Children learning in a War Child supported school.
Where we work

South Sudan

Political instability, local violence, flooding, severe food shortages and high inflation in South Sudan has displaced over 2 million people and has restricted access to vital services.

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South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, only for conflict to erupt in 2013. Children are at significant risk of violence, exploitation, and recruitment by armed forces and armed groups. These devastating experiences can lead to displacement, family separation, and long-term mental and psychosocial distress. Additionally, there is widespread food insecurity.

South Sudan also hosts approximately 330,000 refugees, and over 500,000 South Sudanese refugees have returned to the country since 2018. This has further exacerbated the critical humanitarian situation, with 9 million people in need of assistance, including 4.9 million children.

 

Scale of the challenge

  • 4.9 M

    Children in need of humanitarian assistance.

  • 2.3 M

    People internally displaced.

  • 70 %

    Children out of school.

Our work in South Sudan

Together with our local partners, War Child supports children and young people to cope with the long-term mental and psychological impact of the country’s conflict. War Child programmes help children and their families build vital skills through education, business training, and psychosocial support. 

Adit who is 12 year old smiling
Michael Jessurun
My father died from a landmine, and I used to get bullied in school. Now, I have friends and we play many games. I like the facilitators a lot, they make me feel safe and happy.
Adit, 12

War Child programmes include:

  • Providing life-saving child protection, psychosocial support, and cash assistance to Sudanese children and their caregivers who have been displaced by conflict. In 2023, we reached 42,893 people, including 30,025 children.
  • Facilitating access to quality early and primary education for children affected by conflict and displacement through teacher training, providing school supplies, and school governance capacity development.
  • Working with local communities on the prevention of child recruitment into armed groups.
     

Project focus – TeamUp
TeamUp is an award-winning psychosocial support programme that strengthens children's resilience through movement-based activities such as sports and dance. The sessions, designed for children aged 6 to 18, bring them together to relieve stress and tension in their bodies while helping them process the trauma they have experienced.

Children taking part in Team Up in South Sudan.
Photo taken by MIchael Jessurun

We won’t stop until every child living through conflict is safe from harm. But we can’t do it without you. 

Donate to War Child today and help us be there for children in South Sudan and other conflict zones around the world.

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