South Sudan appeal underfunded by 55 percent

South Sudan seemed to have little reason to celebrate the third year of its sovereignty on July 9, as crisis continues to consume the country. Seven months after the power struggle between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader and former Vice President Riek Machar broke out, South Sudan remains mired in internal conflict. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the civil war that escalated from the squabble has displaced up to 1.5 million South Sudanese within the country and has driven more than 800,000 people to seek refuge in the surrounding region. Around 4 million people, meanwhile, are likely to face famine as early as next month. A pledging conference in Oslo, Norway, and a revised humanitarian appeal — now with a $1.8 billion funding requirement — have drawn much-needed attention to the country’s plight. Some donors, according to OCHA, also responded “quickly and generously” to the crisis, channeling more than $100 million during the first month of the conflict. Based on the latest data from OCHA’s Financial Tracking Service, the United States ($315.8 million), the United Kingdom ($115.7 million), the European Commission ($75.2 million), the U.N.’s Central Emergency Response Fund ($33.7 million), Canada ($31.1 million), Denmark ($25 million), Japan ($24.4 million), Sweden ($21.7 million), Norway ($18.5 million) and individuals and organizations ($16.4 million) are 10 of the largest donors to the South Sudan crisis response plan. While these contributions have done much to fill the funding requirement, there remains a severe lack of resources for critical clusters. That food security and nutrition — both funded by a little more than 30 percent — rank low among the clusters is worrying, especially amid the possibility of famine. Armed conflict, low productivity in agriculture and animal disease outbreaks have all contributed to the worsening food security situation in South Sudan. Even before the crisis, children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women already suffered from undernutrition. According to OCHA, Jonglei, Unity and the Upper Nile states — the most food-insecure areas — also have the worst nutrition situation in the country. Meanwhile, education, usually an overlooked component of humanitarian appeals, has one of the lowest shares of funding, at 29 percent. The cluster, which aims to address the needs of 275,200 people, or 28 percent of those in need of education services, is meant to engage South Sudanese children — especially those in displacement sites — and turn their attention away from alcohol, looting and other unproductive activities. The protection cluster, which has the smallest share of contributions, suffers from a shortfall of $60 million. OCHA noted that, in recent months, there has been an increase of people seeking physical protection in U.N. bases, especially in Bentiu, Unity state. The majority of the displaced population also lives in areas without any form of protection or law enforcement, leaving them vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse. The unmet funding requirements of all clusters leave donors with a $992 million deficit to fill. But according to OCHA, even if the appeal is fully funded and aid agencies gain access to those who are in greatest need of assistance, insecurity surrounding the future of South Sudan will remain — a bleak outlook to have for the world’s youngest country. Check out more practical business and development advice online, and subscribe to Money Matters to receive the latest contract award and shortlist announcements, and procurement and fundraising news.