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South Sudan Humanitarian Crisis

A woman affected by the South Sudan humanitarian crisis looks off into the horizon. Behind her, dried flowers have been laid out across a white tarp.

South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is affecting 72% of its population. Photo credit: CARE / Andrea Campeanu

South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is affecting 72% of its population. Photo credit: CARE / Andrea Campeanu

Emergencies

South Sudan is facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Severe weather events, ongoing violence between communities, and a struggling economy drive this situation. The number of refugees and internally displaced people is rising. This surge is putting pressure on the limited support from the government and aid organizations.

About the crisis in South Sudan

Millions of people in South Sudan need humanitarian aid

The country has faced its worst crisis since gaining independence in 2011. About 9 million people are affected, which is 72% of the population.

Food insecurity remains a major issue in the country. About 7.1 million people face serious food shortages, especially during the time when food is hardest to find. The situation is especially dire for children, with 1.6 million at risk of acute malnutrition. This number has increased by 31% since 2021, and by June 2025, it is expected that  2.1 million children under five will be affected.

Conflict and intense flooding have forced millions from their homes

Displacement is another critical issue. About 2.3 million South Sudanese are refugees abroad. The Refugee Response Plan for 2023 and 2024 is less than one-third funded. This funding gap disrupts protection, access to services, and resettlement. The ongoing crisis worsens these challenges. It strains resources and increase humanitarian needs, especially for those who had previously fled to Sudan.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, nearly 873,000 refugees and returnees have fled Sudan for South Sudan. Among them, 51% are women and girls. Almost half are children under 18. The breakdown shows that about three-fourths of the new arrivals are returnees and one-fourth are Sudanese refugees. A small number came from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

Climate impacts have intensified the situation in South Sudan. Four consecutive years of flooding have devastated agricultural production. The long rains in 2024 affected 43 out of 79 counties, impacting 51% of the population. This has triggered a wave of displacement and outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Flooding drives new displacement, with 25% of the population living in high-risk areas. In 2024 alone, severe flooding impacted 755,000 people.

Every year, less water recedes. This leaves more land unusable. As a result, displacement rises, and the spread of infectious diseases increases. People also face greater protection risks and worsening food insecurity. Flooding displaces many, which fuels violence between communities over limited resources. This leads to looting and more attacks on aid workers.

Violence between armed groups and intense flooding have displaced millions.

of the population was negatively affected by rains in 2024.

of the population was negatively affected by rains in 2024.

Between July 2023 and June 2024, CARE in South Sudan reached over 1.2 million people. Photo: Kenyi Evans/CARE

How to help South Sudan: What CARE is doing

“South Sudan is becoming one of the forgotten crises, and the resilience of its people inspires us to act with urgency and hope. At CARE, we are committed to addressing immediate needs of communities in crisis while laying the foundation for a more sustainable and equitable future. Whether through cash assistance, nutrition support, or empowering women and local partners, we are working tirelessly to help communities rebuild their lives and thrive in the face of adversity,” says Abel Whande, CARE South Sudan Country Director.

Supporting women and girls through access to healthcare, food security, and more

Since 1993, CARE has aided millions in South Sudan through programs in health, nutrition, food security, gender equality, and livelihoods. CARE addresses complex challenges, especially for women and girls. The focus is on local solutions and empowerment. This approach fosters sustainable change and resilience.

CARE integrates protection and gender equality in its programs to meet the different needs of everyone. Because of political instability and limited help available, women in South Sudan face a higher risk of gender-based violence. CARE focuses on preventing gender-based violence and reducing risks. CARE has set up safe spaces and houses for women and girls. These centers provide services like legal help and psychosocial support and offer training in life skills. CARE has handed over some centers to local partner organizations so they can keep helping the community.

CARE has been working on health issues since 1993 to support the country’s national goal of improving health services. CARE supports health facilities and mobile clinics in hard-to-reach areas like Jonglei, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Unity. Last year, CARE reached 125,000 people with essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health.

CARE runs outpatient therapeutic programs and supplementary feeding programs to treat malnutrition. The nutrition programs also train community volunteers to help manage acute malnutrition. CARE’s emergency nutrition programming reached over 65,000 individuals.

CARE's cash and voucher assistance help people buy food, fix homes, and save for emergencies. Photo credit: Kenyi Evans/CARE
Emergency food assistance from CARE has supported thousands of people in need. Photo credit: Kenyi Evans/CARE

Since 2016, CARE has provided emergency supplies (such as food, seeds, and fishing nets) to 250,000 households. CARE also offers cash and voucher assistance to those in need. CARE has also set up nearly 750 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), helping over 23,800 individuals build savings and improve their financial resilience. More than half of the VSLA members are women.

CARE takes a comprehensive approach to emergencies by helping communities better prepare for disasters and providing help during crises and assisting survivors in rebuilding their lives. From July 2023 to June 2024, CARE South Sudan reached over 1.2 million people, more than half of whom were women and girls. The ongoing efforts are crucial for improving health, nutrition, food security, and gender equality in a challenging environment.

*Last updated January 2025