EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The mid-year review of the South Sudan Consolidated Appeal shows that although humanitarian needs remained very high in the first half of 2013, the situation has stabilized and even improved in some areas.
Overall, up to 4.5 million people need basic services. Of these, an estimated 4.1 million people are food-insecure, down from the original estimate of 4.6 million at the beginning of the year. One million people are expected to remain severely food-insecure.Though the numbers remain high, they reflect an anticipated stabilization in food security in the second half of 2013, which could be enhanced by the opening of the border between South Sudan and Sudan.
Sudanese refugees continued to flee Blue Nile and South Kordofan, but in much lower numbers than in 2012, moving the refugee operation from crisis to a more stable mode. Internal insecurity continued to cause displacements and deaths, however, in lower numbers than the same period in 2012. Jonglei remained the centre of violence and fighting. At mid-year, partners expect lower numbers of South Sudanese returnees (up to 70,000 people) and a reduction in the anticipated number of people displaced through internal violence who can be accessed and assisted (up to 125,000 people). Key concerns remain in certain flash-point states, however, and partners maintain contingency plans for any deterioration in the situation.
In the first half of the year, South Sudan and Sudan moved forward on a number of key issues such as the resumption of oil production, trade agreements, and border security arrangements. With the Government of South Sudan continuing to be challenged in providing basic services, combined with the continued impact of austerity measures as a result of oil shutdown in 2012, humanitarian partners remained providers of first-resort, particularly in the areas of emergency education, food assistance, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.
Between January and April 2013, partners provided food and livelihoods assistance to nearly 821,000 people, life-saving nutritional assistance to more than 100,000 malnourished children, medical consultations to about 772,000 people and assisted 59,000 violence displaced people and 38,000 newly arrived returnees.
With the rainy season and annual flooding beginning in June, making more than 60 per cent of the country inaccessible for over half of the year, the pre-positioning of life-saving supplies in deep field hubs is well underway, providing the basis for a speedy and relevant response. The challenging operational environment of South Sudan continues to require emergency response and protection, increased support for livelihoods and resilience, and strong coordination. Key in providing life-saving relief is to link it to preparedness, mitigation against future shocks, national capacity strengthening, and development, with the ultimate aim of supporting people to become self-reliant.
Incidents of harassment and commandeering of humanitarian assets by state and non-state actors continued to impede the access of humanitarian partners to people in need. In particular, insecurity hampered the ability of partners to reach communities in Jonglei. High-level and continued advocacy with key stakeholders on these issues has kept access to people in need, protection of civilians, and security of humanitarian staff and assets high on the agenda. Support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) helped address these issues, with $5.4 million granted to strengthen emergency medical capacity and helicopter transportation needed to assist tens of thousands people affected by ongoing hostilities in Jonglei.
This year’s appeal comprises 276 projects of 113 partners, coordinated by 12 clusters. As of mid-year, the appeal has reduced requirements from $1.16 billion to $1.05 billion. This reduction reflects the improvements in some areas, such as lower than expected refugee and returnee numbers, while recognizing the still high numbers of people needing food and livelihoods assistance and basic services. It also reflects a rigorous approach by all clusters in reviewing requirements for the remainder of 2013 in terms of what is needed as well as realistically achieved. Donors have generously contributed US$ 567 million to date to the CAP 2013, meeting 54 per cent of the revised requirements. Some $485 million is still needed to accelerate action and meet goals in the remainder of 2013.