nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
During the reporting period, UNICEF and partners reached 4,025 children  ( 2,204 boys and 1,821 girls )  with psychosocial support  ( PSS )  activities in child friendly spaces, schools and communities in Jonglei, Western, Eastern and Central Equatoria, Western Bahr al Ghazal and Upper Nile, raising the total to 19,935 children reached since January 2020. Implementation of face to face activities continues to be severely limited due to COVID 19 social distancing rules but the situation is improving. A total of 73 children  ( 44 boys and 29 girls )  were newly identified, registered and documented as unaccompanied and separated children  ( UASC )  during the reporting month. On Mine Risk Education  ( MRE ) , 1,336 children  ( 675 boys and 661 girls )  and 1,369 adults  ( 603 men and 766 women )  were reached with MRE key messages in the communities
During this quarter, the CCCM Cluster actively engaged in coordinating COVID 19 related response and preparedness activities in PoC and IDP sites. The CCCM Cluster participated in various workshops, including a scenario building workshop organized by the Inter Cluster Coordination Group  ( ICCG ) , Needs Analysis Working Group  ( NAWG ) , and Information Management Working Group  ( IMWG ) , in preparation for the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan  ( HRP 2021 ) .
Amid access constraints across the area, the humanitarian community has to aid the affected populations
Shelter/ NFI: Resident of Site O in Mingkaman have moved to Mingkaman primary school and affected population of Ahou have moved to Padar cattle camp  ( High ground )  now sleeping under open shelter with no NFIs on ground with exception of mosquitoes' net which distribution was ongoing. • Most households NFIs were lost during the flooding. ( Aug 2020 )
Summary of findings; • There are no proper hygiene practices observed during the assessment as all the people do not have household latrines • Women and girls lack female dignity kits • Lack of handwashing facilities at homes
In POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  health messages are being communicated by NGOs through “boda boda talk talk' recorded messages played in public places by means of motorcycles. These are considered by those in the POC as radio messages.
There are 12 humanitarian organizations including 4 INGOs, 5 NNGOs and 3 UN operating in Tonj North since January  (  2021 )  .
In August, the External Communication section and partners continued raising awareness on COVID 19, focusing on prevention measures such as handwashing and infection prevention and control measures in health facilities. During the reporting period an OpEd on the usage of face masks was published. While UNICEF continued to advocate for schools to reopen, UNICEF promoted the distant learning programme including distribution of radios. UNICEF has been the lead on a COVID 19 knowledge attitude and practises studies, a few glimpses from the data collection exercise was published
WASH: Distribution of soaps for households' hand washing and personal hygiene practices. • Distribution of buckets with taps/without taps and collapsible Jerry can to 12,000 households /60,000 individuals affected by floods in more than 50 villages in Awerial and Shambe. • Rehabilitation of 25 broken hand pumps. • Construction of emergency latrines where the displaced has moved in high land. • Increased the FRC levels at tap stands. ( Aug 2020 )
Nutrition: • Increase Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programme  ( BSFP )  supplies to the affected and displaced population since presence of aggravating factors are feasible though the GAM rate appeared to be low. • Distribution of MUAC tapes to the household  ( Care takers )  to monitor nutrition status of under five children and PLW at household level. ( Aug 2020 )
Health: Identifying alternative treatment facilities to support Mingkaman PHCC • More medical staff to handle increased demand of services in the facility • Continued awareness creation to the community to believe in oral medications. ( Aug 2020 )
Health: 100% of respondents reported lack of drugs in government health facilities, a finding that was disputed by CUAMM/CHD for the fact that the County had received its 2nd drugs consignment in July from Juba  ( July Sept supplies )  and were delivered to all the supported facilities. However, the findings also explained for itself the negative perception of the community toward oral medications which the CHD and CUAMM have been battling for some time. from Health Provider  ( CUAMM )  that drugs were actually distributed to health facilities a week before IRNA and communities are reportedly accessing medical services from Mingkaman PHCC, Kalthok private clinics and traditional healers. ( Aug 2020 )
Health: 80% of respondents talked of many snakes in the place • Poor health conditions as people openly admitted drinking untreated water which will increase chances of diarrhoeal diseases. • Affected communities such as MalualRamtong reported having no access to reach health facility because of flooding and fear of aquatic animals e.g. crocodile.. ( Aug 2020 )
Integrating GBV prevention and response services among targeted groups through raising awareness on availability of confidential protection services. The project  [ Restoring Lives of Families in Emergency  ( R LIFE )  in South Sudan ]  formed referral pathways to assist the victims of GBV. The project staff and other stakeholders were also trained of child and adult safeguarding to prevent any potential abuse.
Food security: Households are engaged in the sale of firewood to raise HH income • Reported lack of fishing gears amidst increase in the presence of fish. • During food consumption score 100% of responded reported that 15 days food ration and cash distributed does not last for one month.. ( Aug 2020 )
Protection cluster has one child protection partner operational in Aweil South.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Irrigation System by Treadle Pump Technology   to grow vegetable crops in the small scale farmers' fields to strengthen food production and enhanced household nutrition and income among the vulnerable women headed households.
The FSL cluster is currently working with OCHA to allocate USD600,000 to provide livelihood support for 43,304 affected households in Panyijar, Mayendit, Pibor, Juba  ( Mangalla ) , Yirol East, Yirol West, Rumbek Centre, Rumbek East and Cuibet using South Sudan Humanitarian Fund reserve allocation funds.
Education: • According to the teachers, 300 pupils were affected by flood, but the estimated number of pupils seen was about 50. • According to the teachers, Kalthok primary school was used as shelter by the people affected by the flood but people were only seen in the church and not in Kathok Primary school. • According to displaced people, some of the schools that were inaccessible have been destroyed by flooding e.g. Yolakot Primary School. ( Aug 2020 )
Reports from across the country indicated an upsurge in malaria cases, as rainfall and vegetation provided good breeding conditions for mosquitoes. According to available data, malaria is the leading cause of morbidity in South Sudan, accounting for 20 – 40% of all health facility visits and 30% of hospitalizations.
Households migrated to get educated  ( 35 percent ) , due to lack of food in the household  ( 19 percent )  and in search for work or employment opportunities  ( 14.1 percent ) . Lack of food was one of the main reasons for household member's migration in Eastern Equatoria  ( 24 percent ) , Jonglei  ( 29.6 percent ) , Lakes  ( 22.5 percent )  and Upper Nile  ( 21.6 percent ) . ( December 2019 )
Some 12.7 percent of the households reported having at least one chronically ill member while 6.6 percent of households had a member with mental illness. The prevalence of chronically ill members was high in Unity  ( 18.9 percent ) , Upper Nile  ( 16 percent ) , Warrap  ( 20.5 percent )  and Central Equatoria  ( 15 percent )  ( December 2019 )
11 May   The first COVID 19 cases are confirmed at Juba PoC 3 site. The patients are humanitarian service providers.
12 May   South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has officially announced the reopening of all airports to domestic and international flights.
Overall, Greater Pibor Administrative Area  ( GPAA )  and Tonj East of Warrap are areas of greatest concern, where active conflict and the threat of retaliatory violence extremely limit households' ability to engage in productive livelihood activities. Severe flooding in GPAA is compounding these impacts by periodically restricting household movement and contributing to disruptions in food assistance delivery and trade flows. Key informants report that although some displaced persons returned to their place of origin in GPAA due to relative calm in September, flooding is preventing other households from returning.
In Pibor, the floods continue to worsen an already dire humanitarian situation. In Mayendit, floods have affected about 10,000 people in 12 payams, forcing most people to relocate to higher ground in Mayendit North and Leer and leading humanitarian workers to evacuate temporarily.
Three consecutive flood events in Bor South since June have affected 33,000 people, with additional cross county displacement occurring from Duk, Twic East, and Bor South into Awerial. UNOCHA estimates around 21,000 people from these counties have been displaced to Mingkaman town in Awerial.
In 2020, heavy rains resulted in massive flooding and also caused the water level in rivers to rise to unprecedented levels even during the dry season.
12 May 2020   Government security forces have lifted the lockdown at Malakal PoC site.
The HLTF further extended restrictions on movement, restricting some internal passenger flights, thus affecting United Nations Humanitarian Air Service  ( UNHAS )  and other humanitarian flights and movement. It became a requirement that every passenger should secure a COVID 19 free certificate before flying from Juba to the states or a requirement for humanitarian workers to quarantine for 14 days before travelling to the field. At the time of issuing the addendum, lack of clarity about these requirements continues to impact the speed at which aid workers are able to respond to needs across the country, conduct assessments and rotate staff in and out of Juba.
In FGDs, persons with disabilities reported safety concerns in the process of accessing services in the PoC, specifically reporting facing emotional and physical abuse.
With $22 million in FY 2020 funding, USAID/BHA supports multi sector protection interventions that ensure the safety and dignity of more than 5 million people including approximately 200,000 IDPs in South Sudan. Protection activities include assistance to GBV survivors through case management, emergency protection led assessments, mobile emergency response teams, psychosocial support, and referrals to health specialists. Additionally, State/PRM partners provide protection services to meet the needs of IDPs, refugees, and conflict affected communities countrywide, including through GBV prevention and response programs, mental health and psychosocial support activities, family reunification, and legal assistance to facilitate access to identity documentation. USAID/BHA is also working to strengthen protection coordination and capacity building by funding the GBV Sub Cluster the coordinating body for humanitarian GBV response activities, comprising UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in South Sudan.
WASH: Most displaced are drinking water from unprotected sources as most of the lowland boreholes are not accessible and there no or limited access to clean drinking water in the displaced localities. • There are number of hand pumps which have broken down  ( 3 in Marik, 3 in Mingkaman along river side and 2 in Padar where people displaced from Ahou are hosted ) . ( Aug 2020 )
Nutrition: A random MUAC measurement from 94 children among the displaced communities confirmed 8 children  ( 8.5% )  were moderately malnourished while out of 43 women within reproductive age were also MUAC screened and 2 women  ( 4.65% )  were also confirmed moderately malnourished. Out of the 8 children with moderate malnutrition, 5 children were already in the programme receiving treatment and one woman was also in the programme receiving her treatment. ( Aug 2020 )
According to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance  ( UNOCHA ) , flooding has resulted in the displacement of more than 480,000 people. Jonglei has been the worst affected  ( over 400,000 people affected ) , followed by the Greater Pibor Administrative Area  ( more than 125,000 people ) , and Lakes area  ( 147,000 people ) . Continued flooding has weighed heavily on South Sudan's already vulnerable population, with findings from UNOCHA's rapid needs assessment indicate that women and children are most affected.
Recurring intercommunal violence and the resurgence of military clashes involving the National Salvation Front, South Sudan People's Defense Forces and Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition in parts of Central Equatoria since the end of April have created new humanitarian needs, and in addition to insecurity, COVID 19 related movement restrictions are making it difficult for humanitarian organizations to respond.
$11.7m funding received and 259k people reached by Protection Cluster.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
USAID/BHA prioritized nearly $33 million in FY 2020 funding for WASH programming in South Sudan to provide access to safe drinking water, handwashing facilities, sanitation services, and solid waste disposal to more than 3 million people including more than 1 million IDPs. WASH programming includes interventions to help prevent cholera outbreaks among vulnerable populations as well as mitigate gender based violence  ( GBV )  risks by providing safe access to latrines, sanitation services, and other WASH assets. USAID/BHA also supports hygiene promotion activities through public health campaigns and the distribution of essential supplies, such as buckets, soap, and dignity and hygiene kits.
$14.2m funding received and 642k people reached by Health Cluster.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
In Jonglei and Unity states, RRF NGO partners are providing emergency health services and interventions to protect against malaria and other vector borne diseases, as well as responding to acute WASH needs by providing buckets, safe waste disposal, soap, and water purification tablets.However, the continued rainfall and resultant damage to airstrips, roads, and other infrastructure assets have hindered the transportation of relief supplies and limited humanitarian access to some populations.
The 2019 rainfall season ranked among the wettest rainfall seasons in East Africa, including South Sudan, in at least 40 years. Exceptionally above average rainfall led to widespread floods, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and causing crop and livestock losses in worst affected areas. The state of floods emergency in 27 areas was declared by the Government.
During the reporting period, UNICEF worked closely with the field offices to support health flood response programmes in the affected counties of Duk, Pochalla, Pibor, Twic East in Jonglei State and Mathiang and Renk in Upper Nile state. UNICEF is currently completing the delivery of the third quarter requirements of essential drugs and medical equipment to all the World Bank supported health facilities in the 25 counties in Upper Nile and Jonglei States. However, a few drop off points/airstrips are not landable due to the heavy flooding. The planning for the delivery of fourth quarter supplies to all the 193 health facilities has been finalized and is scheduled to start by the end of September 2020. In an effort to reach populations in difficult and hard to reach settlements, UNICEF activated and conducted an Integrated rapid response  ( IRRM )  mission to Maruwa community with a target population of 15,000 people during the reporting period.
UNICEF in partnership with nutrition sector implementing partners is providing prevention and curative nutrition services for children and women in South Sudan. From January – August 2020, a total of 133,937  ( 50 percent of the target )  children suffering from SAM were treated in inpatient and outpatient therapeutic programs. This is a reduction of about 22.4 per cent SAM admission in 2020 as compared to 2019. Many factors including the localized conflict, displacement, and suspension of facilities are associated with the reduction in SAM admission in 2020. Quality of care was maintained as the performance indicators of SAM treatment were above the acceptable minimum Sphere standards, with a cure rate of 94.6 per cent, death rate of 0.3 and defaulter rate of 3.5 per cent. During the same period, infant and young child feeding counselling services reached a total of 1,036,937  ( 94.4 per cent of the target )  pregnant women and caregivers of children 0 23 months.
In those five counties, main pull factor reported by county Improved security  ( Rubkona )   50% Improved security  ( Akobo )   77% Access to IGAs  ( Fashoda )   40% Improved security  ( Mayom )   80% Returning home  ( Leer )   50%
In Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal  ( WBeG )  IOM supported the production of 15,761 face masks and mobilized community based facilitators to conduct continuous COVID 19 awareness activities to livelihood beneficiaries, reaching 100 women beneficiaries
A total of 7,869 individuals received Mental Health and Psychosocial Support services in Wau, Malakal, and Bentiu in August. The MHPSS team also continued with awarenessraising on COVID 19 and respective MHPSS considerations, reaching 10,633 beneficiaries through 859 sessions in all field locations. MHPSS beneficiaries also produced 5,198 reusable face masks during August. In addition, IOM MHPSS teams continued to establish regional MHPSS hotlines for remote counselling. The toll free number for the hotline is ready to be operationalized at all three field locations, with Bentiu and Wau finalizing partnership agreements to launch the hotlines on the premises of the Ministry of Health
The supplies, which were procured by WFP through the WHO COVID 19 Supply Portal, have become part of the common PPE pool and are stored at the Logistics Cluster common warehouse in Juba before being released to humanitarian partners through the Common Request System.
Due to a surge in sub national violence in parts of the country, particularly in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, the number of counties with medium level access constraints rose from 31 in 2019 to 39 in 2020. A total of 34 out of 78 counties were classified as facing low level access constraints, compared to 44 counties in 2019.
In general, funding has been delayed. However, some partners used flexible funding from donors to respond without delays. Flexible funding/crisis modifier funding are reported as critical for a timely response.
Hard to reach populations. Several communities got cut off by flooding waters and expanded rivers and ponds. o Outreach sites were used widely to expand response capacity for displaced and inaccessible populations, further stressing staffing and logistics capacities.
Widely prepositioning of supplies in strategic locations at state and county levels have improved supplies availability throughout. However, site level/closer to site prepositioning posed huge challenge. Although some sites were provided with mobile storage units  ( MSU ) , vandalism and looting from storage at site level were observed, posing security concerns and limiting the amounts of supplies that can be kept at the sites. Hence, the need to organize frequent/monthly secondary transportation.
$7.8m funding received and 470k people reached by Water, Sanitation and hygiene Cluster.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
Five counties Longochuk, Maiwut, and Panyikang in Upper Nile; Mundri East in Western Equatoria; and Rumbek North in Lakes experienced high access constraints in 2020 related to active hostilities, constant violence against humanitarian personnel and assets, and the physical environment. This is an increase from three counties classified in the same category in 2019.
Rapid Response Fund  ( RRF )  leadership and sectoral focal points met with each of the Cluster leads to brief them on the updates to the new award and coordinate current programming and geographic priorities. In addition, RRF briefed Cluster partners on the new award and began accepting proposals in August, targeting flood and conflict related emergency responses in various regions. Activities are expected to commence in September, supporting the WASH, GBV, protection, health and nutrition, food security and livelihoods, and S NFI needs.
IOM and humanitarian partners also supported 4,620 households affected by communal violence in Tonj South, Warrap. Items distributed included shelter and WASH NFIs, including blankets, plastic sheets, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, buckets, soap, and dignity kits. In addition, IOM completed the rehabilitation of 94 damaged shelters in PoCAA, benefitting 272 households.
Out of the 7.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020, approximately 254,000 people lived in the counties with high access constraints, including some 215,000 targeted with assistance. This represents a significant increase from 65,000 people targeted in areas with high access constraints in 2019.
With support from the USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, RRF completed its closeout activities for the previous award and commenced activities to kick off the new award for Rapid Response Fund  ( RRF )  for the period of August 2020   October 2021.
The start of the rainy season flooded many parts of the country, mainly affecting Jonglei state and some areas in Unity, Warrap, and Western Equatoria. Of the processed requests, six S NFI and two WASH pipeline requests were intended for flood response by IOM. Items provided for S NFI responses included plastic sheets, rubber ropes, blankets, mosquito nets, kangas, and kitchen sets, as well as water treatment supplies for the WASH response
Two talk shows were conducted by IOM on 88.4 City FM Juba during this reporting period. The shows covered topics on GBV consequences and available services for survivors, as well as the gendered impact on COVID 19, including unequal gender roles and menstrual hygiene management.
To prevent GBV, IOM worked with Active Youth Agency  ( AYA )  in Juba to mobilize the community on Engaging Men for Accountable Practice  ( EMAP ) . Four women's dialogue groups were successfully formed with 60 women in Juba. Furthermore, door to door awareness on GBV consequences and available services linked to COVID 19 prevention reached 35 households, including 221 beneficiaries  ( 125 women and girls, 96 men and boys )
To promote women and girls' empowerment and to enhance the capacity of women leaders in Juba and Wau, IOM completed three trainings with 41 participants from the water management committees  ( WMC ) , community hygiene promoters  ( CHP ) , and sanitation committee  ( SC )  members to build women's leadership and confidence. IOM's partner, Active Youth Agency  ( AYA ) , continued to support activities at the women and girl's friendly space  ( WGFS )  in Juba, including skills building sessions with 58 women, 43 adolescents, and 15 girls
At the regional level, IOM participated in the East Africa regional assessment on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, focusing on regional cross border cooperation.
In Nimule, IOM commenced sensitization sessions across POEs on COVID 19, targeting front line government officers. The sessions aimed to ensure security actors, border management stakeholders, including immigration, are aware of COVID 19 protocols and participate in enforcing measure to mitigate COVID 19.
IOM completed research on remittances and diasporas engagement and presented the draft report titled, “Policy Research on Remittances and Diaspora Engagement in South Sudan: A Policy Research with a focus on the South Sudanese Community in Australia' to the cochairs and members of the Government's Technical Advisory Working Group  ( TAWG ) . On 20 August, the TAWG validated the draft at a workshop attended both physically and virtually. The report is expected to be released in October 2020.
In Bentiu PoC site, the IOM Camp Management  ( CM )  team mobilized 83 newly selected sector and block leaders for an induction and capacity building training that was facilitated jointly with the Relief, Reintegration, and Protection  ( RRP )  unit of UNMISS to introduce newly selected leaders to their terms of reference and enhance their understating of CCCM and site operations. In the Wau PoCAA, the CM team coordinated blanket distribution of 6,500 non medical reusable face masks to IDP individuals to curtail the transmission of COVID 19.
With the support of the Central Emergency Response Fund, programming commenced among IOM's four partners in health and WASH initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID 19. Health activities include strengthening health systems and providing essential COVID 19 prevention services, community engagement and messaging on COVID 19 awareness, and infection, prevention, and control  ( IPC )  at health facilities. WASH activities include construction and rehabilitation of existing water sources, water quality and treatment monitoring, latrine rehabilitation, improving hygiene practices in the communities, and reducing the spread of COVID 19 in health facilities, among others.
With the eleventh outbreak of Ebola virus disease  ( EVD )  in the Équateur province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo  ( DRC ) , IOM joined the South Sudan Ministry of Health, WHO, and other partners to discuss the reactivation of South Sudan's EVD preparedness strategy. IOM presented the Points of Entry  ( POE )  strategy to integrate EVD and COVID 19 preparedness and response activities in response to the WHO upgrading of South Sudan from moderate risk to high risk for importing Ebola Viurs Disease from Danish Refugee Council.
Safe drinking water provided to 80,386 individuals residing Bentiu, Malakal, and Wau PoC sites by IOM.
Despite some forward movement in earlier months, August saw continued delays in the implementation of the peace deal. At the same time, there has been a continuation of sub national and localized violence throughout much of August, with escalating tensions and violence in different parts of the country, including in Warrap, Jonglei, and Central Equatoria States. These tensions continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis that has been made worse by the impacts of heavy rains and flooding in various areas of South Sudan.
Some partners recruited additional staff while others used existing staff put on rotation to cover scale up/replacement sites. Furthermore, additional technical assistance was deployed by agencies to strategic field locations, and surge teams were deployed by the cluster to support some locations.
3,395 individuals screened for covid 19 by IOM at Wau Airport: August 2020
1.6 Million South Sudanese internally displaced persons  ( source: OCHA ) August 2020
895,375 individuals reached through COVID 19 health & hygiene promotion outreach by IOM. ( August 2020 )
According to REACH, the unprecedented flooding of 2019 reportedly washed away crops, destroyed homes, and contaminated water sources, as well as cut off or constrained access to critical basic services in some parts of the country.
Admissions. Overall, the number of SAM admissions was 16% higher in 2019 compared to 2018, i.e. 239,945 vs 206,673. This is due to increased number of nutrition sites  ( from 899 OTP sites and 57 SC in 2018 to 1050 OTP sites and 64 SC in 2019 )  combined with a worsened situation with the prevalence of acute malnutrition raising from 13.2% to 16.2%. The number of SAM admissions in flood affected counties was of 84,726 in 2019 and 80,688 in 2018, hence an increase by only 5% as opposed to 23% in flood affected counties. It therefore indicates that the floods have hampered the supply and/or uptake of nutrition services. Similar trends were observed with MAM admissions.
Global Humanitarian funding 2020:  Overall: USD 1.5 billion and WFP share: USD 671 million.
Protection and water access: Top five counties where the highest proportion of assessed settlements reported that safety concerns prevent people from accessing their preferred water source are Twic 47%, Ulang 46%, Tonj East 43%, Cueibet 42%, Luakpiny/Nasir 38%.
Water access time: Top five counties where the highest proportion of assessed settlements reported that most people need more than 30 minutes to access and return from their preferred drinking water are Ibba 100%, Maridi 100%, Mundri East 100%, Mvolo 100%, Terekeka 100%.
Drinking water source : Top five counties where the highest proportion of settlements reported that the main source of drinking water is an unprotected water source  ( e.g. river, swamp, unprotected well )  are Ezo 100%, Panyikang 100%, Manyo 93%, Canal/Pigi 92%, Morobo 91%.
People assisted in July 2020 by WFP: Female ( 56% )  and Male  ( 47% )
UNHAS transported 49 COVID 19 suspected samples from Yambio, Rubkona, Torit, Mundri, Maridi, Aweil, Agok, Yambio and Kuajok
WFP programs continue to be carried out countrywide amidst the various safety and security challenges. Armed clashes, violent crimes including armed robbery and banditry/ambush targeting commercial and humanitarian traffic, and harassment continue to be the main threats.
Poverty, food insecurity, lack of livelihood opportunities and other humanitarian needs have forced many families to resort to negative coping strategies. Some are harmful to children such as early/forced marriage and child labour
As of 11 September 2020, South Sudan has 2,578 confirmed cases of COVID 19.
It is important that assistance is continued for the foreseeable future and for as long as residents remain concerned for their safety outside of the camps
At the state level, the proportion of IDPs living in settlements reliant on assistance or host community donations increased most in Northern Bahr El Ghazal  ( +22.0 p.p., or +36,822 individuals )  and Jonglei  ( +20.8 p.p., or +21,541 individuals ) . The most significant increase for returnees was in Western Bahr El Ghazal  ( +20.3 p.p., or +42,439 individuals ) .
On Friday 4 September, Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock submitted to the Security Council an update on the food security risks in South Sudan, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, and Northeast Nigeria. This is in reference to Security Council Resolution 2417  ( 2018 ) , which calls for the Security Council to be updated when “the risk of conflict induced famine and wide spread food insecurity' occurs. The Update calls for action, through concrete measures to break the vicious cycle between armed conflict and violence and food insecurity.
Comparing locations assessed in both round 6 and round 8, the proportion of IDPs and returnees living in settlements relying on cash assistance, food assistance or host community donations as the main source of food remained stable for IDPs1 but increased by 8.6 percentage points, or 113,378 individuals, for returnees.
The Troika Special Envoys were in Juba last week, their first joint visit since 2017, to meet with key counterparts and re energize the peace process. They urged all parties to demonstrate the leadership needed to deliver progress and maintain peace.
In South Sudan, despite the peace agreement, violence is the greatest risk to food security and livelihoods. Most of the areas affected by conflict are in Emergency  ( IPC Phase 4 )  acute food insecurity. Since 2015, there has been at least 31 pockets of famine conditions related to conflict. Recurring violence in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area  ( GPAA ) , as well as Warrap and Lakes states, is crippling the food security and livelihoods of growing numbers of people.
The reduced incomes and employment opportunities of the poor means they are less able to acquire food, leading to the adoption of negative coping strategies such as substitution of less preferred and cheaper alternatives and non diversified diets, selling of productive assets, becoming trapped in debt, withdrawing children from school and forced migration.
1.7 million acutely malnourished women and children  ( IPC )
6.48 million people facing acute food insecurity from May to July 2020  ( IPC )
Lakes  ( 47.9% of IDPs, or 87,810 individuals )  and Central Equatoria  ( 38.3% of IDPs, or 77,510 individuals )  have the highest proportions of IDPs living far from health care facilities, while the number of returnees is highest in Warrap  ( 42.6% of returnees, or 16,007 individuals )  in relative terms and in Western Bahr El Ghazal  ( 39.9% of returnees, or 80,302 individuals )  and Central Equatoria  ( 37.3% of returnees, or 53,886 individuals )  in absolute terms. Central Equatoria and Lakes host over 100,000 IDPs/returnees living in settlements far from health care facilities
In those five counties , main county of origin reported by county Rubkona  ( to Rubkona )   100% Akobo  ( to Akobo )   44% Fashoda  ( to Fashoda )   100% Mayom  ( to Mayom )   50% Leer  ( to Leer )   60%
The overall security situation remained calm except for Central Equatoria, Warrap and Upper Nile State. United Nations Mission in South Sudan  ( UNMISS )  is planning to establish a Temporary Operating Base  ( TOB )  in Lobonok to contain a further surge in security incidents in the area. Clashes were reported between South Sudan's People Defence Forces  ( SSPDF )  and communities in Tonj East due to a disarmament exercise. Ambushes and Armed clashes in Yei county, Central Equatoria and Nasir town were reported during the month of August.
There is lack of food intake based on the assessment of the villages visited. This lack of food and inadequate nutritious food intake for the children under five years of age and other vulnerable groups is likely to expose the vulnerable groups to risk of malnutrition if immediate support is not provided.
10,271 incoming persons 2.9 average group size and 3,665 outgoing persons 3.1 average group size from South Sudan to Uganda  ( January 2021 )
Reflective of the reported main push and pull factors reported in Koch being related to the security situation, spikes in cattle raiding from November 2020 in Koch County have reportedly caused loss of lives and property, as well as displacement of people, according to participants of a recent focus group discussion conducted by REACH in Bentiu Protection of Civilians Site  ( PoC ) .
Father Shyjan, economer in South Sudan, said, “Now with the pandemic we are facing many challenges. First of all, the health care system in the country is poor, and we lack prepared health care professionals. Secondly, most of the population lacks the understanding about the pandemic and its seriousness. There are myths about it like this disease is only for white people or for the rich, that the virus does not survive in the hot climate of South Sudan, that the government is lying about it just to get money from foreign help. We have to work to combat these misconceptions while trying to keep people healthy and safe.'
In addition, a total of 143 children  ( 77 boys and 66 girls )  were registered and received case management services according to the vulnerability criteria, in Jonglei, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap and Western Equatoria, states.
A total of 1,570 people have been reached with key hygiene promotion messages. As part of the interagency WASH programme, an assortment of WASH Non Food Items  ( NFIs )  from the core pipeline were distributed to a total of 13,694 individuals during the reporting month.  ( By UNICEF )
Long / medium term flows of South Sudanese to South Sudan  ( exc. IDPs ) : From South Sudan, Voluntary return =785  ( 149 refugees ) , Voluntary relocation= 372  ( 16 refugees )  From abroad, Voluntary return= 2594  ( 1020 refugees ) , Forced return= 53 ( 5 refugees )  Voluntary return= 238  ( 41 refugees )  2,944 possible voluntary returnees  ( of which 2,294 from abroad ) , 37 forced returnees  ( 7 from abroad )  and 517 relocated individuals  ( 224 from abroad )  reported an unknown intended duration of stay or unknown length of stay at the location of departure.
Since opening the Donj Bosco Health Center, services have been expanded to meet a growing need. In addition to the primary office location, there are now mobile clinics, a HIV/AIDS rehabilitation program, a nutrition program and child health care. Medical care has become even more essential in the face of the pandemic.
The Logistics Cluster is supporting humanitarian organisations with transport and storage of COVID 19 related cargo in addition to its continued support to the existing humanitarian response in country. In August 2020, the Logistics Cluster facilitated the transportation of 13 mt of COVID 19 related cargo by air towards 15 destinations across South Sudan.
As a member of the National COVID 19 Steering Committee, WFP, through the Logistics Cluster South Sudan, has been co leading the Operational Support and Logistics pillar and coordinating closely with WHO and other health partners. The Logistics Cluster manages stocks of COVID 19 supplies, including receipt, storage and dispatch, while an Inter Agency Technical Working Team led by WHO determines the allocation.
Further, following the Open Defecation Free  ( ODF )  verification exercises conducted jointly by the Country authorities, IOM, and four communities  ( Dipok, Palounganyi, Dongo Lobo, Kicenga )  in Magwi, the Eastern Equatoria State was declared ODF in August, benefiting an estimated 1,531 individuals  ( 303 households )
Following a recommendation from OCHA to postpone non critical physical meetings, coordination meetings are held online bi monthly for both Juba based and field staff, while training sessions are on hold. In August, two coordination meetings were held online, attended by 29 organisations.
The IOM Rapid Response Team mission to Kajo Keji to support three health facilities in hard to reach areas in Jalimo, Kinyibi, and Bori is on going. During August, 2,075 individuals were consulted at the outpatient clinic, and 2,073 individuals were reached with health promotional messages. In addition, 150 mothers were provided with antenatal services.
In August 2020, the IOM protection team embarked on a joint mission to Tingili with IOM's S NFI and WASH teams. The protection team identified 30 persons with specific needs  ( PSNs ) , conducted protection assessment of the area, disseminated key messages of COVID 19, and facilitated a protection against sexual exploitation and abuse  ( PSEA )  training for the WASH and S NFI enumerators. Furthermore, the Protection team trained border officials in Nimule on PSEA, Protection Mainstreaming, Disability Inclusion, and Human Rights. The team also facilitated a PSEA training for the Juba DTM team.
Active case finding and defaulter tracing activities by the CNVs  ( Community Nutrition Volunteers  )  have been majorly affected as movement to some villages is by canoe with inflated transport costs. Most beneficiaries cannot afford to access the CMAM  ( Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition )  services.
In South Sudan, over 11million people, with 95% agro pastoralists depend on farming, fishing or herding to meet their food and income needs.
Since the Communication and Community Engagement working group  ( CCE WG )  partners began rumor tracking, rumors related to the consumption of food, beverages and natural remedies have been highly varied in Unity State. Rumors related to the consumption of alcohol based substances as a preventative technique have been especially prevalent, ranging from “locally brewed gin' to “hand sanitizer.' Rumors indicating a potential uptick in alcohol consumption may have serious implications for the community at large, including possible increases in instances of community violence, SGBV, and domestic violence.
Based on the Consolidated Approach to Reporting Indicators of Food Security, 69.2 percent of households across South Sudan were food insecure in December 2019 of which 46.6 percent were moderately food insecure while 22.6 percent were severely food insecure  ( Figure 1.1 ) . The food insecurity marginally decreased by nearly 6 percent from 75 percent in August 2019. Similarly, there has been a decrease of 4.8 percent from 74.0 percent of households affected by food insecurity in December 2018, with the situation assessed to have improved in 7 out of the 10 states. This was a result of the slight improvement in access to food from the main harvest in October and November coupled with better access to markets and livelihoods.
Overall, the prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition  ( GAM )  and Severe Acute Malnutrition  ( SAM )  in December 2019 was 12.6 percent and 3.3 percent respectively, reflecting a slight increase over the same period in 2018 when the prevalence rate was 11.6 percent for GAM and 2.3 percent for SAM.
As COVID 19 prevention guidelines have ruled out community meetings, partners have had to shift communication modalities to make use of non groupinteractions, including a transition to door to door, radio, cellphone and loudspeaker messaging. Previous research conducted by REACH found that assessed populations tend to significantly prefer direct, face to face communication when receiving information about humanitarian assistance and activities. Thus, humanitarian agencies should continue training mobilizers to conduct door to door messaging to align with preferred community communication modalities.
Refugees in nine camps and settlements across the country need camp management services. Strong community engagement and well timed information sharing is critical for refugee community structures and host communities to ensure ownership.
Rumors relating to COVID 19 and infertility have appeared in NBeG and WBeG since rumor tracking began in March 2020. Such rumors may carry risks of increased SGBV and warrant specific follow up messaging from humanitarian actors engaging with communities in these areas.
Recent FSNMS data suggests 13 per cent of assessed South Sudanese live with physical disabilities. UNFPA estimates that about 3 per cent of the South Sudanese population is above 65 years of age and therefore at particular risk.
347k children  ( 6 59 months )  screened for malnutrition.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
Data collected in Unity during thew two week period suggests that rumors about prevention and treatment continue to spread and new rumors of this nature, such as the use of urine for handwashing as an effective protection measure, continue to pop up within the community. This is occurring both in Bentiu PoC and Bentiu town, as well as in other parts of Unity such as Panyijiar and Pariang, all of which have varying degrees of access to health information provided by humanitarians.
Data from Jonglei also indicates a noticeable division in community perceptions about how seriously to take the virus: while some reported rumors suggest that COVID 19 may lead to starvation or the end of the world given the gravity of the situation, others involve perceptions such as African immunity, hot weather preventing the spread of the virus, and even one reported rumor that the government has exaggerated the number of confirmed cases in order to obtain money to fund the COVID 19 response.
Data collected in Lakes State during the reporting period points to the perception that COVID 19 is of secondary or tertiary concern when compared to the more immediate threats of insecurity and economic constraints, a perception reported in many states in South Sudan. As intercommunal violence has flared in Lakes State over the last few months, respondents indicated that border closures prompted by COVID 19, coupled with violence, could prompt food and commodity shortages. These concerns were especially acute in Cuibet and Rumbek Centre counties.
Internews has now signed agreements with four more media partners in the BHA funded COVID 19 project and welcomes Capital FM, City FM, Eye Media, and The Radio Community  ( TRC ) . All partners have started production of radio bulletins, personal testimonies of COVID 19 survivors, vox pops, call in programs, radio skits, debates, and public service announcements. The project will also soon expand to Renk and Melut where the team is starting Boda Boda Talk Talk projects like in Juba. Anisa Radio, Radio Emmanuel, Voice of Reconciliation, Advanced Youth Radio, SAMA FM the BHA partner stations shared feedback and public perceptions on COVID 19. Radio material produced by Voice of Reconciliation have been shared with the Humanitarian Information Services  ( HIS )  Jamjang FM in Jamjang and Nile FM, a Community Engagement Network  ( CEN )  radio in Malakal for broadcasting in Unity State and Upper Nile. The team also continues to collaborate with RCCE partners and attends various RCCE meetings regionally, in country and globally
Similarly, the proportion of households with poor food consumption  ( 30.4 percent )  was lower among households who received assistance compared to poor food consumption households who did not receive assistance  ( 38.3 percent ) .
Sama FM spoke with the Ministry of Health about the importance of wearing masks in crowded places and discussed why denial on COVID 19 is dangerous. Additionally, the radio station, based in Bor, aired segments on how to protect the elderly and offered practical tips of what to do when you have a patient in the house. A debate was aired in which the radio host discussed challenges when calling the COVID 19 emergency call center.
Out of the 5 instances of feedback collected by colleagues from CRN's Radio Emmanuel, 60% stated that it was important to protect yourselves, as COVID 19 is real, whilst 20% stated that COVID 19 did not exist and the other 20% reported on the signs and symptoms.
Young people are also dying from the COVID 19, stated the World Health Organization's chief scientist in an article of the New York Times. She warned against complacency toward COVID 19 in young people  ( Source: NYT ) . In particular, young people with pre existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus  ( Source: WHO ) . IFRC also warns that young people can die from the disease. People of all ages including infants less than 1 years of age have contracted COVID 19 and died from it  ( Source: IFRC ) .
Violence continues to directly affect food security by disrupting main season cultivation, humanitarian food assistance delivery, market access, and trade flows.
Additionally, high levels of morbidity in these states had direct correlation with the increase in malnutrition status. Morbidity in these locations was high at 46.2 percent, 47.9 percent 48.6 percent and 62.8 percent in Jonglei, Upper Nile, Central Equatoria and Unity respectively
133,173 consultations in static & mobile clinics in PoCs & collective sites. 30,433 children under five years screened for nutrition. 6,279 children <5 receiving routine immunizations. 11,623 consultations reached by the RRT. 54,152 travelers entering South Sudan screened at IOM PoE sites. 71,410 individuals reached with HIV messages & health education. 763 individuals reached with HIV Testing and Counselling  ( HTC )  services in the PoCs. 778 birth attended by skilled birth attendants.
Among households who received food assistance, 65.4 percent were food insecure compared to 71.4 percent of households who did not receive assistance, suggesting that assisted households are relatively better off than those not receiving assistance. ( December 2019 )
The cost of the minimum expenditure basket, which measures what a household requires to meet basic needs, increased to 82,850 SSP in August 2019  ( currently equivalent to more than 200 dollars )  mainly driven by high prices of food items  ( Figure 11.5 ) . This means that majority of poor households especially those in urban areas with low and inelastic wages cannot afford the minimum cost of basic needs, leaving them with huge food gaps and reduced expenditure on essential nonfood items.