Context

Twelve years after independence and five years after the signing of the peace agreement, the South Sudanese population continues to face endemic violence, conflict, climatic shocks, and health challenges such as measles and cholera outbreaks. 

At the same time, South Sudan is grappling with one of Africa’s largest refugee crises, with more than 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees hosted in neighbouring countries. With the onset of the Sudan crisis in April 2023, coupled with a combination of violence and the suspension of food distributions in parts of Ethiopia, thousands of people have returned to South Sudan. In addition, South Sudan continues to receive refugees from Sudan, with arrival rates reflecting the dynamics and intensity of the conflict. By the end of May 2024, more than 140,000 Sudanese refugees fled to South Sudan and more than 500,000 South Sudanese returned to the country to escape conflict.

INTERSOS’ intervention

In South Sudan, INTERSOS’ intervention has focused on preventing and responding to gender-based violence. We carry out community awareness-raising activities and provide case management and psychosocial support to survivors of cases of gender-based violence in safe spaces for women and girls. We also provide in-kind assistance to the most vulnerable members of the community, including non-food items and emergency shelter kits to the most vulnerable people in the communities of intervention.

INTERSOS works in the Upper Nile State, where 90% of the arrivals of people fleeing the conflict in Sudan are registered. Here, in Malakal, we have assisted returnees from Sudan through child protection and protection activities, directly managing cases of vulnerable children, facilitating access to psychosocial support services, distributing hygiene kits and raising awareness of measures to prevent and mitigate gender-based violence. In the sector of child protection, we have also rehabilitated several safe spaces for children. 

In Jonglei State, on the other hand, we have carried out border monitoring by identifying people in need of international protection, assisting asylum seekers and refugees with pre-registration procedures, monitoring and collecting information on protection cases, and providing psychosocial support to victims of gender-based violence. These activities target both South Sudanese returnees coming from Ethiopia and Sudan, and internally displaced people. 

To promote social cohesion, we have also supported the establishment of joint businesses run by returnees and members of the host community, such as women’s salons, restaurants and tea shops. 

Other income-generating activities included the distribution of fishing kits, seeds for crop production, sewing machines, and grinding mills in Jonglei State. 

As part of our WASH activities, we rehabilitated boreholes and constructed ventilated improved pit latrines. We conducted hygiene promotion activities, and distributed water sanitation and health emergency kits (including baskets, soaps, and water filters) and hygiene kits. 

In Bentiu, the INTERSOS team worked on the construction and rehabilitation of temporary learning spaces in primary schools. We provided training on school management and the implementation of school development plans.