This blog by Natalia Chan and CSRF recognizes the difficult challenges facing South Sudan, and the risks that can be experienced by donors and aid actors. The blog proposes important conflict sensitivity considerations for aid actors during times of crisis. The Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility (CSRF) was set up in the period following South Sudan’s collapse into civil war in December 2013. It was inspired in great part by a period of soul searching as…

The end of the R-ARCSS transition period and the possibility of elections make this a key moment for peace and stability in South Sudan. In many areas, despite an escalation of incidents of violence after R-ARCSS, increased government control in areas across South Sudan means that many state and county governments are actively pursuing an agenda of stability. Yet, for most South Sudanese, this current state of affairs is not what the Dinka could call…

South Sudan has a diverse array of ecosystems, rich biodiversity in both flora and fauna, and an abundance of natural resources, including large areas of natural forests, considerable water sources and deposits of petroleum, gold and other minerals. The majority of the population in South Sudan are dependent on natural resources for subsistence livelihoods, particularly poorer and more vulnerable communities in rural areas. A combination of a shift to over-use of natural resources due to…

This report explores how climate change can intersect with conflict in South Sudan. Using case studies of Kapoeta and the Mangala-Bor corridor, the report finds that climatic events, such as drought and flooding, remain key contributors to migration and violence, including gender-based violence. To mitigate the effects of climate change on conflict, the report provides conflict-sensitive recommendations for aid agencies and donors operating in both drought and flood-hit areas across the country.

    Kapoeta, a semi-arid area,[1] has been experiencing severe drought conditions since 2021 caused by climate change.[2] The changing conditions have reportedly resulted in the spread of invasive weed species in the last two to three years. These include Beku (local name) with the scientific name Prosopis Juliflora and Abonglogir (local name) with the scientific name Parthenium. Invading farms, grazing land and roadsides, these weeds have a devastating impact on livelihoods, such as farming…

Abstract Motivation In 2020, the UK merged the Department for International Development (DFID) with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This policy move strengthens the trend to securitize development, whereby the provision of aid is motivated by national security concerns. Purpose Many researchers have raised concerns about the securitization of aid and its consequences for development, but little research has examined its impact on aid‐recipient countries. Approach…

The population dynamics presented in this paper have serious implications for South Sudan’s human development and political stability. Using census data and UN estimates, this briefing paper highlights South Sudan’s recent demographic patterns and trends, starting in 2008 into 2050. The projections presented are based on an exponential growth regime, and the analysis seeks to provide key insights for the aid community to stimulate their thinking on the nature and level of support likely to…

The effects of climate change are expected to be greatest in the Horn of Africa countries, particularly those, such as South Sudan, whose populations are reliant on rain-fed agricultural production to meet their food and income needs. As one of the least developed countries in the world, South Sudan’s population is dependent on climate sensitive natural resources for their livelihoods, making the country particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. South Sudan’s future economy…

There is growing recognition of the interaction between aid and the drivers of conflict. In South Sudan, the scale and nature of this international assistance make it inevitable that aid will affect the economic, social and political drivers of conflict for better or worse. This has led to increased interest in and support for promoting more conflict-sensitive approaches to the design, delivery and management of aid. This paper explores the challenges associated with promoting more…

As aid actors in South Sudan, most of us believe in and can see the value of what we’re doing on a day-to-day basis. We can see the positive impact of aid on people’s lives. But we also wonder in quiet, dark moments what the sum total of our impact is. Aid has been delivered here for decades, so why are things still so bad? Do we play a role in that? And if so,…

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