Publication date: 24 June 2023
Author: World Bank
Description: South Sudan, a landlocked country in East Africa with a population of over 11 million, has experienced significant levels of fragility, conflict, and violence. At independence in 2011, South Sudan’s economy and infrastructure had been devastated by decades of instability and conflict with Sudan. Human development indicators placed the country among the poorest in Africa. The outbreak and continuation of violence since December 2013 have further eroded South Sudan’s development potential, worsened the humanitarian situation, and deepened vulnerabilities. From August 2019 to April 2020, about 6.35 million people suffered from crisis or acute food insecurity, making South Sudan one of the most foodinsecure countries globally. This has been exacerbated by floods in 2019 which affected 900,000 people and caused wide-spread displacement and destruction. The COVID-19 pandemic, adverse weather shocks, and locust infestations have further intensified an already challenging situation.
