A transitional unity government – formed in 2020, in line with a 2018 peace agreement between the government and the opposition – remained in place.
Fighting between government forces and an armed group that did not sign the peace agreement continued sporadically in the Equatoria region. Communal violence, arising from ethnic tensions and disputes over cattle and scarce resources, persisted. Such violence was made deadlier by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The protracted conflict and other situations of violence caused injuries and deaths, destroyed property, and displaced people. According to OCHA, there were around 2.3 million IDPs in South Sudan and roughly 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries. As at the end of June, almost 140,000 people had reportedly crossed into South Sudan to flee armed conflict in Sudan. Many people lost contact with their relatives. Violence-related arrests and detention continued.
The effects of violence compounded the difficulties of many people, for whom food and access to basic services, such as clean water and health care, were already chronically inadequate.
Attacks against health-care providers, occupation of schools, sexual violence and other unlawful conduct by weapon bearers continued to take place.
Here are just a few examples of how the ICRC is helping communities meet their basic needs and work towards self-sufficiency
* Violence-affected communities met their immediate needs with help from the National Society and the ICRC: about 27,600 households (165,600 people) received food or cash for buying food, and around 2,900 households (17,800 people) received blankets, soap and other household essentials.
* Some 160,000 people gained access to clean water, and were less at risk of water-borne diseases, thanks to ICRC water-supply projects. About 124,000 people among them used water points repaired or constructed by the National Society and the ICRC, and 6,000 households (36,000 people) displaced from Sudan received water treatment chemicals from the ICRC. Water projects in urban and peri-urban areas were under way.
* With ICRC support, families were better equipped to produce more food and/or protect their livelihoods: 41,635 farming households (249,918 people) received seed and tools, and 12,799 households (76,794 people) received fishing kits or had their livestock vaccinated or treated for disease by the ICRC-supported animal-resources ministry.
* Some 120 breadwinners (supporting around 700 people), including people with disabilities, received ICRC cash grants for pursuing income earning activities. At ICRC training, community-based animal health workers and butchers – over 70 people – enhanced their veterinary skills and learnt about meat inspection and handling, respectively.
For more information and updates please visit https://www.icrc.org/en/document/south-sudan-icrc-inaugurates-new-physic....
