Crisis in South Sudan: Starvation, Violence, and Displacement

Thousands have been killed and over a million have fled their homes in South Sudan’s bloody civil war, with civilians deprived of food security and access to basic infrastructures.

The fighting was triggered by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar. So far, countless militant organizations are fighting in South Sudan, leading to sectarian and ethnic violence in the region.

A lack of political will and oversight infrastructure—coupled with an entrenched culture of violence—have undermined peace progress in the country, with ceasefires constantly negotiated and renegaded. According to the latest roadmap, peace talks will resume on Feb. 19 and be completed by March 5; however, many experts remain skeptical.

The death toll remains unknown, but according to Human Rights Watch, thousands have been killed, with homes and markets burned, rampant looting in civilian centers, bodies left to be eaten by scavengers, and towns and villages emptied.

the capital Juba, soldiers conducted house-to-house searches and arrests, shooting and killing numerous civilians. Many were detained in overcrowded police stations. Civilians seeking protection were killed outside UN gates, and many were severely beaten and detained.

Rampant aerial bombardment; military ground attacks; and operations targeting civilian centers, schools, water points, and health facilities have internally displaced 1.5 million civilians in South Sudan, including an estimated 802,122 children.

Refugee camps are dangerously overcrowded due to intensified violence in the country. In one refugee camp, more than 20,000 people are crammed into a space the size of three football pitches. Refugees live in extremely confined spaces with no access to food, water, shelter, and health care.

Sexual violence against children has been documented by the UN, with three girls between 14 and 17 years of age raped by pro-government militia. Propaganda radio stations are known to incite men to commit vengeful acts of sexual violence against women and children.

There are over 9,000 child soldiers in South Sudan, many forcibly recruited by militias and some joined voluntarily to provide food or financial support for their families. So far, UNICEF has secured the release of 3,000 child soldiers by the South Sudan Democratic Army Cobra Faction; however, the situation remains critical for those in other militia organizations.

Lack of education remains a critical issue in South Sudan, with 1,188 schools closed and 90 schools occupied by fighting forces and refugees. South Sudan already has a poor track record for education, with 75% of the population illiterate. Due to current conflict, children are unable to access basic education, which could lead to difficulties in future integration and societal development.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has projected that 2.5 million South Sudanese would face Emergency and Crisis food security levels between January and March 2015. The Greater Upper Nile region is the most severely affected, with livestock and crop production disrupted and staple food prices driven up by 300%.

Inter-clan conflict and cattle raiding also exacerbated the situation. Above normal flooding in Lakes and Warrap states severely affected crop harvest, livestock migration, and disease patterns. Food security in South Sudan remains critical, with rampant malnutrition and a possible famine.

The African Union (AU) assembled the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan last year to investigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. However, three months after the commission submitted its report, its findings and recommendations are yet to see the light of day, leaving many NGOs unable to assess the situation in South Sudan properly, hampering the organization and deployment of aid.