Today armed conflict is ongoing and potentially expanding in the states of Unity, Jonglei, Central Equatoria and Upper Nile. What’s more, the west of the country could easily flare up again, according to NGOs.
The conflict has triggered a desperate humanitarian situation with over two million refugees fleeing to neighboring countries and two million more people internally displaced (IDPs).
The biggest camp for internally displaced people is in Bentiu. Some 120,000 people live in the so-called ‘Protection of Civilians’ settlement, watched over by the UN and assisted by NGOs and agencies like UNICEF.
Active hostilities impacting humanitarian operations have led to record levels of food insecurity. Last year, famine was declared in parts of Unity State and Jonglei states, meaning 100,000 people faced starvation.
Over 6 million South Sudanese people are suffering from severe food insecurity as a result of the conflict.
“Malnourished children are an early indicator. Here at Bentiu’s hospital, the numbers are growing, each week.”
