Extreme weather patterns, locust swarms and epidemics have increased the humanitarian need in the country.
Life in South Sudan is tough. Due to the effects of prolonged conflict, Covid-19 and weak essential services, the country remains in crisis – with 2.5 million people just one step away from famine.
In particular, Covid-19 has caused disruption to supply chains and led to restrictions on movement and markets. This has affected the delivery of humanitarian aid and increased the cost of food.
In July 2011, South Sudan achieved independence from the Republic of Sudan to become the world’s newest country. It has vast oil reserves, and makes up one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa despite struggling with war and extreme poverty for more than two decades.
Although the world celebrated its independence with great hope, South Sudan remains underdeveloped. It has very little basic infrastructure for education, health systems, safe water, functioning markets, or paved roads. About 80 percent of the population live in rural areas and many rely on livestock and subsistence farming to survive.