Global Humanitarian Overview 2024

Crisis overview and projections

The people of South Sudan continue to face a complex humanitarian crisis, driven by escalating violence, economic instability, climatic shocks, and lack of or poor-quality basic services. This has led to acute food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and limited humanitarian access to people in need. In 2024, an estimated 9 million( including refugees) people, including 2 million women and 4.6 million children will need critical humanitarian assistance and protection. Conflict, insecurity and climatic shocks remain the primary drivers of humanitarian needs. Inter-communal violence, crime, and impunity have led to displacement and restricted access to basic services. Over 90 per cent of civilian casualties in early 2023 resulted from inter-communal violence. Forced migration compounds these issues, with over 2 million internally displaced and more than 2.2 million refugees, in addition to 333,300 refugees hosted within South Sudan. The conflict in Sudan in April 2023 is projected to lead to the arrival of nearly 520,000 South Sudanese returnees and over 80,000 incoming refugees by December 2023. In addition, food security situation remains precarious due to flooding, ongoing conflict, displacement, and the rising cost of living. Approximately 7.1 million people (55.6 per cent of the total population) will be in crisis-level or more severe acute food insecurity especially during the lean season from April to July 2024. Communicable diseases, particularly measles along with malaria, acute watery diarrhoea and maternal and neonatal health concerns, remain major contributors to illness and death. South Sudan also grapples with severe climate change vulnerabilities, ranking as the world's second most climate-exposed nation. A staggering 95 per cent of the population relies on climate-sensitive livelihoods, heightening vulnerability to water and food scarcity, sanitation issues, and resource-related conflicts. Protracted conflicts and economic challenges severely hinder access to essential services. Only 7 per cent of the population has access to electricity, 10 per cent have improved sanitation, and 70 per cent lack basic healthcare.