South Sudan Emergency
Since December 2013, brutal conflict in South Sudan has claimed thousands of lives and driven well over a million of people from their homes.
While many remain displaced inside the country, more than one million have fled to neighbouring countries in a desperate bid to reach safety.
The situation in South Sudan and neighbouring countries has quickly escalated into a full-blown humanitarian emergency. Although we are doing all we can to provide relief and life-saving shelter with limited resources, displacement in the region is expected to rise until a political solution is found.
"I need blankets. It is cold at night and I don't want my children to get sick."
Rebecca Barnaba, 23, mother at Doro camp
The majority of the refugees are women and children, many of whom flee across the border alone. Often, they arrive weak and malnourished. When the rainy season comes, their needs are compounded by flooding, food shortages and disease.
"If we are not able to fly in what is needed during the rainy season, people will die. It is as simple as that."
Marie-Hélène Verney, UNHCR
Inside South Sudan, some 2 million people are displaced internally, while outside the country there are now 1.98 million South Sudanese refugees uprooted, mainly in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda. Many fear imminent attack or struggle with food insecurity. Uganda currently hosts the most South Sudanese refugees, having taken in more than onemillion.
As instability and violence in South Sudan continue, those who have fled urgently need protection, shelter and medical care. UNHCR is striving to restore hope to thousands who have been uprooted. However, without further funding and support, we will struggle to provide even the most basic assistance. UNHCR is calling on donors to provide US$883.5 million for South Sudan refugee operations, of which 28 per cent has been funded (as of 7 August 2017).
Conflict has left millions in need of assistance