South Sudan
In South Sudan, HI promotes a more inclusive response to disability within the humanitarian community and ensures that women and girls who have survived gender-based violence receive the support they need to move forward.
An HI staff member sits with Oliver, who lost his leg in a mine accident. | © Dieter Telemans/HI
Actions in process
In South Sudan, HI is helping to ensure that the guidelines on the inclusion of people with disabilities in humanitarian action, as defined by the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee in 2019, are implemented at local and regional levels. This involves, in particular, improving humanitarian coordination, developing tools specifically for people with disabilities (in the areas of food security, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection), as well as advocacy to address gaps in inclusion. In this context, HI also supports organisations of people with disabilities so that they can become more independent and participate meaningfully in the humanitarian system.
In the Pibor region, HI is combating gender-based violence. These activities consist of psychosocial support for women and girls who have survived acts of violence – financial assistance and referrals to health, legal and protection services are also provided. HI also distributes hygiene kits and organises awareness-raising campaigns on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health. These awareness-raising activities will be delivered through womens and girls friendly spaces and mobile outreach to maximise their impact.
Finally, in response to the escalating humanitarian needs caused by the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, HI is operating in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal region, distributing financial aid to the most vulnerable people.
- Number of HI staff: 21
- Direct beneficiaries supported by HI in 2025: 27,093
- Indirect beneficiaries of HI’s activities in 2025: 162,558
- Programme launch date: 2006
Areas of intervention
concretely
Situation of the country
Upon gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan became the world’s newest nation. For years, the country has been mired in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, marked by ongoing inter-communal conflicts, significant political instability and recurring climate shocks, notably the alternation between severe flooding and major droughts. Despite the 2018 peace agreement and the formation of a government in 2020, the country is struggling to stabilise.
The situation is exacerbated by the influx of nearly one million refugees fleeing the violence of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan since April 2023, bringing the total number of internally displaced people to over 2 million. These population movements are exacerbating chronic food insecurity: in 2026, 7.56 million people are facing a food crisis. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, with 2.1 million children under the age of five and 1.1 million mothers at risk of acute malnutrition by June 2026. Furthermore, inter-communal violence, particularly in Jonglei State, and severe flooding are destroying livelihoods and limiting access to basic services such as water, healthcare and education.
Finally, the lack of funding (only 40% of the humanitarian plan funded in 2025) is exacerbating the crisis, leading to the closure of health and nutrition centres. Thus, despite fragile progress, such as the Tumaini peace initiative in 2024, the country continues to face significant structural challenges: fragile governance, an economy dependent on foreign aid and failing infrastructure.
- Population: 12.4 million
- HDI: 0.388 (2023)
- GDP: USD 5.4 billion (2025)
- GDP per capita: USD 351 (2024)
