Situation Overview: Unity State, South Sudan. Introduction. Unity

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1 Situation Overview: Unity State, South Sudan March 2016 Introduction Widespread displacement caused by conflict and reductions in to basic needs has left approximately 569,099 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Unity State. At least 80% of IDPs in Unity State are believed to be residing in host communities, while the remainder has sought refuge in Bentiu Protection of Civilians (PoC) site. 1 Due to insecurity and poor infrastructure resulting in limited, most IDPs in host communities have been left with insufficient or to basic services. The 2015/16 dry season (November 2015 to April 2016) in Unity State was comparatively calm, leaving a relatively stable, if tense security situation. 2 In response, many IDPs began to either return to their pre-displacement or pre-crisis homes, or migrate to more populated areas of Unity State where they can receive humanitarian services, reengage with livelihoods, and attempt to resume a normal life. Further, with the decline in fighting, NGOs have been able to venture into previously inible areas to initiate programs that target vulnerable communities, including those where IDPs are known to be concentrated. 3 To inform the response of humanitarian actors working outside formal settlement sites REACH is conducting an assessment on hard to reach areas in South Sudan, for which monthly data collection on communities across the Greater Upper Nile will be conducted throughout the course of a year. As part of this assessment, between March 1 and 26, REACH assessed 70 communities in seven of the nine counties in Unity State. Data was conducted through 481 key informants (KIs) living in Bentiu and Bor PoCs. Most (84%) of KIs received regular information from friends or family living in their community of origin, while a further 76 were new arrivals at the PoC and reported on the situation when they left. All findings have been triangulated using focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted at selected sites outside of the PoC; data collected in previous months by REACH; and secondary data from a variety of humanitarian sources. 4 This situation overview provides information on the displacement dynamics and humanitarian conditions in assessed communities across Unity State. The first section examines overall displacement trends within Unity State over the dry season (until March 2016), and the push and pull factors that shaped patterns of displacement. The second section examines the current situation of IDPs and non-displaced communities currently living in each assessed area. In particular, is focuses on to food and livelihoods and the functionality of basic services, including water, sanitation, health, and education. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC assessment coverage Northern Bahr el Ghazal Western Bahr el Ghazal DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Northern Bahr el Ghazal SUDAN Warrap Western Equatoria Unity Lakes Central Equatoria Warrap Jonglei Map 1: Unity State location and assessment coverage Upper Nile UGANDA Eastern Equatoria ETHIOPIA SUDAN Unity Lakes 1. IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix, 2. Small arms Survey, Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) for Sudan and South Sudan Unity State, July For example the Beyond Bentiu Initiative 4. REACH Situation Overview of Unity State, February 2016 and December Further information on overall displacement trends in Unity State is available in REACH Situation Overview of Unity State, February 2016 and December KENYA Jonglei

2 METHODOLOGY To provide an overview of the situation in largely inible areas, the study uses primary data provided by key informants, who receive regular information from some place outside of their current displacement site, usually their pre-displacement location or, Area of Origin. Information for this study was collected from key informants in Bor and Bentiu Protection of Civilians (PoC) site, Unity State, during March A two-stage methodology was employed, beginning with the identification of key informants and participatory mapping, followed by in-depth interviews with selected participants to understand the current situation in places outside of Bentiu PoC that they received regular information from. Each participant was matched with a geographic area about which s/he could provide information. During the second stage, key informant interviews were conducted with selected participants. A standardised survey was used to collect information about the situation and needs of the remaining host community and any displaced persons residing there. After data collection finished, All data was examined at the community level, and communities were assigned the modal response, from which descriptive statistics and geospatial analysis were used to analyze the data. Key findings The dynamic nature of the conflict in Unity State has resulted in a major shift in displacement patterns and humanitarian conditions over the 2015/2016 dry season. While many IDPs continue to migrate to Bentiu PoC in search of security, food, and other humanitarian services, a period of relative stability during the dry season also allowed many IDPs to leave the PoC. Some returned to their homelands, while others travelled to other places in Unity State where food, services and assistance were understood to be available. However, the lack of to basic needs within many of these communities means that even IDPs living far from the PoC continue to rely on it for nearly all major services, most critically food and healthcare. This is particularly the case for IDPs in,, and counties. It is important to note that despite increasing levels of movement outside of the PoC, many Figure 1: Reported push factors for leaving predisplacement location Bold text denotes that a majority of respondents reported the reason Push Factors 1. Security 2. Health 3. Food 4. Education 5. Aid Figure 2: Reported pull factors for choosing current displacement site during the dry season The darker the colour, the more commonly reported First Reason Second Reason Third Reason Security 73% 4% 4% Food Access 7% 28% 46% Health 8% 48% 19% Aid 12% 3% 20% Join Family 0% 0% 5% Education 0% 6% 4% Water 0% 12% 2% Other 0% 0% 0% IDPs remain concerned about the overall security situation, and acknowledge that they are taking risks by settling outside of the PoC. Population Movement and Displacement Push Factors for leaving pre-crisis locations Insecurity was the main reported reason for displacement during the dry season, followed by a lack of healthcare and food. 5 After insecurity, a lack of food was the second most commonly reported reason for displacement at the beginning of the dry season. However, over the last three months, a lack of healthcare appears to have become a more important driver of displacement, replacing food as the second most commonly cited reason for displacement in both February and March It is important to note that all of these factors reported as drivers for driving recent displacement were major concerns prior to the crisis, when Unity State accounted for nearly a fifth of armed incidents recorded across the country; four of its nine states were classified as stressed by the IPC, and health infrastructure was lacking. In many cases, the outbreak of conflict has only added stress to an already precarious food, health, and security situation, finally forcing people to leave their homes in search of assistance. 7 Pull factors The pull factors to displacement sites largely mirror push factors for displacement. Most KIs reported security in Bentiu PoC as the main reason for choosing to come there, closely followed by healthcare and then food. 8 An exception to this were KIs coming from, who reported food as the most important pull factor. Many of these respondents came more recently, in the last three months, after the security situation had 2 5. REACH Situation Overview of Unity State, February 2016 and December FEWSNET South Sudan: Food Consumption Gaps Widen as Lean Season Progresses, March WFP, Annual Needs and Livlihoods Analysis, These are the only the reported factors for why Key Informants cmae to the PoC, rather than other possible displacement locations 9. Small arms Survey Human Security Baseline Assessment Unity State March 2016

3 stabilized and the PoC s relative importance as a source of food increased. While tensions are still present in much of Unity State, IDPs are increasingly willing to risk insecurity to travel to the PoC to receive food assistance. In addition, most other new arrivals come from the counties of and, where, despite an end to active fighting, the security situation remains unstable. 9 Clear differences can be observed when comparing the reported pull factors of those who fled directly to a PoC, and those who experienced secondary or multiple displacements, who fled first into the bush before travelling to a PoC. Less than half of IDPs initially displaced into the bush reported that they were drawn to each location because of security and many cited the need for aid as equal or more important. Key displacement trends in the dry season Maps 2 and 3 show the main displacement trends reported by new arrivals to Bentiu PoC over the 2015/16 dry season. The vast majority of KIs reported having to leave their homes during the 2015 wet season, creating an influx that nearly tripled the population of the PoC. 10 A combination of high tensions and periodic raids in,, and counties, as well as food insecurity in county, account for the majority of dry season displacement to the PoC. As the dry season finished, the number of new arrivals from and decreased, while continued insecurity in and caused a steady increase in the number of new arrivals from these areas. Most KIs who arrived during the 2015/16 dry SUDAN WARRAP Bentiu PoC JONGLEI Map 2: Dry season displacement trends to Bentiu PoC, Unity State Table 1: KI Reported Displacement by Season/County Displacement time aggregated as: Dry Season: Jan - Apr and Wet season: May - Oct, End of the year (Dry Season): Nov-Dec. Highest proportions for each county have been highlighted. County End Dry Wet End Dry Wet End Dry 0% 38% 16% 4% 24% 11% 7% 0% 0% 8% 2% 5% 10% 5% 36% 34% 5% 12% 2% 17% 19% 3% 12% 29% 0% 26% 4% 17% 9% 4% 30% 9% 0% 27% 12% 3% 20% 22% 8% 8% 0% 12% 0% 4% 56% 0% 16% 12% 0% 61% 15% 0% 4% 9% 4% 7% Legend primary displacement routes secondary displacement routes tertiary displacement routes 0 50km Note: Data, designations and boundaries contained on this map are not warranted to be error-free and do not imply acceptance by the REACH partners, associated, donors LAKES 9. Small arms Survey Human Security Baseline Assessment Unity State March IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix, 3

4 Map 3: Primary displacement to other locations in Unity State durring the dry season WARRAP Legend SUDAN Major displacement routes Minor displacement routes 0 50km Note: Data, designations and boundaries contained on this map are not warranted to be error-free and do not imply acceptance by the REACH partners, associated, donors Bentiu PoC LAKES JONGLEI season did not come directly to the PoC. Instead, over three-quarters reported having been displaced multiple times since the conflict broke out in December 2013, many for up to two years before arriving in Bentiu PoC. The vast majority were displaced into rural areas, heading either to their ancestral homelands or other places where family or friends lived 11 They stayed in these locations until a lack of food, aid, and/or livelihood opportunities forced them to leave. As their network of family support became frayed, they eventually went to places where they did not know anyone, seeking support from the community there. As shown in Map 2, most IDPs were displaced one county at a time. Those coming from tended to flee to or, and were then displaced with other IDPs from to or. Of those IDPs travelling directly to the PoC, most of those arriving in the 2015/16 dry season came from county. Prior to this, most displacement had been to other communities within county and rarely to the PoC. 13 As the security situation has improved, an increasing number of IDPs have begun to settle in host communities outside of formal displacement sites. Map 3 shows displacement trends to some of these areas during the dry season. Referred to as catchment sites, these locations include Bentiu Town and the area surrounding Nhialdu Town in County, and Town and Nyal in County. These catchment areas are easily ible by many communities, and provide an important hub from which humanitarian organizations can provide services to large numbers of people. Most of the IDPs living in such catchment areas have been displaced multiple times, and many have no family ties to any of the host community there. Instead they choose these communities for their relative safety and the presence of humanitarian aid. Situation in Assessed Communities Demographic profile Remaining population in assessed communities By March 2016, 67 of the 68 assessed communities reported that non-displaced members of the host community continued to live there, a small increase on the proportion of assessed communities reporting the presence of host community members in February Despite the presence of members of the host community, in most cases, less than half of pre-crisis population reportedly remains. As of March 2016, assessed communities in,, and reported that less than 70% of the host community remains, with similar proportions reported to remain in other assessed areas. When members of the host community remains, almost three quarters of communities reported REACH, Greater Nyal East Situation Overview, December Cathy Huser, Displacement as an autoprotection strategy 13. REACH, Situation Overview of Unity State, January Not all KIs had complete knowledge of all condiitons in the community they were in contact with. If a KI did not have any updated knowledge about a particular sector, they were not asked about it. As a result, not all communities are included in the analysis.

5 that some, if not all, of the host community were living in their own homes. However, in over 40% of assessed communities people were also reportedly living in the bush without shelter, especially in,, and, suggesting unresolved tensions in many parts of the state and differing situations between communities as a result. 15 Two-thirds of communities reportedly consist of all or mostly women, the vast majority (70%) of adults. This gender imbalance may be due to the perception that women are less at risk of being seriously harmed than men when collecting food or supplies from the bush. 16 IDP population in assessed communities 10 of the 70 assessed communities reported hosting IDPs, with reported caseloads ranging from 25 to The largest concentrations of IDPs were reported in locations close to Town, Western,, and. was reported to have fewer IDPs than last month. Further, secondary sources indicate that 24,000 IDPs are now living in Bentiu Town, and recent interventions by NGOs in catchment areas in Southern and served an estimated 40,000 IDPs. IDPs commonly live alongside with members of the host community. Around half of IDPs were reportedly staying with non-related host community members, and a similar proportion reportedly staying with relatives. In contrast to host communities, IDP populations were generally reported to have more even proportions of people of different Map 5: Reported non-displaced host community and IDP population (left) and reported returned host community (right), March 2016 sexes and ages, suggesting that whole families were commonly displaced together. In over two thirds of communities, KI s reported that the primary reason IDPs had come was food. Food was the next most common reason for displacement, reported by just over half of communities with IDPs. Since many IDPs missed the 2015 cultivating season due to displacement, they have been struggling to find a means of survival until the wet season, when they could start cultivating crops again. Returnees to assessed communities Number of returnees per community assessed areas Over a quarter of assessed communities (19 out of 70) reported that some displaced members of their community had returned. The largest numbers of returned host community members were reported in,, and, where the security situation has recently improved. Smaller numbers of returned host community were reported in,,, and in some parts of. FGD participants indicated that this may not be due so much to an improved security situation, but rather the desire of IDPs to cultivate crops during the wet season. Unlike previous months, over half of returned host community members reportedly intend to settle permanently, as long as the stable security situation persists. Further, many FGD participants noted that people are still returning to the PoC for food distributions and other types of assistance. Shelter Similar to February 2016, at least a quarter of communities reported that more than half of the host community is sleeping outside, and almost half of communities reported that more than half of all IDPs are sleeping outside. This is particularly the case in Bentiu Town, County, and other urban areas of,, and, where many IDPs have congregated. Similar to findings from February, each shelter is reportedly shared by an average of more than seven households. While host communities and IDPs commonly live alongside each other, only 8 communities reported that at least half of the host community are sharing shelters with IDPs, and in 10 of 34 communities with returned host community members. This finding indicates that most IDPs appear to be less dependent upon the host community for shelter than in February, when nearly all communities with IDPs and host community reported that they were sharing shelters. Increased shelter construction observed by the REACH team at selected locations revealed this to be due to IDPs and host community 15. REACH, Unity State Situation Overview, February REACH, Unity State Situation Overview, December Beyond Bentiu Response Strategy, March IOM Registration Figures, March

6 rebuilding their homes. A quarter of communities reported that shelter materials were available, a marked improvement on February. Tent usage has also increased significantly among IDPs, with over half of communities reporting that most IDPs are now sleeping in tents, as opposed to less than a quarter in February. Access to Food Food insecurity continues to be a chronic problem in Unity State; 40 of 57 responding communities reported that they did not Map 6: Reported proportion of host community living outside 0-50 % % > 75 % have enough food this month, mostly concentrated in,, and. This is a similar proportion to the previous month, when 20 out of 27 communities reported lacking enough food. The most recent FEWS report marks all counties except for,, and as in the emergency, acute food insecurity phase, noting that without the major food interventions that occurred during the dry season, the situation in these counties would be just as bad or worse. 19,20 In addition, prices continue to fluctuate wildly, with rapid currency devaluation in early 2016 causing the prices of commodities to jump between 3 and 5 times their value before the crisis, disrupting markets and preventing the purchase of food and other goods. 21 Due to the lack of food, 35 of the 49 responding communities reported their primary food source to be NGO food distributions, mostly in,, and, and the Bentiu Town area. In contrast, most communities in,, and which have the lowest reported levels of food did not report receiving any food assistance in the last six months. also reported low levels of food. Humanitarian partners report that most communities in are getting food from the PoC. Overall, less than two-thirds (60%) of assessed communities reported receiving a food distribution in the past month; of those, only 40% reported that at least half of the Map 7: Reported to adequate amounts of food (left) and proportion of communities reported to have received food distributions (right). community received food. FGDs reveal that in these cases, communities pool their resources, and continue to heavily supplement their rations with wild food foraged from the bush, which many IDPs do not consider to be a food source. Recent interventions have been made by NGOs in southern and, but many other parts of Unity State remain without aid. Despite these gaps in coverage, this represents a slight improvement upon previous months, when nearly all of Unity State was classified as in the emergency phase and 0-50 % % > 75 % less than half of all communities reported ever receiving a food distribution. 21 The vast majority of communities reported adopting a variety of coping strategies in order to make food last, with most reporting that people in their community employ at least one coping strategy every day of the week. The most common coping strategies were eating less-preferred foods, borrowing money or food, and gathering wild foods, such as water lilies or lalob, a small fruit often foraged for in times of hardship. Consuming seed stocks, a drastic measure where people give up FEWSNET, South Sudan: Food consumption gaps widen as lean season progresses, March WFP, Special Working Paper on Devaluation of South Sudan Pound: Short-term Food Security Implications

7 Map 8: Reported to land (left) and agricultural inputs (right) future food stocks for a small amount of immediate sustenance, were reportedly used by most communities at least twice a week. Livelihoods Despite observed improvements in some sectors since February, to livelihoods opportunities continues to be very challenging across assessed areas of Unity State. Prior to the crisis, most people in Unity State made their living though agriculture or animal husbandry. 22 Previous reports indicate that many people also worked in the service sector, owning assets like trucks and boda bodas (motorcycles), or were engaged in business. In addition, over three quarters of assessed communities reported owning cattle. More than two years on from the start of the crisis, 17 of 27 responding communities reported that their cattle has been stolen, though 10 reported that at least some remained, and were being looked after by friends or family. I March 2016, 24 of 44 responding communities reported that land was available, compared to only 5 out of 21 assessed communities in February. However, it is unclear how much to land will have a direct impact on productivity, since agricultural inputs, such as seeds and tools, which are critical for planting in the coming wet season, were only reported to be available in 3 of 49 communities. All other assets were reported by all communities to have been stolen. Previous studies note that at the onset of the crisis, most people fled directly into the bush, leaving food and other possessions behind, which were later stolen from their homes. 25 FGDs conducted with new arrivals during the 2015 wet season reveal that very few IDPs believed that their possessions could be recovered. Water and Sanitation Less than a third of assessed communities (17 out of 64) reported to safe drinking water. Of those who do, the majority were concentrated in town and and counties. Boreholes were the most commonly reported water source, used by 60% of communities reporting, the majority Most (83%) are located within 30 minutes walk. However, at least 3 communities reported having to travel over an hour in order to a safe water source. A lack of to safe water in Unity State remains a serious concern and much of the state remains without. This is especially problematic in areas such as,, and, which have large concentrations of IDPs and returned host community members. Lack of to safe water appears to be mainly due to a lack of infrastructure rather than insecurity, with only 5% of communities reporting that they could not safe drinking water due to insecurity. Access to sanitation facilities remains low across assessed communities, with only 5 of 64 communities assessed in March reporting to latrines. Permanent water and sanitation interventions, such as boreholes, can be time, capital and labor intensive. While recent NGO interventions have tried to alleviate the gap in water conditions through the distribution of Map 9: Reported to safe drinking water 21. IPC, South Sudan Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Report, December WFP: South Sudan Annual Needs and Livelihoods Analysis 2012/13, March 23. REACH, Situation Overview of Unity State, February FEWSNET, South Sudan Livelihood Zones and Descriptions, August REACH, South Sudan Displacement Trends, April

8 Map 10: Reported to healthcare (left) and education (right) chlorine tablets in selected sites around the state, 25 boxes of discarded chlorine tablets observed by the REACH team at multiple distribution sites suggest that immediate water, hygiene, and sanitation training is required in order for current NGO activities to have a positive effect. Health The importance of health as a pull and push factor for displacement has risen over the course of the 2015/2016 dry season. Only five communities reported having to healthcare in March 2016, the same as in February Bentiu Town and parts of and counties reported having to healthcare, although in almost onethird of communities, people are over an hour s walk from their closest health care facility. The destruction of health infrastructure in Unity State is a direct consequence of the conflict; the vast majority of communities report that the destruction of health facilities and lack of medicine is due to insecurity in the region. Malaria, malnutrition, and diarrhea were the three most common illnesses reported in 65 of the 69 responding communities. These were the same illnesses reported in February, though malaria and malnutrition have risen in reported frequency in the last month, possibly following early rains in March, which bring a higher presence of mosquitos. 27 According to other accounts, these concerns, along with acute respiratory tract infections and war related injuries, are the most common causes of death since the crisis began. 28 Recent NGO initiatives in areas outside of the PoC have highlighted the usage of mobile clinics, immunization programs, and health education in under-served areas. 8 of 12 responding communities reported that they had received nutritional supplements form NGOs. However, lingering signs of instability in many parts of Unity State have prevented more permanent solutions. Although several health NGOs exist in southern Unity State, many IDPs are prevented from ing them due to insecurity and their proximity to areas of active conflict. 29 Education In March 2016, education was reportedly unavailable in 58 out of 67 reporting communities. 87% of communities reported having no education available at all, while 13% reported having a primary school, and only one community reported a secondary school. KIs responded that in the vast majority of communities, schools are provided by the government, and to a lesser extent supported by international NGOs or volunteer teachers. However, this information is contradicted by data from the Education Cluster, which shows that many schools in Unity State are currently supported by communities themselves, very few are supported by NGOs, and fewer still by the government. Many schools lack supplies, adequate shelter, or even payment for teachers. 30 In three quarters of assessed communities, key informants reported the school was destroyed in the conflict or that all of the teachers had fled. In addition, armed groups continue to use schools as both targets and barracks, with 113 schools in Unity State reportedly occupied by various armed groups in January Schools that remain open continue to be a target for the recruitment of child soldiers, influencing many parents decision to withdraw their children from school for fear of abductions. 32 Protection 10 of 67 responding communities reported having to police services. Half of assessed communities reported that women are most concerned about harassment from members of their own communities, while 20% reported that women feared being attacked by members of other communities. Men s concerns were the opposite: 45% of communities reported the primary protection Beyond Bentiu Response Strategy, March REACH Unity State Situation Overview, February VOA, Early Heavy Rains Pummel South Sudanese, March MSF, South Sudan: Tapped by violence n Unity State, October 2015; WHO, South sudan Health Situation Report, July MSF, South Sudan: People take shelter form Violence in MSF s Compound, March Education Cluster: Initial Rapid Needs Assessment, County, March 2016

9 concern of men to be attacks by other communities, while 25% reported harassment from within the community to be the primary protection concern for men. These findings indicate change since February, when KIs in the majority of communities reported that both men and women were most concerned about attacks from outside the community. The apparent decrease in concerns about attack hints at a stabilization of the security situation in Unity State. However, the increase in concerns related to harassment for both men and women also points to unaddressed tensions and antisocial behaviour within communities, which humanitarian are now better positioned to provide. These findings indicate a need for increased protection monitoring and direct provision of protection services. Strained resources such as food and water are major Table 2: Main protection threats faced by men (left) and women (right) triggers for intra-communal violence. 33 Mines and Unexploded Ordinance Despite having joined the International Mine Ban Treaty in 2011, mines and unexploded ordinance (UXOs) continue to be used in the South Sudanese conflict of 49 communities reported that there were mines located somewhere within their community, and 17 communities reported that roads were mined. The consequences of mines and UXOs have been severe: 26 communities reported that people had been killed by mines or UXOs, while 35 communities reported that someone had been injured by a UXO. Efforts to combat mines and UXOs appear insufficient: only 32 communities reported that clearance activities had been carried out; and only 21 reported receiving any mine risk February March Men Women Men Women Attack, from member of different community 53% 63% 45% 21% Attack, from member of same community 8% 14% 3% 13% Harrassment, different community 13% 5% 15% 15% Harrassment, same community 26% 18% 9% 51% Collecting water 1% 0% 0% 0% Collecting firewood 0% 0% 0% 0% Domestic violence 0% 0% 20% 0% education. With the growing movement of IDPs and returnees across Unity State, people are likely to be at increased risk of injury from UXOs if current levels of activity are not scaled up. Conclusion Displacement patterns during the dry season highlight several key trends. In particular, most new arrivals to the PoC initially fled to the bush during 2014 and 2015, and are only now arriving in the PoC after running out of food and other necessary services. Similarly, IDPs displaced directly to the PoC appear to be less motivated to move as a result of insecurity, but more motivated by hunger and a lack of services than at the start of the 2015 dry season. At the same time, there has been a rise in the number of IDPs settling outside of the PoC in catchment areas, and returning to their host communities. Many IDPs leaving the PoC intend to return only to assistance and services, although this may change considerably if the security situation deteriorates. The increase in the proportion of IDPs and returned host community members settling in so-called catchment sites is a positive reflection of the improved security situation in these areas. However the rapid population increase as a result of this movement may stress already limited resources in these communities, and is likely to further increase the demand for services and assistance. Map 11: Communities reporting the presence of UXOs or landmines No UXOs in area UXOs in area Fewer than 10% of communities reported having to healthcare, markets, or latrines, and most IDPs and host community members in areas close to the PoC admit that for serious health concerns, they return to Bentiu for treatment. To mitigate the negative effects of limited service availability, there is need for mobile clinics across the county that provide healthcare and outreach work related 30. Education Cluster: Initial Rapid Needs Assessment, County, March OCHA, Humanitarian Needs Overview 32. Human Rights Watch, We can die too: Recruitment and use of child soldiers in South Sudan, November Nonviolent Peace Force, Bentiu Protection of Civilians Site Consultative Security Conference, april Mineaction, About UNMAS in South Sudan, February

10 to sanitation and hygiene practices that could reduce the instance of disease. Additionally, programs aimed at increasing to education, latrines, and markets are essential for people to meet their basic needs and to improve the capacity of communities to absorb IDPs and returning host community members. Limited to food continues to be a major issue across Unity State. 40 out of 57 communities reported inadequate to food and 35 out of 49 responding communities reported NGO food assistance as their primary food source. Despite this reported coverage of food distributions remains limited and any reduction in food aid would clearly have a negative impact on the overall food security situation. Nevertheless, the majority of communities have to land, and many reported having returned in order to plant before the wet season. However, a lack of to seeds and tools is likely to limit productivity, with less than 10% of communities reporting to either of these inputs. At the same time, limited livelihood opportunities mean that host communities, returned populations and IDPs are likely to remain reliant upon humanitarian assistance provided at the PoC for the near future, and therefore unable to permanently return to their communities. Therefore, distribution of seeds, tools, and other agricultural inputs should be made a priority, since these would improve people s capacity to utilise the available land for subsistence and commercial farming. When compared to the previous month, some positive improvements can be observed in terms of returns, and overall to services. However, to food, livelihood opportunities, healthcare, and education remains low across the vast majority of communities and the security situation in parts of Unity State continues to be precarious, limiting the ability of humanitarian agencies to provide regular assistance to all communities. The upcoming rainy season is likely to exacerbate existing logistical challenges, as roads become impassable and some communities become completely cut off. Since any reduction to available assistance in communities outside of the PoC is likely to severely reduce to basic needs and trigger displacement, humanitarian actors should attempt to pre-position adequate supplies in the time available. About REACH Initiative REACH facilitates the development of information tools and products that enhance the capacity of aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in emergency, recovery and development contexts. All REACH activities are conducted through inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, you can write to our in-country office: southsudan@ reach-initiative.org or to our global office: geneva@reach-initiative.org. Visit and follow 10