Juba, South Sudan, May 8, 2023 — As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, more than 50,000 people have fled to South Sudan in search of safety. The majority of these individuals are South Sudanese, returning to conditions that are far from secure. Many arrive traumatized and in need of immediate healthcare, cash, and psychosocial support. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is stepping up its response by deploying mobile health teams, protection programs, and planning to provide cash assistance to meet people's critical needs.
"Our teams are on the ground, responding to the urgent needs of the newly arrived individuals and families," said Carolyne Sekyewa, Country Director for the IRC in South Sudan. "We are scaling up our efforts to ensure that those affected by the conflict receive the care and assistance they desperately need. However, we urgently require additional financial support and enhanced coordination to meet the overwhelming needs of the population."
South Sudan has a long history of conflict and displacement and it is feared that the situation is likely to exacerbate the worrying humanitarian situation where an estimated 9.4 million people are projected to need humanitarian assistance and protection services.
The IRC has been working in South Sudan since 1989 and has played a vital role in responding to humanitarian crises in the country.