South Sudan
South Sudan faces a number of challenges related to conflict, climate and the economy, but existing social networks may provide an opportunity to build resilience and lay a foundation for peace and recovery. However, due to an uptick in political and inter- and intra-communal conflict, as well as an influx of both refugees escaping the conflict in Sudan and the South Sudanese returning from Sudan, economic growth and stability remain challenging.
Overview
South Sudan is the youngest sovereign country in the world, having become independent following multiple civil wars in Sudan and an independence referendum in 2011. The country has been embroiled in a civil war since 2013, and has also recently experienced extreme droughts and famine, the internal displacement of nearly two million people and the displacement of 2.5 million people to neighboring Uganda. South Sudan faces significant challenges and is experiencing an increase in political and inter- and intra-communal conflict, and is also vulnerable to a range of climatic and economic shocks, as well as shocks from plant and animal pests and diseases.
Risk Environment
Decades of conflict have resulted in massive internal displacement, extremely low agricultural productivity and widespread disruption of livelihoods. South Sudan is also vulnerable to climatic shocks, such as droughts and flooding, and economic shocks resulting from an underdeveloped and highly oil-dependent economy that is further disrupted by internal conflict and the influx of refugees and Sudanese returnees resulting from the war in Sudan. South Sudan is also vulnerable to food chain shocks from plant and animal pests and diseases. Flooding also causes the displacement of herders, causing them to move their livestock to farming areas and resulting in tensions over land use.
Resilience Approaches
Livestock and natural resources are both key assets and main drivers of conflict in South Sudan. Strengthening local capacity to manage these resources equitably will be key to building resilience. Additionally, a resilience approach for South Sudan should also include:
- Developing programming to examine potential risks and disruptions to achieving results and design locally led solutions to mitigate and proactively address shocks and stressors.
- Increasing and diversifying agricultural production through access to knowledge and inputs, markets and postharvest and processing technology.
- Generating opportunities for income and livelihood diversification, especially for youth.
- Increasing access to financial services, like village savings groups.
- Increasing access to basic services, including health and education, and improved governance.
- Improving access to timely humanitarian aid and the community and economic reintegration of internally displaced persons, refugees and youth.
- Layering, sequencing and Integrating of donor and host government activities to provide households with multiple interventions that build assets, savings, skills and opportunities.
Focusing on community-level resilience builds on existing social networks and can help lay the foundation for peace and recovery. In addition, enhancing work at the systems level to ensure delivery of social and protective services, and appropriate private and public sector structures, will build household and community resilience.
Opportunities for Strengthening Resilience
Applying a resilience focus to the humanitarian situation in South Sudan is a relatively recent approach. Given the newness of the approach and the complexity of the challenges facing South Sudan, it is likely that results will take time and be challenging to measure. However, recent activities have had measurable, positive results with the exception of the acceptance of bride price.
Building community resilience through local resource management, income generation opportunities and strengthening social networks could help support stability and recovery. South Sudan faces significant challenges, largely resulting from climate change, conflict within Sudan and conflict in neighboring countries, but community-focused resilience activities may help increase stability and improve livelihoods.
Related Resources
Building Community-Led Resilience in South Sudan: Lessons from Policy LINK
27 Sep 2023, GMT -4 - USAID , Policy LINK
Hear how Policy LINK is empowering communities to advocate for their own priorities.
Building Community-Led Resilience in South Sudan: Lessons from Policy LINK
13 Sep 2023 - USAID , Policy LINK
Explore how Policy LINK worked to build South Sudan's capacity to plan for a more resilient future.
South Sudan Resilience Factsheet
17 Jun 2022 - USAID
USAID’s assistance in South Sudan consists mostly of humanitarian aid and some long-term development programs in economic growth, education, democracy and governance and health.
The Currency of Connections: The Role of Social Connectedness among South Sudanese Refugees in West Nile, Uganda
01 Oct 2021 - Mercy Corps , Tufts University Feinstein International Center , USAID
Why do social connections matter for household resilience in South Sudan?