Multi-Sector Rapid Needs Assessment: Imatong State, South Sudan

South Sudan suffers from decades of conflict and neglect. Despite a 2015 peace agreement, the current conflict has expanded across the country in recent months, culminating in an outbreak of hostilities in the capital Juba on the 8th of July, 2016. Renewed fighting coupled with an economic crisis and immense protection needs are deepening the humanitarian crisis and causing it to manifest in areas that have previously enjoyed relative stability. The escalation of tensions in Central and Eastern Equatoria States through July continues to drive large-scale population movement and economic inflation that impinge on the capacity of families and communities to access sufficient food and shelter. Early estimates suggested that between 40,000 and 70,000 people had been displaced by initial waves of violence in Eastern Equatoria State. Nonetheless, humanitarian agencies have been without verified information on the specific factors of concern to communities and the extent of the impact of the conflict on their protection, food security, health, nutrition, education, and access to shelter and materials.

Following their rapid assessment of four counties in Eastern Equatoria, CARE International identified gaps that necessitated further assessment, which corresponded with Save the Children’s (SCI) interest in undertaking an assessment of child protection and nutrition needs in and around key urban centres experiencing population movement in the state. With a view to consolidating resources and generating a comprehensive understanding of humanitarian needs, partners with an operational presence or interest in Eastern Equatoria came together to plan a multi-sector, multi-location assessment to inform an overarching response strategy.