Emergency Operation in Response to Conflict in South

This operation has been modified as per budget revision 4.

On 15 December 2013 the world’s newest state descended into civil war. Although the dispute within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) was primarily political, spiraling violence quickly led the SPLM and the national army (SPLA) to split, resulting in the formation of the SPLM/A in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Several ceasefires brokered by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been violated. In August 2015 the Government and opposition leadership signed a peace agreement containing provisions for a new ceasefire and transitionary political and security measures. However, it remains to be seen whether this will translate into improved security on the ground.

Over two million people have been displaced from their homes, 1.5 million people inside South Sudan and more than 500,000 to neighboring countries1. Humanitarian assistance contributed to reducing the number of people in the Emergency (Phase 4) in 2014, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). However, in 2015, the humanitarian community has struggled to respond at scale due to access challenges, limited resources and insecurity.

Under this EMOP, WFP will work with partners to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to 1.6 million people affected by conflict and food insecurity to safeguard their lives and stabilize and reduce malnutrition2. WFP recognizes that prolonged conflict and negative socio-cultural practices have affected girls and women, boys and men differently. The response will therefore follow equity principles and will be tailored to the needs of the most vulnerable groups.

This operation follows “Emergency Operation in Response to Conflict in South Sudan 200659,” which focused its emergency support on the conflict affected states of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity, where most of the displaced populations remained scattered in rural and remote areas. It also extended assistance to those who sought refuge in Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) bases and other IDP settlements in rural areas outside of the conflict affected states. The operation targeted over 1.4 million people from 1 January 2014 – 30 September 2015.