nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
In addition, armed youths attacked staff members of national NGO Nile Hope in Jonglei's Canal/Pigi County on October 30, resulting in one humanitarian worker's death.The aid worker was traveling from the local Nile Hope headquarters to provide supplementary feeding and outpatient therapeutic care to malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women at the time of the attack.
On October 29, unidentified armed actors attacked three staff members of NGO Plan International, who were returning to Pibor town in Jonglei's Greater Pibor Administrative Area  ( GPAA )  on foot after providing nutrition services to conflict  and flood affected beneficiaries.The attack resulted in one aid worker's death and injuries to two other staff members, the UN reports.
Moreover, economic shocks associated with COVID 19 related restrictions along with the exhaustion of foreign currency reserves, elevated food prices, and the depreciation of the national currency against parallel markets are reducing household purchasing power and further exacerbating food insecurity, FAO and WFP report.
People seeking refuge in South Sudan from neighboring countries are also affected by conflict, poverty and the humanitarian crisis. South Sudan maintains a favorable open door policy for refugees and, as of September 2018, hosted some 300,000 refugees, of whom over 278,000 originated from Sudan, nearly 15,500 from the DRC, some 4,000 from Ethiopia and almost 2,000 from the Central African Republic. They reside in 21 camps and settlements and in urban locations in Upper Nile, Unity, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Jonglei.
Humanitarian organizations conducted 50 multi cluster initial rapid needs assessments  ( IRNAs )  between July 2020 and January 2021 to assess the impact of the flooding on affected people and to identify their key immediate needs. Most of the flood affected counties have now been reached with assistance
Mental and physical health issues are amplified after years of exposure to violence and traumatic events. An increase in youth male suicides in PoC sites, while complex and multilayered in the intricacies of the situations, may have been compounded by extremely close and harsh living quarters, desperation and lack of options for the future.
The number of children associated with armed and force groups is estimated to be 19,000. A total of 955 children, including 690 boys and 265 girls, were formally released across South Sudan between January and October 2018, and will require significant psychosocial and other support. Since the beginning of the conflict, grave violations against children have increased, including abuse and exploitation, affecting more than 9,000 children
The situation for children has continued to deteriorate over 2018. More children are out of school than ever: three out of four are missing out on years of education and opportunities, as schools continue to be destroyed or remain unusable and teachers have fled violence and economic stress. Girls are more likely than boys to be excluded from education.
While male youth and adults face particular protection risks and psychosocial harm related to the armed conflict and insecurity, women, children, people with disabilities and older people bear most of the impacts of the crisis due to their particular vulnerabilities to conflict and other shocks. They often have fewer coping mechanisms, increased exposure, or are directly targeted by various types of threats, such as violence and abuse, coercion and exploitation, and deliberate deprivations
In the second phase, launched in November 2020 for an period of two months, ES/NFI, WASH and health cluster partners delivered assistance to restore affected community services, health services including oral cholera vaccination campaigns in Pibor and Bor South as a preventive measure and to complement WASH infrastructure improvement measures such as sanitation of boreholes, repair of degraded/damaged schools and health facility latrines.
Following needs assessments to evaluate the flood impact, the Inter Cluster Coordination Group  ( ICCG )  prioritization exercise in September 2020 identified some 60,000 households most in need for support with an estimated ask of $43.6 million.
Approximately 1.5 million women, men and children live in areas facing severe access constraints – places where the presence of armed groups and other access impediments make humanitarian activities impossible or severely restricted. These people are in 18 counties: Mororo in Central Equatoria; Koch, Mayendit and Leer in Unity; Panyikang, Maban, Longochuk, Maiwut, Luakpiny/Nasir and Ulang in Upper Nile; Tambura, Nagero, Ezo, Yambio, Mundri East and Mundri West in Western Equatoria; and Raja and Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal. Of these 1.5 million people, nearly 80 per cent are located in Upper Nile, Unity and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
A multi cluster response complemented the response in many counties, especially by the ES/NFI, WASH and health clusters. A total of 13 ‘priority 1' counties were initially identified, and 233,000 flood displaced people were targeted with lifesaving assistance. An additional 219,000 displaced people were targeted for emergency flood response in 22 ‘priority 2' counties. Women and children were identified as among the most affected and in need of urgent assistance
In January March 2019, more than 950,000 people in IPC Phase 4 are estimated to be located in highly access constrained areas. Protection, food security and livelihoods, and WASH sectors have the highest prevalence of people in need in highly access constrained areas
Shelter conditions remained the same during the reporting period across the state. Overall, assessed settlements consistently reported tukul  ( 98% )  as the main shelter for host communities, and tukul  ( 22% )  and rakooba  ( 12% )  as the main shelter types for returnees and IDPs respectively in September across the State.
The responsibility for caring for children, people with disabilities and other older relatives often falls on older people. In both settings 57% of older people surveyed are providing basic care and support, especially older people with disabilities  ( 58% ) . This is very high among those in their 50 and 60s  ( 69% )  and lower for those in their 70s  ( 42% ) . This basic care is higher for older people in the POCs  ( 61% )  than those living in urban Juba  ( 52% ) . In POCs, the majority of the older person are caring for grandchildren due displacement and loss of family members.
The proportions of assessed settlements reporting malaria as the most common health problem in Warrap increased from 38% in July to 67% assessed of settlements in September, likely because of stagnant or flood waters providing a conducive breeding ground for mosquitos during the rainy season.
Gender based violence  ( GBV )  cases, including sexual violence, are under reported by survivors due to stigma, shame, low confidence in the rule of law to ensure justice for perpetrators, limited service availability, and reliance on informal justice structures – which due to cultural norms can be an impediment to resolving some of the cultural issues around GBV.
In Tonj South County, there was an increase in the proportion of as assessed settlements reporting at least one person being killed or injured as a protection concern for men between April  ( 9% )  and May  ( 25% ) . These safety concerns may be attributed to reported renewed fighting over land and territorial disputes between communities of Tonj South and the neighbouring Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal State between January and May. The third quarter saw a further deterioration with an increase in the proportion of assessed settlements reporting land ownership disputes in Tonj South  ( 43% )  and Tonj North  ( 35% )  counties in July, likely due to intercommunal violence inflaming existing territorial disputes.
To prolong limited food reserves, populations reportedly reduced the number of meals being consumed in a day, and letting children eat first in some counties. Overall, 67% of assessed settlements across the state reported that people consumed only one meal a day in September, a 14 percentage point increase since June.
A joint OHCHR UNMISS report, covering Southern Unity during the period of April May 2018, documented the killing of 232 civilians, including 50 women and 35 children. It reported 25 women were hanged and 32 civilians were burned alive, while at least 120 women and girls, including pregnant and lactating women and girls as young as four years old, were raped and gang raped. In addition, at least 15 incidents of abduction involving 132 women and girls subjected to sexual slavery were documented. The report identified the main perpetrators as SPLA government forces, armed groups aligned with the SPLA IO, and youth militia.
Attacks on civilians and violations by all parties to the conflict continue to undermine the survival and outlook for South Sudanese people, particularly women, adolescent girls and children. Between December 2013 and April 2018, the conflict was estimated to have caused about 382,000 excess deaths, approximately half from violence
For areas of the country where information on IDPs has been systematically collected, data indicates that a quarter of them have been in protracted displacement since 2013 2014, whilst more than a third have been unable to return to their habitual residence since 2015 2016. The remainder has been displaced since January 2017, two thirds of them in the first half of 2017 alone. Those newly displaced in 2018 account for just 6 per cent of IDPs.
Access to education services was severely constrained by a countrywide lockdown and closure of schools, which started in late March. In line with this, a high proportion of KIs in assessed settlements with no access to education services in September reported that girls  ( 77% )  and boys  ( 75% )  did not attend school because schools were closed due to COVID 19. Although schools were partially opened in September, starting with candidate classes, Primary 8 and Senior 4 due to the prevailing COVID 19 preventive measures, majority of children are expected to remain at home until the 2021 school year
Consider provision of anti venom to decrease effects of snake bites  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Consider prepositioning of malaria tests, anti malaria and acute diarrhea medicines in response to floods in the area.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Planning distribution of food at school to avoid having kids dropping school out of hunger  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Providing assistance for a reconciliation meeting with the host community to ease the access to the river and to the bush  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Education : Textbooks for even grade  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Provision of school supplies and recreational materials  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Need for clean water in the school  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
In Warrap State, intercommunal violence and flooding reportedly exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the second and third quarters  ( April – September )  of 2020. The situation was further confounded by movement restrictions put in place in April to control the spread of COVID 19, which limited the ability of humanitarian actors to respond to the humanitarian needs in the state. As a result, information gaps on humanitarian needs and access to services remains across the state.
Strengthen existing coordination mechanisms to enhance information sharing, analyses of challenges, and local solutions.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Advocate for provision of immediate assistance to floods affected population.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Advocate for increased presence of service provision in Melut to address the core sectoral gaps  ( shelter, food, health and water )   [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Humanitarian partners should also advocate for an increase in UNMISS patrols to areas identified for returns as a confidence building measure among returnees and host communities.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Emergency response inter cluster mission is recommended to be organized to address acute needs, including IDPs affected by floods  ( 2,000 inds/250 HHs+ ) , with priority to NFIs and WASH items  ( Logistics cluster to be involved in case of need ) .  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
On 14 January 2021, a village called Bai Ajak in Melut county which is mainly inhabited Dinka community was attacked by a group of unknown gunmen  ( allegedly of Nuer ethnicity from Ulang county ) , during which 4 people were killed and 2 injured The main purpose of attack was cattle raiding. In revenge, two days after on 16 January, the alleged Dinka militia attacked traders of Nuer ethnicity from Mathiang  ( Ulang county also in Melut county in Paloch. The attack resulted in killing of 8 people  ( 6 men, 1 woman and a child )  and injuring 4  ( 2 men and 2 women ) . Investigation is ongoing by the local police. These two incidents raised serious security concerns among the local communities particularly of Nuer ethnic groups to move or travel from mentioned locations or Dinka populated areas and fears among Dinka community about possible revenge.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
Besides the general security situation remained calm in Melut county, two incidents of attack and cattle raiding took place in Melut county which resulted in death and injury of civilians including 1 IDP woman.  [ IRNA Report:  [ Melut IDP settlements, Upper Nile ] ,  [ 12 13 January 2021 ] |
3.Alali, Akobo East: Bor IRNA  ( 27 Feb ) : 5,000 estimated flood affected people; multiple requests made by South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission ( SS RRC ) . Only 130 HHs  ( 700 individuals )  remain in Alali Center  ( Baba Boma ) . Residents in the other 4 bomas of Wibura, Gem, Wau and Dilok had left to Gambella refugee camps in Ethiopia to access basic services.
To build capacity on GBV risk mitigation, prevention and response, IOM engaged 56 individuals  ( 33 women, 26 men )  in capacity building activities this quarter. This included training of facilitators to run GBV prevention dialogues  ( Engaging Men through Accountable Practices,  ( EMAP )  ) , gender and GBV mainstreaming in COVID 19 WASH response, and training on adolescent girls' life skills curriculum.
Findings suggest that a reported lack of medicines in health facilities presented a major barrier to health care services in the state. In September, lack of medicine was reported by 25% of assessed settlements across the state as the main reason for lack of access to health services. While assessed settlements reported that health facilities were stocked with medicines between April  ( 49% )  and June  ( 53% )  across the state, there was a reduction in the proportion of assessed settlements reporting this in the third quarter.
Only 9% of older people in urban Juba and 34% of those in the POCs can independently cope with the situation. While 62% of respondents in urban Juba and 49% of those in the POCs  ( Protection of Civilians )  can only cope with support from either a family member, friend or community/aid worker. Further troubling is that 23% of older people reported they cannot cope at all
The most needed NFIs reported by assessed settlements were mosquito nets  ( 10% ) , plastic sheets  ( 11% )  and blankets  ( 7% )  in September. Overall, the proportions of assessed settlements reporting a recent distribution of NFIs increased from 12% in July to 61% in September. In Tonj East, assessed settlements have consistently reported no distribution of NFIs over the last two quarters.
The most commonly reported health problems by assessed settlements, September 2020: Malaria   67% Cough   11% Waterborne diseases   9%
Overall, assessed settlements reported that fears for safety  ( 26% )  was the main reason why people could not access their preferred water sources in September, with the highest proportion of assessed settlements reporting this as a major concern in Twic  ( 47% )  and Tonj East  ( 43% )  counties. These reports of safety concerns are reflected in recent episodes of inter communal violence, which have resulted in killings and displacement of civilians during the reporting period. As a result of the general insecurity, populations in the affected counties may try to avoid collecting water from distant sources, in turn seeking less preferred water sources closer to the settlement
Safety concerns and distance from water sources reportedly reduced access to preferred water sources in some parts of the state. Despite the minimal reduction in the proportion of assessed settlements reporting access to their preferred water source within 30 minutes walking distance between April  ( 32% )  and May  ( 19% ) , this proportion returned to 32% in June. Since then, the proportion of assessed settlements reporting access to and from a preferred water source within 30 minutes remained consistently low between July  ( 34% )  and September  ( 32% )  across the State
Displacement and population movement was reportedly driven by insecurity and flooding across Warrap State. Although the proportion of assessed settlements reporting the presence of Internally Displaced Persons  ( IDP )  remained comparable between the second and third quarter of 2020  ( 42% in June versus 41% in September ) , sporadic outbreaks of intercommunal violence displaced populations in Tonj East, Twic and Gogrial East counties in the third quarter.
Education: Of the assessed settlements where KIs reported no access to education services in September, COVID 19 was reported as the main reason why children, both girls  ( 77% )  and boys  ( 75% ) , did not attend school. Although schools are expected to partially open in October, with candidate classes, Primary 8 and Senior 4, the majority of children are expected to remain at home until the 2021 school year.
Food Security and Livelihoods: In September, 37% of assessed settlements reported that crops were destroyed by flooding across the state, especially in Gogrial East  ( 84% )  and Twic  ( 47% )  counties. Consequently, assessed settlements across the state reported widespread adoption of negative food consumption coping strategies such as skipping entire days without eating and having only children eat in order to manage the food access gaps
Twenty two humanitarian staff were relocated from Ayod and Twic East in Jonglei due to flooding.
In 2020, the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund  ( SSHF )  allocated US$62.4 million to 63 humanitarian partners, through the standard and reserve allocation windows. . The allocations enabled the delivery of timely, coordinated and principled assistance to 1.5 million most vulnerable people across 48 counties. A total of $34.7 million or 56 per cent was distributed through a standard allocation and $27.7 million or 44 per cent through the modality of reserve allocation rounds.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
44% of incidents reported were significant in severity and seriously impacted humanitarian personnel, assets or response. Another 37 per cent were moderate in severity while 19 per cent were minor.
At the time of publication  ( 19 02 2021  ) , humanitarian services in the area remain suspended, pending negotiation and safety assurances for staff. This is affecting the delivery of humanitarian services to over 60,000 people in need.
WASH Cluster has identified a new implementing partner who will deploy to the county as soon as security permits.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Humanitarian access was further constrained by flight clearance taxations and mandatory COVID 19 free certificates prior to travel. While these measures were key contributors to curbing the spread of COVID 19, they impacted the deployment and rotation of humanitarian staff, delaying emergency response at a period when sub national violence escalated and impacted vulnerable people, particularly in Jonglei.
The Western Corridor  ( Juba Mingkaman Rumbek Tonj Wau Kuajok Aweil Bentiu )  is now dried up and fully passable to 40 metric tonne trucks. In addition, the Logistics Cluster, in collaboration with the IOM common transportation service  ( CTS )  project, offers road cargo transportation services to deep field locations from Wau. It is therefore expected that organizations will start to fully utilize these corridors and transport their items to Tonj East, Tonj North and Tonj South.
• Initial needs assessments are being carried out in Tonj East, Tonj North and Tonj South counties of Warrap.  [ under topic WASH ]  • Response activities include distribution of WASH Famine Prevention kits, rehabilitation of hand pumps and hygiene promotion. ( WASH Cluster )
Resumption of disrupted emergency services.  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
Looting and theft of humanitarian supplies from warehouses and convoys in transit significantly increased in 2020, with 50 incidents reported across the country compared to 14 incidents in 2019. Over half of the looting incidents were recorded in Jonglei where key humanitarian facilities and infrastructure were damaged or destroyed in Pibor and Bor South during sub national violence, leading to a loss of over 635 metric tons of food and nutrition items.
A total of $1 million funding has been secured directed towards four of the six but is not sufficient to cover the protection needs in these locations. Four counties are partially covered via the existing funding for response scale up, with two counties as yet uncovered. An additional $3.56 million is required to meet the protection needs. ( Protection Cluster Partners )
Existing activities have been affected by flooding in Pibor including damage to Women and Girls Friendly Spaces ( WGFS ) and Child Friendly Spaces  ( CFS ) . This results in a further service deficit. At least six additional mobile CFSs are required in Pibor Town, Verteth, Gumuruk and Likuangole in Greater Pibor Administrative Area ( GPAA )  to reach children in deep field locations.
Previously existing resource constraints for Protection have led to relatively low partner presence in four of the six counties. Additional funding will be required to effectively re establish protection presence in these areas
Access challenges in some locations impact delivery of services and movement of critical protection staff; this is particularly notable in Verteth in Pibor and Akobo, where flooding and inter ethnic conflict have limited partners' capacity to provide regular case management and PSS activities.  [ under topic Protection ]
Three Women and Girls' Friendly Spaces  ( WGFS )  have been established in Tonj North  ( 2 )  and Tonj South  ( 1 )  with 962 women and girls having accessed frontline GBV services by GBV partners.
Inadequate health service coverage and limited capacity of the health system in South Sudan is a constraint in meeting people's emergency health needs.
Sharp price increases were recorded for cereals from July through September as first harvests in green belt and hills and mountains, normally expected between JuneAugust, were delayed following late March April May rains. The 2019 prices were lower than their levels in 2018 between January June but surpassed the 2018 prices from July by as high as 126 percent above 2018.
There is a risk of importation of cholera in Akobo and Pibor, which border Ethiopia  ( Ethiopia has reported cholera cases from areas bordering South Sudan ) .
No health reports/alerts received from the area where health facilities are not functional; this is negatively affecting active surveillance
Measles outbreaks took place in Tonj East, Tonj South, and Pibor counties in 2020, emphasizing need to strengthen routine immunization.
Out of 88 reporting health facilities in the six counties, four are fully functional, 58 are partially functional, and eight are not functional when measured against the Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services  ( BPHNS )  defined by Ministry of Health. Reports on functionality status of health facilities are not available from 18 health facilities.
Physical access constraints in Pibor limit tracing of beneficiaries in the program and increases program costs due to increased use of more porters to deliver supplies.  ( Nutrition )
Since 1 January, 8,569 people including 5,049 children and 3,520 pregnant and lactating women  ( PLW )  were reached with treatment and prevention services with a reporting rate of 100 per cent from the nutrition sites by Nutrition Cluster.
However, in Aweil Centre and Aweil East  ( Wanyjok ) , due to their proximity to the Republic of Sudan border and improved cross border trade flows, retail prices of white sorghum reduced significantly  ( 37 76 percent )  between July and August 2019, although they were still significantly higher than the five year average
973k people receiving vegetable seeds and tools.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
101k IDPs reached by site management activities.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
For the first time, standard and reserve allocations adopted multi cluster programming to promote coordination, enabling partners to deliver a package of services through complementary activities, enabling effective utilization of services, while ensuring cost effectiveness. The SSHF enhanced partnership and mentorship approaches through partner sub contracting and bolstered sustainability of interventions through longer duration projects.  ( South Sudan Humanitarian Fund 2020 )
The already strained access environment was negatively impacted by abnormal flooding and poor road conditions
Illegal taxation and extortion, particularly at checkpoints, hampered the delivery of aid in both government and opposition controlled areas, with demands for up to 100,000 South Sudanese Pound per vehicle, making humanitarian cargo transport costly and time consuming. Local authorities in Fashoda attempted to control aid through demands for distribution lists. Such lists are not negociated with authorities to preserve a principled humanitarian response.
In January, 194,640 people reached with food assistance by WFP and other Food Security and Livelihood cluster members in Aweil South, Pibor, Akobo, Tonj South and Tonj North counties. Tonj East access and service delivery had been restricted by ongoing insecurity; currently delivery of food items is on going pending distribution. WFP and its partners plan to reach 233,978 food insecure individuals across the six IPC 5 Counties in January through both under the scaled up response and the Rapid Response Mechanism  ( RRM ) , then later extended tor Akobo West in February. The duration of assistance in all the IPC 5 classified counties has increased from six to nine months. The Akobo and Pibor food ration size has increased from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of the full month food assorted requirement.
Subsequently, there was violence against humanitarian assets, destruction of humanitarian supplies and threats against humanitarian staff, prompting the relocation of 30 aid workers and suspension of operations
An estimated 870,000 people are facing Crisis  ( IPC Phase 3 )  or higher levels of food insecurity in the six counties.  [ as of 29 January 2021 ]
The number of staff arbitrarily detained for extended periods reduced from 47 in 2019 to 16 in 2020.
As part of the Cluster response a total of 59,354 children admitted for SAM treatment were discharged with a WASH hygiene kit from functional Outpatient Therapeutic feeding Program  ( OTP )  sites/Stabilization centres  ( 44 per cent of the HRP target ) . A total of 1,574,793 people were reached with access to safe water  ( 52.5 per cent of the HRP target ) , while 100,089 women and girls  ( 9.1 per cent of the HRP target )  were reached with safe access to sanitation and hygiene facilities. A total of 3,288,925 people  ( 117 per cent of the HRP target )  were reached with hygiene promotion messages focusing on risk communication and COVID 19. In addition, a total of 168,872 people affected by flooding were reached with WASH service
AFFECTED AGENCIES : INGO   45 % UN   32% NNGO   23%
In particular, insecurity in Jonglei, Warrap, and parts of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, and Lakes continue to displace civilians, result in livestock losses, and disrupt harvesting activities, humanitarian assistance, and market access.
A total of 19 children  ( 12 boys and 7 girls )  were newly identified, registered and documented as unaccompanied and separated children  ( UASC )  in Jonglei state and 7 boys were reunified during the reporting month. A total of 61 children  ( 34 boys and 27 girls )  were registered and received case management services according to the vulnerability criteria, in Central and Eastern Equatoria. A total of 21 Caseworkers  ( 13 women and 8 men )  were trained on the Case management standard operating procedures  ( SOPs )  and information sharing protocols. A total of 541 individuals  ( 150 girls, 144 boys, 134 women and 113 men )  were reached with mine risk education  ( MRE )  key messages in the communities.
During the reporting period, UNICEF and partners reached 5,575 children  ( 2,360 boys and 3,215 girls )  with psychosocial support  ( PSS )  services in child friendly spaces, schools and communities in Jonglei, Upper Nile, Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria states, raising the total to 30,982 children reached since January 2020.
UNICEF through the support of Cluster partners distributed Education and IPC materials to support the safe reopening of schools. The supplies included face masks, soap, buckets for hand washing as well as recreation, dignity, student and teachers' kits. The materials will enhance learning as well as safety of children in schools. Cluster level assessments highlighted that 410 schools across 8 states had been affected by flooding causing a delay in the reopening of these schools. The ongoing localized flood response programmes includes the support and advocacy for the re opening of the affected schools.
On the 5th of October 2020, UNICEF, supported the Ministry of Education and General Instruction  ( MoGEI )  to reopen 1,423 schools in all states for candidate classes  ( Grade 8 in the Primary School and 4th Year in the Secondary school )  benefitting at least 110,000 learners. The candidates' grades will continue with their learning in preparation for the final examinations which are scheduled for the end of the year. The remaining of the learners will continue learning through the distance learning programme broadcasted on radio.
During the reporting period, 9,803 children aged 6 months 15 years were vaccinated against measles bringing the cumulative number of children 6 months 15 years vaccinated against measles for the period January   October 2020 to 312,272. In addition, to support malaria prevention efforts, a total of 17,508 long lasting insecticide treated nets  ( LLINS )  were distributed during the reporting month bringing the cumulative total to 164,787 LLINs distributed to 82,394 families comprised of 329,574 children and pregnant women.
Although three large scale infrastructure projects have been initiated by the Government of South Sudan  ( Juba BorMalakal, Juba Rumbek and Juba Torit ) , currently there is only one sealed road between Juba and Nimule.
On 22 February  (  2021  ) , the second convoy composed of five commercial trucks heading to Paliang was stopped by armed youth between Akop and Marial Lou. The truck drivers were held at gun point and denied movement towards Marial Lou / Paliang. The youth offloaded 36 bags of pulses from the trucks. Partners are negotiating for safe return of looted food and so far, with the support of the local leaders, half of the bags were recovered.
Through the Nutrition Cluster Partners, a total of 400,707 children under five suffering from Moderate Acute Malnutrition  ( MAM )  were admitted in targeted supplementary feeding programmes. Compared with the same time period 2019, 12 per cent less children with MAM were newly admitted in the programme
Ethnic violence remained a key trend in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Lakes States, with sporadic incidents recorded during the reporting period. A total of two UN agency vehicles were ambushed and the occupants robbed in Kuajiena, Jur River. In addition, an NGO vehicle was ambushed, in Cueibet Lakes state this resulted in 1 death and 1 injury. Tensions between NGOs and local youths over employment opportunities remained high in Upper Nile and Unity states. Humanitarian workers were evacuated amidst continued reporting of incursions into NGO facilities in the region.
As of 31 January 2021, funding is required to extend 3 sub national coordination positions in 3 strategic states affected by flooding  ( Jonglei, Unity and Central Equatoria ) , beyond February 2021. Lack of funding for these 3 positions will lead to coordination challenges, including weak monitoring and poor identification of needs and gaps.
Implementation of more permanent WASH response solutions to avoid further degradation of WASH conditions in the flood affected locations.
Complying with the required COVID 19 restrictions, some partners reduced their footprint by relocating non essential staff. Some of this reduced humanitarian presence and affected timely response to people in need.
In January 2021, the Logistics Cluster started to adjust the provision of common logistical services to take advantage of cheaper and more capacity road movements. In other locations, the cluster continued to offer alternative transport options  ( river and fixed wing movements )  from Juba.
Physical access to some health facilities due to high flood water levels in particular in Upper Nile, Pibor, and Jonglei made it difficult for patients to cross streams and rivers to access the health facilities.
The procurement processes of ES/NFI pipeline supplies from abroad took longer in 2020 than usual due to restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID 19. This resulted in pipeline breaks and delayed delivery of response. In Mundri East county in Western Equatoria, for example, by 31 January 2021, flood affected people assessed and verified in October 2020 have not yet received the supplies due to delays in pipeline replenishment.
The Inter Cluster Coordination Group launched a three phased approach to respond to the needs of the flood affected populations. In the first phase, launched in August 2020 for an initial period of 3 months, partners delivered life saving emergency assistance including ES/NFIs  ( mosquito nets, plastic sheets, rubber ropes, and face masks ) , WASH  ( aqua tabs, PUR sachets, collapsible jerry cans, filter cloth and soap ) , FSL  ( fishing kits and emergency food ) , health  ( replenishment of emergency health kits )  and Protection  ( dignity kits for women and girls ) . Additional support was directed towards emergency repair and rehabilitation of dykes along densely populated areas in Bor South and Twic East counties.
Some 521,000 people were reached across eight states with WASH assistance including household water treatment products, hygiene promotion and soap distribution by WASH Cluster.
Faced with insecurity, limited access to food or services, people are left with stark choices on what to prioritize, with many families forced to make a trade off between feeling secure, accessing food or maintaining their health. To cope with these trade offs, families are forced to constantly move, seeking refuge in remote settlements for security and when security or resources cannot be guaranteed, moving towards either Bentiu, Malakal or Bor PoC sites or, in the worst case, many have sought refuge in Sudan or Ethiopia.
5 spaces  ( Women and Girls' Friendly Spaces and Child Friendly Spaces )  were submerged by flood waters and destroyed in Pibor. The spaces could not be rehabilitated due to funding constraints.
As of 31 January 2021, funding constraints continued to pose significant obstacles to fully meet protection needs in the flood affected areas especially with regard to case management. The dual challenge of responding both to flood affected and high food insecure populations in areas such as Pibor further highlights the need for additional resources
As of 31 January 2021, Child Protection  ( CP )  sub cluster members reached 46,544 people including 22,766 children with child protection services. This included 18,168 children and caregivers reached with psychosocial support. It also included 910 children and 556 unaccompanied and separated children that were reached with case management. Of these, 14,042 people  ( 4,015 girls, 4,621 boys & 5,406 adults )  were reached in January 2021 in Ayod, Duk, Fangak, Pibor, Bor South, and Twic East in Jonglei, in Luakpiny/Nasir in Upper Nile and in Panyijar in Unity.
Since July 2020, Protection Cluster members reached 17,344 people with general protection services in Leer, Mayendit, Panyijiar, and Rubkona in Unity, Mundri West in Western Equatoria, Nyirol in Jonglei, and Pibor. This included deterrent civilian patrols / protection by presence to 30 individuals in Pibor in December 2020.
Even with a large scale dry season pre positioning programme and the continued expansion of deliveries using the river, there are still several areas across the country that cannot be accessed due to the lack of any road infrastructure.
As of 31 January 2021, some 256,828 flood affected people were reached with nutrition assistance across eight affected states. More people were reached with nutrition services than planned figure because nutrition partners do not segregate treatment and admission of flood and non flood affected cases by Nutrition Cluster Partners.
Pre positioning relief items in the field by road where possible remains the most cost effective means of delivery. However, lack of timely resources and issues with access due to insecurity and active conflict on the road network can result in delays in the pre positioning plan. The river ports remain in poor condition and rely on manual handling of relief items or loading and unloading the boat.
The cluster is mapping water points to facilitate strategic decision making for rehabilitation and identify remaining water supply gaps. As soon as the mapping exercise is completed, a partner will start rehabilitation of 28 boreholes, drilling of 15 boreholes, and distribution of 1,500 hygiene kits in Tonj East.  (  ( Situation Report No. 3, as of 26 February 2021 )
The 2020 wet season stretched further into January 2021 than usual and humanitarian cargo movement remained considerably constrained by the consequences of the heavy rains that have affected infrastructure damage and reduced physical accessibility.
In South Sudan, housing, land and property  ( HLP )  issues are both a consequence and a cause of conflict. Widespread destruction and looting of houses and properties, degradation of housing due to displacement, secondary occupation, forced eviction, loss of documentation and title deeds, and disputes over customary land tenure are all features of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan
Explosive hazards have killed or injured a reported 44 civilians across South Sudan to date in 2018, and approximately 75 per cent of the victims are children. As of August 2018, 569 known contaminated areas across 55 counties in South Sudan were recorded, nearly half of which in are located in Juba, Yei, Magwi, Torit and Terekeka counties.75 The contamination in South Sudan represents over 42 million square metres and affects roads, arable land, schools, clinics and water points, rendering them unsafe.
Explosive hazards, including landmines and explosive remnants of war, pose a severe risk of death or injury to people in South Sudan. They inhibit the freedom of movement of local populations, IDPs and returnees, as well as aid workers, with five new hazards discovered each day
Since 2013, over 100,000 children in South Sudan have been affected by 3,500 verified Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism incidents, of which killing and maiming accounted for 12 per cent; denial of humanitarian access 10 per cent; rape and other grave sexual violence accounted for 8 per cent; abduction 8 per cent; and attacks on schools and hospitals 7 per cent.
Lack of availability of anti venom in country in particular in Jonglei meant that many health facilities were unable to respond to snake bites risking people of dying or developing other health complications
Heavy flooding submerged 3 storage warehouses in Ayod and Twic East in Jonglei and Pibor and destroyed large quantities of medical supplies and drugs that had been prepositioned in those health facilities.
Don Bosco IDP camp has 1,192 households and an estimated population of 3,810 males and 6,192 females.
During the same period, 97 per cent of reported cases in South Sudan affected women and girls, and 21 per cent of survivors were children, of which 79 per cent were adolescent girls, consistent with previous years. Physical violence, commonly by an intimate partner or someone known by the survivor, continues to be the most common form of GBV, accounting for 42 per cent of reported cases. Sexual violence constitutes 20 per cent of reported cases.
By 31 January 2021, over 66,286 people were reached with health response by health cluster.
Health education on prevention of malaria, diarrhea, hygiene, sanitation and prevention of COVID 19 were integrated in health provision to flood affected populations by Health Cluster.
Disbursement of funds for flood response was slow to address the immediate lifesaving needs of the affected people.
• Physical access challenges including flooded airstrips, damaged roads and bridges delayed delivery of food security and livelihood response.
The majority of IDPs, approximately 85 per cent of whom are women and children, are integrated with host communities, staying in informal settlements, or hiding in hard to reach areas across the country.
Lack of financial resources which prompt parents to put children to work instead. ( 2020 )
Flood preparedness  ( rainy season )  : Preposition as much supplies as possible during the dry season
In 2020, 16 per cent of the people using water facilities reported safety concerns. High open defecation rates  ( 73 per cent at national level )  also expose women, children and people living with disabilities at higher risk of violence and discrimination, particularly in IDP sites and other crowded settlements
Household latrine coverage in refugee camps and settlements stand at 30.36 per cent at an average of 16 refugees per drop hole. However, support for critical WASH needs continued to be needed in refugee and host communities.
In addition, 310,000 refugees and asylum seekers lack access to sufficient and quality WASH services. As access to water sources is predominately communal in South Sudan, the limited access to WASH services impacts all population groups. Those in need are not restricted to one specific group. IDPs, non displaced and host community members, returnees from internal displacement and refugee returnees are vulnerable with limited access to WASH services.
The main drivers of WASH needs include limited physical infrastructure, sub national violence and recurring flooding in many parts of the country. These shocks have led to the continued displacement of people and restricted their access to already limited and functional WASH infrastructure. Increased displacement also places an extra burden on existing WASH infrastructure in displacement sites and creates barriers for WASH partners when implementing activities.
Spontaneous returns of both IDPs and refugees are expected to increase in 2021 as the government moves forward with the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan  ( R ARCSS ) .This will result in a rise of HLP issues in areas of return, especially because of illegal occupation and grabbing of houses and lands, which has potential to contribute to sub national and localized violence along with conflict based on identity lines in some areas
Of the incidents reported, 44 per cent were significant in severity, compared to 24 per cent in 2019.
45% of older people in South Sudan reported that their access to health services had changed because of the COVID 19 outbreak. This trend is similar in both the POC  ( Protection of Civilians )  and in urban Juba. This may be due to the fear many older people have going to health facilities and subsequently catching COVID 19. Additionally, during this period South Sudanese people are encouraged to quarantine at home and only call the COVID 19 emergency response teams if they are critically ill.
An increase in sub national and localized violence, including the resumption of politicized conflict in parts of the country, impacted humanitarian operations and impeded humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people. Based on available information, compromised of humanitarian access in 2020 was mainly as a result of active hostilities and violence against humanitarian workers and assets.
While humanitarian access has improved since the revitalized peace agreement was signed in September 2018, the number of incidents recorded in 2020 rose from 2019. Aid organizations faced continued and widespread access challenges in 2020.
As part of its  ( Protection Cluster's )  obligations under the centrality of protection concept, the cluster supports efforts to ensure that affected people and the risks they face are at the center of response strategies, from design and planning to implementation and evaluation. The cluster works collectively with the wider humanitarian community to support programming that is conflict sensitive and includes common vulnerability criteria across clusters to support meaningful access to services for all individuals.
Flood preparedness  ( rainy season )  : Activate/strengthen/form local flood committees and train them in early warning
In 2020, 584,000 refugee and host community outpatients were seen with an average consultation per clinician of 47. Crude mortality rate  ( 0.2/1000 people/month )  and underfive mortality rate  ( 0.4/1000 people/month )  remain within standards in refugee camps. It is worth noting that incidence rates may be higher, particularly in areas like Jonglei where data collection is poor.
Immunization services need to be strengthened to increase coverage and prevent disease outbreaks. Disease outbreaks need to be detected early, responded to in a timely manner and adequate prevention measures put in place. Referral pathways for mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and gender based violence survivors and for maternal and child health emergencies also need to be strengthened. COVID 19 prevention and response activities must continue till COVID 19 is no longer threat to communities.
IOM continued COVID 19 screening and provided IPC/WASH support at five POEs, namely Juba International Airport, Wau Airport, Nimule Ground Crossing, Wunthou  ( Renk ) , and Amiet  ( Abyei ) . IPC/WASH support at the POEs include the supply of clean water through water trucking, rehabilitation and maintenance of sanitation facilities, construction and installation of handwashing facilities, and supply of IPC materials such as face masks, soap, and hand sanitizers.  ( 05   18 October 2020 )
Six out of ten states have been affected by vaccine derived polioviruses outbreaks in 2020. Measles outbreaks have been recorded in eight counties Tonj East, Magwi, Bor, Kapoeta East, Tonj South, Wau and Pibor in 2020.
In early 2019, humanitarian organizations were able to reach more people with food assistance and livelihood support when insecurity reduced, and access improved. This led to a reduction in the severity of food insecurity. However, since mid 2019, South Sudan has experienced two consecutive years of flooding that affected more than 900,000 people in 2019 and over 1 million people in 2020, the arrival of COVID 19 and an upsurge in sub national violence in 2020 with disruption to the delivery of humanitarian assistance which has erased earlier gains made in food security.