nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
The procurement process of critical WASH supplies funded by Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance  ( BHA ) , Department for International Development  ( DFID ) , UN's Central Emergency Response Fund  ( CERF ) , and European Civil Protection and Aid Humanitarian Operations ( ECHO )  to support COVID 19 preparedness and response is progressing as planned. The full delivery of items is expected to be completed in the next few weeks
Through the IOM Rapid Response Fund, supported by Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance  ( OFDA ) South Sudan, three partners are mainstreaming COVID 19 awareness raising into their WASH projects, namely Community Aid for Relief and Development in Duk Padiet, Polish Humanitarian Action in Bor, and Child Hope Organization in Pochalla
In Malakal, Bentiu, and Wau, IOM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support  ( MHPSS )  service teams continued to hold COVID 19 risk communication and awareness raising sessions, reaching 9,349 direct beneficiaries and 1,461 indirect beneficiaries, with key messages on MHPSS considerations during COVID 19 and its prevention aimed, aimed at behavioural change while tackling misinformation.
80% of older people have at least one health condition    ( 2020 )  Hypertension: 51% Diabetes: 33% Joint aches and pains: 32% Heart problems: 16% Gastro: 9% Respiratory: 9% Mental health: 2% Skin disease: 2% Cancer: 2% Serious injury: 1%
The Rapid Response Fund, supported by Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance  ( OFDA )  South Sudan, is mainstreaming COVID 19 prevention and mitigation measures to respond to floods, conflict, and malaria crises.
Participation in the Inter Cluster Coordination Group  ( ICCG )  with OCHA, partners, and other stakeholders for COVID 19 preparedness.
In partnership with the Water Tankers Association, IOM continues to carry out mass awareness raising campaigns displaying Information, Education, and Communication  ( IEC )  materials and playing pre recorded messages through megaphones with 50 water tankers in Juba.
A joint inter pillar supervision visit was conducted to Nimule with the Panel Of Experts Technical Working Group  ( TWG )  and the Epi Surveillance TWG from 25 to 30 September. The recommendations presented to the National Steering Committee on 1 October included the need for rapid, mass screening, clear guidelines on requirements for arrival with the opening of the Uganda border, expansion of secondary screening, as well as the need for psychosocial support and food at the isolation site.
In this period  ( April July 2020 ) , the WASH programme provided 260,358 people with access to safe drinking water through water trucking, construction of new and rehabilitation of non functional water facilities. In addition, UNICEF continued supporting the construction of the water supply systems for urban and peri urban communities in the capital of Juba. The system is currently at 80% completion and will serve a population of 70,000 living in the city and additional 33,000 vulnerable people living in the Protection of Civilian  ( PoC )  sites. Concurrently, the construction and upgrading of similar water projects are ongoing in the towns of Yei, Yambio and Torit.
Moreover, as the impact of serious droughts and floods, linked to the effects of climate change, are creating an increased demand for WASH services. This is aggravated by displacement of population through inter communal violence especially in Jonglei and Rumbek. In addition, the deteriorated economic situation continues to be volatile, leading to high cost of service delivery.
In Juba, the 11 handwashing facilities benefited 60,936 individuals  ( 16,452 girls, 15,844 boys, 14,624 women, 14,016 men )  during the reporting period. IOM also completed the construction of one additional handwashing stations  ( 500L each )  at Custom Bus Terminal, bringing the total number of HWS built to 63. The handwashing stations benefited 88,124 individuals  ( 23,793 girls, 22,913 boys, 21,149 women, 20,269 men )  during the reporting period.
( 21 September – 4 October 2020 )  1,904 individuals screened at Wau Airport by IOM.
In Twic, three handwashing facilities  ( 1,000L each )  and three handwashing stations  ( 500L each )  at three health facilities  ( Wunrok PHCC, Mother Theresa Hospital, and Mayen Abun Hospital )  remained fully operational, benefitting 10,428 individuals  ( 2,816 girls, 2,711 boys, 2,503 women, 2,398 men ) . In October, the Twic handwashing facilities and handwashing stations were handed over to the community.
In Wau, five permanent handwashing facilities in Wau Eastern Bank Market and Suk Hajar Market, Suk Jou Market, Wau Teaching Hospital, and Eastern Bank remained fully operational, benefitting 27,522 individuals  ( 7,430 girls, 7,156 boys, 6,606 women, 6,330 men )  during the reporting period. The trained handwashing teams continue to operate and maintain the handwashing stations.
Through Mental Health and Psychosocial Support  ( MHPSS )  services and TRU programming, IOM works with displaced communities and local organizations to produce 16,358 washable and reusable face masks this reporting period in four locations across South Sudan in Wau, Bentiu, Malakal, and Abyei. The facemasks were distributed to local communities and frontline humanitarian workers.
NTF Removed 14 day Quarantine for Domestic Travel The Nation Task Force  ( NTF )  lifts 14 day quarantine requirement for domestic/inter state travel  ( 26 August,2020 )
( 21 September – 4 October 2020 ) Total COVID 19 deaths in South Sudan 50
Response to the COVID 19 require integrated approach among sectors and partners working in a location especially health facilities as IPC alone will not be adequate to address the response challenge. Many of the facilities supported IPC WASH have limited staff and medical supplies to keep facilities running. IPC supplies and PPEs are in limited quantities to allow for bulk distribution in selected health facilities and other communities identified at risk. Under reporting by implementing partners affecting gaps analysis and overall partners mapping
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response to flood affected population in DukCounty:  Mosquito Nets.  Blankets.  Kitchen Sets.  Child malnourished food.  Distribution of local Shelter materials to settlement especially in IDPs sites.  Plastic sheeting.  Sleeping mats.  Buckets  Jerri can.  Hygiene materials to be provided.  Ropes.  Vegetable seeds.  Fishing gears.
57% of older people in urban Juba and 25% in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  say there are not enough WASH facilities. While 29% of the older people say the facilities are too hard to access or use and 18% of the older people could not access some of the facilities because they are too far away.
Currently 31% of older people in urban Juba compared with the 16% in the POCs have had to reduce the quantity of food consumed. While 43% of those in urban Juba and 27% have had to reduce the quality of food consumed.
37% of older people in urban Juba and only 8% in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  have difficulty in accessing humanitarian assistance.
Verification of figures and emergency needs of 29,000 people recently displaced and reportedly sheltering in Tonj Town, Wanhalel and Thiet payams.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Four aid workers were abducted in 2020 after none were reported in 2019.
New population movement  ( reportedly 117,000 people )  has complicated the response scale up in terms of geographic locations and planning figures. This has overstretched the capacity and resources of humanitarian organizations on the ground. Without additional funding, humanitarian organizations will be unable to meet the needs of people in the county. ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Partners need psychosocial support, counselling as well as strong supervision and duty of care initiatives for humanitarian workers.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
There are 8 humanitarian organizations including 1 INGOs, 5 NNGOs and 2 UN operating in Tonj East
On 6 February  ( 2021 ) , the SSPDF  (  South Sudan People's Defense Forces )  denied access through Thiet in Tonj South to UNMISS patrol to assess the establishment of a TOB in Romich in Tonj East.
In addition, Child Protection partners have provided services to 4,637 people, including 3,894 children in Manyang Ngok, Tonj, and Wanhalel payams in Tonj South.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
66% of older people surveyed do not know where the nearest health facility is treating or testing older people for COVID 19. This trend is similar across the POCs  (  Protection of Civilians )  and urban Juba. The lack of awareness is especially high for older people over 70  ( 81% ) . It is also higher for older women  ( 79% )  compared to older men  ( 51% ) .
The WASH cluster has identified a new implementing partner and they will deploy in Tonj North to conduct a WASH assessment as soon as the security permits.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
The latest food security analysis projected that 26,000 people  ( 10 per cent of population analysed )  will likely face catastrophe levels of acute food insecurity in Tonj North between December 2020 to March 2021.
In February, health partners reached 29,270 women  ( 81 per cent coverage )  of reproductive age  ( 14 45 years )  with Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination  ( MNT )  vaccinations.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Armed conflict and insecurity in Jonglei, Warrap, parts of Lakes, and Central and Eastern Equatoria, continue to cause significant displacement, disrupting harvesting activities, market access and food assistance delivery, and resulting in livestock losses. The number of new displacements triggered by conflict and violence rose sharply in the first half of 2020, amounting to almost 90 percent of the 259 000 recorded for the whole of 2019.
The cumulative effects of severe flooding, conflict, worsening economic conditions and prolonged asset depletion continue to determine high levels of acute food insecurity in South Sudan.
33% of the older people in urban Juba and 25% in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  have difficulty in accessing drinking water. While both communities suffer from a limited save water a large group of older people in the POCs are provide with water supplies by humanitarian organizations.
Lack of funding and partners has delayed response from the Protection cluster.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
The level of fear, stress, and stigma have risen sharply among staff members working in the county. Partners need psychosocial support, counselling as well as strong supervision and duty of care initiatives for humanitarian workers.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
To mitigate against COVID 19, partners have intensified community awareness. However, the lack of food for patients admitted in the COVID 19 Isolation unit has remained a challenge to case management and response.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
[ Priorities ]  WFP plans to increase the target for food distribution in March to 74,548 people.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
The mental health and psychosocial ramifications of COVID 19, and insecurity are having a significant impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of people including older women and men and people with a disability. 57% of older people in urban Juba and 35% of those in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  feel anxious or worried all or most of the time. While 59% of older people in urban Juba and 37% of those in the POCs feel depressed all the time or most of the time.
The findings of this study showed livelihoods and income to be the third highest priority for older people. Since COVID 19, the major means of survival for older people has been from relatives, humanitarian assistance and businesses. Several of the older people have had to stop their businesses due to the restrictions, illness, and price increases in the market. Of the older people who are not working some of them have retired or they have lost their jobs and cannot find new ones.
54% of older people in urban Juba and 29% of those the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  have difficulty in accessing health services. This is because the health services in the POCs are free and of better quality, whereas the private clinics in urban Juba are too expensive to be affordable by the most at risk older people. The Juba Teach Hospital, one of the main hospitals in urban Juba, is overwhelmed and there inadequate treating and testing facilities.
The safety and security of humanitarians deteriorated in 2020 as a result of sub national violence, compounded by the intensity of ambushes against aid workers.
67% of those people in urban Juba and 44% of older people in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  have difficulty accessing food. To a large extent this has been caused by reduction in income triggered by the economic fallout of COVID 19. Furthermore, there is a lack of ration cards provided by the Word Food Programme and other humanitarian organizations for those older people in urban Juba. Currently the World Food Programme is catering only for around half of those in need in urban Juba.
92% of older people in urban Juba compared to 44% in the POCs have not been able to purchase COVID 19 preventive materials such as masks, hand sanitizers and soaps because they can't afford them. This is because many older people in the POCs  ( 44% )  have received them for humanitarian agencies. Furthermore, older people are preferring to use their money to buy food rather than buy PPE materials.
Furthering hampering is the transport cost and risks associated in accessing health facilities, especially in urban Juba.
INCIDENT TYPE : COVID 19 restrictions   5% Restriction of movement   8% Active hostilities   10% Operational interference   12% Bureaucratic impediments   14% Violence against assets   23% Violence against personnel   28%
On 28 January  ( 2021 ) , the food supplies were looted from the school by a mob and armed men.
As of July 2020, 56% of older people in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  are not observing any movement restrictions compared with 28% of older people in urban Juba. Those in urban Juba have found it easier to observe restriction than those in POCs where older people live in cramped and congested conditions. All older people have found it difficult to observe curfews, with women less likely to observe than men due to economic activity such market trading.
Based on the latest food security analysis projections, some 33,000 people  ( 20 per cent of the county population analysed )  will likely face catastrophe levels of acute food insecurity in Pibor between December 2020 and March 2021. There are 24 humanitarian organizations including 10 INGOs, 9 NNGOs and 5 UN operating in GPAA.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Furthermore, the start of the rainy season, and previous flooding has increased the need for shelter during this period with many older people living in non weather resistant shelters. Livelihoods is another systemic challenge worsened by COVID 19 as market functionality has been reduced and those on daily incomes from casual labour have been especially affected.
The top three priorities of older people surveyed are food  ( 66% ) , shelter  ( 22% )  and income/livelihood  ( 15% ) . These concerns are consistent with South Sudan's pre COVID 19 needs. Food insecurity is an endemic issue due to poverty in South Sudan which has been further exacerbated by COVID 19 making accessibility more challenging.
Protection : Most commonly reported protection concern: Women: Looting  ( 25% )  Men: Looting ( 25% )  Girls: Early Marriage  ( 47% )  Boys: Early marriage  ( 13% )
Most commonly reported type of primary healthcare facility accessible by foot: Primary Health Centre   100%
Row Count by State:  Jonglei: 184, Upper Nile: 130, Easter Equatoria: 126, Unity: 125, Central Equatoria: 107, Wester Equatoria: 97, Lakes: 76, Northern Bahr el Ghazal: 64, Western Bahr el Ghazal: 55 and Warrap: 54.
There is evidence that political and communal militias active in the civil war are linked to increasing farmer herder violence, which weakens resilience to the adverse effects of climate change and opportunities for adaptation
Research indicates that political leadership deficits and economic mismanagement have played a key role in South Sudan's water related and other resource conflicts, highlighting the importance of climate sensitive development
In South Sudan, communal and ethnic conflicts are closely linked to broader political dynamics, increasing the risk that local conflicts become more violent and harder to resolve. Climate change can exacerbate these tensions with the added risk that powerful groups may use adverse climate impacts for their own ends.
IOM's camp management team provided technical assistance, staff surge capacity and shared tools with Action for Development  ( AFOD )  to ensure effective governance structures for the newly displaced population. In June 2020 due to changes in areas of operation for AFOD, the site camp management responsibilities were handed over to IOM CCCM team.
The 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan  ( R ARCSS )  brought relative stability to the country, but delays in implementation and clashes continue to affect several regions.
Climate related influences on agriculture, prolonged conflict and its economic consequences have spurred greater rural–urban migration, especially to South Sudan's capital, Juba. Migrants look for employment, livelihood options, health services and education, but migration has led to urban overcrowding, increasing the risk that grievances among urban migrants could escalate into violence.
In 2020, flooding in Jonglei, Eastern Lakes and Terekka forced migration along new routes into Equatoria regions, impacting nomadic as well as host communities
South Sudan has a history of flooding, but localised floods have become more frequent. Over 700 000 were affected by severe flooding in the Jonglei and Eastern Nile states in 2020. The floods destroyed crops and displaced almost 85 000 people in Jonglei, in what the World Food Programme  ( WFP )  described as the worst flooding in 60 years. Resulting displacement eroded community resilience and governance capacities to respond.  [ flood happened after the pandemic ]
As of March 2021, over 1.6 million South Sudanese are internally displaced by factors including conflict and weather, placing strain on host communities and humanitarian support to vulnerable groups
Prepositioning of emergency supplies before the coming rainy season.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Studies of land cover in the Sudd wetland find that regions with high seasonal variability of grazing and water resources are situated adjacent to or between areas with high conflict density, close to boundaries between conflicting ethnic groups. There is some evidence that these areas have a higher incidence of communal conflict and of cattle raiding, particularly on the Warrap and Unity state boundary. Climate change could place additional pressure on communities.
Evidence shows that female led households, women and girls are particularly exposed to climate impacts. Women depend on farming to sustain their families and rely heavily on natural resources like firewood and water, which exposes them to risks like sexual violence. Women also face structural disadvantages, with child marriage and low social status, leaving them with fewer resources and adaptation possibilities.
In March 2019, the total number of registered population in Hai Masna increased to 3,697 individuals/1,314 Households  ( HHs )  following influxes that were induced by conflict between cattle herders and farmers in Jur river county areas. Unfortunately, with limited success in halting episodes of inter communal violence, population continued to be displaced throughout the first half of 2020 with 2,319 new individuals arriving to Hai Masna from Kuajiena Payam following clashes between local farmers and cattle keeping communities of Tonj South and Tonj North.
In June 2018 a violence fighting that erupted between armed groups in areas south of Wau including Baggari County and Jur River triggered the displacement of some 1,931 people who were forced to flee their homes in search of safety closer to Wau town. Hai Masna collective center was one of the locations in which 760 people sought shelter and protection.
Droughts and floods have impacted food security and livelihoods in South Sudan by contributing to resource scarcity. This can increase competition between communities, for example pastoralists and farmers who compete for grazing land and water resources. Climate variability can also affect the availability and distribution of these resources
The food price index was highest in Koch town, Koch, Unity  ( 8,852 SS£ )  and lowest in Bor POC, Bor South, Jonglei  ( 3,321 SS£ )
Row Count by Sector:  FSL: 219, Health: 200, Logistics: 156, Nutrition: 135, WASH: 103, Protection: 83, Eductaion: 51, ES/NFI: 40 and CCCM: 31.
With a temperature increase of 2˚C, water levels could fall by 50 per cent, disrupting the flow of the Bahr el Ghazal and Sobat rivers and negatively affecting local communities and natural resources.
Compared to the previous year, the largest decrease in livestock ownership was caused by disease outbreak  ( 50.5 percent )  and floods  ( 17.4 percent ) . The states of Jonglei  ( 51.2 percent )  and Upper  ( 39 percent )  reported the highest proprotion of households which attributed decrease in livestock number to floods. ( December 2019 )
With few alternative sources of energy, more than 95 per cent of the population depend on charcoal, firewood and grass for cooking, which contributes to rapid deforestation – between 1.5–2 per cent each year.
The overall response has been currently led by the COVID 19 National level taskforce and the COVID 19 National Steering Committee.
In addition, 1191 people were provided with psychosocial support, and 115 children, including 15 unaccompanied and separated children  ( UASCs )  were provided with case management. 458 other community volunteers, community leaders, and frontline workers  ( 224 women and 234 men )  were trained on Child Protection in Emergencies  ( CPiE )  and on explosive ordinance risk education  ( EORE )  in Likuangole, Verteth, and Pibor.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Precipitation: In the last 20 years, rainfall in South Sudan has been erratic  ( see online annex ) ,1 with wetter than normal rainy seasons  ( blue )  and drier than normal rainy seasons  ( red ) . Summer rainfall has decreased by 15–20 per cent, particularly in the north east, whereas other regions experienced flooding in 2019and 2020. Consensus is lacking on long term precipitation trends for the country, although recent data indicate reductions in rainfall; however there is broad consensus that heavy rains may occur more often and with greater intensity, increasing the risk of flooding.
With approximately 95 per cent of the population dependent on climate sensitive livelihoods like traditional rainfed agriculture, crop farming, pastoralism and animal husbandry, South Sudan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; like the erratic rainy season.
IOM conducted two GBV assessments in Kajo Keji and Abyei to map existing GBV services on the ground, including health sector responses to GBV. Gaps identified include lack of trained health personnel to respond to GBV incidents, lack of medication for case management, and weak coordination between health partners, which limits the survivors' access to life saving interventions. Following this assessment, IOM conducted a three day training for 13 health partner staff  ( 3 women, 10 men )  in Abyei to address the gaps identified.
IOM's women and girls' friendly space continued to provide information on access to health and other relevant services in Juba. In collaboration with national partner, Active Youth Agency  ( AYA ) , IOM registered 110 women and girls for skills building activities, including face mask production, food cover making, and baking. During the skill building sessions, awareness raising was conducted before the practical session on topics including GBV, WASH, reproductive health, and COVID 19 prevention.
The United Nations Security Council should authorise the deployment of a senior UN Environmental Programme  ( UNEP )  climate security advisor to UNMISS to advise the mission leadership on climate related security risks and to support the efforts of the Government's climate security working group. United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the UN system should coordinate closely with relevant government ministries and other institutions in South Sudan, and draw on South Sudanese expertise to inform its work in this area
The United Nations Security Council should request the UN Secretary General to take the steps necessary to guarantee the provision of adequate training for UN personnel to assess and respond to climate related security risks. United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the UN system should invest in training their personnel in South Sudan especially in the areas of joint assessments, integrated analysis and planning, as well as the gendered effects of climate stress, and preventing and resolving communal and transhumance related conflict.
Older people are uncertain if their local health facilities are able of treating for COVID 19. Currently there is only one facility which has the appropriate equipment for treating COVID 19. This is the John Garang Multipurpose Infectious Disease Centre. The center as of late July has 80 intensive care unit bed capacity, a temperature controlled dispensing pharmacy and a fully equipped laundry facility by WHO and donors to enhance infection prevention and control. Testing is also limited in hospital due to lack of equipment. Furthermore, when they are conducted, the results often take a long time to arrive which has disincentivized is use by many.
In October to November 2020, an estimated 169,000 people  ( 18.5% of the population )  faced Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  or worse acute food insecurity, of which 156,000 people were in Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  acute food insecurity, and 13,000 people were in Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  acute food insecurity.
Unpredictable annual variation and extreme weather events, like flooding and droughts, affect pastoralist mobility patterns and routes, and farmers' agricultural production. These changes may exacerbate tensions between herders and farmers, often in connection with land, grazing, water and communal conflicts.
Above average rainfall since July has resulted in the Lol, Nile, Pibor, and Sobat rivers breaching their banks and flooding large areas of central and eastern South Sudan.
As of late November, the flooding had affected more than 1 million people including the displacement of approximately 481,000 people  and caused widespread agricultural and property damage across eight of South Sudan's 10 states, the UN reports.
Additionally, as of early December, the floods had adversely affected approximately 380 schools in South Sudan, of which nearly 130 were serving as temporary shelters for flood affected internally displaced persons  ( IDPs ) , according to the UN World Food Program  ( WFP ) .
Based on planned food assistance from July to September, it is likely that the recent scale up of food assistance is preventing Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  outcomes in many areas; however, high proportions of the population still have food deficits or are using negative coping strategies, leading to widespread Crisis!  ( IPC Phase 3! )  outcomes in Jonglei and Greater Bahr el Ghazal. Areas of greatest concern – defined as areas in which very high proportions of the population are likely still in Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  and urgently need food assistance – include: Pibor, Bor South, and Twic East of Jonglei; most counties in Warrap; Rumbek East and Rumbek Centre of Lakes; and Maiwut, Renk, Manyo, Panyikang, and Malakal of Upper Nile.
A health partner is finalizing plans to expand health coverage and duration to two health facilities and new WASH partner has been identified and will respond to critical WASH gaps in Labrab. Both partners plan to deploy in March.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
In addition to the planned lean season response, WFP has delivered food and nutrition assistance specifically targeting conflict  and flood affected people. As of mid August, 58,288 people received this assistance in Jonglei  ( including Pibor ) . In Pibor Town alone, WFP was able to deliver assistance to 32,465 people after limited operations resumed in early August. In Maar of Twic East and Bor Town, distributions are ongoing for some 9,375 people and 16,448 people, respectively.
Jonglei State had more than 400,000 people affected by floods as of late November, the greatest number of any state; flooding has also inundated areas of Central Equatoria, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, and Western Equatoria states.
Although food distribution amounts per household have been scaled up since March, the response remains far below the level of need, especially in Jonglei. According to distribution reports from April to June, WFP and its partners provided oneto three month rations to 1.9 million people in June and an average of 1.76 million people over the three month period via general food distribution and food for assets activities.
Given persistently low food and income sources among more than half of the national population, food assistance is critical to preventing more extreme food security outcomes. However, insecurity, flooding, and COVID 19 are periodically preventing deliveries by road and river and constraining overall humanitarian operational capacity, logistics, and access. For example, WFP was forced to suspend operations from mid June to early August in Greater Pibor due to the local conflict. In areas where air delivery is required due to insecurity or floods, WFP estimates the cost of delivery is seven times higher than road delivery.
In response, USAID/BHA partners continued to scale up emergency food and non food assistance to flood affected populations in November
In July, WFP reached .95 million in the first month of a second round of distribution, which targets 3.8 million people with one to three month rations. On the state level, the response reached 20 50 percent of the population in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, Unity, and Warrap, typically in two month distribution cycles  ( Figure 4 ) . Levels of assistance are much lower in Jonglei, Lakes, and Greater Equatoria, reaching only 1 to 21 percent of the population monthly. However, it should be noted that the scale of food assistance in some areas of high concern in Jonglei and Lakes has been significant, including in Akobo, Ayod, Duk, Nyirol, Uror, and Rumbek North.
The risk of contracting and limiting the spread of water borne diseases is further compounded by limited access to the key sanitation NFI, soap, with only 21 percent of household reporting owning soap ( December 2019 )
Following a recommendation from OCHA to postpone non critical physical meetings, coordination meetings are held online for both Juba based and field staff, while training sessions are on hold. In September, two coordination meetings were held online, attended by 22 organisations.
Health Cluster : 15% that is 214m required, 31m funded, 183m unmet.  [ 2020 HRP FUNDING  ( end September 2020 )  ]
The Logistics Cluster is consolidating requests on a weekly basis for the inter agency technical team, who reviews and allocates the COVID 19 PPE commodities for onward cargo transportation. As of 28 September, 120 requests have been approved, allocating a total of 306,795 PPE items from the common pool to be received in 70 locations across South Sudan.
The construction of a triage facility at Dengjok primary health care unit  ( PHCC )  and the renovation of two pit latrines at Bilkey school are ongoing and expected to be completed in March.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Sub national violence, including cattle raids and revenge attacks, in Makuac and Wulnit villages of Warrap's Tonj East County on November 8 and 9 resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people and the displacement of an estimated 5,000 others, according to the UN.
In terms of the direct health impacts, total confirmed cases have risen by 25 percent since June 30th, reaching 2,510 cases and 47 fatalities on August 26th. Around 75 percent of cases are within Juba. Although daily case incidence peaked in early June and is currently low – the 7 day rolling average is 2.4 – the true spread of the virus is likely higher due to low per capita testing and gaps in geographic coverage. According to South Sudan's Public Health Emergency Operations Center, confirmed cases spiked in late July/early August after testing expanded to three centers, and the positive testing rate is 7 percent as of August 26th
The scale and severity of acute food insecurity will remain high through January 2021, including during the post harvest period. The population in need of humanitarian food assistance will most likely remain among the highest levels in recent years, driven by the escalation of inter communal conflict, recurrent flooding, persistently poor macro economic conditions, and the economic impacts of COVID 19.
In June, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity  ( R TGoNU )  appointed nine out of ten state governors in a step toward establishing state level authority and security. The president has also launched disarmament campaigns and established two high level committees to investigate the root causes of the violence in Jonglei and Warrap and find a solution for durable peace through consultations with local elders and community peace conferences. However, several key benchmarks for peace deal implementation are delayed, including the establishment of the transitional national legislative assembly, appointment of the governor of Upper Nile, and strengthening of state and county administrations.
Given rising river catchment levels and above average soil moisture, the risk of flooding remains high in riverine and low lying, flood prone areas in Jonglei, southern Unity, and southern Upper Nile.
In parts of Jonglei and Upper Nile, some at risk households – those who have very few productive assets and very high dependence on humanitarian assistance, social support, and wild foods – that are temporarily cut off from key food and income sources because of conflict or severe flooding are likely facing Catastrophe  ( IPC Phase 5 ) . Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  is also likely in parts of Eastern and Central Equatoria, where significant first season crop losses have occurred and access to food is poor.
In most bimodal areas of Greater Equatoria, the availability of the first season harvests is likely driving marginal improvement to Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 ) . However, based on the assumption that the harvests are below the pre conflict average and similar to the recent five year average, most households still have food deficits. Meanwhile, Stressed  ( IPC Phase 2 )  outcomes are likely in parts of Western Equatoria where first season crop production and market and trade functioning are relatively better.
Based on the number of confirmed COVID 19 cases and deaths by the Ministry of Health, daily case incidence has declined since June and the case fatality ratio has remained stable. However, given that per capita testing remains very low and movement restrictions are limited, the total number of COVID 19 cases is expected to continue to rise through January.
The signing of the peace agreement in September 2018 and the prevailing good will and optimism of different stakeholders resulted in decreased hostilities overall, yet insecurity, access constraints, market disruptions, restriction of movement, bureaucratic impediments and occasional road route ambushes as well as reduced trade activities persist in some localities. These include in Yei, Lainya, and Morobo of Central Equatoria, in Greater Mundri of Western Equatoria, Aweil West and Aweil North of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Maiwut of Upper Nile. ( December 2019 )
At the peak of the lean season in August, Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  outcomes are likely in 25 conflict  and flood affected counties in Jonglei, Warrap, Upper Nile, Unity, and Lakes, where a high proportion of the population are likely experiencing either large food consumption gaps or engaging in severe coping strategies in an attempt to mitigate food consumption gaps.
In contrast, the retail price of sorghum declined by six percent in Juba, which is attributed to a reduction in market taxes imposed by Juba City Council; a local increase in market supply due to its proximity to Ugandan source markets and increasing trade volumes; and recent food assistance distributions.
High levels of inter communal conflict and poor macro economic conditions, coupled with severe flooding and COVID 19, continue to drive Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  and worse outcomes across South Sudan.
The distribution of 200 dignity kits to vulnerable women in Likuangole was delayed due to insecurity, and 200 dignity kits for women in Vertet was impacted by physical access challenges.
The proportion of IDPs and returnees living farther than six kilometres away from the closest primary education facility is highest in Warrap  ( 35.1% of IDPs/returnees, or 77,117 individuals )  and Western Bahr El Ghazal  ( 33.7% of IDPs/ returnees, or 91,236 individuals ) . In addition, the proportion of returnees living in such settlements is particularly high in Lakes  ( 42.1% of returnees, or 28,085 individuals )
Based on available market price data in CLiMIS, the retail price of a malwa  ( 3.5 kg )  of white sorghum in July ranged from 51 to 242 percent above the five year average and up to 106 percent above July 2019 in key reference markets. Prices in July were also 7 61 percent higher than June in most reference markets, including Rumbek, Torit, Bor South, Wau, and Aweil. The sharpest increase in the retail price of sorghum occurred in Aweil, where prices rose by 50 percent from June to July and have tripled since March  ( Figure 3 ) . In Aweil, this trend is attributed to atypically low market supply resulting from poor 2019 sorghum production and a delay in the onset of main season rainfall in 2020, which has delayed the seasonal arrival of earlymaturing sorghum on the market.
Staple food prices continue to rise across the country, driven by high import and transportation costs linked to low foreign currency reserves, the continued depreciation of the SSP, COVID 19 preventive measures, and the disruption of supply flows due to heavy rainfall, floods, and inter communal conflict.
Overall, flooding and intermittent communal violence have displaced nearly 14,900 people in Tonj East and at least 50,700 people in Warrap's Tonj South County to date in 2020.
Based on available field reports, households from Twic East and Bor South have migrated their livestock to Terekeka of Central Equatoria and Yirol East of Lakes in order to protect their livestock from the risks of drowning, inter communal conflict, and cattle raids. Since these livestock are distant from the homestead or displacement sites, access to milk is below normal for women, children, and the elderly in flood  and conflict affected areas.
In general, livestock are in good body condition and access to milk is seasonally high in most pastoral and agropastoral areas, driven by the seasonal increase in pasture and water availability. However, there are reports of atypical migration patterns and livestock deaths due to high water  and vector borne disease incidence and pasture loss in flood affected areas of Jonglei and Unity.
Overall, 21.8 per cent of IDPs, or 308,615 individuals, and 22.7 per cent of returnees, or 312,360 individuals, live in settlements that are farther than six kilometres away from the closest primary education facility.
A second Nile Hope staff member escaped the attack with minor injuries. Plan International and Nile Hope temporarily suspended humanitarian services in the area following the incidents; however, the organizations had resumed humanitarian activities as of late November.
In unimodal areas, reduced access to inputs, conflict, and significant flooding also threaten crop production in 2020. However, active inter communal conflict and the fear of conflict in Jonglei and the border region of Warrap and Lakes is preventing or limiting households' ability to cultivate crops in their fields, which raises the likelihood that food security outcomes will remain atypically severe during the post harvest period.
In Renk county of Upper Nile, flooding in August affected over 30,000 people, based on reports from World Vision International and local authorities. A break in the Blue Nile Dam flooded the main supply road to Maban, which has prevented food assistance from being offloaded from river barges and transported by road to Maban and onward to other counties.
In Eastern Equatoria, the threat of desert locust has declined due to swarm out migration and control operations. After swarms damaged crops in Magwi and Torit earlier in the season, desert locusts arrived in Kapoeta South and Kapoeta North in early August. FAO and County Agriculture department officials carried out control operations in infested areas and, according to key informants, damage to crops and grassland is negligible. FAO reported a second, transitory swarm in Kapoeta in late August.
A three phased response approach was launched to meet the needs of close to half a million flood affected people in low lying areas along the Nile River.  [ AUGUST 2020 ]
Equatoria, the first season harvest of maize is nearly complete, and field information collected in 11 counties indicates households are consuming own produced maize. First season groundnut, bean, and sorghum harvests are also ongoing. In other bimodal areas, including Pochalla of Jonglei, Wulu of Lakes, and Wau and southern Raga of Western Bahr el Ghazal, the maize harvest is currently underway. One area of concern is Ibba of Western Equatoria, where heavy rains and flooding destroyed the maize harvest.
Despite official border closures linked to COVID 19, South Sudanese refugees continue to return through unofficial border crossing points, which are largely porous. According to UNHCR reports, more than 11,383 South Sudanese refugees returned from neighboring countries in June, bringing the total number of returnees since the signing of the peace deal in September 2018 to 180,347 refugees. 24,137 refugees have returned since the outbreak of COVID19 in March. The high number of refugee returnees recorded in June relative to May and April is driven by several factors, including the start of main season cropping in South Sudan; the reduction of food assistance in refugee camps in Uganda and Ethiopia; the economic impacts of COVID 19 on the cost of living; fear of the spread of COVID 19 in Sudan; and an uptick in conflict in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of the Central African Republic.
The most significant impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic and associated preventive measures on food security continue to be related to lower economic growth, slower trade flows, and constrained humanitarian operations, despite the easing of movement restrictions in May. At the household level, the impact is most significant for urban households, who are earning below normal daily income and primarily purchase their food.
In Jonglei, the floods are worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. In Bor South, Twic East, Duk, Ayod, and Pochalla, flooding has displaced at least 150,000 people to higher ground since June and submerged or destroyed crops; in some cases, households were also temporarily cut off from accessing food assistance. Additionally, the floods have cut off trade routes and submerged markets, while leading to an increase in cases of malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea
In general, the performance of the June to September main rainfall season is supporting favorable cropping conditions. However, episodes of high intensity rainfall in July and August led to significant flooding in riverine and low lying areas in parts of Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, and Western Equatoria, including areas that were severely affected by the 2019 floods.
Other conflict affected areas of concern include Central Equatoria and Pariang and Mayom counties of Unity, where clashes between government forces, armed civilians, and hold out opposition groups have led to the loss of lives and significantly disrupted main season planting, first season harvests, access to markets, and trade flows. Violence is also impeding the delivery of food assistance, based on an increase in looting in Juba county and along major supply routes in Eastern Equatoria  ( OCHA, 2020 ) .
In Central Equatoria, localized political conflict in Morobo, Kajo Keji, Yei, and Liria and Lobonok of Juba county displaced at least 18,000 people from January to July.
Based on assessments conducted by South Sudan's Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, violence affected about 400,000 residents in these five counties as well as Akobo and Pochalla since April. Of highest concern is Greater Pibor, where over 60,000 people are displaced to distant areas in the bush, the UNMISS compound, or neighboring Lopa/Lafon county of Eastern Equatoria. In Lopa/Lafon, key informants report the displaced population urgently needs food assistance but currently has little to no access to assistance. In Pibor and other counties of Jonglei, a significant increase in looting of prepositioned food assistance is of high concern.
In the border region of Warrap and Lakes, inter communal conflict persists between armed youths in Tonj North and Cueibet, while a disarmament exercise in Tonj East devolved into a deadly confrontation between the SSPDF and civilians in Romich village in August.In Jonglei, conflict between youth from the Lou Nuer, Dinka, and Murle communities is concentrated in Pibor, Uror, Duk, Twic East, and Bor South
Use the Humanitarian inclusion standards for older people and people with disabilities and the IASC Guidelines, Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action to help design inclusive activities that respond to the needs and rights of older people, including those with disabilities.
SSHF  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund )  launched a $35 million standard allocation for frontline activities under the 2020 HRP. CERF  ( Central Emergency Response Fund )  allocated $17 million for food security and protection activities.  [ MARCH 2020 ]
PSNs  ( Persons with Specific Needs )  are not discriminated in receiving humanitarian assistance, however overall reduction of services in all sites has impacted their wellbeing. This resulted in weak capacity of community networks to respond to their needs which leaves many PSNs to live on their own with no support Furthermore, IDPs reported that there are currently no agencies focusing on PSNs. PSNs  ( elderlies, people with disabilities, serious medical condition )  do not receive any specific support  ( mobile assistive devices, medical equipment ) .  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
The average time of queuing, according to discussion at the differents water point is 2 3 hours, with 15/30 minutes walk to reach the water point. The SWATs operators all reported having troubles with the women waiting for water, with regular fights at the water point.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
The July to October floods rendered many roads impassable thus constraining access to affected areas, particularly in Akobo, Pibor, Duk and Uror counties in Jonglei, Aweil Centre County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Mayendit County in Unity and in Gogrial West, Gogrial East and Tonj North counties in Warrap. The floods also destroyed shelters, crops, water sources, public infrastructure like schools and health facilities and increased the risk of water borne diseases among communities ( December 2019 )
In Akobo, Jonglei State, WFP reached 73,831 people  ( 99 percent against the plan )  with 2,575 mt of food and nutrition items.