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

South Sudan

The world’s youngest nation has a history dominated by conflict and violence. The impact on children is severe with dire food shortages, families separated and limited access to basic health care. 

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South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, only for conflict to erupt in 2013. 

Armed groups make life extremely dangerous for children with significant risk of violence, exploitation and recruitment. Widespread displacement and family separation mean that many children have no one to protect them from gender-based violence, child marriage, and child labour. Some children don’t even have their basic needs met with 2.5 million women and children at risk of acute malnutrition.  

The limited resources in South Sudan are continually stretched. Flooding has worsened the humanitarian situation, while every day as many as 1000 people fleeing the war in Sudan cross the border into South Sudan in urgent need of aid and protection. 

 

Scale of the challenge

  • 5 M

    Children in need of humanitarian assistance

  • 70 %

    of people lack basic health care services

  • 2.5 M

    people at risk of gender-based violence

Our work in South Sudan

War Child’s work in South Sudan focuses on helping locals, refugees and returnees in remote communities in the Upper Nile, Jonglei State, Unity State and Western Bahr el Ghazal states including Bor and Malakal counties. We provide vital support to these communities including protecting children from recruitment to armed groups, mental health support, and cash assistance.  

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:

Child Protection 

We provide the key adults in children’s lives with mentoring and practical resources on child protection. We also work with communities and young people to identity and find solutions to the risks they face.  

Support for Caregivers 

We help caregivers to create stable homes for their children with mental health support, cash assistance and help for micro-businesses. 

Reintegration 

We work in communities to prevent child recruitment into armed groups while supporting those who do join to leave and reintegrate into society.  

Mental Health Support 

Our child friendly spaces offer children access to vital mental health support which allows them to process their trauma.  

Education 

We ensure children affected by conflict can still learn through early childhood education, catch up classes and our tablet-based e-learning programme Can’t Wait to Learn. 

In 2023, we helped 5,280 children access quality early and primary education.  

Advocacy 

We work with young people to advocate for their rights and influence policy change at community, state and national level.  

Protection from climate-related disasters 

We’re helping communities manage the impact of the climate crisis with cash transfers to vulnerable households and training on topics such as building climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions.  

 

Project Focus – Sudan Response 

The crisis in Sudan has had a huge impact on South Sudan as people flee across the border in urgent need of aid and protection. War Child was one of the first organisations on the ground in the Upper Nile region. War Child provides lifesaving protection, mental health support, emergency cash and catch-up education to more than 31,000 children and caregivers. We also offer the vital first step to help reunite unaccompanied children with their families.  

In 2023, from April to September alone, over 281,000 people crossed the border and with more people arriving every day, more funding is urgently required to meet the growing needs.  

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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