Sudan Events – Follow-ups
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis for Sudanese refugees and the communities hosting them in South Sudan.
This came in a forced displacement survey whose results were published by the Commission.
The survey – conducted by the Commission until the end of 2023 – included about 3,100 families in South Sudan and showed that refugees and host communities face similar challenges that exacerbate protection risks and limit opportunities for self-reliance.
The survey also showed that those fleeing to South Sudan often arrive in rural areas with limited basic services, high unemployment rates, lack of education opportunities, weak infrastructure, and overcrowded shelters.
The UN survey indicated that food insecurity remains the most prominent challenge, with about 74% of refugees and host families surveyed suffering from hunger, and more than a to fifth of both groups experiencing a decrease in their income from all sources compared to the previous year.
The UN report added that the current crisis in Sudan has caused large numbers of refugees and returnees to flee to South Sudan, increasing the number of refugees in areas already affected by tribal violence and lack of services, while South Sudan’s economy has been further hampered by the war in Sudan, as a result of the closure of the country’s main oil pipeline.
Marie-Hélène Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, said: “Millions of South Sudanese live below the poverty line, and the war in Sudan is severely impacting the country’s economy.
In this context, the integration of refugees is particularly challenging, and it is crucial that we now link humanitarian assistance with stabilization and development programmes to the greatest extent possible.”
The Commission warned that the unprecedented high water levels in Lake Victoria and above-average rainfall forecasts across the area threaten to exacerbate the already dire situation, noting that severe and persistent flooding over the past years has caused severe damage to crops, farmland and agricultural infrastructure, affecting food production and livelihoods.
Verney added that South Sudan is home to a large young population. “The world needs to invest in them, and give them the tools and opportunities to build a better future,” she said, noting that the government of South Sudan, despite the challenges, has opened its doors to provide safety for those fleeing the war in Sudan.
