The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is appealing for sustained focus on long-term solutions to address the needs of millions of people forced to flee in and out of South Sudan.

Speaking to the media in Juba yesterday, after one week’s visit to the country, the UNHCR Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Amb. Mohammed Affey, said that, beyond humanitarian action, supporting the creation of conditions for returnees and recovery is critical to building durable peace and stability and achieving sustainable solutions for displaced populations. 

“It is important to keep the momentum of Sudan and South Sudan solutions initiative for refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and host communities.”

Amb. Affey was able to visit Malakal IDP camp in Upper Nile State, an area of the country that is a microcosm of the overlapping crises the country is facing.

He said the area’s complex context represents a great challenge and opportunity for humanitarians, peace, and development triple nexus programming.

“This includes ensuring that the newly arrived have land to settle on and cultivate while providing access to basic services like health and education,” Affey said. 

 “For returning South Sudanese, it also includes the opportunity to participate in political dialogues and peace processes.”

According to him, South Sudan’s refugee crisis remains the largest in Africa, with over 2.2 million South Sudanese displaced across the country’s borders

“Another 2.3 million are displaced within South Sudan, while the country itself hosts over 300,000 refugees from neighbouring countries,” he stated.

He said South Sudan was already suffering from a deep humanitarian crisis prior to the outbreak of conflict in Sudan with three-quarters of the population deemed to be in need of humanitarian aid. 

He stated that the country’s crisis is being fuelled by conflict, security concerns, historic flooding, food insecurity, and failing infrastructure where over 180,000 people have fled to South Sudan since the start of the conflict in Sudan

“As fighting in Sudan continues, arrivals are expected to increase. The wider impacts of the conflict on South Sudan are manifold,” he stressed.

He continued that the life-saving emergency assistance currently being provided by humanitarian partners and the government now needs to go hand in hand with a more comprehensive response to create conditions to allow displaced populations to rebuild their lives

“South Sudan is at a crucial juncture. UNHCR and its humanitarian partners are fully committed to supporting the government in the reception of refugees and returning South Sudanese.” By Matia Samuel