February 2014 - The complex humanitarian situation in South Sudan has become much worse since fighting broke out between government and anti-government forces in Juba, the capital city, in December 2013. The United Nations estimates that over 1,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands more wounded. The fighting has displaced some 740,000 people from their homes within South Sudan, and more than 123,400 South Sudanese have sought protection in neighbouring countries (Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda). Agricultural production has been disrupted, and essential basic services, such as water points, schools, and medical facilities have been shut down or destroyed in the fighting . Immediate humanitarian assistance needs include food, health care, shelter, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene. With the support of DFATD and other donors, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing emergency assistance to about 589,960 conflict-affected people throughout South Sudan. The project aims to meet urgent needs by: providing people with access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities that ensure the proper treatment and disposal of sewage wastewater; providing one-time food rations that last for one month; providing emergency shelter and basic relief items, such as clothing and personal hygiene products; providing medical supplies, including vaccines, equipment and training to one hospital and two health facilities; and providing protection to survivors of sexual violence.
