Nyibar holds infant son in her arms and balances bag on her head in South Sudan

South Sudan

Why are we in South Sudan? South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 and has experienced a long history of conflict, displacement, and deepening humanitarian needs. The Human Development Index (HDI) places South Sudan last out of 91 countries and 2.2 million people remain internally displaced. We are responding by providing emergency, resilience, and long-term development programming.

Humanitarian needs keep increasing as donor funding continues to decline

Since March 2024, humanitarian needs in South Sudan have begun to rise higher than projected, largely due to the protracted conflict in Sudan. This has compounded the existing challenges facing South Sudan, including insecurity, violence, displacement, hunger, and severe flooding. It’s also disrupted international trade, and has led to an influx of both refugees and returnees. In January and February 2024 alone, an average of 1,500 to 2,000 individuals crossed into South Sudan every day, bringing the estimated total number of arrivals since April 2023 to over 660,000.

An estimated 9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis estimates that 7.1 million people — roughly 56% of the population — will face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season (April to July).

Irish artist Brian Maguire pictured alongside paintings which were inspired following his recent visit to a Protection of Civilian Camp in Bentiu, South Sudan with Concern. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

“It’s hard to cope with what you’re seeing because people have nothing. It was two days wandering around the camp before I saw a child with a piece of paper. There are no toys. Nothing.”

Brian Maguire - Irish artist

Latest achievements

Programme impact

Last year, we reached over 550,000 of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in South Sudan through health and nutrition, livelihoods, WASH, food security and shelter programmes. 60% of those reached were women.

Emergency response

Health & nutrition

Woman with two children on lap with third child in background

Khamisa John (18) sitting with three of her four nieces. Khamisa along with her sister Daniela (mother of nieces, mother and other siblings had to flee there home. They now live in a POC in Juba. Concern supports the family through shelter, nutrition and most recently sharing awareness on Covid-19. Photo: Samir Bol / Concern Worldwide

Woman operating hand pump next to man, surrounded by jerry cans

Rebecca Aluel Aytiak, a woman from Aweil West is a trained hand pump mechanic. She now does maintenance of the hand pumps in her community, a role that traditionally is held by men. Photo: Concern Worldwide

Man in green t-shirt and face mask in Covid clinic

Concern CMAM Nurse, Wal Stephen works in the Nutrition Centre in a POC in Juba. He provides support to families around Nutrition. This includes the assessment of mothers and children for signs of malnutrition. Wal has had to adapt to working with Covid-19, he now wears a face mask while with patients and promotes social distancing in the Nutrition Centre. South Sudan Photo: Samir Bol / Concern Worldwide

Woman in South Sudan watering patch of crops with watering can

Nyamuon Keer is a member of the Mother to mother support group, in sector 4 watering vegetable garden, Unity State. Photo: Concern Worldwide

Group of women watching woman using hoe in garden

Practical demonstration for nursery bed establishment, Unity State. Photo: Isaac Mayian/Concern Worldwide

Five men in Concern life-jackets travelling through flood water on canoe

Concern workers travel to piece of land which has become surrounded by flood water near Bentiu in Unity State. Photo: Ed Ram

How we're helping South Sudan

We're working hard to respond to the growing needs in South Sudan through emergency programming which includes activities around health, food security, and water sanitation and hygiene.