South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation, gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. While this marked the end of Africa’s most protracted civil war, it did little to secure peace for a diverse country made up of 60 different major ethnic groups.

Years of internal conflict inside the country have resulted in a protracted humanitarian crisis. Two-thirds of the population are in dire need of support. Many people go hungry and have no access to safe drinking water or sanitation facilities. The country’s health and education systems are particularly fragile. Natural disasters are also a mounting threat. The country has seen unprecedented floods in recent years, which have destroyed the livelihoods of many people. In 2022, two-thirds of the country was flooded.

In recent decades, South Sudan has faced famine, conflict and floods. Entire generations have grown up in violent circumstances, which have left many people traumatised. We continued to work in South Sudan throughout all these – sometimes dangerous – situations, and we have therefore earned the trust of the communities where we work.

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Ongoing crisis in the world’s youngest country

11.5 million

2,270,000

77%

80%

60%

is the estimated population of South Sudan.

people are internally displaced in South Sudan.

internally displaced persons are residing with host communities.

of the population are living on the equivalent of less than US$1 per day.

of South Sudan’s people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

south sudan