South Sudan is the world’s newest country, but at just one year old, it has already been through a lot. In fact, the crisis in the area is still significant and many people think it is the worse it has been in many years.
There are lots of issues affecting the country, from the fact that half of the population are struggling to get enough to eat to lots of people fleeing the border with Sudan because there is still fighting going on. Added to this is the fact that prices for things like fuel and food have sky-rocketed, making it much harder for ordinary people to buy things needed for everyday living.
Many people in South Sudan are dependent on food aid for survival, which means the work of international charities is hugely important in the region. Compared with just one year ago, the number of people who require food aid has doubled. The country is also dealing with significant numbers of refugees coming over from Sudan to the North, escaping conflict. Many people who have fled the North are currently living in camps.
All of these problems are making it harder for South Sudan to set up the infrastructure it needs and develop the country for the future. International charities are carrying out a wide range of work in the country to help alleviate the crisis and make sure the population has got enough to eat. For example, charities are providing food aid to thousands of people and taking action to ensure they have safe drinking water.
International charities are also providing vital supplies, such as tents for refugees coming over the border from Sudan. They are also trying to support people to help them deal with the high price of food and offering services such as training to help people get jobs.
Also, it is now the rainy season in South Sudan and recently flooding has forced refugees to move again. This is clearly an on-going crisis and there is still considerable work to be done to help the country fulfil its potential and increase its development; any donations you can make to international charities working in the country are sure to be extremely welcome and put to very good use.
Guest post from Liz Madeley on behalf of World Vision UK http://www.worldvision.org.uk.
