Executive Summary
Despite the Cessation of Hostilities agreement, the conflict in South Sudan shows no sign of abating.
Civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict with widespread human rights violations, including sexual violence, being committed by both sides with impunity.Although the fighting is particularly severe in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity States, the repercussions of the conflict are far-‐reaching. Looking beyond scenes of utter devastation in cities such as Malakal and Bentiu, many other areas of South Sudan are also seeing a humanitarian crisis unfold, with displaced persons unreached, unregistered and unsupported.
The humanitarian impact of the current crisis is devastating, with 708,900 people internally displaced as of 13th March. This comes in a context of already-‐existing food insecurity and deeply entrenched poverty – a legacy of the previous war. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) estimate that 4.9 million people, over 40% of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The Crisis Response Plan, which aims to reach 3.2 million people by June 2014, is only 23% funded.The rainy season is beginning early, exacerbating the plight of displaced persons and posing significant challenges to the humanitarian response. In the height of the rainy season, around 60% of the country can be cut off. With the rains come widespread famine, disease, worsened sanitation and food insecurity, amongst other challenges.
Those that we met were clear that this is a political conflict, and that simplistic binary and ethnic narratives are damaging. In the communities we visited, displaced persons have been welcomed and supported by members of other ethnic groups.
There are complaints of poor registration procedures in camps leading to inequitable distribution of food and dramatic shortfalls in humanitarian assistance.
Many civilians are relying on UNMISS for protection, including the 77,000 sheltering in their bases.
However, with attacks continuing in and around camps, and much of the population far outside the sphere of protection, there must be a focus on improving UNMISS’ capacity to protect civilians.Initiatives to promote peace, non-‐retaliation and reconciliation, and to rebuild trust between communities, are being led by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and churches.
In a rapidly changing situation with much rumour and speculation, there is a need to promote accurate reporting, freedom of expression and dissemination of information.