* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
One year ago today, a struggle between rival political factions escalated into an armed conflict that has dragged South Sudan into a crippling civil war. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has taken a regional response to the situation with assistance inside South Sudan as well as in the neighbouring refugee hosting countries of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. The regional approach has ensured assistance to 350,000 internally displaced South Sudanese and refugees.
In the wake of the ongoing violence, communities are divided, while nearly two million people have been forced to flee their homes and the country is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of the severity and scale of Syria, Iraq and Central African Republic – all labelled as Level 3 emergencies by the UN, the most severe category. Within South Sudan, nearly one and a half million million people have been displaced from their homes. In addition, an estimated 500,000 people have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Danish Refugee Council (DRC) operations inside South Sudan as well in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia are providing life-saving assistance to refugees and IDPs.
“DRC has taken a regional perspective from the very beginning due to our presence in South Sudan as well as neighbouring countries who receive refugees from South Sudan. DRC staff have been on the ground in some of the most challenging and frontline locations delivering essential services such as food, clean water, shelters, and non-food items,” says Heather Amstutz, Regional Director for the Danish Refugee Council in the Horn of Africa.
Prospects for a political solution and cessation of hostilities remain bleak and the humanitarian community estimates that over six million people will be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance during 2015 as the conflict continues to displace communities and severely disrupt basic service provision, livelihoods and agricultural production.
“What we see in the South Sudan crisis is the tragic combination of recurring conflict and the recycling of refugees, repeated displacement in the world's youngest country which could result in the loss of hope for a whole generation of South Sudanese. It is therefore crucial that the international community continue to focus on the situation in South Sudan – and not least that the donor pledges are upheld,” says Heather Amstutz.
DRC is currently managing three displacement sites supporting 90,000 IDPS in two of the most conflict affected states in the country, as well as providing shelter and protection services to the most vulnerable and at risk.
“We are in a situation of protracted crisis” says James Curtis, Country Director for DRC South Sudan, and continues “We need better coordination of all actors in this response to ensure that we plan and prepare for the next rainy season. The populations we are working with need peace before they are able and willing to return home and rebuild their lives.”
DRC appeals to the international community to support the people of South Sudan to find a political solution to end the civil war and ensure the most vulnerable and conflict affected people suffering from this conflict are provided with essential services and life-saving support.
