Situation Overview: State, July - September 2018

Introduction. Map 1: REACH assessment coverage of Unity through 9 food security and livelihoods (FSL) Map 2: Proportion of assessed settlements State, July (A), August (B) and Sept 2018 (C) focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted in reporting an incident of deadly conflict in past In the third quarter of 2018, Unity State only A B and Nyal, and with secondary data. month, June (A), July (B), and August 2018 (C) partially recovered from the wave of violence that A B began in late April and continued through July This Situation Overview focuses on changes 2018.1 Reports of conflict incidents decreased; in observed humanitarian needs across C Unity State in the third quarter of 2018. The however, persistent criminality, environmental Pariang first section analyses protection challenges, C and health challenges, and resultant food Pariang displacement and population movement, and insecurity continued to imperil lives, stress Rubkona livelihoods, and spur displacement. Access to the second evaluates access to food and Rubkona Mayom Guit basic services. services in the counties most affected by the Mayom Guit recent violence (Leer, Mayendit, Koch and, to Protection, Displacement, and a lesser extent, Guit and Rubkona) returned Population Movements to early 2018 levels, but structural challenges Koch Koch that limited reported access to health, WASH, Protection and education services remained. In the far In the most conflict-affected parts of Unity 0% 0 - 4.9% north of the state, Abiemnhom and Pariang Mayendit 1 - 20% Leer State, reports of violent conflict decreased as Mayendit counties were outliers to many state trends, 5 - 10% Leer the rainy season advanced (see Map 2).2 At 21 - 40% reflecting their relative insulation from conflict 11 - 20% 41 - 60% and displacement dynamics affecting the rest the peak of violence in June, more than 70% of 21 - 50% 61 - 80% assessed settlements in Leer (96%), Mayendit Panyijiar of Unity. 51 - 100% Panyijiar (92%), Koch (71%) and Rubkona (80%) had 81 - 100% Assessed settlement To inform humanitarian actors working outside reported the occurrence of a deadly conflict Insufficient data formal settlement sites, REACH has conducted Assessed settlement incident within the last month. By September, assessments of hard-to-reach areas in South the proportion of assessed settlements Sudan since December 2015. Data is collected In Unity State, REACH interviewed 770 Key from 7% to 38% of assessed settlements in reporting the same dropped to 43% in Leer, through interviews on a monthly basis from Informants (KIs) in the Bentiu Protection of Guit and from 0% to 25% in Mayendit. These settlements across the country. Civilians (PoC) site, Nyal, and Ajuong Thok 54% in Mayendit, 30% in Koch, and 19% increases reflect local-level cattle raiding and in Rubkona. Two outliers from this general # of key informant interviews conducted: 770 in the third quarter of 2018 (July, August, armed group dynamics. and September). The KIs were from 598 trend were Guit and Mayom counties, where # of assessed settlements: 598 Despite the reduction in reported deadly unique settlements situated in all 9 counties reported incidents of deadly conflict increased # of focus group discussions conducted: 9 in the state. Survey findings were triangulated in the quarter’s final reporting month, rising conflict, widespread insecurity remained. The

1. See REACH. Situational Overview: Unity State, April- June 2018. July 2018. OCHA. Humanitarian Bulletin. July 2018. See also UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Human Rights Division (HRD). 2. See also ACLED. Political Violence and Protest Data - South Sudan. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians in Southern Unity. April-May 2018. May 2018. April - October 2018. Map 3: Proportion of assessed settlements physical and food security trends. The Figure 1: Proportion of host community METHODOLOGY reporting an incident of looting in the previous reduction of armed conflict and start of the remaining, % of assessed settlements, Sept To provide an overview of the situation in month, July (A), August (B), and Sept 2018 (C) rainy season encouraged some to return < Half Half > Half All largely inaccessible areas of Unity State, A B home to cultivate. At the same time, persistent REACH uses primary data provided by key crime-related insecurity, environmental and July 56% 24% 12% 0% informants who have recently arrived from, health challenges, and the resultant food recently visited, or receive regular information from a location or “Area of Knowledge” (AoK). C insecurity pushed others to search for food August 23% 53% 13% 0% Pariang Information for this report was collected from elsewhere. Overall, populations remained key informants in the Bentiu PoC site, Nyal highly mobile with evidences of substantial, Mayendit Sept 29% 44% 24% 0% town and Jamjang town in July, August, and Rubkona and often cyclical, movement within and September 2018. Mayom Guit across counties. < Half Half > Half All In-depth interviews were conducted over Host community the first three weeks of each month. The July 0% 43% 43% 0% standardised survey tool includes questions on The majority of assessed settlements across Koch displacement trends, population needs, food the State continued to report that at least security and livelihoods, and access to basic August 24% 49% 27% 0% 0% some portion of the host community remained services. After data collection was completed, in the settlement. Changes in the proportion of

1 - 20% Mayendit Rubkona all data was aggregated at the settlement Leer the host populations that remained, however, 21 - 40% Sept 34% 29% 20% 0% level, and settlements were assigned the provide evidence of divergent displacement modal response. When no consensus could 41 - 60% patterns (see Figure 1). In Mayendit, for be found for a settlement, that settlement was 61 - 80% security dynamics. As further evidence, the Panyijiar example, the majority of assessed settlements not included in reporting. 81 - 100% in July reported that less than half of the proportion of assessed settlements reporting Data was analyzed at the county level using Insufficient data that individuals had moved to a displacement descriptive statistics and geospatial analysis. population remained. By September, the Assessed settlement majority reported that half or more of the camp to find new sources of food remained Only counties with interview coverage of at high in these counties throughout the third least 5% of settlements for a given month population now lived in the settlement. quarter of 2018 (see Figure 2). were included in analysis. Due to access violence in the previous quarter. Indeed, 50% Mayendit was one of the most conflict-affected and operational constraints, the specific or more of assessed settlements in Leer, areas in the previous quarter. The partial return Figure 2: Proportion of assessed settelements reporting people moving to a displacement settlements assessed within each county each Mayendit, Koch,3 Guit and Rukona counties of individuals likely reflects the reduction of month vary. Thus, some changes over time camp for food, Mayom, Rubkona and Gui reported an incident of looting in every month conflict incidents, tempered by still persistent 90% reported in this situation overview might be crime-related insecurity. A similar trend was 78% due to variations in coverage. of the third quarter. This persistent human insecurity negatively impacted displacement, observed in Leer county as well. 69% percentage of assessed settlements reporting food security and access to services Conversely, in , an increasing throughout July, August and September. proportion of assessed settlements reported incidents of looting remained high throughout 28% that a decreasing proportion of the host Displacement and Population Movements much of Unity State during this reporting period population remained. Similar trends were (see Map 3). This was especially true among Population movement and displacement observed in neighbouring Guit and Mayom those counties most affected by the wave of trends in Unity reflect counterbalancing counties, and likely reflect adverse food Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18

3. Koch county is not included in September averages because of insufficient coverage. suggests that the numbers would be higher but only marginally so. 2 That said, adding in the 36 settlements that were covered during this missing month Figure 3: Percentage of assessed settlements Internally displaced persons and returnees Map 4: Proportion of assessed settlements and livelihood dynamics that were only partially reporting presence of IDPs, September 2018 reporting adequate access to food, July (A), ameliorated by humanitarian assistance. The The recent displacements add to substantial Panyijiar 96% August (B) and September 2018 (C) following outlines four important dynamics in protracted displacements throughout Unity A B Leer 90% greater detail. Mayendit 71% State, with the result that a large proportion of 5 Koch* 47% assessed settlements continued to report the Insecurity’s effect on livelihoods Guit 44% presence of IDPs throughout the third quarter FGD participants from Koch, Mayendit, Guit, Rubkona 35% (see Figure 3). There is some evidence that C Pariang Rubkona, and Mayom counties all stressed Mayom 31% much of the displacement was relatively the negative impact of past conflict and Pariang 24% localized. As Figure 4 illustrates, the majority Abiemnhom 0% Rubkona persistent insecurity on livelihood activities, of assessed settlements consistently reported especially cultivation. First, the wave of Mayom Guit Figure 4: County from which most recent that recent IDPs came from locations within violence in Central Unity from late April through of IDPs came, % of assessed settlements the same county. The exception is Panyijiar, July included the burning of crops and seed which continued to receive substantial reporting, September 2018 County of origin stocks and led to widespread displacement numbers of IDPs from the neighbouring, Koch Guit Rubkona Mayendit Leer Koch throughout the state. Figure 6 illustrates the conflict-affected counties - Mayendit and Leer. limited availability of sufficient agricultural 62% 8% 0% 8% 15% Across the state, more than half of assessed 0% inputs in parts of the state, even as the rate of settlements reported that the presence of IDPs 1 - 20% Mayendit Leer conflict events have subsided. or returnees had had an impact on the ability 21 - 40% 6% 81% 0% 0% 0% Figure 6: Proportion of assessed settlements to access enough food (see Figure 5). 41 - 60% reporting access to land versus access to 61 - 80% sufficient agricultural inputs, Central and Situation in Assessed 81 - 100% 0% 0% 68% 24% 0% Panyijiar Northern Unity Counties Insufficient data Settlements 97% 99% Assessed settlement 94% 0% 0% 11% 82% 0% Even as armed conflict decreased, persistent 78% insecurity, environmental challenges and initial reports of improved access were not 69% 58% 0% 0% 0% 52% 41% seasonal health concerns undermined food always sustained (see Map 4). For example, 57% Central Unity: Access to land

Panyijiar Leer Mayendit Rubkona Guit Panyijiar Leer Mayendit security, while structural challenges to access Receiving county in the especially conflict-affected counties of to services remained. Central Unity: Sufficient agricultural Central Unity - Koch, Mayendit and Leer - the inputs Figure 5: Impact of IDPs or returnees on the Northern Unity: Access to land Food Security and Livelihoods proportion of assessed settlements reporting 14% ability to access enough food, proportion of Northern Unity: Sufficient agricultural adequate access to food increased from less inputs assessed settlements reporting, Unity State, One the one hand, food security across Unity May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 September 20184 than a quarter in July (18%, 12%, and 24%, State generally improved in the third quarter At the same time, FGD participants from 27% Large impact respectively) to about half in August (48%, of 2018, rebounding from the severe decline Mayendit and Koch explained that continued 58% and 65%), only to fall again to about a 29% Small impact observed following the wave of violence in concerns about crime-related insecurity meant third in September (37% in Mayendit and 36% 33% No impact recent months. At the same time, however, that, in many places, only a few individuals reported adequate access to food oscillated in Leer). Similar volatility was observed across 11% remained in settlements to cultivate - usually 27+293311A No consensus or IDK throughout July, August, and September, as the State, reflecting challenging food security

4.This analysis excludes settlements that did not report the presence of any IDPs. PoC and Nyal over a three week period in late September and early October 2018. FSL: 3 5. The following four sections are heavily informed by nine FGDs conducted in Bentiu Rubkona (2). FSL: Guit (2). FSL: Mayom (2). FSL: Koch. FSL: Mayendit. FSL: Panyijiar. elders who cannot travel or men who return Figure 7: Proportion of assessed settlements Figure 8: Main cause of inadequate access at a second harvest after the first failed. in the day but sleep in the bush. This limited reporting fishing as a livelihood activity, to food, proportion of assessed settlements Supporting these claims, more than a quarter the amount of land that could be cultivated. September 2018 reporting, September 2018 (28%) of assessed settlements state-wide Environmental challenges Similarly, participants from Mayom, Rubkona Abiemnhom 88% reported that flooding had forced people to Food distribution stopped and Guit described how security considerations Leer 81% leave their homes in September. Participants Insecurity (e.g. crops destroyed, theft) led many to cultivate in fewer and often less Panyijiar 79% High prices from Rubkona explained that many people desirable locations. Rather than cultivating two Pariang 76% who had returned to rural areas to cultivate 6 or three “gardens” on the best available land, Mayendit 66% 47% came back to the PoC site after the crops Northern Unity Guit 65% 29% participants reported the households this year (Mayom, Rubkona, repeatedly failed. 0% may have only one garden either very close to Mayom 38% & Guit) Poor rains also affected other livelihoods. FGD the home or hidden in the bush. Participants Rubkona 31% participants from Guit explained that fishing further explained that locations perceived as Central and 21% the presence of armed actors or looters along “safe” may be too low (risking flooding) or Southern Unity 17% only belatedly became a viable coping strategy main - and even informal - routes limited (Mayendit, Leer, & 36% in September as water levels were too low in too high (with poor water retention). In Guit, Panyijiar) for example, these dynamics may help to ability to access cattle (Guit, Koch) and food prior months. Conversely, participants from distributions (Mayendit, Koch), cutting off two Panyijiar explained that floods had led to cattle explain the substantially smaller proportion of Far North 50% 30% further coping strategies (Pariang, disease. Indeed, 72% of assessed settlements assessed settlements reporting engagement 0% in cultivation this rainy season (60% in August Insecurity thus continued to have a profound Abiemnhom) reported a disease outbreak among livestock and 54% in September) compared to last year and negative impact on productive engagement in September, and 62% reported that this had In Panyijiar, FGD participants reported that (89% and 92%, respectively). of livelihood activities and the availability of impacted the settlement’s ability to access September floods had also ruined attempts food (see Figure 9). Insecurity impacted other livelihood activities coping strategies throughout much of Unity as well. FGD participants in Mayendit explained State in the third quarter of 2018. Figure 9: Livestock as a livelihood activity and coping strategy, and the challenges therein, proportion of assessed settlements reporting, September 2018 that perceived risks of crime along main routes Poor environmental conditions limited individuals’ ability to start a business, 100% 100% 100% 100% Second, environmental challenges further i.e. buying and selling goods between markets. 85% 83% limited cultivation and other livelihood 76% It also limited safe access to hunting, fishing, 73% 72% activities in Unity State. Poor rains, a short 65% and gathering wild foods as coping strategies. 62% 62% growing season, and the destruction of crops Participants from Rubkona, Guit and Koch also 54% 54% 51% by flood or pests were all commonly reported 48% stressed the dangers of fishing, but reported 40% 39% as main reasons for inadequate access to food 34% engagement in the livelihood activity remained 30% throughout the reporting period (see Figure 8). high (Figure 7). This more accurately reflected a dearth of productive alternatives, especially FGD participants from Rubkona, Guit, as widespread reports of the destruction or Mayendit and Panyijiar all explained how abandonment of fishing gear in the recent an early dry spell during crops’ primary Guit Koch Mayom Panyijiar Rubkona development period had been followed by Did most people OWN any cattle? "Yes" Were most people able to ACCESS their cattle? "Yes" violence further limited the efficacy of fishing 7 as a coping strategy. Finally, FGD participants heavy rains later in the season. Subsequent Has there been a DISEASE outbreak among livestock? "Yes" Has livestock disease had any IMPACT on access to food? "Yes" from Mayendit, Guit and Koch explained how flooding destroyed what crops had survived. 4 6. A small patch of land for growing sustenance crops. 7. Figures based on the subset of settlements in which an outbreak was reported. Impact of health concerns Guit and 88% in Rubkona reported that the Map 5: Proportion of assessed settlements on humanitarian assistance. Access also reporting humanitarian assistance as main Third, with the onset of the rainy season, impact had been large. FGD participants from varied within individual counties across time. both counties independently also stressed source of food, Jul (A), Aug (B) & Sep 2018 (C) Increases in reported reliance on food aid health concerns and especially malaria, had a A B the negative effect of widespread malaria, tracked closely with general food distributions reportedly high impact on access to food across exacerbated by the challenges of accessing (GFDs) - e.g. WFP distributions in Mayom Unity. In August, more than half of assessed health care facilities. When a person becomes county in July and Panyijiar County in late settlements state-wide reported malaria was ill, participants explained, patients must be August/early September.8 Seeming reductions the main health problem (see Figure 10). More C Pariang brought to Bentiu PoC to access necessary in reported reliance on humanitarian than 60% of these settlements further reported medicine and health services. This often takes assistance as the main source of food more that malaria had impacted the ability to access the strongest members of the household away Rubkona likely reflect challenges to households’ ability enough food in the settlement (see Figure 11). from other productive livelihood activities (to Mayom Guit to make received assistance last the full As many as 91% of assessed settlements in transport the sick) and, upon return, one might distribution cycle, rather than the adoption Figure 10: Proportion of assessed settlements find one’s garden flooded or overgrown. of more productive livelihood activities. The reporting malaria as main health problem, challenges outlined in above sections make Reliance on humanitarian assistance Koch August 2018 clear the dearth of real alternatives. Abiemnhom 100% Given these security, environmental and health 0% Pariang 100% challenges, much of Unity State continued to FGD participants flagged ongoing challenges to Koch 87% 1 - 20% accessing available humanitarian assistance, rely on humanitarian assistance as a main Mayendit Leer Rubkona 80% source of food throughout the third quarter 21 - 40% including persistent insecurity, lost and burnt Guit 73% of 2018. In September, nearly half (47%) of 41 - 60% cards (needed to access distributions), and Mayom 69% assessed settlements state-wide reported 61 - 80% insufficient registration.10 Many reported that Panyijiar 59% 81 - 100% provided assistance was frequently shared Mayendit 55% that the main source of food for most of the Panyijiar Insufficient data Leer 54% population was humanitarian assistance. amongst large family and social networks Assessed settlement and thus did not last for the intended periods. In the same month, the IPC highlighted both Figure 11: Proportion of assessed settlements Almost all participants reported the dangers the high levels of food insecurity and the critical reporting that malaria had an impact on potentially entering Phase 5 Catastrophe in of transporting received provisions, as crime- access to adequate food, August 2018 role of humanitarian assistance in Unity State. entirety, if sufficient humanitarian assistance related insecurity extended beyond main Koch, Mayendit, Leer, Rubkona and Guit Large impact Small impact is unavailable. roads to also include informal routes.11 100% counties were all classified as experiencing

80% Phase 4 Emergency levels of food insecurity, Reports of access to humanitarian assistance Looking forward, the September IPC reported with 19,000 individuals predicted to be in as a main source of food, however, varied that food security is expected to improve 60% Phase 5 Catastrophe in Leer and Mayendit substantially across the state (see Map 5). marginally in the final quarter of 2018, due to 40% Counties.9 A key message was the importance In September, for example, all assessed coming harvests and the seasonal increases 20% of large-scale humanitarian food assistance, counties in Abiemnhom and Pariang reported in access to additional livelihoods (e.g. fishing,

0% which has “prevented more Catastrophic cultivation - not humanitarian assistance - milk, markets). As the dry season advances,

Guit Koch Leer outcomes” throughout the country. Leer and was the main source of food, while nearly however, the IPC expects food security to Pariang Mayom Rubkona Mayendit Panyijiar Abiemnhom Mayendit counties were especially flagged as all (96%) in Guit reported relying primarily deteriorate again in the first quarter of 2019

8. WFP. “Rapid Response Mission Plan” and “IRRM Site Lists”. 23 July, 30 July, 6 Aug, a response to the question of why there was not enough food in a settlement, variations 27 Aug, 10 Sept 2018. of this were a repeatedly reported “other” response throughout the third quarter. 9. IPC. Key Messages. September 2018. 11. FGD participants from Mayom explained unique dynamics. On the one hand, the 5 10. While our survey does not currently allow for “insufficient humanitarian assistance” as biometric registration conducted earlier this year failed to fully register substantial portions with the predicted early onset of the lean Figure 12: Shelter location where most of the improved in this period. Figure 13 illustrates the Guit, and Mayendit) lost or burnt in the recent season. host community living, proportion, Mayendit decreasing proportion of assessed settlements violence or simply unavailable in markets, and County in Leer and Mayendit reporting that the majority for torches (multiple counties) to avoid the In sum, while reported access to food in Unity Bush Own home 88% of IDPs were living without shelter in the bush seasonal increase in snakes. About a third State improved marginally in the third quarter 86% 84% 79% and the increasing proportion reportedly living of assessed settlements state-wide reported of 2018, ongoing challenges to food security in rakoobas with the host community. All that a distribution of NFIs had occurred in the remained, including persistent insecurity, 44% 41% other counties continued to report relatively settlement in the previous three months -- adverse environmental factors, and health permanent shelter conditions for IDPs, with the ranging from half of settlements in Panyijiar to concerns. With both livelihood options and 27% 27% 12% vast majority (92%) of assessed settlements consistently none in Abiemnhom and Pariang. coping strategies limited, humanitarian 4% 0% 5% with IDPs present in September reporting that assistance remains critically important Figure 14: Main NFI need of IDP population, Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 the majority lived in a rakooba or tukul. throughout the state. proportion of assessed settlements reporting settlements reporting new shelter damage The most needed non-food items (NFIs) each, Unity State, September 2018 Access to Services: Shelter, WASH, decreased from nearly all settlements in Leer reported by settlements with IDP populations Plastic sheeting 33% Health, and Education (98%) and Mayendit (98%) and 63% in Koch reflect the ongoing rainy season (see Figure Mosquito nets 21% 14). The majority of assessed settlements Cooking pot, jerry can, Reported access to services largely rebounded in June to less than a third in Leer (29%) and 16% bucket in the third quarter of 2018 as conflict Mayendit (20%) in September. This metric state-wide reported that plastic sheeting Soap 6% incidents decreased throughout Unity State. does not, however, account for past damage (33%) or mosquito nets (21%) were the Nonetheless, legacy and structural challenges and the need for rebuilding. most needed items. FGD participants also Sleeping mat or blanket 3% flagged items not captured by the AoK survey remained throughout the state. Other or no consensus 20% Reported shelter conditions for IDPs also including the need for fishing tools (in Mayom, Shelter and NFIs Figure 13: IDP shelter type and location, proportion of assessed settlements reporting, June Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Shelter conditions in conflict-affected areas of and September 2018 88% Reported access to improved water sources Unity State have improved as the number of 82% (e.g., boreholes, tap stands, or water yards) armed incidents decreased in the third quarter continued to vary substantially across Unity of 2018. In June, a substantial proportion of 66% State in the third quarter of 2018 (see Map 6). assessed settlements in Mayendit (45%), 52% The vast majority of assessed settlements in Leer (41%) and Koch (21%) reported that the 42% 39% 40% 37% 35% 35% Abiemnhom, Pariang and Panyijiar reported majority of the host community was living in 32% the bush. By September, the plurality were 29% 29% 29% that a borehole was the primary source of drinking water for people in the settlement again reporting that most of the (remaining) 16% 13% 8% 8% (>90% for all reporting months this quarter). host community was living in their own homes 5% 6% 5% 4% 3% 0% (88% Leer and 79% Mayendit) (see Figure In contrast, only about a third (33-37%) of 12). Only 2 of 42 assessed settlements in Leer June - Leer June - Mayendit Sept - Leer Sept - Mayendit assessed settlements in Northern Unity (Mayom, Rubkona, and Guit) counties reported continued to report that the majority of the Type - no shelter Where - in the bush the primary use of an improved water source. remaining host community lived in the bush. Type - improvised or community buildings Where - in spotaneous settlements, comm buidings Rather, settlements frequently reported that At the same time, the proportion of assessed Type - rakooba Where - with host community of the population (limiting access to distributions. At the same time, however, improved were increasingly able to access the Bentiu PoC site in neighbouring Rubkona county, 6 safety along the Mayom-Rubkona road relative to past years meant that households which meaningfully increased households’ ability to access food. Map 6: Proportion of assessed settlements water point for safety concerns. in Pariang, Abiemnhom, Mayom and Guit (see of assessed settlements in Abiemnhom, reporting access to a improved water source, Statewide, more than a third of assessed Map 7). Notably, reported access to facilities in Pariang, Mayom and Panyijiar consistently July (A), August (B) and September 2018 (C) Leer and Mayendit rebounded after the wave reported that health facilities were less than A B settlements continued to report that livestock currently used the same source of water as of violence in the second quarter. Where less a half a day’s journey (see Figure 15 for people. This trend was especially prominent than 10% of assessed settlements reported September figures). In contrast, only half of in the northern counties of Mayom, Rubkona, access to health facilities in either county in assessed settlements in Leer, Mayendit, Guit C Guit, and Abiemnhom. Also contributing to June, 93% of assessed settlements in Leer and Rubkona reported the same in September. Pariang poor hygiene and sanitation, open defecation and 74% in Mayendit reported access in Twenty-one percent of assessed settlements remained a common practice within assessed Rubkona September. reported that it took half a day or more to reach settlements throughout the second quarter health facilities and 16% reported that health Mayom Guit At the same time, however, substantial of 2018. Consistently more than 75% of facilities were not accessible. assessed settlements reported that none differences between counties persisted in of the community used latrines. The one terms of the time required to access health Education Koch exceptional case is Panyijiar. In September facilities. At the positive end, the vast majority Figure 15: Length of time it takes to access 82% of assessed settlements in the county Map 7: Proportion of assessed settlements health care services, proportion of assessed settlements, Unity State, September 2018 0% reported the use of latrines; however, among reporting access to health facilities, July (A), Mayendit these settlements, the vast majority (95%) also August (B) and September 2018 (C) Statewide, total 1 - 20% Leer assessed A B 21 - 40% reported that less than half of the population 41 - 60% were using them. Poor hygiene and sanitation Shortest time: practices increase the potential transmission Abiemnhom, Pariang, 61 - 80% Panyijiar Mayom, Panyijiar 81 - 100% of parasitic water-borne diarrhoeal diseases, C including cholera. Pariang Insufficient data Longest time: Leer, Mayendit, Guit, Rubkona Assessed settlement The combination of minimal access to Rubkona improved water sources, frequency of shared Less than half a day travel Half a day travel or more the majority of the population received water water sources, and open defecation is a cause Mayom Guit Health services not available from nearby rivers, swamps, and ponds. for concern; in particular, during the rainy No consensus among interviews season when waterborne disease outbreaks In Central Unity, reported access to improved Reported access to education increased seasonally increase. Koch 0% water rebounded from the main conflict months. in Central Unity counties after substantial 1 - 20% In September, 60% of assessed settlements drops during the wave of violence in the prior Health 21 - 40% in Leer and 74% in Mayendit reported an 0% reporting period (see Map 8). In July, few or Reported access to health facilities was Mayendit 41 - 60% improved water source as the main source 1 - 20% Leer no assessed settlements in Leer (4%) and high in much of Unity state and improved in 61 - 80% of water, which is similar to the proportions 21 - 40% Mayendit (0%) and only about one-third in Koch the counties most affected by conflict in the 41 - 60% 81 - 100% reported in April (52% and 69%, respectively). (36%) reported that education services were previous quarter. Overall, 89% of assessed 61 - 80% Insufficient data That said, a substantial proportion of assessed Panyijiar available. By September, these proportions settlements statewide reported access to 81 - 100% Assessed settlement settlements in Leer (38%) and Mayendit (46%) had increased to about half of assessed health facilities in September, ranging from Insufficient data counties continue to report in September that almost three-quarters of assessed settlements Assessed settlement they were not able to access their preferred in Rubkona (72%) and Mayendit (74%) to all 7 Map 8: Proportion of assessed settlements quarters. Panyijiar county continued to have reporting access to education facilities, July the highest proportion of assessed settlements (A), August (B) and September 2018 (C) reporting access to education services (100% A B in September), followed by the Northern Unity counties of Mayom, Rubkona, and Guit (50- 70% in September), and then Pariang and C Abiemnhom (<50%). Among these counties, Pariang the dearth of educational infrastructure appeared the main limiting factor. The most Rubkona commonly reported main reasons that Mayom Guit educational services were not available were the lack of facilities (33% of assessed settlements), excessive distance of present facilities (36%), and teachers stopping work Koch (13%), mostly likely out of lack of payment.

0% Conclusion Mayendit 1 - 20% Leer In the third quarter of 2018, the most 21 - 40% conflicted-affected areas of Unity State 41 - 60% reported initial recovery from the drastic 61 - 80% Panyijiar decreases in food security and services of 81 - 100% the previous quarter. Statewide, however, About REACH Insufficient data persistent insecurity, environmental and health REACH facilitates the development Assessed settlement challenges, and obstacles to the access of of information tools and products that sufficient humanitarian assistances continued enhance the capacity of aid actors to make settlements in Leer (50%) and Mayendit to imperil livelihoods and spur displacement. evidence-based decisions in emergency, (43%) reporting that education services Humanitarian assistance remained an 12 recovery and development contexts. All were now available. Nonetheless, past and important source of food for much of the state REACH activities are conducted through present security concerns remained a limiting and, given expectations of meagre harvests, it inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. factor. In September, the two most commonly is expected to remain crucial to staving off the For more information, you can write reported main reasons that services were not projected potential for Level 5 Catastrophic to our in-country office: southsudan@ available in Leer and Mayendit counties were food insecurity in parts of the state in the reach-initiative.org or to our global office: the destruction of facilities in conflict (42% of coming lean season. [email protected]. assessed settlements reporting lack of access) www.reach-initiative.org and continued insecurity (28%). Visit and follow us @REACH_info. Elsewhere in Unity State, reported access to education remained largely similar to prior

12. Similar marginal improvements were reported in Koch -- 30% of assessed settlements in September to meet the 5% threshold and thus to report on whether this trend continued 8 in Koch reported access to education in August. Insufficient settlements were assessed to follow that of neighbouring counties.