Escalating tensions in South Sudan threaten to worsen the dire humanitarian crisis and eroding progress towards stability made since the 2018 peace agreement. The country is in the grips of a continuing cholera crisis while starvation threatens millions of lives. Escalation in conflict would have a particularly severe impact on South Sudanese women and girls who are already bearing the brunt of much of the suffering.

“The escalating tensions are worsening conditions for already vulnerable communities and threaten to set back progress for women and girls in the country,” Abel Whande, CARE South Sudan's Country Director, emphasizes the gravity of the situation. “Gains achieved since the 2018 peace deal risk being eroded, leaving women and girls more vulnerable to violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. All parties must prioritize women's protection and meaningful inclusion in their efforts to restore peace and stability."

Recent clashes have displaced around 100,000 people in Upper Nile state, forcing many to seek refuge in neighboring Ethiopia's Gambella region. At the same time, more than 1 million refugees and returnees needing urgent shelter and lifesaving support have returned from Sudan, fleeing the violence and degradation also happening there. Humanitarian organizations face mounting challenges in delivering aid, as insecurity hampers access to affected areas. The international community must urgently support efforts to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers to provide life-saving assistance.​

Over 1 million people in South Sudan are affected by the cholera crisis and as of 2^nd April, the disease has claimed 799 lives, with more than 40,000 confirmed cases reported across 40 counties in 9 states. At already overcrowded health centers patients are forced to receive treatment under trees in the open. The lack of safe drinking water, sanitation, and oral cholera vaccines is fuelling the outbreak. This crisis disproportionately impacts women and girls, who, not only take care of sick family members but are already forced to travel long distances for water. With escalating tensions, they face increased exposure to violence including sexual violence from combatants during their search for clean drinking water. 

South Sudan is facing a worsening hunger situation. Between April and July of this year, food shortages are forecasted to worsen, and about 7.7 million people in South Sudan will struggle to get enough food. Out of these, over 2.5 million will be severely hungry and 63,000 could starve. While the country struggles to address this poly crisis it is also experiencing a severe funding shortfall, with only 10.5% of the humanitarian response plan currently funded.

“We urgently implore all parties involved to find more amicable ways to address their issues, adhering strictly to international humanitarian law,” Abel Whande Said. “We urge the protection of civilians who are most affected by the violence. Humanitarian workers must have safe, unhindered access to those in need, and critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and water systems must be safeguarded. Failure to do so will deepen suffering and disrupt life-saving aid.”

The humanitarian response plan requires immediate funding to prevent further deterioration, especially given the critical need to address the spread of cholera and to safeguard the rights and well-being of South Sudan's women and girls.

By Evans Kenyi,

CARE South Sudan Senior Communications Officer via: evans.kenyi@care.org