IOM is responding to immediate humanitarian needs in South Sudan following a week of major unrest and violence.

On 15 December fighting broke out between factions in the South Sudanese capital Juba, and since then the conflict has spread to other parts of the country, displacing tens of thousands of civilians.  To date, 62,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been identified, and it is anticipated that thousands more have been displaced in areas currently inaccessible to humanitarian actors.

IOM and UN/NGO partners conducted a joint assessment in Juba on 19 December to determine the needs of civilians displaced by the conflict.  The assessment covered civilians taking refuge at the two large UN compounds: the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound at Tomping and UN House (Juba 3).  

Immediate needs identified during the assessment included emergency shelter materials, hygiene supplies and basic household items.  The assessment highlighted the need to register the displaced population in order to conduct distributions in a safe, efficient and organized manner.

On 21 December IOM began mobilizing shelter supplies and an initial 10,000 non-food item (NFI) kits, which included kitchen sets, mosquito nets, blankets, clothing, sleeping mats, jerry cans and soap, from the Organization’s warehouse in Juba.

IOM and humanitarian partners began conducting simultaneous registration and food/NFI distribution for families taking shelter at the UNMISS compound in Tomping on 23 December. A similar coordinated response is being planned for Juba 3. 

Distributions will continue as long as the security situation remains stable.

IOM is also working with local NGO partners to mobilize assistance through the Rapid Response Fund (RRF), which can support the delivery of water, hygiene and sanitation assistance, emergency medical services and other vital aid.

“The recent crisis in South Sudan has created massive humanitarian needs in a country already struggling to recover from decades of conflict,” said IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission David Derthick.  “IOM is mobilizing every resource available to help deliver assistance to vulnerable civilians throughout the country.”

For more information, please contact:

Matthew Graydon
IOM South Sudan
Email: mgraydon@iom.int
Tel: +1 530 774 5668