South Sudan conflict, hunger: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

Young South Sudanese girl child looks at the camera. Blurred fields are in the background.

A young girl in Warrup State, South Sudan. World Vision helps families in her community learn to cultivate crops so they no longer depend solely on raising cattle. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Jon Warren)

Full-scale civil war broke out in South Sudan December 2013. By January, Malakal — the second largest city in South Sudan — is destroyed and deserted. Malakal residents who survived the fighting fled to neighboring towns or the U.N. Protection of Civilians camp nearby. (©2014 World Vision/photo by Michael Arunga)

Conflict in South Sudan has uprooted families and led to hunger and suffering. World Vision is bringing healing and sustenance to children and families in need.

On January 1, 2014, Nyanut and her 4-year-old daughter were airlifted out of Melut, South Sudan, in the midst of active conflict. They took refuge at a bus terminal in Juba for seven days with little food or water. Finally, on a bus to take them to Nyanut’s home village, the young mother’s face is etched with fear and strain. (©2014 World Vision/photo by Abraham Nhial Wei)

South Sudanese boys sit under the back of an aid truck, taking cover from the rain.

Boys seek shelter from heavy rain under a large truck during a World Vision relief distribution in Rom, South Sudan. In early 2014, they are among the 28,000 people who fled to Rom, where there were no proper shelters or food. World Vision was the first aid agency to reach them, delivering blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, hygiene kits, and other essentials. (©2014 World Vision/photo by Abraham Nhial Wei)

A mother cradles her skinny, severely malnourished baby in her lap while sitting on the ground.

Famine is declared in parts of Unity state in February 2017; there, more than 30 percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition. Among them is 10-month-Akir, whose mother, Adele, walked more than three hours to a World Vision food distribution. (©2017 World Vision/photo by Stefanie Glinski)

A South Sudanese mother looks up toward the camera while her baby latches onto her empty breast. She has no milk left due to hunger.

A woman in Rom sits outside in the rain, attempting to breastfeed her child. Because of her own hunger, her milk is gone. Food shortages were an issue before the conflict broke out in South Sudan. By June 2014, 4 million people — one-third of the population — faced critical food shortages. (©2014 World Vision/photo by Abraham Nhial Wei)

South Sudan Refugees climb out of the back of a huge truck as they arrive at the Uganda border.

In August 2017, the 1 millionth refugee enters Uganda from South Sudan. “We have to make sure that children on the move are protected and that when they arrive they are able to have opportunities to fully participate in society here. Otherwise, with no options, there is a fear that they may return to South Sudan and take part in the conflict,” says Enid Kabasinguzi Ocaya, World Vision’s emergency affairs manager in Uganda. (©2017 World Vision/photo by Paul Wu)

World Vision staff measure the upper arm circumference of a malnourished toddler sitting in her blind mother's lap. Beside them sits a concerned older sister, looking at the young child.

World Vision staff woman plays games with South Sudanese children.

Children find a safe place to play games, color, and be kids again at a World Vision Child-Friendly Space at Pagai Camp for internally displaced people in Twic County. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Jon Warren)

A white man talks with a South Sudanese mother and her toddler at a food distribution.

World Vision International President Kevin Jenkins visits families at the U.N. Protection of Civilians site in Malakal in October 2014. Mother-of-five Veronica says, “When things were at their worst in Malakal, I prayed that God would remember us and help us. I never knew of World Vision before, but everyone knows them now — they have kept us alive and given us food, a tent, a place for the children to play — a lot of help.” (©2014 World Vision/photo by Nigel Marsh)

Boy cups his hands under a water spout and drinks from his hands.

World Vision provides clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene training to people in displacement camps in Twic County. We also help to reunite children with relatives and provides aid to families who take them in. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Jon Warren)

Children learn in a classroom in South Sudan.

At World Vision’s early childhood development spaces, children who have not been in school learn math, language, reading, writing, and the social skills they need to succeed in formal primary education. (©2017 World Vision/photo by Theodore Sam)

A happy student is eating a bowl of nutritious porridge in a classroom.

Two South Sudanese women water a vegetable garden.

Achok and Mary, two young mothers, water their vegetable gardens early one Saturday morning in Kuajok. World Vision helps the people of South Sudan get back on their feet through agriculture. Displaced South Sudanese have received support for food security and livelihoods, including seeds, training, equipment for farming, and fishing kits. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Jon Warren)

Child sodiers released to World Vision program.

Children associated with armed groups in South Sudan were formally released into a World Vision reintegration program in early February. These are the first of nearly 700 boys and girls who will receive psychosocial care and be supported in returning to the homes and schools or receiving vocational training. (©2018 World Vision/photo by Mark Nonkes)

Decades of civil war before South Sudan became a nation in 2011 and continuing to the present have left it one of the poorest countries in the world. Wracked by conflict, the young nation hasn’t yet been able to provide its people the basics of adequate healthcare, education, and income opportunities.

More than 6 million South Sudanese didn’t have enough food to sustain themselves in 2018. And while the outlook for 2019 is better in some areas of the country, food insecurity continues to rise for vulnerable families in other parts. About 47,000 people were considered to be experiencing in parts of central South Sudan as 2018 came to a close, although famine was not officially declared.

The crisis has also unsettled entire communities. More than 4 million people are displaced because of conflict and hunger, including 2.2 million who have fled to neighboring countries since December 2013. Uganda hosts almost 800,000 refugees from South Sudan, down from more than 1 million in mid-2018. About 60% of the displaced are children. A new study estimates that nearly 400,000 people have died because of the conflict. But violence is declining and people have a little more to be hopeful about.

In February 2018, World Vision accepted the first 250 of nearly 700 child soldiers and other children who had associated with armed groups in South Sudan into a program to ease their transition to civilian life. Caseworkers help them recover from the violence they’ve seen and experienced, so they can peacefully rejoin their families and communities.

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History of the South Sudan conflict

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 after decades of war. The birth of the new country brought hope for a bright future. In December 2013, that hope dimmed as the conflict broke out.

2013 — Civil war

December: Fighting breaks out in Juba, South Sudan’s capital. President Salva Kiir calls it a coup attempt on the part of his vice president, Riek Machar. Attacks spread to other areas; civilians flee.

2014 to 2015 — Families flee violence

January 2014: The first of many ceasefires is negotiated, declared, and quickly broken.
June 2014: 1.4 million people flee their homes. 4 million people — one-third of the population — face critical food shortages. Fighting interrupts farming season, making food scarce and expensive.

2016 — South Sudanese seek refuge abroad

April: The Transitional Government of National Unity was formed.
July: Fighting in Juba leaves 150 people dead, starting a new wave of displacement. About 2,000 South Sudanese refugees cross into Uganda daily.

2017 — Fighting and famine

February: Famine is declared in parts of Unity state in what the U.N. calls a man-made catastrophe brought on by conflict and economic collapse.
May: A unilateral ceasefire is announced.
July: The hunger and malnutrition crisis continues, but famine conditions have improved.
August: The number of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda surpasses 1 million.

2018 — Seeking political solutions

April: Terms expire for both the transitional government and the president’s office.
August: President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar sign a new, revitalized cease-fire and power-sharing agreements. President Kiir also granted general amnesty to rebel leaders, including Machar.

FAQs: What you need to know about the South Sudan conflict

Explore frequently asked questions about the South Sudan conflict, and learn how you can help South Sudanese refugees and displaced families:

Fast facts: What is happening in South Sudan?
How can I help the people of South Sudan?
What are the problems in South Sudan today?
Is there famine in South Sudan?
How is the South Sudan conflict affecting children?
What is World Vision doing to help in South Sudan?

Fast facts: What is happening in South Sudan?

Violent conflict in South Sudan that began in December 2013 has killed an estimated nearly 400,000 people and driven million people from their homes.
About 6 million South Sudanese — more than half the population — are in immediate need of food aid. Projections show improvements for some in the short-term, but by May 2019 — the end of the lean season — as many as 6.5 million people may need food assistance.
About 2.2 million people have fled to neighboring countries as refugees; roughly 60% of them are children.
Internally displaced people live in overcrowded camps, putting a severe strain on food, water, healthcare, shelter, and sanitation services.
World Vision is reaching about 1 million people in South Sudan with food and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, household goods, education, and child protection.

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How can I help the people of South Sudan?

Here are some ways you can help bring hope to South Sudanese:

Pray: Lift up children, families, and humanitarian workers who come to their aid.
Give: Help World Vision meet the most urgent needs of children and families.

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What are the problems in South Sudan today?

Conflict is the main reason behind the current crisis, including increased levels of hunger.

The Aug. 5, 2018 cease-fire and power-sharing agreement seems to be holding. But the effects of the past five years of war and chaos are catching up to the population. Lack of food is at a crisis level. Displaced families have been unable to farm and feed livestock. Food prices have risen significantly, and aid groups still have trouble accessing remote areas with relief supplies.

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Is there famine in South Sudan?

On February 20, 2017, the government of South Sudan declared famine in two counties of Unity state, where there are about 100,000 people. Fortunately, quick, concerted aid delivery in South Sudan relieved famine conditions by July.

Famine was declared when the number of deaths from hunger and disease reached a certain threshold:

20% of households the area faced extreme food shortages, with limited ability to cope.
More than 30% of children suffered from acute malnutrition.
Hunger caused more than two deaths each day for every 10,000 people.

The South Sudan famine declaration was mainly due to the country’s internal conflict, which has hampered aid delivery. Because more than 90% of South Sudan’s population depends on rain-fed agriculture, South Sudanese can lose everything when the rains don’t come at the right time and quantity. And displaced families are not home to plant and cultivate crops in their fields.

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How is the South Sudan conflict affecting children?

At the height of the crisis, close to 72% of South Sudan’s children were not in school, the highest proportion in the world. Extreme poverty and a history of exposure to conflict also make children vulnerable to recruitment as soldiers or help to armed groups. The U.N. children’s agency estimates that 19,000 children have served as child armed combatants or support staff in the conflict since 2013.

Girls are most often recruited for domestic work. They frequently experience sexual violence and can be forcibly married. Listen to some of their stories.

The breakdown of the national healthcare system and low vaccination rates have given rise to measles outbreaks. Cholera is a threat where families lack access to clean water and sanitation; the disease sickened more than 21,000 people and killed 4,000 during the latest outbreak in June 2016 through the end of 2017.

Children need safety, healthy activities, opportunities to learn, and psychosocial support so they can recover from overwhelming experiences.

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What is World Vision doing to help in South Sudan?

World Vision has worked in South Sudan since 1989. We were one of few humanitarian agencies to provide assistance during war in what was then southern Sudan. After independence in 2011, we concentrated on recovery and community development. Listen to World Vision magazine’s August 2015 special feature on South Sudan’s tattered dreams.

Our outreach to hundreds of thousands of families affected by the current crisis includes:

Emergency food aid and cash transfers for families to buy food
Special nutrition treatment for malnourished children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Support for food security and livelihoods, including seeds, training, equipment for farming, and fishing kits
Clean water, hygiene and sanitation training, and related supplies
Health center support for treating cholera
Child-Friendly Spaces and early childhood education for healthy play, learning, and protection
Support for education, including school supplies and school feeding programs
Humanitarian assistance to South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya

Here are some highlights from our response to the crisis since it began in December 2013:

2013 to 2014 — Creating a lifeline for families

World Vision’s work includes health, food security, child protection, water, and education.
In January 2014, the first food aid and household supplies are delivered to families trapped by conflict at the Malakal U.N. site.
In May 2014, relief goods and Child-Friendly Spaces are provided in three states. Nutrition programs benefit 36,000 children.

2015 — Adapting programs to address new needs

Since the conflict began, we’ve helped nearly 420,000 people in South Sudan with food, water, sanitation services, and household essentials such as blankets and mosquito nets. We immunize pastoralists’ cattle, provide fishing nets, and train and equip farmers.
In June, World Vision responds to a cholera outbreak near Juba by training faith leaders, child protection committees, child rights clubs, and state public schools on cholera prevention and management.

2016 — Aiding displaced families and refugees

By the end of 2016, nearly 1 million South Sudanese have benefited from World Vision’s provision of food, water, sanitation, screening and treatment of malnutrition, support for livelihoods, and education.
Child protection, peacebuilding, and anti-violence programs are integral to our work.

2017 — Fighting hunger and malnutrition

During 2017, World Vision assisted 1.2 million people with healthcare; 822,752 with food security and livelihoods; 384,424 with water, sanitation, and hygiene; 142,911 with household items; 214,677 with nutrition; and 91,911 with child protection and education activities.

2018 — Building bridges to better lives

World Vision begins a UNICEF-funded program to help nearly 700 children who have served with militias to reunite with their families and return to education. We also continued critical programs reaching hundreds of thousands of people with emergency food, livelihood training, health care, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, and providing children with education opportunities.

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