In Jonglei and Greater Pibor, residents say no map is needed to understand migration patterns,

Wat de gevolgen zijn van de koerswijziging en bezuiningingen in het Nederlands ontwikkelingsbeleid wordt pijnlijk duidelijk in een straatarme regio in Zuid-Soedan.

Wat de gevolgen zijn van de koerswijziging en bezuiningingen in het Nederlands ontwikkelingsbeleid wordt pijnlijk duidelijk in een straatarme regio in Zuid-Soedan.

Assessment in English on South Sudan about Food and Nutrition and Flood; published on 22 Nov 2024 by REACH

A United Nations peacekeeping convoy came under armed attack on Sunday along the volatile border between Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area amid persistent insecurity in one of So...

The National Ministry of Health said cholera fatalities in South Sudan have reached 700 from over 40,000 confirmed cases since October 2024, with Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) reporting nea...

(POCHALLA) – In the border town of Pochalla, located within South Sudan’s Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), girls and women are raising urgent concerns about the lack of access to education, healthcare, and basic protection. Many say their rights are being denied due to longstanding cultural practices, widespread poverty, and isolation from the rest of the country. Pochalla is part of a special administrative region carved out in 2014 from Jonglei State to improve public service delivery.

In this video Kongkong Elizabeth explores how Murle women use cultural arts and mediums as powerful platforms for communication. Coming from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, particularly Gumuruk, she sheds light on the deep cultural significance of hairstyles, dress codes, songs, dances and…

Country: South Sudan Source: UN Mission in South Sudan Please refer to the attached file. Juba, 17 December 2024 –The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) urges Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) authorities to redouble their efforts to reduce tensions among youth from both sides. This follows allegations of attempted cattle raids in Gumuruk and along the western bank of the Nanaam river on December 14, as well as persistent reports of youth mobilization. “These reports of youth mobilization in Jonglei and Greater Pibor and the consequent potential for widespread conflict are alarming,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of UNMISS. “UNMISS condemns repeated criminal activity in these areas and urges all parties to refrain from further confrontation,” he added. Despite the Mission’s efforts to engage communities, these cycles of mobilization for violence persist. “We have intensified our patrols and continue to encourage relevant stakeholders in both Jonglei and Greater Pibor to deescalate the situation. But our peacekeepers cannot be everywhere. Immediate and targeted interventions by authorities and communities themselves are needed to ensure clashes do not erupt. I, therefore, call on authorities, security actors, political parties, faith-based and traditional leaders, youth and community members to collectively find dialogue-based ways to resolve issues,” continued Mr Haysom. “I commend ongoing efforts by both sides to restore calm but, let me be clear: all parties must ensure the security and protection of civilians,” stated the SRSG. For its part, the UN Peacekeeping mission has reinforced its troops in the region and is patrolling known conflict hotspots to shore up community confidence as well as deter violence.

Assessment in English on South Sudan about Food and Nutrition and Flood; published on 22 Nov 2024 by REACH

Country: South Sudan Source: Famine Early Warning System Network Please refer to the attached file. Key Messages Humanitarian needs are rising as the lean season approaches due to deteriorating economic conditions, atypically early depletion of food stocks, and seasonally low availability of wild foods, fish, and livestock products amid high returnee burden. Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes persist in 28 counties and Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) outcomes are likely in Pibor County of Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) due to insecurity affecting ground transport and suspension in April of UNHAS airdrops. Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) outcomes are also expected among returnee households in transit sites who have little to no assets and minimum capacity to cope, as well as among some households in Aweil East. Concern for severe outcomes likewise persists among internally displaced populations, such as those in informal camps in Twic County, as indicated by a recent joint assessment by partners in late April. Similarly, FEWS NET’s rapid food security assessment mission to Aweil South in early May found that many households are facing large food consumption gaps indicative of Emergency (IPC Phase 4) given protracted years of flooding, low crop production, and atypically early depletion of stocks. In mid-May, the government and hold-out opposition groups convened in Nairobi for high-level mediation talks, resulting in the signing of a “commitment declaration” for peace. Meanwhile, intercommunal attacks continued in May in several conflict hotspots including the Twic-Abyei border region, Lakes, and Jonglei. In Rumamer County of Abyei on May 5, armed youth from Twic County clashed with Misseriya cattle keepers, resulting in 500 cattle raided and 18 people killed. In Lakes, the resurgence of cattle raiding in Cueibet, Rumbek East, Rumbek Center, and Yirol East counties led to over 12 deaths and looting of unconfirmed number of livestock between April 28 and May 9. Tensions remain high between Murle and Lou Nuer in parts of Jonglei and GPAA, with attacks reported in in Biey and Lokormach of Lekuangole Payam of Pibor on May 8, displacing over 900 households to Pibor Town (Kondako), and separately in Akobo on May 13. In addition, Tambura of Western Equatoria remains of concern following the resurgence of ethnic violence in April that displaced over 10,000 people to Nagero County and several others to the jungles of Tambura, prompted the scaling up of UNMISS forces there. The number of arrivals remained relatively lower again for the second consecutive month, with about 35,700 people crossing the border in May compared to about 27,000 in April. This is in comparison to 45,000 respectively in February and March, and 60,000 or higher each month between October and December 2023. Nonetheless, the high burden of nearly 695,000 South Sudanese returnees and refugees from the Sudan crisis, on top of close to two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) plus additional returnees from Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, continues to drive high humanitarian needs. Inflationary pressure has further worsened the macroeconomic conditions in May, marked by historically low hard currency reserve levels, high and rising cost of living, surging inflation rate , and elevated poverty. The sharp economic deterioration is primarily driven by the significant loss in oil revenue as reported in FEWS NET’s April report . The government has increased customs and border taxes and fees in a bid to increase non-oil revenue, and has auctioned 3 million USD to forex and commercial banks in an effort to stabilize domestic currency. However, the local currency continued to depreciate significantly, particularly on the parallel market which was trading at 2,940 SSP per USD in late May, representative of a 32 and 205 percent loss in value compared to last month and last year, respectively. Staple food prices have remained high, and trending upward, given continued volatility in the exchange rate and high supply costs amid rising fuel prices and increased customs and border fees. Based on CLIMIS market data, the sorghum prices per malwa (3.5kg) in Juba, Aweil Centre and Wau increased by 17 - 39 percent between April to May, while in Bor South, the prices have remained relatively similar to April. These rising costs of food and non-food items have reportedly forced some traders in Juba and Torit to close and are straining household capacity to purchase sufficient food. While the government has announced effort to subsidize foods at 50 percent of market prices in 37 centers in Juba city, this is unlikely to alleviate the extent of pressure on traders and households in other cities and rural centers. Per FEWS NET’s cross-border trade data for May, import volumes of maize flour at Nimule has increased by nine percent compared to April, due to ongoing government’s initiative to supply the market. and remained similar for maize grains, though generally 21-78 percent lower than last year. At Kaya, maize flour imports have declined in May compared to April due to seasonal road deterioration, pushing some traders to use the Nimule-Juba instead; however, the overall import level is 87 percent lower than last year. Meanwhile, trade flows with Sudan remain disrupted, with atypically high re-exports of sugar, wheat flour, high-energy biscuits, and fuel to Sudan while imports from Sudan remain atypically low. While floodwaters have receded in the Sobat, Akobo, Pibor, and Khawk river basins, inundation persists into May in some parts of Rubkona, Leer, and Mayendit of Unity, and western Duk and Twic East of Jonglei, affecting commodity flows and household movements. Flash flooding in Wau town, as confirmed by FEWS NET field monitoring, has resulted in over 700 homes destroyed in late May. Further severe flooding is anticipated from June through November under forecasts of la Niña-induced above-average rainfall and further aggravated by the release of large volumes of water from the Jinja dam in early May likely to reach the central and northern flood prone areas of South Sudan by August-September period. Livestock production continues to face challenges of inadequate pasture, heat stress, cattle raiding, and limited veterinary services resulting in poor body conditions in most pastoral and agropastoral areas as confirmed by FEWS NET monitoring. Given delayed pasture rejuvenation in most of unimodal South Sudan, the majority of livestock are still in seasonal grazing areas, limiting households’ access to milk. Exceptions include parts of Eastern Equatoria, where the early onset of the March to May rains has increased water and pasture availability and encouraged return of livestock near to homesteads, as well as in areas where floodwaters have significantly receded, rejuvenating pastures and improving livestock body conditions and milk availability, such as in Maiwut and Fashoda of Upper Nile; Fangak and Duk of Jonglei; and Mayendit and Leer of Unity. The March to May season to date has been characterized by below average rainfall, poor temporal and spatial distributions, warmer-than-normal temperatures, and deepening deficits in parts of Central and Western Equatoria. However, these deficits so far are unlikely to greatly impact overall growth conditions given the area typically receives more than enough rainfall. According to the Water Requirement Satisfaction Index for maize (WRSI) and the vegetation health condition measured by Normalized difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), crop conditions are good to very good and vegetative health is average to above average in most areas in May. This is further corroborated by FEWS NET monitoring indicating maize crops are widely at weeding and vegetative stages; groundnut and bean crops are at their early flowering stages; and early maturing sorghum crops in parts of Eastern Equatoria are at their vegetative stage. While figures of beneficiaries reached in May are not yet available, data from April indicates that one million people were reached with food assistance – a decline from 1.2 million reached in March and less than half of the planned number of beneficiaries for the month. The disruptions are a combination of delayed and less than anticipated prepositioning, operational challenges via road and river transport routes that have resulted in unforeseen delays and increased transportation costs, and the pause in UNHAS air services in April due to the imposition of the tax on fuel. While custom and border fees have reportedly been lifted from humanitarian operations, disruptions are expected to continue in May, resulting in lower than anticipated assistance in priority counties including Twic East of Jonglei; Koch, and Mayendit of Unity; Kapoeta North of Eastern Equatoria; and Ulang of Upper Nile. In these areas, FEWS NET now assessed that assistance between March and May will on average be insufficient to reach the thresholds to mitigate worse outcomes and these areas are expected to be in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in May 2024.

Country: South Sudan Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached Map. Cattle movements and transhumance patterns in Bor South, Duk, Pibor, Akobo, Uror, and Ayod counties of Jonglei State, South Sudan, as of October 2023. Cattle herding is central to the livelihoods of amany communities in Jonglei State. However, factors like floods, climate change, cattle raiding, and market access impact cattle movements. Bor South County: In Bor South County, the aftermath of the 2019/ 2020 floods saw most cattle relocated. Some returned from the Equatoria regions, yet cattle presence in Jalle remains limited due to a raid in January 2022. Seasonal movements to Awerial/ Lakes State continue, influenced by climate-induced changes in pasture availability. The presence of wild animals in Boma/ Pibor further complicates the situation. Duk County: Cattle movements were hindered for the past four years due to flooding. Traditionally, cattle were moved to Duk Toch areas from December to May. Improved dry areas in 2023 may facilitate cattle movements. Pibor County: Cattle movements mainly occur to the east and north of the county. Toch/ swampy areas like Jom Toch and Baze Toch are used from December to May. Cattle movements through Gumuruk to Manyabol, Kothchar, and Bor Town for markets. Pibor town hosts a significant cattle market. Akobo County: Cattle movements mainly occur to the east due to fear of attacks from Murle. Cattle keepers in Akobo West usually take cattle to Ulang County in Nyanding Toch. No cattle camps and cattle are kept at household level. Uror County: Cattle kept near homes during the rainy season. Dry season locations include Pulbura, Khar, Pulhor, Nyanuay, and Motot Swamp. Seasonal migration from November to May based on flooding and conflict risks. Ayod County: Various market routes from Ayod Town to neighboring areas. Markets in Padiet, Panyagor and Machdeng attract cattle from Ayod County

Country: South Sudan Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. (Juba, 10 November 2023) I condemn in strongest terms the latest attack targeting humanitarians on 6 November, when a South Sudanese national aid worker contracted by an international non-governmental organization was killed. The attack took place as a team of aid workers were on a field trip to respond to a suspected measles outbreak in Greater Pibor Administrative Area. One of the team members left for a community visit and was brutally killed. I convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this colleague - a nutrition officer who was going the extra mile so that the children of Boma, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, live to see the age of five, and who was killed in the line of duty. This deplorable act of violence is not unacceptable. I am appalled by the continued violence targeting humanitarians and their assets. Access constraints, bureaucratic impediments, the impact of ongoing violence and widespread criminality, and hamper the work of humanitarian actors across the country. For several years running, South Sudan has remained the most dangerous place for aid workers. This cannot continue. In these difficult times when humanitarian access is increasingly challenging, humanitarian space and funding are shrinking, aid workers remain on the frontlines trying to provide life-saving support to the most vulnerable people in South Sudan, including children. Such heinous acts of violence against humanitarians hamper life-saving support to the most vulnerable, including women, children, elderly and disabled people. I call upon the South Sudanese authorities at national, state and local levels to safeguard the lives of civilians and humanitarians. To armed actors and individuals, my message is clear: stop the violence and harassment of humanitarian actors or be prepared to see them leave. All forms of violence against civilians and humanitarians are unacceptable. Note to editors According to OCHA statistics, four aid workers were killed since the beginning of 2023 in South Sudan in the line of duty. In 2022, nine aid workers were killed while delivering life-saving assistance compared to five in 2021. Since 2013, 142 humanitarians were killed in the line of duty. South Sudan remains the most dangerous place for aid workers for several years running according to Humanitarian Outcomes / Aid Worker Security Report – a ranking that holds for the number of attacks, victims and fatalities. For further information, please contact: Krasimira Antimova, Public Information Officer, antimova@un.org | Joseph Inganji, Head of Office, inganji@un.org OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan or www.reliefweb.int .

Country: South Sudan Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached Infographic. KEY HUMANITARIAN ACCESS HIGHLIGHTS Violence and threats against humanitarian staff and assets accounted for the highest number of incidents for the third consecutive month. Active hostilities in Pochalla, Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) resulted in the relocation of 20 humanitarian staff to Juba. Community members authored the highest number of incidents, mostly of violence and threats against humanitarian staff and assets. Interferences in human resources and staffing procedures suspended health services and health staff recruitment for over a week. An off-duty humanitarian staff member was killed in Mayom County, Unity State. ACCESS OVERVIEW In September 2023, 31 incidents related to humanitarian access constraints were reported across South Sudan, compared to 28 incidents in August 2023. Violence and threats against humanitarian personnel and assets remained the highest with 12 recorded incidents, followed by operational interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities and active hostilities military operations impeding humanitarian operations with six and five incidents respectively. As a result, one off-duty humanitarian staff was killed in Mayom County, Unity State; 25 humanitarian staff in Pochalla, GPAA and Rubkona, Unity State were relocated; and humanitarian activities were suspended across the country. Upper Nile State accounted for over a third of all reported incidents, while Western Bahr el Ghazal and Unity states have recorded six and five incidents respectively. Six out of eleven incidents in Upper Nile were of restriction of movement, and four incidents were recorded of violence/threat against humanitarian personnel and assets. Twelve incidents were recorded under violence/threats against humanitarian personnel and assets, accounting for the highest number of incidents for the third consecutive month. Physical assault, threat, intimidation, harassment, looting/theft of relief supplies and robbery/ theft incidents remained the main concerns in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Unity states. On 16 September, a group of unknown armed men reportedly broke into a nutrition store in Rubkona, Unity State and allegedly looted 0.25 MT of nutrition supplies. Eight out of 30 incidents, mostly violence/threats, were authored by community members – indicating their aggressive reactions to decreasing humanitarian services despite heightened needs in the country. Moreover, the perpetrators for six violence/threat incidents, mainly looting/theft of response items, were reported as unknown. Interferences in human resources and staffing continued to affect humanitarian partners in Unity and Upper Nile states. Demands by county authorities to be part of the panel for staff recruitment and hiring staff from the county or the state undermine the national guideline for NGO staff recruitment and NGOs' internal human resources policies. In Unity State, local authorities demanded replacing technical health staff from other states with the locals, which resulted in the suspension of health services that deprived over 100,000 people for 10 days