According to the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan as reported by the Norwegian Refugee Council, South Sudan is expected to see 9 million people in need of humanitarian aid. This includes over 1.6 million children under the age of five who are at risk of severe malnutrition.
The report also highlights that more than 500,000 individuals have fled the war in Sudan to South Sudan since the outbreak in April 2023, making up over 30% of all Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers. South Sudan, one of the poorest regions globally, is now facing the devastating impact of the conflict, which extends to the surrounding areas where host communities are ill-equipped to handle the mass displacement.
The report emphasizes that South Sudan, recently emerging from decades of war, was already in a dire humanitarian situation before the conflict in Sudan began, with 9 million people requiring aid and about 60% of the population facing severe food insecurity levels. The international community is urged to provide better support to South Sudan as it bears the brunt of over half a million people fleeing the conflict. The Norwegian Refugee Council calls on all conflict parties to halt the violence and allow relief organizations access to all civilians in need.
South Sudan, already grappling with its own humanitarian challenges from decades of war, is now facing an even more dire situation. The crisis in Sudan is also putting South Sudan’s critical transition phase at risk by diverting much-needed international focus and resources. The cross-border impact of Sudan’s crisis is multifaceted, straining South Sudan’s government capacities to receive and support the thousands fleeing violence. Moreover, the conflict threatens South Sudan’s economy, particularly the crude oil exports vital for its economic stability, as these exports must pass through Sudan to reach international markets.
The situation is further complicated by the absorptive capacity of the government and humanitarian organizations in South Sudan, which is under considerable strain. The influx of returnees, comprising more than 93% of the people entering South Sudan from Sudan, has exacerbated existing triggers and drivers of conflict within South Sudan, heightening tensions in areas like Renk and Malakal and leading to deadly clashes.
