The UN’s migration agency announced yesterday that the lives of over 1.9 million displaced individuals in South Sudan are in jeopardy due to insufficient aid funding. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted the stark contrast between humanitarian needs and available resources in one of the world’s most affected countries by displacement.
According to the agency, critical funding deficits are endangering the lives of more than 1.9 million displaced people in South Sudan. Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has grappled with civil unrest, poverty, and extensive corruption. The country is now facing challenges from new influxes of individuals escaping conflict in neighboring Sudan, in addition to its internal displacement resulting from years of turmoil, flooding, and instability, as stated by the IOM.
The agency reported that over 1.3 million individuals have sought refuge in South Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, with the majority being returning South Sudanese citizens. This influx has placed significant strain on border communities, as well as the nation’s already overstretched services and fragile infrastructure.