Situation Overview: , January-March 2018

Introduction Map 1: REACH assessment coverage Map 3: REACH assessment coverage Bor Town, c) two FGDs for in Bor PoC. of Jonglei State, January 2018 of Jonglei State, March 2018 All this information is included in the data used Ongoing conflict in Jonglei continued for this Situation Overview. to negatively affect humanitarian needs among the population in the first quarter of This Situation Overview provides an update 2018. Clashes between armed groups and to key findings from the November 2017 1 pervasive insecurity, particularly in northern Situation Overview. The first section analyses Jonglei caused displacement among affected displacement and population movement in communities, negatively impacting the ability Jonglei during the first quarter of 2018, and the to meet their primary needs. second section evaluates access to food and basic services for both IDP and non-displaced REACH has been assessing the situation in Map 2: REACH assessment coverage communities. hard-to-reach areas in South Sudan since of Jonglei State, February 2018 December 2015, to inform the response Population Movement and of humanitarian actors working outside of Displacement formal settlement sites. This settlement data Levels of depopulation remained high but is collected across South Sudan on a monthly stable overall in most parts of Jonglei in the first basis. Between 2 January and 23 March, Assessed settlements quarter of 2018. The proportion of assessed REACH interviewed 1527 Key Informants Settement settlements in Jonglei reporting that half or (KIs) with knowledge of humanitarian needs Cover percentae o aeed ettement reative to the OCHA COD tota dataet more of the population had left remained in 710 settlements in 7 of the 11 counties in similar between December 2017 (45%) and Jonglei State. January 2018 (37%), with no considerable In the first quarter of 2018, displacement Bor South County in Yolakot, Awerial County, In order to ensure an understanding of change in February or March. current displacement trends and humanitarian data from KI interviews were triangulated Lakes State and d) one FGD with new arrivals However, an intensification of conflict conditions in settlements from which with seventeen Focus Group Discussions from Juba in Bor Town. (FGDs), which involved participatory mapping between armed groups drove an increase displacement took place, new arrivals in data Informing further analysis on food security exercises to understand the routes that in displacement within Greater Akobo in the collection sites, representing 43% of KIs, were trends across the state, REACH also internally displaced persons (IDPs) took. first quarter of 2018. Indicative of this, 60% specifically targeted. The remainder of the KIs conducted ten Food Security and Livelihood These included: a) seven FGDs with new of assessed settlements in Greater Akobo interviewed (57%) reported having been in (FSL) FGDs with new arrivals and people arrivals from Greater Akobo (Uror, Nyirol and reported that more than half the population the settlement or having had regular contact who had recent contact with those in relevant Akobo Counties) in Akobo Town, b) five FGDs had left in January, compared to an average with someone from the settlement within the settlements including: a) four FGDs for Greater with new arrivals and people who had recent of 37% across all assessed settlements last month. For more information, please Akobo in Akobo Town, b) two FGDs for Duk contact with those in Greater Akobo and Ayod in Jonglei. Moreover, in January 55% of see the methodology section in this Situation County and two FGDs for in in Bor PoC, c) four FGD with new arrivals from assessed settlements with IDPs in Akobo Overview. : 1 REACH South Sudan, Situation Overview, November 2017

. METHODOLOGY Map 4: Displacement Overview Jonglei State humanitarian partners in Akobo Town on the To provide an overview of the situation in 7 February registering 9,045 newly arrived 2 largely inaccessible areas of Jonglei State, UPPER Displacement to Jonglei individuals . Reflective of this displacement, Phom NILE REACH uses primary data provided by key Displacement within Jonglei the proportion of assessed settlements Canal informants who have recently arrived, or County reporting presence of IDPs in Greater Pagil Displacement out of South received regular information, from their pre- Nyirol increased from 60% in December to 72% in County Lankien Sudan displacement location or “Area of Knowledge”. January, remaining stable in February before Ayod Wanding County decreasing to 59% in March. This is consistent Information for this report was collected Ayod Yuai ETHIOPIA from key informants in the Mingkaman with reports from new arrivals interviewed Duk Duk Padiet Akobo Akobo during FGDs in Akobo in January who reported Spontaneous Settlement, Bor and Juba PoC County County Pochalla fleeing conflict in areas around Pieri, Motot, Twic East sites, Bor Town, Akobo Town, as well as in County County Nyal, throughout the first quarter of 2018. Yuai, Waat and Walgak, reaching Akobo in mid LAKES Bor South January. While the outbreak of conflict among The first phase of the assessment methodology County armed groups was consistently cited as a Pibor comprised a participatory mapping exercise to Pibor primary factor behind their displacement, FGD JONGLEI map the relevant settlements in Jonglei State. participants also reported inadequate access In-depth interviews were then conducted with to food due to lack of rainfall for cultivation, in selected participants, using a standardised WESTERN addition to suspension of food distributions due EQUATORIA survey tool comprising questions on EASTERN to insecurity as reasons for their displacement. displacement trends, population needs and EQUATORIA Juba As those displaced from conflict affected access to basic services. areas in Uror moved to Akobo, traveling north of Waat before turning south-east to Walgak After data collection was completed, all groups, particularly in areas along the Yuai- within Jonglei in the first quarter of 2018. In and onward to Akobo, some populations in the data was examined at the settlement level, Waat corridor, and other locations in Greater addition to high levels of displacement in and settlements were assigned the modal areas through which they passed also decided Akobo in January, continuing into early Greater Akobo, in March 40% of assessed response. When no consensus could be to leave, fearing the spread of conflict to their February2. Indicative of moderately improved settlements with IDPs in Fangak reported found for a settlement, it was not included in settlements3. In addition to those displaced security conditions, despite sporadic clashes, IDPs arriving in the first two months of 2018, reporting. Descriptive statistics and geospatial from Greater Akobo who proceeded through displacement into Akobo town decreased in predominantly from locations within Fangak, analysis were then used to analyse the Akobo West to Akobo Town, a smaller number March, with only 13% of assessed settlements but also from locations in Panyikang and Guit data. It should be noted that due to access/ proceeded to Ulang County, State, in Akobo County in March reporting IDPs to Counties, indicative of persistent humanitarian operational constraints which may impact on and to Lankien in . For more have arrived that month, with 33% and 30% of needs in these areas. coverage in each month, some changes over information, please see the Greater Akobo assessed settlements reporting IDPs to have time reported in the situation overview might Displacement from Greater Akobo to Displacement Brief3. arrived in January and February respectively. be due to variations in coverage. Akobo Town Displacement from Greater Akobo to Bor Displacement within Jonglei Following clashes between armed groups in PoC Greater Akobo between 9 and 26 January, County reported that these IDPs arrived While overall levels of displacement remained a large influx of IDPs arrived in Akobo While displacement to Bor PoC site remained during January, predominantly from locations stable across assessed settlements in Jonglei, Town in January and early February, with low in comparison to areas in Northern in Nyirol, and Uror counties. This is reflective conflict and deteriorating humanitarian a joint verification exercise conducted by Jonglei, the number of new arrivals in Bor PoC of an outbreak of fighting between armed conditions continued to drive displacement

2 OCHA South Sudan, Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 02, 20 February 2018 2 3 REACH Greater Akobo Displacement Brief, February 2018 site doubled from 61 individuals in December, Displacement to and within Figure 2: Most reported reasons for leaving Akobo Bor Town. FGD Participants cited insecurity to 122 in January, with over two-thirds (72%) for locations in Ethiopia in March 2018: FGD participants interviewed in Bor PoC 33+30+18+9+8+2 and the effect of hyperinflation on participants coming from conflict affected Uror or Nyirol4. site in March reported that some displaced Insecurity 33 % capacity to access food as key push factors This number increased to 133 in February, populations from Uror and Nyirol traveled to Lack of food 30 % for leaving Juba. Participants traveled by boat, with a similar proportion coming from Uror locations in Pagil payam, reflective of conflict Lack of education 18 % via Terekeka, costing roughly 3,500 SSP per and Nyirol (63%) compared with the previous person. While participants were from Bor 5 driven displacement from these areas. Lack of healthcare 9 % month . REACH interviewed new arrivals South County, they expressed reluctance to fleeing conflict in Pieri in January, who traveled FGD participants interviewed in Bor PoC Far from family 8 % return to their villages until insecurity, such as on foot to Poktap in , before paying site in February also reported displacement Other 2 % that related to land disputes were resolved. for transport by vehicles to reach Bor PoC site. within Ayod, driven by fears of armed an average of 13 people recorded crossing in Please see the Protection section of this FGD participants reported that in addition to groups advancing from Wau town into areas November 2017 to an average of 25 per day in Situation Overview for more information. the protection provided in Bor PoC site, they surrounding Mogok and Jiech. Displaced December 2017 (see Figure 1)7. This increased wished to access humanitarian services in populations then reportedly moved to Pagil level of movement was sustained in January, Situation in Assessed the site, also citing the higher cost of reaching Payam, placing further strain on resources in with an average of 26 people per day recorded Settlements camps in Ethiopia via Akobo. In addition to these areas. leaving Akobo for Ethiopia. conflict between armed groups in Greater Food Security and Livelihoods Cross Border displacement out of Jonglei This trend is likely driven by the increase in Akobo, intercommunal violence remained a Overall the proportion of assessed settlements major cause of displacement. New arrivals REACH Port Monitoring in Akobo Town tracks insecurity in Greater Akobo in January, and refugee registration taking place in Pamdong, reporting adequate access to food remained from Nyirol interviewed during a FGD in Bor movement of South Sudanese traveling to stable through the first quarter of 2018. PoC site reported fear of inter-communal and returning from Ethiopian refugee camps Ethiopia, which was ongoing through the first quarter of 2018. These trends remained stable Sixty four percent of assessed settlements attacks to be among the reasons populations in Gambella. Following a considerable decline reported adequate access to food in January, have fled, citing a cattle raid in Puokbor, in movement to Ethiopia from Akobo in the in February, declining slightly in March, while the number of returnees fell considerably showing no considerable change compared north of Lankien, in which several people are second half of 2017 compared with the first with December 2017 (68%). Similarly, this reported to have been killed. half of the year, as recorded by REACH Port between December and January, from an average of 22 returnees per day to an average figure largely remained stable in February Monitoring teams, cross border movement (67%) and March (58%). However, at county to Ethiopia from Akobo almost doubled from of 14 returnees per day. This decline continued in February, with an average of only 6 returnees level, reported access to food in assessed Figure 1: Average monthly movement trends of people permanently leaving Akobo Town (red) and per day recorded, remaining low in March. This settlements varied considerably across people returning from Ethiopia for more than four months (blue) per day from December 2016 to is consistent with broader trends, as high levels months. March 2018: of cross border displacement to Ethiopia were Bor-Duk Corridor (Bor South, Twic East and Net outflow 120 recorded by UNHCR, with 7,895 refugees Duk) Net inflow arriving in January, with this figure declining to 90 There was considerable variation in the 3,886 in March8,9. proportion of assessed settlements reporting 60 Movement to Jonglei adequate access to food along the Bor- people per day 30 Duk corridor in the first quarter of 2018. The In January, REACH interviewed IDPs originally proportion of assessed settlements reporting 0 from Bor South County who had been residing April May June July August September October November December January February March adequate access to food in Bor South County in Juba, who had been recently displaced to

4 ACTED Bor PoC Site Movement Trend Tracker, January 2018. 7 REACH SSD, Akobo Port Monitoring Factsheet, March 2018. 3 5 ACTED Bor PoC Site Movement Trend Tracker, February 2018. 8 UNHCR Ethiopia Factsheet, January 2018 6 REACH SSD, Akobo Port Monitoring Factsheet, January 2018. 9 UNHCR Ethiopia Factsheet, March 2018 Map 5: Proportion of assessed settlements more remote areas having less access. In of the lean season. proportion of assessed settlements reporting reporting inadequate access to food in March, physical access to cattle compared with all 2018: Duk, access to humanitarian assistance was Changes in reported livelihoods activities assessed counties in Jonglei in March (66%), 0% extremely limited in the first quarter, with no in assessed settlements along the Bor-Duk 1 - 20% with only Fangak reporting a lower figure General Food Distributions (GFD) reported corridor in the first quarter were reflective 21 - 40% to have taken place during the first quarter12. (34%). Reflective of this, reported regular 41 - 60% of seasonal adjustments. There was a Moreover, absence of food assistance was consumption of milk decreased in assessed 61 - 80% considerable decline in the proportion of settlements along the Bor-Duk corridor in 81 - 100% cited by the largest proportion of assessed assessed settlements reporting cultivation Between February (35%) and March (20%), Insufficient data settlements in Duk County as the main reason as a source of income in Twic East, falling Assessed settlement for inadequate access to food in February and thus reducing dietary diversity in affected from 61% in January, to 42% in February, to settlements. March. 33% in March reflective of depleted harvest Overall, factors relating to insecurity such as food stocks for sale with the start of the lean Greater Akobo an unsafe cultivation environment or crops season. In line with seasonal low access to The proportion of assessed settlements being destroyed by conflict were the most harvest products but slowly increasing access reporting adequate access to food in Akobo prevalent reported reasons for inadequate to fishing and hunting towards the end of the in Nyirol and Uror counties across each access to food across assessed settlements reporting period due to the onset of rains, there month in the first quarter of 2018, rising from fell in each month in the first quarter of 2018, in each month of the first quarter. This is was a considerable increase in the proportion 76% in January to 89% in March. Assessed from 70% in January, to 60% in February, consistent with reports of intercommunal of assessed settlements reporting fishing and/ settlements in conflict affected Uror reported with a large decline in March, falling by half violence in January and February from or hunting among their livelihoods activities in a decrease in adequate access to food to 30%. Duk and Twic East Counties reported FGD participants displaced from Bor South Duk, from 60% in January, to 88% in February, across the first quarter of 2018, with 52% of divergent trends in the first quarter of 2018, interviewed in Yolakot, Awerial County, Lakes with all assessed settlements reportedly settlements reporting adequate access to with the proportion of settlements in Twic State. Similarly, FGD participants cited fears engaging in fishing and/or hunting in March. food in January, remaining stable in February, East reporting adequate access to food rising of intercommunal violence as negatively This is likely reflective of improved seasonal but declining to 39% in March. There were steadily from 39% in January to 65% in March. impacting access to food in both Duk and access to hunting. However, insecurity may divergent food security trends reported in Conversely, reported access to food remained Twic East, in addition to environmental factors reduce the level of access to such activities Nyirol in the first quarter of 2018. While the low in Duk in the first quarter, with 44% of including lack of rainfall, pests and flooding in some settlements- for more information proportion of assessed settlements reporting assessed settlements reporting adequate negatively affecting cultivation. One quarter please see the Coping Strategies section of adequate access to food increased slightly access to food in March, increasing slightly of assessed settlements in Bor South who this Situation Overview. from 50% in February to 65% in March, the from 33% in January. reported inadequate access to food cited While overall the proportion of assessed proportion of assessed settlements reporting high prices as the primary reason for this The divergent trends in reported access to food settlements reporting physical access to malnutrition as the main cause of death insufficiency, consistent with the WFP Market in assessed settlements in Duk and Twic East cattle along the Bor-Duk corridor remained also increased between January (5%) and Price Monitoring showing a 10% increase in counties may be partly attributable to uneven largely stable in the first quarter of 2018, February (38%), before decreasing in March the price of maize flour in February10. This access to humanitarian assistance, with food with 80% of assessed settlements reporting (12%). Furthermore, of those assessed is concerning given that the proportion of distributions taking place in Twic East County physical access in March, reported levels settlements that reported inadequate access assessed settlements reporting markets as following bio-metric registration in March11. of physical access to cattle decreased to food, 83% reported hunger to be the worst it main food source increased between February 4 However, FGD participants interviewed in considerably between February and March in could be, and perceived to be causing deaths. (0%) and March (20%), with reliance on 4 Bor Town reporting greater access to food Duk, indicative of dry season cattle migration. These settlements were predominantly in markets likely to increase with the progression in larger settlements such as Panyagor, with Moreover, Duk reported the second lowest areas affected by conflict, intercommunal

10 WFP South Sudan, Market Price Monitoring, March 2018 4 11 WFP IRRM Updates, 05 March 2018, 12 March 2018. 12 WFP IRRM Updates, January - March 2018. Figure 3: Proportion of assessed settlements in general food distributions in locations such Figure 4: Proportion of assessed settlements similar in the previous month, but slightly Uror reporting adequate access to food in March as Kaikuny, Buong and Wiechjol in February, reporting humanitarian assistance as main food decreased from January when all assessed 2018: source in March 2018: settlements reported adequate access to food.

following the completion of general food 53+52+36+29+8+5+ distributions in Akobo East in January13. Akobo County 53 % This may be partly attributable to a decrease in access to food assistance, with the proportion 39%Yes Similarly, while distributions took place in Uror 52 % in December and March in locations including Uror County 36 % of assessed settlements reporting provision 61% No of food assistance in the past month falling Karam, Yuai, Pathai and Pieri, a planned Ayod County 29 % distribution in February was delayed due from 100% in December, to 44% in February, Bor South County 8 % 39+61+A to an outbreak of insecurity along the Yuai- before increasing in March (57%). This cattle raiding, or are located in close proximity 14 Nyirol County 5 % reported increase in March is likely reflective

Waat corridor . Humanitarian assistance was 0+ to armed groups. However, further research is severely disrupted in all but one GFD site in Duk County 0 % of distributions carried out in Paguer, Old needed to better understand these dynamics. Nyirol (Chuil), where distributions took place Twic East County 0 % Fangak and New Fangak, concluding in the Factors relating to insecurity and displacement in January and March, with no distributions first week of March, which are thus more likely 16 were cited as primary reasons giving rise to taking place during the first quarter in other 2018, falling from 53% in January, to 33% in to be reflected in March AoK data . February, with 9% of assessed settlements inadequate access to food in Nyirol and Uror locations, leaving populations vulnerable as Food security conditions in Ayod continued to reporting cultivation as an income source in counties in the first quarter. In February, an stocks from the previous harvest diminish with be a cause of concern in the first quarter of 14 March. Lack of physical access to cattle can inability to access land due to insecurity was the onset of the lean season . Reflective of 2018. The proportion of assessed settlements be expected to continue until herds return reported by the highest proportion of assessed this, only 5% of assessed settlements in Nyirol reporting adequate access to food decreased from dry season grazing lands, while crop settlements across Uror and Nyirol counties reported humanitarian assistance as their by roughly half from 62% in February to 29% production will continue to decline as the peak as the main reason for inadequate access main food source in March (See Figure 5). in March, with the proportion of assessed lean season approaches. to food (25%), with disruption of cultivation Reflective of dry season cattle migration, the settlements using extreme coping strategies due to displacement reported as the main proportion of assessed settlements in Uror Moreover, insufficient access to functioning such as only children eating, and spending reason for inadequate access to food by 36% and Nyirol counties reporting physical access markets further reduces capacity of days without food more than doubling between of assessed settlements in March. This is to cattle decreased from 96% in January to populations in Nyirol to cope, with the only February (36%) and March (45%). consistent with reports from newly arrived FGD functioning market located in Lankien. Nyirol 80% in March, whereby herds move to areas While food distributions have taken place participants from Uror interviewed in Bor PoC reported having the lowest proportion of such as the Pading swamps and Chuil in in locations including Haat, Mogok, Jiech, site, who reported that yields from cultivation assessed settlements with physical access to Nyirol, and Toich in Duk in the case of Uror. Nyanapol, Normanyang and Karmun in were depressed by disruption of cultivation markets in each month of the first quarter, with Forty-four percent of assessed settlements the first quarter of 2018, the proportion of due to displacement, with FGD participants three quarters of assessed settlements unable reported presence of livestock disease, assessed settlements in Ayod reporting interviewed in Bor PoC site and Akobo Town to access a market in March. remaining largely unchanged compared with humanitarian assistance as their main food consistently citing insecurity as a primary January, representing a cause for concern Ayod and Fangak source fell from 53% in February to 29% factor driving displacement from Nyirol. given concentration of herds in dry season in March17. Conversely, the proportion of Similar to previous months, divergent trends While the main food source across assessed grazing lands before the onset of the rainy assessed settlements reporting cultivation as in food security were reported in assessed settlements in Akobo remained humanitarian season. Indicative of the progression of the main food source increased between February settlements in Ayod and Fangak in the first assistance, it accounted for a declining dry season, there was a considerable decline and March, from 37% to 61%. Given overall quarter of 201815. Eighty-seven percent of proportion of settlements through the first in the proportion of assessed settlements in deterioration in reported access to food in assessed settlements in Fangak reported quarter of 2018. This may be indicative Uror and Nyirol counties reporting cultivation assessed settlements, this likely represents adequate access to food in March, remaining of uncertain security conditions hindering as an income source in the first quarter of

13 WFP IRRM Updates, 15 January 2018, 22 January 2018, and 12 February 2018. 16 WFP IRRM Plan February 12, March 5, 2018 5 14 WFP IRRM Updates, January - March 2018 17 WFP IRRM Update January 15, February 5, February 12, March 5, March 12 2018 15 REACH South Sudan, Situation Overview, November 2017 a lack of alternatives rather than increased ability to access to food in March18. Moreover, capacity of vulnerable communities to cope counties reporting an incident of conflict availability of agricultural produce. Moreover, FGD participants from Akobo West and Uror with shocks. Most strikingly, 23% of assessed in which at least one civilian was killed or populations in remote areas may be unable noted that displacement had disrupted social settlements in Jonglei reported consuming property damaged through conflict was the to access humanitarian assistance. FGDs networks as communities are forced to wild foods that are known to cause sickness highest across assessed settlements in particpants from Ayod interviewed in Nyal, disperse to different settlements. in March, remaining largely unchanged from Jonglei. In January 96% and 95% of assessed Northern Panyijiar County, Unity State, previous months, indicative of severe food settlements in Uror and Nyirol respectively Insecurity may also be reducing capacity of reported that displaced populations in remote insecurity in these settlements. reported such incidents, compared with an communities to engage in seasonal coping areas to be located far from established average across all assessed settlements in strategies that may have helped supplement Moreover, moderate, short term coping distribution sites. Jonglei of 37%. The proportion of assessed food stocks during the lean season, such strategies appeared insufficient to meet all settlements reporting such incidents in Uror Indicative of seasonal livelihood changes, the as hunting. During FGDs conducted with households needs in the first quarter of 2018. remained largely unchanged in February, while proportion of assessed settlements in Ayod IDPs from Twic East and Duk Counties In March, spending days without food or only this figure decreased to 55% in Nyirol, albeit and Fangak reporting cultivation as a source in Bor PoC, participants commented that children eating were used as coping strategies remaining the county with second highest of income fell from 32% in January, to only fears of intercommunal violence limits their in 23% and 20% of assessed settlements, proportion of assessed settlements reporting 15% in March. Inability to access humanitarian capacity to engage in such activities, with remaining largely unchanged from previous conflict related deaths or property damage. assistance in addition to seasonal reduction FGD participants noting presence of similar months, with 6% of assessed settlements Despite sporadic insecurity, both counties in food stocks may render populations in the constraints. Similarly, gathering wild food also reported consuming an average of less than saw a decrease in March, when conflict was most remote settlements vulnerable to food remained a common coping strategy across one meal per day in March. This was most acute reported to have reduced, with the proportion shortages with the onset of the peak lean Jonglei, with more than three quarters of in Nyirol, which reported the highest proportion of assessed settlements reporting such season. settlements reporting wild food to be included of assessed settlements consuming less than incidents in Uror falling to 29%, and to 32% in their meals some or all of the time in each one meal per day on average in February Coping Strategies in Nyirol. month in the first quarter. However, FGD (38%) and March (21%), with Uror having the Indicative of the strength of social networks participants from Twic East and Duk reported highest proportion in January (26%). These While conflict between armed groups was in Jonglei, borrowing food remained the most that insecurity had rendered gathering wild severe coping strategies indicate serious largely concentrated in Greater Akobo in the common coping strategy as seen in previous food unsafe, thus further undermining the food insecurity, increases the risk of disease, first quarter of 2018, intercommunal violence months, used in 40% of assessed settlements and leave communities extremely vulnerable continued to be a source of insecurity and in March, albeit declining from 56% in January. Figure 5: Proportion of assessed settlements in to further shocks as the peak lean season protection concerns in many parts of Jonglei. Moreover, FGD participants from Ayod and Jonglei reporting spending days without food as a approaches. Conflict arising from a land dispute between coping strategy in March 2018:

Nyirol interviewed in Bor PoC site and Akobo 45+42+33+22+19+10+4+3 sub-clans broke out in payam in Bor Protection town respectively, noted that IDPs could Ayod County 45 % South County at the end of 2017, extending receive food from their relatives in Wechdeng Uror County 42 % The persistence of conflict between armed into February 2018, resulting in loss of life and Akobo town. However, displacement Nyirol County 33 % groups, intercommunal violence and according to FGD participants interviewed places strain on the capacity of these networks Bor South County 22 % displacement continued to cause protection in Yolakot, Awerial county, Lakes State. to share available food sources. In February, Consistent with this heightened insecurity and Duk County 19 % concerns in Jonglei in the first quarter of 2018. 39% of assessed settlements with IDPs Reflective of the intensification in fighting general high reported prevalence of the risk of Fangak County 10 % reportedly experiencing severe hunger due between armed groups in Greater Akobo cattle raids, the most reported threat to men to an influx of new arrivals in February, and Twic East County 4 % in January and February, the proportion of in assessed settlements in Bor South County 24% of assessed settlements reporting that Akobo County 3 % assessed settlements in Uror and Nyirol was being killed or injured by people from an infux of IDPs had a large impact on their

18 Indicator not available in previous months 6 Map 6: Proportion of assessed settlements communal violence. settlements with IDPs citing this is as the commonly reported health problem across reporting main protection concern for women to primary NFI need respectively. In February, assessed settlements after malaria in the 20 be SGBV related in March 2018 : Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs) sleeping mats were cited by 20% of assessed first quarter of 2018. The high prevalence of 0% While shelter conditions remained stable settlements as the NFI item most needed for settlements reporting waterborne diseases 1 - 20% overall in assessed settlements in Jonglei IDPs. Moreover FGD participants who had as most common health problem is likely 21 - 40% in the first quarter of 2018, the escalation of fled conflict in Greater Akobo in January cited associated with reported inadequate access to 41 - 60% latrines in assessed settlements. This problem 61 - 80% conflict in Greater Akobo in January gave rise NFIs as a major humanitarian need on their 81 - 100% to heightened shelter concerns. In conflict arrival in Akobo town. Reflective of this, In is particularly acute in counties in Western Insufficient data affected Uror, the proportion of assessed March, only 28% of assessed settlements with Jonglei along the River Nile, where 74% of Assessed settlement settlements reporting damage to shelters due IDPs reported receiving an NFI distribution assessed settlements reported having no to conflict doubled from 10% in December in the past three months. Inadequate access access to latrines in January, 82% in February 2017, to 20% in January 2018, and showed to essential NFIs such as mosquito nets, and 71% in March. Moreover, access to safe no considerable decrease through February particularly among IDP populations in Jonglei, drinking water remained a particular concern and March. This is consistent with widespread may leave these populations increasingly in Ayod and Fangak, where at least a third of another community in each month of the first insecurity, particularly, in areas along the vulnerable to disease with the onset of the assessed settlements reported primarily using quarter. Yuai – Waat corridor such as Pieri and Motot, rainy season. unprotected water sources in each month of the first quarter, except March, when 21% of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) where FGD participants interviewed in Akobo Health and Water, Sanitation and reported shelters being burned during clashes assessed settlements reported primarily using remained a major protection concern for Hygiene (WASH) unprotected water sources in Fangak. Given women in Jonglei, with SGBV reported as the between armed groups. Malaria remained the major health concern previous outbreaks of cholera in Ayod and main protection concern for women by the This is particularly concerning given Fangak, these inadequate WASH conditions highest propotion of assessed settlements in persistence of displacement whereby in assessed settlements in Jonglei in the first quarter of 2018, particularly along the Bor- represent a risk factor in the event of future March (46%), remaining largely unchanged households were forced to flee conflict outbreaks. from previous months. SGBV was also the affected areas without essential NFIs in the Duk Corridor, located near the Sudd. This is most reported protection concern for girls in first quarter of 2018. In January and March, particularly concerning in light of continued Between 7 December 2017 and 17 March assessed settlements in Jonglei in January the primary NFI items reportedly needed for need for mosquito needs and the approach 2018, 40 suspected cases of Rift Valley Fever (44%), February (51%) and March (49%)20. communities to meet the immediate needs of of the rainy season. In January, malaria was were reported in Eastern Lakes (Awerial, Yirol For boys, abduction was the main protection IDPs in assessed settlements in Jonglei was reportedly the main cause of death in 46% of East, Yirol West) neighbouring Bor South concern in assessed settlements in each mosquito nets, with 27% and 20% of assessed assessed settlements. This figure gradually County. While there were no reported cases month of the first quarter of 2018. This was declined in February (33%) and March (20%) Figure 7: Proportion of assessed settlements particularly acute in counties along the Bor- Figure 6: Proportion of assessed settlements in with the progression of the dry season. Uror reporting damage to shelters due to conflict reporting access to health facilities in Jonglei Duk corridor, which may be linked to serious in March 2018: Given the continued inadequate access to in March 2018. incidents of intercommunal violence involving clean water and sanitation, the proportion of abduction in late 201719. Overall these findings assessed settlements reporting waterborne 22% Yes 79%Yes indicate that in addition to protection risks diseases as the most common health problem 78% No associated with the conflict between armed showed no considerable change from 21% No groups, populations similarly face more January (24%) through February (15%) to localized risks associated with intra and inter- 22+78+A March (24%), representing the second most 79+21+A 19 OCHA South Sudan Humanitarian Bulletin, December 8th, 2017. 20 SGBV is comprised of the indicators: Domestic Violence, Sexual 7 Violence, and Early or Forced Marriage of assessed settlements that reported needing Ongoing conflict and displacement in the first in Bor South County in March, the risk of the Map 7: Proportion of assessed settlements disease spreading remains a concern for both reporting no access to education services in to engage in household or agricultural work as quarter of 2018 has also impacted access livestock and humans21. Jonglei in March 2018: the main reason for low attendance increased to basic services in assessed settlements, 0% from 22% in January to 40% in March. This particularly in Ayod and Greater Akobo. Access to health facilities in assessed 1 - 20% may be linked to start of preparation of land settlements in Jonglei showed no considerable 21 - 40% Access to health services remained stable for planting season, in which girls are typically change in the first quarter with 70% of 41 - 60% overall, while WASH needs were most acute 61 - 80% engaged at the household level. assessed settlements reporting access to a 81 - 100% in counties along the River Nile, where health facility in January and February, and Insufficient data Conclusion access to latrines was most limited. Conflict 79% in March. March saw an improvement Assessed settlement and displacement continued to give rise to in access to healthcare facilities in assessed In the first quarter of 2018, displacement Shelter and NFI needs across the state, settlements in Greater Akobo, rising from 38% continued to be a major factor giving rise to particularly in areas hosting IDPs. Inadequate in February to 79%. This may be associated humanitarian needs, particularly in northern access to basic NFIs such as mosquito nets is with improved security conditions in Greater Jonglei. An outbreak of conflict between particularly concerning as malaria reportedly Akobo in March, in addition to Médecins armed groups in Greater Akobo in January remained the primary cause of death in the (56%) compared with the previous month Sans Frontières’ expansion to a new primary resulted in major displacement to Akobo highest proportion of assessed settlements (33%). Moderate improvements in security healthcare facility in Kier, north of Akobo town Town, with smaller groups fleeing to Bor across the state in the first quarter. conditions may have been a contributing on the River Sobat. PoC and locations in Ulang County, Upper factor in this, as well as the commencement of In light of ongoing conflict and depleting food Nile State. While security conditions saw a Education the new school term. stocks with the onset of the peak lean season, moderate improvement in March, the situation in addition to high levels of displacement, The proportion of assessed settlements Among assessed settlements with reported remained volatile. Given the onset of the lean humanitarian needs are likely to increase in in Jonglei reporting access to education access to education services, pervasive season and likely deterioration of food security Jonglei in the coming months. increased during the first quarter of 2018, gender disparities continue to be a major conditions, further displacement in Greater from 50% in January to 62% in February, and cause of concern. Despite a decrease in the Akobo is likely. About REACH Initiative proportion of assessed settlements where remaining stable in March. This increase is While the overall proportion of assessed REACH facilitates the development a majority of boys attended school regularly likely associated with the commencement of settlements in Jonglei reporting access of information tools and products that 22 from 69% in January to 52% in March, girls the new academic year in February . Despite to adequate food remained stable in the enhance the capacity of aid actors to make attendance remained considerably lower. In this moderate improvement in February, first quarter of 2018, certain counties such evidence-based decisions in emergency, January, a majority of girls reportedly regularly disparities in access to education persist, as Ayod, Bor South, and conflict affected recovery and development contexts. All attended school in only 7% of assessed both geographically and in regard to gender. areas in Greater Akobo saw a considerable REACH activities are conducted through settlements reporting access to education Overall, the highest proportion of assessed deterioration. Insecurity and resulting inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. services in Jonglei, with no considerable settlements reporting access to education displacement consistently emerge as key For more information, you can write change in subsequent months. Fees remained were concentrated along the Bor-Duk corridor factors behind food shortages. Moreover, to our in-country office: southsudan@ one of the primary reasons for low attendance in each month of the first quarter of 2018, while persistent insecurity has also undermined the reach-initiative.org or to our global office: amongst boys and girls in each month in the Ayod, Fangak and counties in Greater Akobo use of moderate coping strategies, forcing [email protected]. remained a concern in terms of education first quarter of 2018, in addition to needing to vulnerable populations to engage in more Visit www.reach-initiative.org and access. This is despite an increase in reported engage in work in the household or other forms extreme, long term coping strategies, leaving follow us @REACH_info. of labour. For girls in particular, the proportion access to education in Greater Akobo in March them extremely vulnerable to further shocks.

21 South Sudan: Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) - Epidemiological Update, 18 March 8 22 UNICEF South Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report, 1 – 28 February 2018