Situation Overview: Greater , January - March 2019

Introduction Map 1: REACH assessment coverage of the Greater Equatoria region, January (A), February (B) and March 2019 (C) METHODOLOGY .Many of the positive trends in land access and (A) (B) To provideprovide anan overview overview of of the the situation situation in hard- protection that began in late 2018 continued to-reach areasareas ofof GreaterUnity State, Equatoria, REACH REACH uses through the first quarter of 2019. However, primaryuses primary data fromdata keyfrom informants key informants who havewho localised insecurity persisted in some areas of recentlyhave recently arrived arrived from, from, recently recently visited, visited, or Greater Equatoria, and effects of last year’s low receive regular information from a settlement harvest yield lingered into 2019, undermining or “Area of Knowledge” (AoK). Information for food security and livelihoods. (C) this report was collected from key informants (C) in BentiuYambio, PoC Maridi, site, andNyal Kapoeta Town and towns, Jamjang and To inform humanitarian actors working outside 0 - 4.4% 21 - 50% Townsupplemented in Unity withState phonein October, call Novemberinterviews formal settlement sites, REACH has conducted andconducted December out of 2018. Juba in January, February and 4.5 - 10% 51 - 100% assessments of hard-to-reach areas in South In-depthMarch 2019. interviews on humanitarian needs Sudan since December 2015. Data is collected 11 - 20% Assessed settlement wereIn-depth conducted interviews throughout on humanitarian the month needsusing on a monthly basis through interviews with awere structured conducted survey throughout tool. After the data month collection using key informants with knowledge of a settlement continued and new displacement resulted Alongside protection issues, food security wasa structured completed, survey all tool.data Afterwas dataaggregated collection at and triangulated with focus group discussions from insecurity in Yei county. Although 43% of was the most pressing issue in the region, with settlementwas completed, level, andall settlementsdata was aggregatedwere assigned at (FGDs). This Situation Overview uses this data assessed settlements saw returns from internal only 29% of assessed settlements reporting thesettlement modal orlevel, most and credible settlements response. were Whenassigned no to analyse changes in observed humanitarian displacement in March, in the same month 59% adequate access to food. Lack of rain during consensusthe modal or could most be credible found for response. a settlement, When that no settlementconsensus wascould not be included found for in a reporting. settlement, that needs across Greater Equatoria in the first of assessed settlements reported the presence the last harvest season has resulted in many settlement was not included in reporting. quarter of 2019. of IDPs, indicating that on the whole internal settlements depleting their stores ahead of lean Only counties with interview coverage of at displacement has not waned since last quarter. season, and extreme coping strategies, such leastOnly 5%counties of all withsettlements interview1 in coveragea given monthof at as selling livestock and consuming seeds, were wereleast 5%included of all in settlements analysis. Due1 in ato given access month and Key Findings Access to reliable shelter varied by population already being used in early 2019. operationalwere included constraints, in analysis. the specificDue to access settlements and A mixture of displacement and returns type. Host communities reported high use assessedoperational within constraints, each county the specific each month settlements vary. characterised the quarter, as self-reported of permanent or semi-permanent structures Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Inassessed order to within reduce each the countylikelihood each that month variations vary. refugee returnees crossing the border for shelter, but 41% of assessed settlements and health needs were most serious in the inIn dataorder are to reduceattributable the likelihoodto coverage that differences, variations overin data time are analysesattributable were to coverage only conducted differences, for # of key informant interviews conducted: 882 reported the main shelter type for IDPs to be Greater Kapoeta area, where the proportion less permanent shelters, such as rakoobas, of assessed settlements reporting latrine countiesover time with analyses at least were 70% only consistent conducted payam for3 # of assessed settlements: 823 2 tents, or abandoned buildings. use was low and healthcare facilities were coveragecounties withover atthe least period. 70% consistent payam ## ofof countieskey informant covered interviews out of 24: conducted: 937 frequently reported to be too far or nonexistent. Quantitativecoverage over findings the period. were triangulated with January 16 While security has improved overall, protection # of assessed settlements: 458 However, across Greater Equatoria overall and FGDsQuantitative and secondary findings sources. were triangulated with February 17 concerns including incidents harming civilians # of counties covered: 9 (of 9) compared to other assessed areas of South MoreFGDs detailsand secondary of the methodology sources. More can detailsbe found of March 19 continued as a result of localised insecurity in the methodology can be found in the AoK ToRs. # of focus group discussions conducted: 3 Sudan, a relatively high proportion of assessed in the AoK ToRs. # of focus group discussions conducted: 1 Yei and neighbouring counties to the west.

1 To calculate the percentage of AoK coverage, the total number of settlements per county is based on OCHA settlement lists in addition to new settlements mapped by KIs reached each month. 2 “Payam” refers to the administrative unit below the county level. settlements reported access to health facilities Figure 1: Proportion of assessed settlements remained. In addition, outflows from Central in a continuing trend from last quarter. The (80%) and boreholes (83%). reporting IDP presence, March 2019 Equatoria to Uganda persisted as a result of vast majority of those transiting through were Similarly, education remained reportedly continued food insecurity. coming from Kakuma refugee camp, with most headed for Juba or Torit counties as their accessible for most assessed settlements 59% Yes Despite insecurity in the area, cross-border final destination. While the high proportion of (with 77% reporting access), but some areas, 41% No traffic from DRC and Uganda continued to inflows (68% of overall assessed movements) primarily in Greater Kapoeta, continued to take place throughout the Yei river valley, with 59+41+A seen in December, likely as a result of holiday report poor service availability. the majority of travellers aiming for Morobo, travels, died down in January and March to Figure 2: Proportion of assessed settlements though some were also continuing to Yei, reporting IDP returnee presence, March 2019 54% and 53%, February saw a similarly high Population Movement and Magwi, or Juba.12 While improved security led proportion of inflows (67%), possibly reflecting to an overall increase in cross-border mobility, Displacement efforts to travel before the onset of the rainy 43% Yes few of those crossing expressed an intent to There was reportedly a slight increase in season made roads impassable. overall cross-border travel throughout the first 57% No remain permanently in . While most cross-border movement was short- quarter,3 though the majority of those crossing 43+57+A Most reported they were embarking on short- the border did not report that they were term travel, conducting business or accessing term throughout the region, the percentage 13 returning permanently, but were travelling for and February, which led to an increase in IDPs goods and services. of travellers interviewed in Kapoeta town 6 reportedly intending to stay for 6 months economic reasons, to briefly access services, fleeing to nearby towns and counties. Eastern Equatoria State or more at their final destination increased or to visit family. Some of the increase may Central Equatoria State have been driven by efforts to move before In Kapoeta town, where REACH monitors slightly from the levels seen towards the end of roads were impeded by the arrival of the Insecurity in Yei River State spiked again in cross-border movement between South 2018, with 46% of groups of transit travellers January and early February after a temporary rainy season.4 Despite this overall increase, Sudan and Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, and 21% of groups of arrivals to Kapoeta calm at the end of the last quarter, with the proportion of settlements assessed by levels of inflows modestly surpassed outflows town planning to stay 6 months or more in Onduraba in Juba county also affected by REACH reporting the presence of returning related insecurity.7 The insecurity in Yei Map 2: Percentage of assessed settlements in the Greater Equatoria region reporting IDP presence, South Sudanese refugees remained similar to March 2019. county caused a surge in internal and external last quarter, with 21% of assessed settlements displacement. Some fled to Yei town while reporting the presence of spontaneous others hid in the bush or travelled to across refugee returnees in March (compared to 29% the border,8 including to DRC where UNHCR in December).5 This may reflect the short-term reported 5,000 new arrivals in Ituri province.9 nature of most recent cross-border travel. Of those seeking safety in Yei town, many were Internally, the proportion of assessed women and children lacking in basic supplies settlements reporting the presence of IDPs as well as family connections who could remained similar to last quarter’s reporting support them upon arrival.10 Though insecurity at 59% in March (versus 63% in December), receded in late February and March, many still 0% 61 - 80% suggesting that displacement is still an ongoing remained displaced as they assessed whether 1 - 20% 81 - 100% issue. Some of the continuing displacement it was safe to return,11 and 72% of assessed 21 - 40% Insufficient data may be attributable to localised insecurity in settlements in Yei county reported that in 41 - 60% Yei and the surrounding area during January March less than half of the original residents Assessed settlement

3 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring Registry. January - March 2019. In March 5 flow 10 OCHA. Situation and Response Update for New IDPs in ECS Yei monitoring points were added, but these points were relevant only to CAR/ 6 ACLED. Political violence and protest data. January to March 2019. Compound. 11 March 2019. 2 DRC travel. 7 ACLED. Political violence and protest data. January to March 2019. 11 IOM. Event Tracking: Yei, Central Equatoria. April 2019. 4 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring Registry. February 2019. 8 OCHA. Humanitarian Snapshot. February 2019. 12 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring: EVD Preparedness. January - March 2019. 5 Notably, during this quarter REACH was not able to get data coverage for 9 UNHCR. Thousands fleeing new violence in South Sudan’s Central 13 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring Registry. January - March 2019. Morobo, a primary destination for those returning from Uganda and DRC. Equatoria State. 12 February 2019. March (versus 33% and 13%, respectively, in Map 3: Displacement patterns across the Greater Equatoria region, January - March 2019. December 2018). This may indicate a gradual Mixed permanent and temporary returns (refugees) increase in travellers’ confidence to test out Displacement caused by lack of food or services staying in South Sudan for longer periods. Nagero Displacement caused by insecurity Nagero Elsewhere in Eastern Equatoria, Magwi and Daily crossborder movement Mvolo Tentative returns following internal displacement Tambura Torit counties experienced fresh inflows from Arrow size is indicative of proportionate size of flow movement Uganda14 (including returning South Sudanese Mvolo Tambura ediba Terekeka refugees) on the one hand, and both new Central African Maridi Terakeka and old internal displacement on the other. Republic Mundri afon apoeta Eo Ibba Mundri North Magwi and Torit counties were impacted by Eo Maridi apoeta East Juba Riwoto 15 Ibba West intercommunal violence in January, causing ambio Imehejek apoeta localised displacement. Moreover, aside Nara Juba Nara Torit Narus from Yei county, the proportion of assessed ambio ei ainya Torit Chukudum settlements claiming that only half or less of ainya Magwi Ikotos the members of the local community were Budi ei Magwi enya ajo eji Ikotos present during the quarter was highest in Morobo Magwi and Torit counties, indicating that this Democratic Republic of Congo area has yet to recover from the impacts of Uganda years of insecurity, even as they deal with newer violence and displacement. wih South Sudanese returnees to seek refuge last year, with the marked exception of the across Greater Equatoria reported that most Western Equatoria State in Tambura. The resulting tension in the area, Greater Mundri area.20 people had access to enough food in March, Population movements within Western compounded with local fears of intercommunal Situation in Assessed with the highest proportion of assessed Equatoria in this quarter were highly variable violence, prompted closure of Tambura’s settlements who reported adequate access in 18 Settlements by local context. border with CAR. In contrast, IDPs from Western Equatoria. Among those that reported Nagero who were displaced to Tambura by Food security and Livelihoods inadequate access to food, 60% reported that The northwest counties of Ezo, Tambura, and violence last April have largely returned in the this situation was causing severe hunger. Despite improvements in security and Nagero demonstrated a contrast between face of persisting calm conditions. improved safety within the state and new subsequently increased access to land for Consistent with the January 2019 Integrated outbreaks of violence outside its borders. The eastern counties of Mvolo, Mundri East, cultivation, only a minority (29%) of assessed settlements across Greater Equatoria South Sudanese who crossed into the DRC and Mundri West saw a fresh wave of internal Figure 3: Percentage of assessed settlements reported inadequate access to food well 19+22+33 returned to Yambio and Ezo counties as displacement. The insecurity in Yei county in reporting inadequate access to food, March security in the region improved,16 17 and in January and early February spilled over into ahead of the usual lean season, and extreme 2019. 19 March 80% of assessed settlements in Ezo the Greater Mundri area, causing locals to coping strategies, including strategies which 70% of assessed county in particular reported the presence of temporarily displace to nearby towns, though negatively impact future access to food, were settlements reported spontaneous refugee returnees coming from many returned in March. Accordingly, in this already being used in early 2019. inadequate access to DRC. However, violent incidents across the quarter humanitarian access to Western Similar to proportions reported in the previous food CAR border also drove CAR nationals mixed Equatoria reportedly increased compared to quarter, only 29% of assessed settlements 70+291+A 14 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring: EVD Preparedness. January - March 2019. 18 UNHCR. Report on UNHCR, WVI and CRA Joint Mission to Tambura 21 IPC. South Sudan IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition 15 OCHA. Humanitarian Snapsot. January 2019. State, Western Equatoria. 19 - 22 March 2019 Analysis, January - July 2019. February 2019. 3 16 UNHCR. Report on UNHCR, WVI and CRA Joint Mission to Tambura 19 OCHA. Assessment Report for Displaced Population from Minga Payam, 22 Budi, Kapoeta South, Kapoeta North, and Kapoeta East State, Western Equatoria, 19 - 22 March 2019. Kediba County Amadi State into Dulamaya Boma of Rokon County Jubek 17 IOM-DTM. Flow Monitoring: EVD Preparedness. January - March 2019. State. 14 March 2019. 20 OCHA. Humanitarian Access Snapshot. February 2019. Map 4: Percentage of assessed settlements in the Greater Equatoria region reporting inadequate reporting access to agricultural inputs in common coping strategy in Kapoeta North and access to food, March 2019. Western Equatoria, where communities are East (100% and 70% in March) where livestock most reliant upon agriculture for livelihoods, is a primary source of food and livelihoods, was comparatively higher, but the Greater heightening the potential for violence in the Kapoeta area in Eastern Equatoria had future as herders resort to strategies to recoup much lower access to seeds and tools. As their losses. Consuming seeds meant for the an additional constraint, settlements reported next planting season was a frequent coping travelling greater distances to reach markets strategy among assessed settlements in in Kapoeta East, Kapoeta North, and Budi the Western Equatoria agricultural belt from county (where in March 81%, 67%, and 64% Yambio to Tambura; the four counties in this 0% 61 - 80% of assessed settlements respectively reported area reported consuming seeds at rates 1 - 20% 81 - 100% it took between 1 hour and multiple days to ranging from 83% and 90% of assessed 21 - 40% Insufficient data reach a market). Facing the aforementioned settlements during March. 41 - 60% Assessed settlement factors on top of dry spells driving down yields More extreme coping strategies were low over the past harvest season, settlements in throughout the region as a whole, but assessed these areas mostly relied on cattle-herding for settlements in Greater Kapoeta and Nagero Phase Classification (IPC) analysis that a as Phase 4 (Emergency) in the IPC analysis. sustenance (83% of assessed settlements in county reported frequent reliance on severe dry spell in 2018 impacted crop output and While low rainfall appeared to be the Greater Kapoeta). While cattle ownership was coping strategies, such as adults not eating subsequent food availability country-wide,21 predominant cause of food insecurity overall, extremely high in this area (86% of assessed so that children could eat, sending children the most common reason reported (45%) other factors contributed on a more localised settlements in Greater Kapoeta compared to to the neighbours, and consuming wild foods as the primary cause of inadequate food in scale. In March a comparatively high proportion 31% across Greater Equatoria), 49% reported that were known to make people sick. In March was a lack of rain reducing the previous of assessed settlements in Yei county reported that livestock disease had at least some impact Greater Kapoeta these coping strategies harvest, with higher percentages of assessed inadequate access to food (94%), with 39% on the ability to access food for most people. were reflective of low rainfall and poor market settlements in the Greater Kapoeta area22 reporting that unsafe conditions prevented Coping strategies access, while in Nagero past insecurity and (55%), Juba county (60%), and Terekeka them from accessing cultivation land, likely displacement continued to have lingering county (52%) blaming low rainfall for food Households adopted a variety of coping as a result of recent insecurity and resulting effects on cultivation. insecurity. The counties with the highest strategies in response to inadequte food protection concerns in the area.23 proportion of assessed settlements reporting supplies. The most common coping strategies Protection lack of rain as the main cause of inadequate With the exception of Yei, access to land for were aimed at maintaining prior food levels: in The relatively stabilised security situation since access to food also had some of the most cultivation seems to have stablised for most March 78% of assessed settlements bought severe indicators for food insecurity. In March, areas, with 85% of assessed settlements less expensive food and 73% borrowed food Figure 4: Proportion of assessed settlements between 90 and 100% of assessed settlements claiming access in March. But while the from neighbours. However, reducing the reporting incidents during which civilians were in Torit, Terekeka, and Kapoeta East and region generally had reliable access to land number of meals eaten in a day was common, killed, March 2019. North counties reported eating only one meal for cultivation, agricultural inputs were less with 68% of the assessed settlements per day on average, compared to 54% of all available: ahead of the 2019 planting season, resorting to fewer meals to compensate for 10% of assessed settlements reported settlements across Greater Equatoria eating only 36% of assessed settlements reported food shortages. Furthermore, many resorted conflict-related one meal. In addition, both Kapoeta East and having access to enough seeds and tools. to strategies with negative impacts on future incidents North, as well as Budi county, were classified The proportion of assessed settlements food security. Selling livestock persisted as a 10+90+A 21 IPC. South Sudan IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Analysis, January - July 2019. February 2019. 4 22 Budi, Kapoeta South, Kapoeta North, and Kapoeta East 23 OCHA. Humanitarian Snapsot. February 2019. the last quarter of 2018 continued in early 2019, has weakened access to reliable shelter Map 5: Percentage of assessed settlements in the Greater Equatoria region reporting adequate and in March 77% of assessed settlements throughout the Greater Equatoria region for access to health care, March 2019. reported that most people felt safe most of the the past two years, relative stability seems time (compared to 57% in September of last to persist as of March 2019, especially for year). However, localised insecurity disturbed host community members. Among the host some parts of Greater Equatoria, particularly community populations that were still living Yei and the neighbouring counties to the in their original settlement, the majority were west. In March, 67% of assessed settlements reported to be living in solid structures such in Yei county reported that incidents of theft as tukuls (93% of assessed settlements in or looting had occurred in the past month, March, compared to 73% in June 2018, before and 28% reported that an incident of conflict the peace agreement). Only 4% of assessed resulting in civilian death had occurred. settlements reported that the majority of the Consistent with the trend seen in previous host community was living in the less-solid 0% 61 - 80% quarters, the most frequently reported rakoobas,24 and none of the host community 1 - 20% 81 - 100% primary protection concern among women were reported as living in tents or improvised 21 - 40% Insufficient data was domestic violence (37% of assessed housing. The situation for IDPs, however, does 41 - 60% Assessed settlement settlements in March), while among men it was not seem to have improved at the same pace, cattle raiding (12%). The settlements reporting as reports that the majority of IDPs were living Although most of the region has experienced areas. In Kapoeta East and Mvolo counties, cattle raiding to be the main protection concern in less-solid shelters held at rates similar to improvements in security, 7% of assessed over half of assessed settlements in each among men were largely concentrated in last quarter. Among settlements reporting the settlements reported that at least one shelter county reported that there were no health the key pastoralist areas of the Greater presence of IDPs, in March 31% of assessed had been destroyed by fighting in March. services within walking distance in March. Equatoria region, such as Kapoeta North, settlements reported that the main shelter Severe insecurity in Yei county represented Among those who reported no access to Kapoeta East and Terekeka (33%, 37%, and type among IDPs was rakooba, and 10% the bulk of shelters destroyed by conflict, as health services, the primary reason for lack 48%, respectively). Nonetheless, assessed reported that IDPs were living in very poor assessed settlements in Yei reporting that a of access was fairly evenly divided between settlements were more likely to report that men quality shelters such as tents or abandoned shelter had been destroyed by conflict were facilities being too distant (reported by 43% did not face any protection concerns. Among structures. In Torit county, 47% of assessed high throughout the quarter (94% in March). of assessed settlements in March) and never both girls and boys, the protection concern settlements with IDPs reported abandoned The Mundri area also experienced localised being there in the first place (37%). In addition, most reported was early marriage, which buildings as the main shelter for IDPs, possibly insecurity and reported shelters destroyed by a slight majority of the assessed settlements accounted for 57% of assessed settlements due to previous displacement resulting in more conflict in early 2019. (53%) stated that healthcare facilities either in March for girls and 19% for boys. Among abandoned buildings in Torit county. Health and Nutrition were not accessible or took a minimum of an boys a variety of other protection concerns Figure 5: Proportion of assessed settlements hour to reach. This indicates that healthcare were also reported, such as violence between Access to health services appeared to be self-reporting primary causes of death, March infrastructure is not easily accessible to neighbours (14%) and forced recruitment relatively high across the region, with 80%

2019. 32+18+11 vulunerable groups with mobility issues in more of assessed settlements reporting that there (10%). Malaria 32% remote settlements, or to emergency cases were at least some services that residents Shelter that require services in a short timeframe. Natural causes 18% could walk to from their settlement in March. Although high displacement and insecurity Typhoid 11% However, access was less consistent in some Consistent with previous quarters, malaria

24 Rakoobas are more temporary shelters made from straw, while tukuls are mud huts with more permanence. 5 continued to be the main self-reported health water at comparatively higher rates than other were using latrines in 71%, 85%, and 93% of Figure 6: Access to a functioning borehole, concern (28% of assessed settlements in parts of the region. assessed settlements, respectively. For the March 2019. March) and the main self-reported cause of entire Greater Kapoeta area, the main reason 77% of assessed Insecurity in Western Equatoria, especially settlements reported death (32% of assessed settlements) across in Nagero as well as the eastern corner of for not using latrines given was that none were access to a Greater Equatoria. Assessed settlements in Western Equatoria next to the Yei river valley, available, which may be partially attritbutable functioning borehole the Greater Kapoeta area reported malaria or may have diminished the perception of safe to low infrastructure investment in this semi- 77+22+1+A education services were not available was fever as being the main self-reported cause of access to preferred water points in January pastoralist area of the country. that there never had been services nearby, death at proportions ranging from 50 to 67%, and February. However, water access during Education whereas the most frequently reported reason in higher than the proportions reported in other the month of March appears to have improved the Mundri area was that the facilities were too counties. along with security in these areas: the In the first quarter of 2019, education distant. Consistent with the steadily improving proportion of assessed settlements reporting remained accessible for most assessed Although malaria was the primary individual security situation, only 7% of assessed self-reported health concern and cause of inability to access water out of fear dropped settlements. Over three-fourths (77%) of assessed settlements reported that there were settlements without access to education death, water-borne diseases taken together from 25 to 13% in Mundri West, 30 to 14% attributed this to conflict or security-related education services that people could walk to were an equally if not more persistent issue. in Mvolo, and 36 to 9% Mundri East from reasons in the month of March, compared to from their settlement. In March, 21% of all assessed settlements January to March in, and from 75 to 25% for 28% in September. reported either typhoid, cholera, or diarrhoea Nagero from December to March. The 22% of settlements that reported no as the main self-reported cause of death, and Enrolment rates did not necessarily reflect In a trend persisting from past analyses, the availability of education services were the improved security or the availability of diarrhoea and typhoid combined comprised Greater Kapoeta area continued to appear to concentrated in the Greater Kapoeta area and 30% of assessed settlements’ primary self- education services. Sixty-one percent of have low use of latrines, with Kapoeta South, the Mundri area. Most of these settlements in assessed settlements with access to education reported health concerns, a slightly higher East, and North reporting that no people the Kapoeta area stated that the main reason services stated that only half or less than half proprtion than that of malaria (28%). Map 6: Percentage of assessed settlements in the Greater Equatoria region reporting adequate of boys 6-17 years of age were regularly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene access to education services, March 2019. attending school, and 70% of settlements Access to at least one functioning borehole reported that half or less of girls in the same appeared to be high across the Greater age range were attending. Although Eastern Equatoria region in March, with 83% of and Western Equatoria had a higher proportion of assessed settlements reporting lack of assessed settlements reporting that boreholes services, Central Equatoria in fact showed the were present in their settlement, of which 93% most notable decrease in attendance for girls. reported that the boreholes were functional. From December to March, the proportion of However, certain areas, predominantly in settlements reporting that only half or less than Western Equatoria, were more reliant on half of girls were attending school regularly unimproved25 sources as their main source jumped from 54% to 73%.26 For both boys of water. Ezo, Nagero, and Nzara in the 0% 61 - 80% and girls, school fees were the main barrier northwest largely reported wells as their 1 - 20% 81 - 100% to school attendance; however, needing boys primary source of water, and the eastern 21 - 40% Insufficient data to stay home from school to do agricultural corner of Western Equatoria running from Ibba 41 - 60% Assessed settlement or similar labour was also a key factor in low through Mundri and Mvolo area used river

25 “Unimproved” means that water sources are not protected from contamination, especially fecal matter. 6 26 Coverage for Juba county did not meet the threshold of 70% of all payams covered in January - March, therefore data from December - March was used for this trend analysis. attendance.

Conclusion The improved security seen in the latter half of 2018 appeared to carry over into the first quarter of 2019. Perceptions of protection threats and reported inability to access land or services due to conflict were low throughout most of Greater Equatoria, and tentative returns both inside the country and across its borders reflected a cautious sense of optimism. Nevertheless, localised insecurity persisted in Yei and the surrounding counties along with with barriers to humanitarian access. Even in areas with improved security, the impacts of years of weakened infrastructure and limited livelihood opportunities, coupled with low yields during last year’s harvest, resulted in a variety of unmet needs throughout the region. The Greater Kapoeta area in particular faced a serious conjunction of food About REACH insecurity, unreliable healthcare access and protection concerns driven mainly by WASH REACH facilitates the development issues and faltering livelihoods. Despite slight of information tools and products that improvements in perceptions of security in enhance the capacity of aid actors to much of the region, high needs persist and a make evidence-based decisions in return to fully stable conditions has yet to be emergency, recovery and development attained. contexts. All REACH activities are conducted through inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms. For more information, you can write to our in-country office: southsudan@ reach-initiative.org or to our global office: [email protected]. Visit www.reach-initiative.org and follow us @REACH_info.

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