South Sudan: Humanitarians appealing for US$1.8 billion to support 6 million of vulnerable people with most acute needs

(Juba, 28 November 2023) The humanitarian community in South Sudan today released the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). In launching of the 2024 HNRP, the Acting Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Ms. Marie-Helene Verney, reiterated the commitment to support people’s priorities and needs with life-saving assistance while working towards resilience and livelihoods. Ms. Verney said: “We will work to support people’s progress to being self-reliant so that they no longer have to depend on humanitarian assistance. Sadly, for most people, we expect multiple shocks, including the negative impact of climate change, which will continue to drive acute needs next year.”

In 2024, 9 million vulnerable people are projected to be in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. Of these, humanitarian partners will target 6 million with the most acute needs. The humanitarian response will require $1.8 billion to provide this support to the people targeted. Humanitarians plan to target people with shock-driven needs, such as those impacted by negative climate effects, conflict, disease outbreaks where they require life-saving assistance. “With less funding in 2024, we will prioritize assistance to support communities with the most acute needs. The reality is that some people will experience needs that humanitarians will not be able to respond to, and it is important that they have access to state-provided basic services,” emphasized Ms. Verney.

In some areas, where conflict and violence lessened, and agricultural production increased, people’s needs have decreased. However, the majority of people across the country remain in challenging circumstances. An estimated 7.1 million people will continue to be in food insecurity situation during the lean season from April to July and as projected through the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) survey. 1.6 million children remain at critical risk of malnutrition. Women and girls remain at high risk of gender-based violence. The Sudan crisis that erupted on 15 April 2023 increased the caseload of vulnerable population that require assistance. The impact of the crisis is realized on the economy, further stretching people’s coping capacities as market prices increased.

With the humanitarian appeal for 2023 underfunded at 53.8 per cent as of 22 November, timely and sufficient funding is required to ensure people’s most acute needs are met. In collaboration and cooperation with the authorities, donors, recovery and development actors, humanitarian partners endeavor to enable community-driven solutions towards self-sustainability. “The humanitarian community supports the government in its leadership role of responding to people’s needs and to provide basic social services to its citizens,” said Ms Verney. “As we continue to operate on the frontlines in highly dangerous conditions to help people move from surviving to thriving, we need attacks on civilians and humanitarians to stop,” she added.

For further information, please contact:
Joseph Inganji, Head of Office, inganji@un.org
Krasimira Antimova, Public Information Officer, antimova@un.org
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org/south-sudan or www.reliefweb.int.