the draft text to review and prepare for the negotiations.

Transitional governance arrangements; parameters of permanent constitution; transitional security arrangements; resource, economic and financial management; and transitional justice, reconciliation and healing are some of the issues that the delegates are to negotiate.

In his opening remarks, Amb. Seyoum Mesfin, the Chairman of the IGAD Mediation Process reminded the delegates that the document presented to them is theirs and contains their positions. He further added that the peace process is theirs. “Let progress not be impeded any further by rhetorical or procedural issues,” stated the Special Envoy, quoting an adage that goes: if you are looking for fish, do not climb a tree. “If you are committed to peace, you will not find it through the barrel of the gun, but around this table,” he reiterated, adding that peace will not be given as a donation from others, but can be found through collective efforts.

In their opening statements, representatives of the different stakeholders reiterated their commitment to the IGAD-led negotiation process and expressed their resolve to address the root causes of the crisis as soon as possible. ##

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Hailemichael Gebreslasie | Communications Officer |
Office of the Special Envoys for South Sudan | E-mail: btey2001@yahoo.com| Tel: +251.924.909.948

Mr. Brazille Musumba | Communications and Media Advisor | IGAD Secretariat |
E-mail: brazille.musumba@igad.int | Please visit for updates: http://southsudan.igad.int

Please visit for updates:
http://southsudan.igad.int

By Lívia Pontes, Communications Consultant, FAO, Washington, DC.

On Monday, FAO North America hosted Sue Lautze, FAO representative and UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, at a briefing about the crisis in the country. Since last December, the world’s youngest nation has been mired in conflict. Political disputes in the government led to clashes and ethnic violence that displaced 1.3 million people and caused an additional 500,000 to flee to neighboring countries.

Dr. Lautze described the challenges agencies face to help the people in South Sudan, FAO’s newest member country. As a result of the crisis, the food insecure population has tripled, spiking at over 7 million people, 60% of the population, rendering them at risk of hunger and malnutrition. Delivering aid is hampered by lack of access due to violence or the country’s rainy season, which has left some 90% of roads in the conflict-affected states under water.

FAO has assisted 1.5 million people since the beginning of the crisis. Humanitarian action has measurable impact, including mitigating the risk of famine. Lautze described this important progress as encouraging but “fragile, partial, temporary and expensive”. As the country moves towards dry season later this year, much rests on the fate of the ongoing peace talks. Even under the best of political scenarios, however, extensive damage to market networks, limited production and restrictions on livelihood systems will see a return to increasing food and nutrition insecurity from early next year.

FAO, in close collaboration with other UN agencies and NGOs, has delivered assistance in the form of emergency kits and fuel efficient stoves. It has also been a leading voice on the food and nutrition security situation and has maintained a robust development programme. Crop kits provide a family with staples such as maize, sorghum, legumes and sesame, and the vegetable kits last up to 6 months, providing a varied and nutrient-dense diet. Notwithstanding the crisis, FAO in South Sudan is promoting capacity building and income generating activities in areas less affected by the conflict. Hundreds of people are being trained as animal health workers in their communities, and a recently concluded 3-month pilot program improved the skills of master trainers for pastoralist field schools.

FAO is appealing for immediate contributions totalling $50 million dollars to continue the emergency response through 2014 and to purchase supplies for next year. This is an urgent request because tools, seeds, fishing supplies, animal health worker kits and other inputs need to be pre-positioned in the affected areas now, before the rainy season makes it extremely difficult and exceedingly expensive to do so. If this goal is met, she estimates FAO can more than double its current reach, assisting over 3.3 million people. With the sustained help of donors, FAO and its more than 50 NGO partners can help prevent the loss of another generation of South Sudanese to hunger and malnutrition.

Reflecting on the work of FAO in the crisis, Lautze said “I am incredibly proud of the 184 members of the FAO South Sudan team. They are delivering at a rate that is literally ten times faster than last year even as so many of them are managing the personal challenges of life in South Sudan today. Some have yet to be able to return to their homes since the beginning of the crisis. It is both inspiring and humbling in equal measure.”

To view Dr. Lautze’s power point presentation on FAO’s emergency work in South Sudan, click here: FAO Presentation 12_09_14.

Highlights

Bentiu Health Clinic opens in South Sudan.

Number of South Sudanese refugees entering Khartoum, Sudan, continues to drop.

South Sudanese refugees awaiting registration at the Pagak entry point in Gambella, Ethiopia.

Kenya registers a decline in the number of refugees entering the country.

IOM explores the possibility of relocating all refugees by boat and air as heavy rains damage roads.

Overview

Over 1.3 million people remain displaced in South Sudan since the civil conflict began in December 2013. Approximately 451,445 others have fled South Sudan and crossed into neighboring countries: Kenya (43,253 individuals), Uganda (125,996 individuals), Ethiopia (189,156 individuals), and Sudan (93,040 individuals). (Source: UNHCR, 18 September).

Security situation continues to be unpredictable. Most access constraints reported recently are related to violence against humanitarian workers, assets and premises. A total of 13 humanitarian workers have been killed since the crisis began on 15 December 2013. Humanitarian partners continue to report regular threats, interference into humanitarian activities and restrictions of movement either for humanitarian workers or for beneficiary populations.

The number of South Sudanese refugees entering Khartoum continues to drop. IOM in Sudan has registered a total of 47,891 refugees entering the country since the beginning of the conflict. All arrivals during this reporting period were tracked by IOM hub in Jabal Awalia; no South Sudanese refugees were registered in South or West Kordofan.

Of the 451,445 South Sudanese refugees who have fled into neighboring countries, 189,156 have crossed into Ethiopia (Source: UNHCR, 18 September). In comparison to previous months, the number of South Sudanese refugees relocated by IOM has decreased during this reporting period, as camps continue to be flooded. On request by UNHCR, IOM is facilitating inter-camp transportation for refugees who may want to relocate to a different camp for one reason or another.

Between 15 and 21 September, the number of refugees crossing into Kenya has decreased. The decrease can be attributed to both the rising insecurity at the border, and the heavy rains. Refugees that manage to cross the border report of attackers on the route to Nadapal who threaten and extort refugees. A taxi with passengers was shot at by the attackers as the driver refused to stop. As a result, three children who were in the taxi, along with their mother were injured. They were rushed to Torit Hospital by a good samaritan where they are currently receiving treatment.

September 22, 2014 (KAMPALA) – The rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-in-Opposition) led by the former vice-president, Riek Machar, has opened a liaison office in Kampala in order to promote relations between the rebel group and the Ugandan government.

The newly established office will coordinate diplomatic relations, as well as humanitarian, peace and reconciliation initiatives in Uganda aimed at realising a peaceful and sustainable solution to South Sudan’s ongoing crisis.

David Otim has been appointed as the principal representative for the SPLM/A in Opposition in Uganda, the political wing of the rebel group that has been engaged in an armed struggle with Juba since mid-December last year after a political rift in the country’s ruling party (SPLM) turned violent.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Monday, Otim said the initiative was the result of face to face talks last month between the Ugandan government and representatives of the opposition group.

Otim says Uganda’s hosting of thousands of South Sudanese refugees is a sign of the friendship and goodwill that exists between the two countries.

“We take this opportunity also to thank the government of Uganda and its loving people for extensively accepting to maintain its humanitarian corridor for refugees and internally displaced persons of South Sudan and respecting her international obligations on [the] responsibility to protect refugees, including South Sudanese residents irrespective of their political affiliation and beliefs,” he said.

Rebels have repeatedly called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is mediating peace talks between the two warring parties in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to address the root causes of the crisis in order to achieve lasting reconciliation in the country.

“We further commend the support and encouragement [that] we have received from the IGAD member states [and] for the tremendous support for the peace process in South Sudan,” Otim said, expressing particular appreciation for the efforts of the US, UK, Norway and the European Union.

“The SPLM/A [in Opposition] avails itself of this opportunity to call upon all sisters and friendly countries and [the] international community to exert the genuine efforts that will address the root causes of the conflict,” Otim added.

The rebel faction has called on president Salva Kiir to step down, accusing him of instigating targeted ethnic violence after fighting broke out between rival units of the presidential guards in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, before spreading to other areas.

The fighting has largely pitted government forces loyal to Kiir against ethnic Nuer militia and dissident soldiers aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar, who was sacked last July.

Otim says the opposition’s struggle is based around protecting the rights of all South Sudanese people.

“This war is for the people of South Sudan. We are working very hard, even to liberate General Salva Kiir because he is stranded with power in Juba. We are trying to tell him (Kiir) that what he is doing is wrong. He must come to his senses; this country belong to all,” said Otim.

“We appreciate what [the] international communities are doing; they must give sense to the people of South Sudan if they want genuine peace in South Sudan. They must listen to South Sudanese people who are suffering on the ground,” he added.

Meanwhile, the rebel has criticised recent attempts by the South Sudanese government to expel foreign workers, accusing it of violating its obligations as a member of the East Africa Community, which allows citizens of members to trade and seek employment freely in the region.

(ST)

eptember 21, 2014 (YEI) – Persons living with disabilities in Yei River county of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria state have appealed for equal treatment in society.

Speaking to reporters in the county, Sam Data James, one of the disabled persons, complained of neglect and that they are often not given opportunity to speak in public forums.

“There are a lot of insults, people do undermine us, and we are not allowed to express our views in the community. One may feel like giving the idea that he or she has on the mind it can be said that you are unable to give an appropriate suggestion,” he said.

Data, who lost both legs, usually finds it hard to move as he looks for survival means.

“We have a lot of challenges, there are movement problems, yet we have families and children who are supposed to be sent to school and there is no way,” he says, adding, “It is not easy to get work in order to get money.”

Rose Nighty, another person with disability, urged the government to consider them in decision making since disability was not inability.

“I want the government not to leave us behind. What I know is that if we are bad from the legs, our minds do work,” said Nighty.

“The community should not run away from people with disability,” she added, while speaking against the practice of discrimination.

Santo Paul Lasuba, the mayor of Yei municipal council, said government was commitment to protect the disabled and plans were to form an association that will assist them with their problems.

“People with disability should form an association and let them come through the civil society organisation so that if there is a help or something that is needed to be addressed should have channel, not that we do to individuals,” said Lasuba.

The commissioner of Yei, on the other hand, said doors were open to every citizen with genuine concern, including persons with disability.

“I hate if tomorrow I don’t become a person who welcome persons living with disability to come to my office. Even if he is an individual or not, I have the ability to meet his or her needs,” said Cosmas Bidali.

(ST)

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

The conflict in South Sudan which started in December 2013 resulted in large displacement of civilian population to neighbouring countries, including to Sudan. Only in the first two months after the conflict erupted, Sudan saw around 20,000 people arriving in the country, with the majority seeking refuge in White Nile and the number of displaced population increasing to over 80,000 by the end of May 2014.
Several reception centres were established in the states of South Kordofan, West Kordofan, White Nile,
Blue Nile, East Darfur and Khartoum by the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the Commission of Refugees (COR) of Sudan. The majority of new arrivals from South Sudan were the elderly, women and unaccompanied minors who fled with very limited or no household belongings.

The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) was among the first ones to address the urgent needs of the South Sudanese. With funding received from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) allocated on 25 February 2014, the National Society rendered assistance to 15,000 individuals from South Sudan, primarily in White Nile. Over the three months, the SRCS provided emergency health, water and sanitation, and tracing services at the reception centres as well as arranged transportation of the new arrivals from the border to the centres, providing essential non-food items and food in partnership with the governmental and international nongovernmental agencies. The Canadian Red Cross and Canadian government, the Netherlands Red Cross and Netherlands government, and the Swiss Red Cross contributed to the replenishment of the DREF. IFRC on behalf of Sudanese Red Crescent Society would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions. Details of all donors can be found at http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/Active/MDR00001.pdf

Children remain in dire situation despite temporary improvements in food security

JUBA, South Sudan, 23 September 2014 – Tens of thousands of children under the age of five remain at risk of malnutrition-related death in South Sudan, despite temporary improvements in the food security situation that were released today by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) group of experts.

Malnutrition, especially among young children, is not mirroring improvements in food security because of high rates of disease, lack of safe water and lack of access to basic health care. Diarrhoea and other illnesses prevent children from absorbing nutrients, so even where there is improved access to food, children can still be dangerously malnourished. Those in conflict-affected areas, especially the 1.4 million people who are internally displaced – more than half of whom are children – are the most at risk. Malnutrition rates for children are at critical or serious levels in most parts of South Sudan. In some areas where large numbers of people displaced by the conflict have gathered, the rates of acute malnutrition for children are over 30 per cent; this is more than double officially recognized emergency levels. Accessing malnourished children with humanitarian assistance is a major challenge because of ongoing insecurity and the rainy season, which has cut off almost all roads in the country.

“Thousands of malnourished children who have not yet been reached remain in peril,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan. “We have to take advantage of the coming dry season – and passable roads – to preposition life-saving supplies for the treatment of children suffering from malnutrition. It is critical that we are able to accelerate our response during this window of opportunity.”

The latest IPC analysis projects that 1.5 million people will be in “crisis and emergency food insecurity levels” from September through December, an improvement over the last projection, as the coming months represent the harvest season. The IPC also credits humanitarian assistance for improvement in some areas.

The IPC warns that the outlook for 2015 remains of great concern, with 2.5 million people at crisis or emergency levels from January to March. Although the IPC projection does not extend beyond March 2015, the lean months in South Sudan usually peak around May. Children, who are always the most vulnerable to food shortages, will therefore be at even greater risk of malnutrition.

UNICEF has massively scaled up its humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in South Sudan. In collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF has increased services for malnourished children through direct implementation and expanding its partnerships on the ground, adding new national and international NGO partners and conducting intensive training activities to strengthen partners’ capacities where needed.

Since April, UNICEF has reached more than 55,000 children under five with treatment for severe acute malnutrition and anticipates that, with its continued scaling up of services, it will reach 120,000 by the end of this year.

An important strategy in reaching remote areas is the use of joint UNICEF and WFP Rapid Response Missions (RRM) to areas otherwise cut off from humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the conflict last December.

During Rapid Response Missions WFP delivers food, while UNICEF screens for malnutrition, treats severely malnourished children, provides basic health services and vaccination, provides expertise and supplies for safe water and sanitation, registers unaccompanied children for reunification with their families, and supports basic education activities.

UNICEF is urgently seeking additional funding of US$25 million to continue to scale up its nutrition response and to preposition life-saving nutrition supplies during the coming dry season.

September 22, 2014 (RUMBEK) – More than 80 Cueibet county residents in Rumbek Central county of South Sudan’s Lakes state have fled to churches and police stations amid fears of revenge attacks, eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

Those fleeing reportedly fear they could be killed by relatives of Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol.

Activists have accused Duol of indirect involvement in insecurity in the region, accusing the latter of allegedly allowing his family members engage in killings of people along Rumbek highways.

The state has, in recent weeks, witnessed a rise in murder incidences involving high-profile people as several businessmen, students and traditional leaders complained of harassment from security agents allegedly acting under the governor’s instructions.

“Eighty-one people who are Gok-Dinka of Cueibet county have left their residences inside Rumbek town and moved to stay in police stations and churches,” a senior officer from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said.

“So far, 36 people from Gok Dinka section are now staying in Rumbek police headquarters, and 45 people are inside Rumbek Catholic church,” he added.

Meanwhile, a police car carrying the salaries of organised forces in Cueibet was ambushed n Sunday, with two of the attackers killed.

Security officials in the state confirmed the attack, but said police manage to prevent money from being looted by the attackers.

Lakes state is locked in a cycle of revenge killings, cattle raiding and highway attacks. However, president Salva Kiir Mayardit has so far ignored public demands for the removal of the caretaker governor.

(ST)

Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea: As a three-day countrywide shutdown came to an end in Sierra Leone, the UN Security Council set up a special mission to lead the global response to the Ebola outbreak. More than 5,800 cases have been reported since the beginning of the outbreak, including 2,800 deaths, and more than 13.5 million people are now considered in need of assistance as the impact of the epidemic spreads.

Syria: Kurds flee IS advance on Kobane, and 138,000 refugees have been counted at the Turkish border. The US has launched airstrikes targeting IS bases, with the support of other states, while government airstrikes in Idleb, Homs, Rural Damascus, and Aleppo have killed over 100 people in the past week. Tens of thousands of civilians are trapped under IS control in Deir-ez-Zor. For lack of funds, WFP will be reducing the size of rations from October, with further cuts planned in November.

Yemen: Sanaa saw a significant escalation in violence, in which the Houthis gained control over much of the capital, including key government buildings, and 200 people are thought to have died. Houthi leaders have denied reports of a peace deal agreed with the Government on 21 September.

Updated: 23/09/2014. Next update: 30/09/2014

Global Emergency Overview Web Interface

This paper is based on qualitative fieldwork conducted by the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) South Sudan team in Juba, South Sudan in November 2013. This study followed qualitative research conducted in Uror and Nyirol Counties in northern Jonglei State in early 2013, described in the report ‘Livelihoods, access to services and perceptions of governance: An analysis of Uror and Nyirol counties, South Sudan’ (Maxwell et al., 2014a), and a household survey conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and SLRC in 2012, described in d’Errico et al. (forthcoming). The purpose of these quantitative and qualitative studies was to formulate a baseline and ongoing analysis of livelihoods, access to services, and people’s perceptions of governance and participation in Jonglei State.

The research conducted for the present paper was initially intended to be carried out in Murle communities in Pibor County, following conversations with respondents in Juba and northern Jonglei that piqued our interest in community dynamics and inter-group relations among the Murle and with their neighbors. Due to violence in Pibor County which escalated in the summer of 2013 and displaced nearly the entire Murle population, we were unable to conduct planned fieldwork in the county; instead, we traveled to Juba in November 2013 to interview displaced persons from Pibor County about their lives prior to displacement. This fieldwork was completed in November 2013, preceding the political and violent conflict that broke out in December 2013; as such, we make reference to this larger conflict where useful, but it is not the focus of this paper. Many respondents understandably wished to talk to us more about the conditions in which they were living in Juba than about the lives they had left behind; this information is presented in an Annex to this paper so as to capture it and to honor their wishes.

Given that this paper analyses people’s descriptions of their former lives in Pibor County, which were all but completely disrupted by the violence of mid-2013 (and earlier), and that the situation across South Sudan and particularly in eastern areas including Jonglei State has also changed dramatically since the time of our visit, we write here about life and livelihoods in Pibor County in the past tense.
Many of our respondents spoke ardently of their desire for peace and the chance to return home and resume the lives they had left behind, and indeed there have been some positive signs since November 2013 that have allowed some of the population of Pibor County to return. We do not currently know, however, how the situation to which they return might compare to the one they left behind.

Read the full paper

Key messages

1. Food security across the country has begun improving in August and September and is expected to continue on a positive trend through December 2014 according to seasonal patterns, particularly in areas not affected by conflict. Normal rainfall, good crop planting and performance, and the start of the green harvest in late August have had a positive effect on the seasonal availability of crops, livestock products, fish, and wild foods. However, due to displacement, planting in Greater Upper Nile has been reduced, which will impact overall cereal production and lead to faster stock depletion.

2. While there are significant improvements since the May IPC, the situation is much worse compared to a typical year at harvest time. 1.5 million people are projected to remain in Phase 3 (Crisis) and Phase 4 (Emergency) through December 2014, including one-third of the population of Greater Upper Nile. These populations have made it through conflict, displacement, and a harsh lean season in 2014 by relying on coping mechanisms, including traditional kinship sharing and distress asset depletion. As a result, their resilience into 2015 is expected to be very weak, particularly if new shocks occur.

3. The outlook for 2015 is of great concern, with 2.5 million people projected to be in Crisis or Emergency from January to March 2015, including nearly half of the population of Greater Upper Nile. Severe challenges include early depletion of household food stocks, dysfunctional markets, loss of livelihoods, and displacement – all resulting from protracted conflict. In the absence of funded and planned humanitarian interventions for 2015, phase classifications for January to March were unable to factor in assistance as a mitigating factor.

4. The overall nutrition situation remains dire for September to December. The prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) is likely to remain above emergency thresholds (GAM >15%), as defined by the World Health Organization, especially in conflict-affected states. High levels of acute malnutrition are attributed to inadequate food consumption as well as other factors including morbidity, dietary and feeding habits, and constrained health and nutrition service delivery. The availability of nutrition information, including mortality data, has improved but remains a challenge.

5. In the areas it has reached, humanitarian assistance has reduced the number of people in Crisis and Emergency phases. However, deliveries remain inconsistent due to logistical constraints during the rainy season, continued insecurity, and insufficient funding.

6. There is a short window of opportunity to take action before the end of the year when nearly half of households in Greater Upper Nile will have depleted their food stocks, and when new shocks may occur. In order to prevent a dramatic deterioration of food insecurity and malnutrition in 2015, immediate actions should include scaling up humanitarian assistance, including nutrition and livelihood interventions, ensuring safe movement of large volumes of food stocks, and most importantly, securing a peaceful solution to the ongoing political crisis.

CHALLENGES FACING AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY FOOD SECURITY

In the short­term, food security is improving across the country according to seasonal patterns. Normal rains, good crop planting and performance, and the start of green harvests have positively affected seasonal availability of crops, livestock products, fish and wild foods.

BUT, the situation is much worse than is typical for harvest time, particularly in conflict‐affected states – 1.5 million people projected to remain in IPC Phases 3 and 4 through December, including one‐third of the population of Greater Upper Nile. Overstretched and negative coping capacities have undermined their resilience, leaving these populations highly at risk in the case of another shock.

Humanitarian assistance has already had an impact, reducing the number of people in Crisis and Emergency Phases. However, this support is constrained by rains, insecurity and insufficient funds.

The outlook for 2015 is of great concern. Early depletion of household food stocks, disrupted markets, loss of livelihoods and displacement mean forecasts are for 2.5 million to be in Phases 3 and 4 from January to March 2015.
There is a short window for actions must to be taken to prevent a further deterioration in food security.