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South Sudan

Reida Nyoka, 35, lives in Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Uganda for refugees who have fled South Sudan’s conflict.

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Overview

South Sudan is one of the most difficult places in the world to live. After a decades-long war in which over two million people were killed, the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Independence gave hope that a new and peaceful chapter could start. Sadly, the country has remained wracked with violence and hunger.

A civil war erupted in 2013, sparking huge levels of violence and displacement. This has contributed to serious food shortages. The most severe food crisis came in 2017 when millions of people went hungry.

South Sudan was neglected for decades before independence. Despite being almost the size of France, in 2011 it had just 300 kilometres of concrete road.

Trócaire began supporting programmes in South Sudan in 1976.

In 2010 we opened an office in-country. Five years later we merged our operation with our UK sister agency CAFOD. Since 2015, CAFOD and Trócaire have worked together in South Sudan to maximise our joint impact.

Our programmes provide humanitarian assistance to thousands of displaced people. As well as providing immediate humanitarian aid, we also promote peacebuilding and reconciliation.

South Sudan

Human Development Index placing:
186 out of 189

Life expectancy:
57

Average years of education:
5

Impact in 2023

12,000

people supported with humanitarian aid

1976

Trócaire began working in South Sudan

Why we are working in South Sudan

South Sudan is the world’s newest country but also one of its most troubled.

Almost two million people were killed during a decades-long war of independence. That independence was won in 2011, but conflict, poverty and hunger remain the daily reality for people.

The civil war, which started in 2013, has seen appalling levels of violence and lawlessness. Millions of people are displaced internally and in neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda.

The conflict has exacerbated an already very fragile food situation. With so many of South Sudan’s people living below the poverty line – not to mention the worsening impacts of climate change – hunger was already a huge problem. Displacement and violence have made this worse. It is estimated that almost 5 million people in South Sudan face severe food insecurity.

Humanitarian needs in South Sudan are amongst the worst in the world. Trócaire has been in the region since 1976. We now jointly programme with our UK sister agency CAFOD. This joint programme maximises the impact of both organisations, while also reducing overheads.

Our programmes are focused in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile state, Central and Western Equatoria and Lakes state.The Trócaire and CAFOD office is located in Juba.

How we are responding

The key focus of our work in South Sudan is alleviating humanitarian need. We also have longer-term programmes aimed at promoting peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Trocaire works in three programme areas in South Sudan

1. Humanitarian

Humanitarian need in South Sudan is immense. We provide food, water, sanitation facilities and livelihood support to thousands of host families and displaced people in Lakes and Upper Nile states.

We also provide humanitarian support to South Sudanese refugees living in Uganda and DR Congo.
2. Peacebuilding & Human Rights

Endemic violence has led to complete disregard for human rights and political accountability in South Sudan. Our programmes train community members on how to hold local representatives to account. We increase people’s knowledge and awareness of political engagement and give them the skills and confidence to participate in decision-making. Our projects also promote the protection of women’s rights and freedom of speech. This work also supports peacebuilding and reconciliation in conflict-affected areas by addressing the causes and consequences of conflict.
3. Food and Resource Rights

As well as providing immediate humanitarian relief, we also work with communities on long-term projects to improve food production and income generation.

We work with people to provide them with equipment and training to improve their agricultural yields. We also secure access to markets. Our work focuses on promoting agro-ecological farming methods. These methods ensure sustainable management of land and environmentally-friendly practices. We also provide access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Highlighted Resources

Call for peace in South Sudan on International Peace Day 2020

Download

Trócaire Humanitarian Protection Handbook.

Download

South Sudan Resources

Title		Resource Type	Year
	Empowering Yirol East Communities through Village Saving and Loan Associations	Policy and Programmes	29 March 2023	Download
	Trocaire Capacity Statement – Responding to Covid 19	Policy and Programmes	25 June 2020	Download
	Trócaire’s Humanitarian Policy & Strategy	Policy and Programmes	26 October 2016	Download

View More Resources

View All

Latest South Sudan News

View All

UK government funding drives positive change for conflict-affected families in South Sudan

Trócaire 12 December 2023

...

South Sudan

Hunger in South Sudan: ‘My baby cries throughout the night because I don’t have enough milk’

Catherine Devine 15 November 2022

...

Ethiopia

Explainer: Drought and hunger in Somalia, Ethiopia and Horn of Africa

Catherine Devine 26 October 2022

...

South Sudan

International Peace Day

Trócaire 21 September 2021

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Humanitarian

From Refugee to Humanitarian – I feel Trócaire is Home

Anthony Kumi 03 September 2021

...

Humanitarian

Today marks 10 years of the world’s youngest nation and one of its most challenged, South Sudan.

Nóirín Byrne 09 July 2021

...

Humanitarian

South Sudan’s crisis explained : 5 things you need to know

Garry Walsh 29 March 2021

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Humanitarian

9 extreme challenges you face when forced to flee conflict

Garry Walsh 25 March 2021

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Lent

Friendships forged while fleeing war : The remarkable story of Awut and Ajak

Trócaire 15 February 2021

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Humanitarian

Photostory : Flourishing gardens for South Sudan’s refugees

Trócaire 05 February 2020

...

Humanitarian

The forgotten country: Five reasons a lasting peace is needed in South Sudan

Trócaire 27 December 2018

...

Humanitarian

“We had a house and land. We left it all.”

Trócaire 24 December 2018

...

South Sudan

Becoming a female peace activist in South Sudan

Trócaire 30 November 2018

Despite coming from a relatively comfortable background and receiving an education, war and drought in South Sudan made ...

South Sudan

Food aid saving lives in South Sudan

Trócaire 03 May 2018

I recently visited the Yirol region of the country. South Sudan is in the middle of a brutal civil war. Hundreds of thou...

DR Congo

Delivering aid to South Sudan’s refugees in DRC

Trócaire 18 October 2017

While travelling to Biringi refugee camp in Aru, Ituri province, I passed through an extremely challenging environment. ...

Ethiopia

Public donations help scale up response to hunger crisis in East Africa

Trócaire 04 September 2017

...

Humanitarian

South Sudan still dreaming of being truly free

Trócaire 07 July 2017

This Sunday, South Sudan will mark six years since it became an independent country. Instead of marking Independence Day...

Ethiopia

East Africa hunger crisis in 5 stark numbers

Trócaire 26 April 2017

Prolonged drought is causing a widespread hunger crisis across East African countries. Somalia, South Sudan and parts...

Humanitarian

Aid agencies in South Sudan warn that funds are urgently needed to stop the spread of famine

Trócaire 24 February 2017

27 humanitarian agencies working in South Sudan, including Trócaire, have warned that unless substantial funds are imme...

Climate change

70 million hit by extreme food shortages

Trócaire 16 February 2017

Extreme food shortages are occurring across a number of African countries, with large areas of East Africa worst affecte...

Humanitarian

Hungry months come early in South Sudan

Trócaire 07 February 2017

Trócaire’s Sean Farrell presents a portrait of daily life in Adior County, South Sudan, where he finds extraordinary ...

Humanitarian

South Sudan Update: Trócaire supports emergency aid for people forced from home

Trócaire 19 July 2016

As a ceasefire holds in South Sudan, Trócaire is supporting emergency aid for people forced from their homes. As a frag...

Humanitarian

South Sudan: Five years after the birth of a nation

Trócaire 08 July 2016

Volunteer health promoters;who work with communities to improve health and hygiene in Yirol, South Sudan with support fr...

Access to Justice

Finding hope amidst the chaos and devastation in South Sudan

Trócaire 04 December 2015

Report from Trócaire’s Head of Humanitarian, Noreen Gumbo, South Sudan On Wednesday 25th November, I set out from Jub...

South Sudan

Trócaire staff evacuated from district in South Sudan

Trócaire 27 May 2015

Trócaire has been forced to evacuate three staff members from an area of South Sudan as a result of heavy fighting.&nbs...

Access to Justice

How radio helps to build peace in South Sudan

Trócaire 29 October 2014

By Faith Kasina Pass by any tea kiosk or shopping outlet strewn along the roadsides, or a fleet of commuter bikes common...

South Sudan

The shattered dreams of South Sudan

Trócaire 07 July 2014

As South Sudan marks the third anniversary of its independence, Trócaire’s Faith Kasina meets people living ...

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South Sudan

Overview

South Sudan

Impact in 2023

12,000

people supported with humanitarian aid

1976

Trócaire began working in South Sudan

Why we are working in South Sudan

How we are responding

Trocaire works in three programme areas in South Sudan

Highlighted Resources

South Sudan Resources

Empowering Yirol East Communities through Village Saving and Loan Associations

Trocaire Capacity Statement – Responding to Covid 19

Trócaire’s Humanitarian Policy & Strategy

View More Resources

Latest South Sudan News

Funding Partners in South Sudan

Irish Aid

UK Department for International Development (DFID)

Secours Catholique

Start Fund Network

Kindermissionswerk

Canadian Catholic Organisation for Development and Peace

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Caritas Norway

Local Implementing Partners

Catholic Diocese of Rumbek

Catholic Radio Network

Catholic Diocese of Malakal

Caritas South Sudan

TOCH

DMI Sisters

Titi Foundation