A Healthier Future for South Sudan's Families

South Sudan has struggled with violence between armed groups in the years since the civil war ended. In August 2022, heavy fighting erupted between armed groups around the town of Tonga and has since spread east across Upper Nile State and south into the neighboring state of Jonglei—resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. The increasingly volatile situation has prompted a sharp increase in humanitarian needs as internally displaced people (IDPs) move from location to location in search of safety, shelter, food and clean water. With nearly 20 percent of the population of South Sudan displaced and more than 70 percent of the population in need of humanitarian assistance as of July 2022, needs were high before the current round of fighting

The conflict poses significant protection and safety risks to those displaced, especially the most vulnerable such as women, children and the elderly, and reports of gender-based violence and extortion are on the rise. The sudden influx of IDPs is severely straining the ability of host communities to provide essential services—particularly health, clean water, and adequate sanitation and hygiene—to themselves and the new arrivals. Food is also an urgent need. Due to the combined impact of cyclical drought and flooding, 7 to 8 million people across South Sudan are facing acute food insecurity and are in urgent need of food assistance—the ongoing fighting will only exacerbate the situation.

The Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in particular saw a sharp increase in the number of people it served in September. International Medical Corps quickly developed a response to provide primary health and nutrition services as well as gender-based violence prevention and treatment programs to this population. Additionally, knowing that clashes could continue, International Medical Corps began planning for the likelihood of the crisis expanding.

Some of the activities International Medical Corps has undertaken to provide humanitarian relief to residents of the Malakal PoC, include:

• Provision of emergency life-saving primary health care services through the establishment of integrated mobile health and nutrition teams;
• Provision of emergency life-saving primary health care services through the establishment of integrated mobile health and nutrition teams;
• Through the end of September, more than 2,000 people had been reached with curative consultations, 523 children received routine immunizations, and 53 critical cases were referred to hospitals.
• So far 1,280including under-five children were reached with curative consultationin Malakal PoC buffer zone, 289 individuals were reached with health education on different health topics for the displaced community. Distribution of LLITNs through routine EPI and ANC services are ongoing.
• More than 2,000 people have been screened for acute malnutrition; and
• Ongoing gender-based violence, nutrition and health education services are provided reaching thousands.

My name is Angelina, and I’m a participant in International Medical Corps’ gender-based violence (GBV) program in Nyal, South Sudan. I also go to the Katieth women’s and girls’ safe space (WGSS). I thank International Medical Corps for providing me and other women the opportunity to interact together and access basic information about our rights as women and girls, which has contributed to reducing the risk of violence in my community. I also thank the management and entire staff of International Medical Corps in Nyal, especially the women support officers, for training us in various areas within the women and girls’ safe spaces, which has enhanced our access to skills, knowledge and important information.

Before joining the WGSS, I wasn’t aware of my rights. After joining, I received training and guidance that enabled me to cope with my personal difficulties. I was counseled along with other women, and we are no longer stressed by the challenges we face.

My fellow women in this community and I have been in the dark, not knowing our rights or how to live healthy and happy lives. However, with the establishment of the WGSS, I feel empowered because I can now socialize with other women and learn from their experiences—reducing my own stress and improving my psychological well-being.

There are numerous changes taking place in my community today, especially with women’s and girls’ well-being, through the GBV program. It used to be a common practice in my community for a girl to be forced into marriage at a young age. If she tried to resist, men and boys could beat her—and her mother, if her mother tried to protect her. But now, because of the training that International Medical Corps is conducting for community leaders, most of whom are men, this phenomenon is changing somewhat. Women are consulted over their daughters’ marriages, and their consent is obtained prior to any marriage ceremony. Men’s engagement in learning basic GBV concepts through training and discussions has caused a positive impact in this community today.

I have also benefited from materials distributed to us in small bags here in the WGSS. The bags contain soap, toothpaste with a brush, lotion, underwear, sanitary pads, a nail cutter and sandals. We appreciate and thank International Medical Corps for that.

Initially, I didn’t know how to make bedsheets, but now I can make my own bedsheets, table covers and bead necklaces, using the skills and materials I received from the WGSS. I either use the products for myself in my home, or I sell them to earn money and buy basic necessities for myself and for my children.

Also, in the WGSS, there is a small room separate from the main hall called the counseling room. In this room, women are offered counseling services whenever they face violence, including rape—either in their homes or at the hands of criminals in the bush while they are collecting firewood or doing other livelihood activities.

Many people in this community are receiving messages about International Medical Corps’ activities and services provided in this WGSS, and they come from as far as Nyingong, Kol and other neighboring villages to participate in the activities and learn some skills.

Support from GlobalGiving, its community of donors and other donors helps make GBV prevention and response programs like this possible for vulnerable South Sudanese women and girls.