South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (August 2023)

As of 31 August, 250,967 people¹ were registered crossing the border into South Sudan since the fighting in Sudan erupted on 15 April. The Sudan conflict prompted an escalation in the cost of commodities, including food, particularly in the counties neighbouring Sudan -- consequently diminishing the purchasing power of the population. In August, according to UNHCR, more than 22,000 South Sudanese refugees² returned spontaneously to South Sudan through eight official entry points from Gambella, Ethiopia, citing the lack of access to basic services, livelihood opportunities and insecurity in the Gambella region as reasons for return. On 29 and 30 August, the southern side of Renk experienced localized flooding, which displaced an estimated 1,750 people in Renk town and significantly affected the surrounding areas. Some displaced households started returning to their homes as floodwaters receded, but some homes remained flooded. The African armyworm was reported in the Abyei Administrative Area, destroying crops – mostly sorghum and maize – and further worsening the food security situation in the Abyei region. In August, counties including Renk, Melut, Longochuk and Ulang in Upper Nile; Fangak and Ayod in Jonglei; Juba, Yei and Kajo-keji in Central Equatoria; Kapoeta South in Eastern Equatoria; Koch, Rubkona, Panyijiar, Guit and Leer in Unity; Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal; and Aweil South and Aweil Center in Northern Bahr el Ghazal reported suspected cases of measles. The increasing cases of measles attributed mainly to the arrival of returnees and refugees from Sudan. Between January and August, at least 5,725 suspected cases of measles³ with 140 deaths were reported across the country.