Situation Overview: , South January - March 2020

Introduction METHODOLOGY Reported humanitarian needs increased across is likely a consequence of severe flooding Map 1: Assessment coverage in Jonglei State in To provide an indicative overview of the situation Jonglei State throughout the first quarter of which appears to have brought forward January (A), February (B) and March (C), 2020: in hard-to-reach areas of Jonglei State, REACH 2020. An early depletion of food stocks, limited the onset of the lean season from March uses primary data from key informants (KIs) who access to livestock and increasing market to January.3 Moving forward, heavy rains A B have recently arrived from, recently visited, or prices resulted in widespread food insecurity. in the coming months may further reduce receive regular information from a settlement or Moving forward, the existing humanitarian crisis humanitarian access to extremely vulnerable “Area of Knowledge” (AoK). Information for this report was collected from KIs in Bor Protection of could be exacerbated further by the direct and populations in hard-to-reach areas. Civilians (PoC) site, Bor Town and Akobo Town in indirect effects of COVID-19. • The proportion of assessed settlements January, February and March 2020. To inform humanitarian actors working outside reporting protection concerns remained Monthly interviews on humanitarian needs were formal settlement sites, REACH has conducted stable, with 79% reporting most people felt conducted using a structured survey tool. After data collection was completed, all data was assessments of hard-to-reach areas in South safe most of the time in March. However, the 0 - 4.9% aggregated at settlement level, and settlements Sudan since December 2015. Data is collected protection situation in Uror and Nyriol counties Canal/ 5 - 10% Pigi were assigned the modal or most credible on a monthly basis through interviews with key appeared to have worsened in March, likely 11 - 20% response. When no consensus could be found for informants (KIs) with knowledge of a settlement due to an increase in intercommunal violence 21 - 50% a settlement, that settlement was not included in and triangulated with focus group discussions Nyirol • Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 51 - 100% reporting. (FGDs). This Situation Overview analyses Only counties with interview coverage of at needs remained high and may be further Akobo Assessed settlement changes in observed humanitarian needs in 1 exacerbated by COVID-19 as reported least 5% of all settlements in a given month Jonglei State in the first quarter of 2020. Uror were included in analysis. Due to access and barriers to accessing clean water sources Duk operational constraints, the specific settlements and functional healthcare services assessed within each county each month vary. Key Findings Twic East pose challenges to both the widespread In order to reduce the likelihood that variations in • The proportion of assessed settlements implementation of World Health Organisation data are attributable to coverage differences, over reporting the presence of internally (WHO)4 handwashing practices and the Bor South time analyses were only conducted for counties displaced persons (IDPs) remained stable accessibility of healthcare services. C with at least 70% consistent payam2 coverage this quarter (60% in March). This is probably over the period. • Access to reliable shelter seemingly varied related to the continuation of protracted Quantitative findings were triangulated by focus by population group: 24% of assessed intercommunal clashes. group discussions (FGDs) with participants settlements reported the main shelter type # of key informant interviews conducted: 1,330 displaced from across Jonglei State, and • Food security deteriorated further during the for IDPs to be less solid structures, such as # of assessed settlements: 910 secondary sources. 5 reporting period, with just 49% of assessed rakoobas or improvised shelters, while host # of counties covered consistently: 9 (of 11) More details of the methodology can be found in settlements reporting adequate access to communities reportedly mainly used solid # of focus group discussions conducted: 22 the AoK ToRs. food in March (68% in December 2019). This structures for shelter (95%).

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. Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse 2. Payams are the administrative unit at the sub-county level in . Confederazione Svizzera 3. OCHA. Humanitarian Needs Overview 2020. November 2019. Confederaziun svizra 4. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public. March 2020. Swiss Agency for Development 5. Rakoobas are shelters constructed from poles and plastic tarpaulin. and Cooperation SDC • Though education reportedly remained The conflict reportedly displaced over 8,000 Map 2: Proportion of assessed settlements March was rejoining family and home (80%).18 accessible for most assessed settlements people to the United Nations Mission In reporting the presence of IDPs in March 2020 This finding is supported by AoK data from (85%), the proportion of assessed settlements South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Pibor Town, March 2020, with 57% of assessed settlements reporting that half or more of boys were simultaneously disrupting trade flows and the that reported the presence of refugee returnees attending school in March (86%), remained delivery of humanitarian assistance, resulting reporting family/home as the main pull factor. higher than for girls (53%). in ‘critical gaps’ in the delivery of water, relief commodities, shelter supplies, and WASH Moving forward, the prevalence and Population Movement and infrastructure.7,8 Frequent revenge attacks in geographical dynamics of COVID-19 are Displacement the aftermath of the conflict may explain why, likely to act as key drivers of both internal and in March, 100% of assessed settlements in cross-border population movement. According The proportion of assessed settlements Uror, Nyriol and Akobo counties which reported to FGD participants displaced from , reporting the presence of IDPs in Jonglei State the occurrence of a large-scale displacement fear of COVID-19 and the closure of education remained high but stable between December reported conflict as the primary push factor. facilities has encouraged large numbers of (51%), and March (60%). Consistent with the students to return to South Sudan.19 This is previous reporting period, 59% of assessed Insecurity, rooted in the fear of potential journeys.14 In addition, insecurity also pushed concerning because, although formal border settlements across Jonglei continued to report revenge attacks, was a key driver of population up the cost of transportation which posed an crossings have remained operational in insecurity (which includes killing, rape, fighting movement in both February and March, additional barrier for the poorest and most Akobo Town as of March, closure could result and looting), as the main IDP push factor in according to FGD participants displaced from 9 10 11 vulnerable populations. For example, FGD in a spike in informal crossings which raises March. The proportion of assessed settlement Duk, Twic East and Uror counties. In Twic participants displaced to Bor PoC from the protection concerns and could pose serious reporting this was particularly high in Fangak East County, the threat of Murle revenge settlements of Pieri, Padiek and Motot in Uror, health risks if a COVID-19 vector enters the County (100%), (96%) and Canal/ attacks to rescue raided women, children and reportedly paid 20,000 South Sudanese Pound country unidentified. Furthermore, inbound (84%). However, there were also cattle reportedly displaced around half of the (SSP) each for the two-day drive (the equivalent population movements may place additional sharp increases in the proportion of assessed population of Maar and Paliau settlements to 12 of between $60 and $70).15 pressure on already limited food supplies. Of the settlements reporting this in Uror and Nyirol either Bor Town or Mingkaman ( State). assessed settlements reporting the presence counties between December and March, from Insecurity also reportedly drove cross-border Self-reported returns of returnees (both IDP and refugee) in Akobo 0% in both counties to 47% in Uror and 29% in population movement. FGD participants The proportion of assessed settlements County, 100% reported that returnees had had Nyirol. This was likely related to the continuation displaced from reported that reporting the presence of refugee returnees and intensification of protracted intercommunal most people from the settlements of Nyandit, a negative impact on the ability of most people remained stable between December (37%), to access enough food in March. According to clashes throughout the reporting period. Kony, Mer and Gakdong fled to the refugee and March (34%). REACH Port and Road 13 FGD participants displaced from Ethiopia, most camps in the Gambella region of Ethiopia. Monitoring (PRM) in Akobo Town tracks the In mid-February, intercommunal violence returnees were not registered for general food broke out in the settlements of Likuangole, movement of South Sudanese households While driving displacement, findings suggest distributions and had to rely on family and host Gumuruk, and Manyabol in , that insecurity also posed a barrier to population travelling to, and returning from Ethiopia. The community support which reportedly resulted between Murle and a broad coalition of armed movement. FGD participants displaced from number of recorded inbound individuals fell in food shortages and increasing tensions youths, primarily from the Greater Akobo reported that the threat of ambush, from 570 in December16 to 317 in March.17 between returnees and some communities.20 region, but also containing smaller contingents abduction and killing prevented vulnerable Consistent with PRM findings from December, from Duk, Twic East and Bor South counties.6 populations from undertaking displacement the primary reported pull factor for returnees in

6. USAID. South Sudan - Crisis Fact Sheet #5. March 2020. 11. FGD with participants from Uror displaced to Bor PoC, March 2020. 16. REACH Port and Road Monitoring, Akobo, December 2019. 2 7. Ibid 12. FGD with participants displaced from Twic East to Bor Town, March 2020. 17. REACH Port and Road Monitoring, Akobo, March 2020. 8. FEWS NET. South Sudan. Key Message Update. March 2020. 13. FGD with participants displaced from Akobo County to Akobo Town, March 2020. 18. Ibid 9. FGD with participants from Duk, displaced to Mingkaman, March 2020. 14. FGD with participants displaced from Uror to Bor PoC, March 2020. 19. FGD with participants displaced from Ethiopia to Akobo Town, April 2020. 10. FGD with participants displaced from Twic East to Bor Town, March 2020. 15. Ibid 20. Ibid Situation in Map 3: Proportion of assessed settlements potential to severely limit harvest yields. Market access reporting cultivation as the main source of food Widespread rainfall in March is expected to Assessed Settlements for most people in March 2020 Market access appeared to improve slightly produce a dramatic increase in locust numbers between reporting periods, however access 0% in East Africa, with swarms expected to move Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) 1 - 20% barriers remained. Of the assessed settlements 27 21 - 40% from Kenya into South Sudan. There is also The FSL situation across Jonglei State 41 - 60% reporting the presence of a functional market 61 - 80% a risk that eggs laid by locusts that passed within walking distance in March, 65% reported appeared to deteriorate further throughout the 81 - 100% through South Sudan in February, will hatch Insufficient data the presence of an access barrier (81% in reporting period. The proportion of assessed 28 Assessed settlement and mature, possibly devastating crop yields. settlements reporting that most people had December). The primary reported barriers adequate access to food decreased from Access to livestock were high prices (79%), and unavailability of items (78%), (55% and 46% respectively, in 68% in December, to just 49% in March. This Findings indicate that flooding, which severely December). Since the end of 2019/start of was likely a consequence of severe flooding limited the availability of grazing pastures, between June and December 2019 which 2020, flood waters have dissipated and, as resulting in widespread livestock malnutrition, such, the proportion of assessed settlements destroyed crops, killed livestock and disrupted disease and death, continued to limit access flows of trade and humanitarian assistance.21 reporting flooding as a physical barrier to market to cattle throughout the reporting period. In access decreased from 19% in December, to The combined effects of flooding on access to March, 51% of assessed settlements across this was because flooding (between June and just 1% in March. However, according to FGD food appear to have brought forward the onset Jonglei reported the occurrence of a disease of the lean season from March to January.22 December 2019), destroyed crops (23% in participants displaced from across Jonglei outbreak which resulted in livestock death (31% State,32 lasting damage done to road networks IPC analysis from February projected that, December). FGD participants displaced from 24 in December). The proportion of assessed by flooding continued to limit market supply, between March and May, all counties across across Jonglei consistently reported that settlements reporting this was particularly which may explain reportedly high prices and Jonglei State, bar Pochalla and Bor South, flooding either severely limited harvest yields high in Ayod (100%), Fangak (78%), Canal/ limited availability of goods. For example, FGD will be experiencing Emergency levels of in their settlements, or prevented any harvest Pigi (65%) and Akobo (59%) counties. The participants displaced from Akobo County acute food insecurity (Phase 4).23 In addition, from taking place altogether. According to FGD participants displaced from effect of flooding on livestock disease was reported that a lack of road access forced some the increasing presence of COVID-19 in the ,the cultivation of crops including sorghum further reflected by FGD participants displaced traders to fly in foodstuffs from , pushing region could further reduce access to food, 29 and maize would, in a normal year, provide from across Jonglei State. According to FGD prices up.33 In addition, although market access exacerbating both the breadth and depth of farmers with sufficient food to survive until participants displaced from Ayod County, reportedly improved in Ayod County, the acute food insecurity, potentially worsening the following harvest. However, the flooding much of the cattle in the settlements of Torkey, destruction of roads continued to limit supply.34 the situation for already extremely vulnerable Panaah, Mhaar, Padek and Woi, died because of 2019 reportedly destroyed almost all crops High market prices and limited supply are populations across the State. of disease.30 Most of the remaining cattle in the settlements of Rup-Mok, Keew, Toch, concerning as the premature exhaustion Reduced harvest yields 25 reportedly suffered from malnutrition, as flooding Koljaak, Rup-Kuai, Nyanine and Yuor-yuor. In of food stocks and limited access to cattle limited the availability of grazing pastures. This The severe impact of flooding on harvest addition, FGD participants displaced from Duk could increase both the extent and duration reportedly resulted in the premature delivery of yields continued to be felt throughout the Padiet reported that, while some farmers were of market reliance for many flood-affected able to harvest some crops, limited food stocks calves and the inability of cows to produce milk, reporting period. Of the assessed settlements settlements across the State. For example, were fully exhausted by January.26 contracting the market for cattle.31 reporting that most people did not have between December 2019 and March 2020, the adequate access to food, 25% reported that Moving forward, locust swarms have the proportion of assessed settlements reporting

21. FEWS NET. South Sudan. Food Security Outlook. February 2020. 26. FGD with participants displaced from Duk to Bor Town, February 2020. 31. Ibid 3 22. OCHA. Humanitarian Needs Overview 2020. November 2019. 27. Food and Agriculture Organisation. Desert Locust Crisis. February 2020. 32. FGDs with participants displaced from Akobo, Twic East, Duk, Uror and Ayod. 23. FEWS NET. South Sudan. Food Security Outlook. February 2020. 28. USAID. South Sudan - Crisis Fact Sheet #5. March 2020. 33. FGD with participants displaced from Akobo County to Akobo Town. January 2020. 24. FGDs with participants displaced from Akobo, Ayod, Uror, Fangak, Canal/Pigi and 29. FGDs with participants displaced from Twic East, Ayod, Uror, Fangak, Canal/ 34. FGD with participants displaced from Ayod to Bor PoC. January 2020. Duk. Pigi and Duk. 25. FGD with participants displaced from Fangak to Bor PoC, January 2020. 30. FGD with participants displaced from Ayod to Bor PoC, January 2020. bought goods as the main source of food for Humanitarian assistance Figure 1: Proportion of assessed settlements Food consumption coping strategies were reporting humanitarian assistance as the main often reportedly implemented in conjunction most people increased in both Uror County The negative effects of flooding on access (0% to 21%) and (0% to 17%). source of food for most people between June with livelihood coping strategies, as reported to food appear to have brought forward the 2019 and March 2020 Increased market reliance could explain the onset of the lean season, prolonging the 100% by all assessed settlements in Duk, Twic East high proportions of assessed settlements and Bor South counties in March. The most period between which households run out of Uror Nyirol reporting the use of asset-depleting coping food stocks, and the next harvest (typically 80% frequently reported livelihood coping strategies strategies in these counties, such as selling between March and August). This may result were selling home assets (69% of assessed home assets (92% in Uror County and 88% in in an increased need for humanitarian food 60% settlements), and borrowing food (69%) (both Nyirol County), and selling livestock (96% in assistance for an extended period of time.38 up from 55% in December). The widespread Uror County and 100% in Nyirol County), which 40% implementation of asset depleting coping The proportion of assessed settlements may erode long-term resilience to future shocks strategies throughout the reporting period reporting humanitarian assistance as the 20% (see Coping Strategies section). is particularly concerning as such strategies main source of food for most people remained are often employed as a last resort and can The presence of COVID-19 in the region could relatively low between December (21%), 0% reduce the ability of households to overcome develop into a severe future shock, further and March (13%). During this period, the Jun 2019 Sept 2019 Dec 2019 Mar 2020 made the airstrip inaccessible, preventing future barriers to food access. This is especially restricting access to food. South Sudan is a net proportion of assessed settlements reporting worrying given the potential for COVID-19 cereal importer and relies heavily on imports this continued to decrease in Uror County (38% the delivery of food assistance to vulnerable populations for several months.39 to develop into a severe future shock, further from Sudan and Uganda, however, border to 21%) and Nyirol County (67% to 54%). This limiting access to food. closures have limited the flows of cereals and is concerning given that, in March, no assessed Coping Strategies other processed commodities such as sugar settlements in either county reported cultivation There was also an increase in the proportion Corresponding with the reported high levels and maize flour.35 As such, seasonal price as the main source of food for most people, of assessed settlements reporting extreme of food insecurity, people across Jonglei State increases are likely to occur at a much steeper suggesting that food stocks have been fully food consumption coping strategies between continued to adopt a range of coping strategies. rate than in previous years.36 exhausted. The exhaustion of food stocks and December and March, indicative of increasingly a lack of alternative sources of food may explain In March, 73% and 63% of assessed settlements severe food insecurity. For example, the Existing supply bottlenecks, due to flooding, why the proportion of assessed settlements reported using livelihood or food consumption proportion of assessed settlements reporting and emerging bottlenecks, due to border reporting that half or more of all children were coping strategies respectively (65% and 46% in that people had reduced the number of closures, will likely be compounded by malnourished increased sharply between December). meals eaten in a day increased from 13% in seasonal rainfall, which usually begins in May , December and March, from 0% to 38% in Uror Consistent with the previous reporting period, December, to 42% in March. The proportion and results in over half of the country’s already County and from 0% to 50% in Nyirol County. the most frequently reported food consumption of assessed settlements reporting this was limited road network becoming inaccessible.37 particularly high in Canal/Pigi County (94%). Moving forward, seasonal rainfall could coping strategies were limiting portion sizes This may result in high levels of vulnerability, In addition, between December and March, the severely limit the delivery of humanitarian food (59% of assessed settlements), and consuming particularly in the months prior to the harvest, proportion of assessed settlements reporting assistance, which will likely be crucial to fill less expensive food (53%). This may be a which raises important questions about the role that some residents did not eat for entire days the hunger-gap for food-insecure populations consequence of depleting household food of humanitarian food assistance in the coming increased sharply in Akobo County (14% to across the State. For example, FGD participants stocks and supply chain disruptions, which months. 49%), and Uror County (0% to 46%). displaced from Uror County reported that, have limited the availability of market goods, during the previous rainy season, flooding pushing up prices (see Markets section). In some cases, the past exhaustion of coping

35. WFP. COVID19 outbreak likely impact on markets and food security in South Sudan. 39. FGD with participants displaced from Uror to Akobo Town, February 2020. 4 March 2020. 40. FGD with participants displaced from Uror to Bor PoC, January 2020. 36. Ibid 37. Logistics Cluster. Concept of Operations. April 2020. 38. OCHA. Humanitarian Needs Overview 2020. November 2019. strategies may have negatively affected people’s Map 4: Proportion of assessed settlements remained the main protection concern for The proportion of assessed settlements ability to resort to typical coping strategies. For reporting an incident of a conflict which girls in March (26%). There were particularly reporting boreholes as the main source of example, FGD participants displaced from Uror resulted in the death of a civilian in March 2020 large increases in the proportion of assessed drinking water increased slightly from 57% County,40 reported that people were not able settlements reporting this in (80% in December to 70% in March. However, no to sell household goods or productive assets to 93%), (33% to 65%) and assessed settlements in Canal/Pigi County because they did not possess any goods or Bor South County (44% to 56%). and just 46% of assessed settlements in assets to sell. In both Uror and Ayod counties, Fangak County reported the presence of Assessed settlements across Jonglei State severe flooding reportedly prevented most any boreholes; this was unchanged from the continued to report domestic violence as the people from selling cattle to purchase food previous reporting period, and likely led to the main protection concern for women in March through markets, a common coping strategy continued reliance on rivers as the primary (25%). The proportion of assessed settlements across Jonglei State, because either all cattle source of drinking water, reported by 77% and had died, meaning there was none to sell,41 or reporting this remained particularly high in 70% of assessed settlements in Canal/Pigi because widespread livestock disease severely Twic East (48%), Duk (47%), Bor South (42%) County and Fangak counties, respectively. contracted the demand for cattle as less people and Ayod (41%) counties. Globally, restrictive Use of unprotected water sources can increase were willing to purchase unhealthy cows.42 This lock-down measures have reportedly resulted the likelihood of water borne diseases, this is in a ‘global surge in domestic violence’,45 reported inability to employ extreme asset- and resulted in hundreds of casualties across supported by the high proportions of assessed and, moving forward, the existing threat of depleting coping strategies, often a last resort, Greater Akobo since mid-February.43 This may settlements in Canal/Pigi and Fangak counties domestic violence across Jonglei State may be likely has serious implications for future food explain why, between December and March, the reporting drinking water as a cause of sickness exacerbated as vulnerable women are forced to insecurity. proportion of assessed settlements reporting an in March (73% and 32% respectively). stay at home.46 Protection incident of conflict which resulted in the death of In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a civilian increased sharply from 21% to 58% Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) The protection situation across Jonglei State unavailability of clean water will strongly and Health appeared to remain relatively stable, with the in Uror County, and from 13% to 46% in Nyirol influence the ability of communities to uphold County. FGD participants displaced from Uror 48 reported exceptions of Uror and Nyirol counties. The proportion of assessed settlements across WHO recommended handwashing practices. County reported that the settlements of Pieri, Seventy-nine percent (79%) of assessed Jonglei reporting that no people were using In March, just 25% of assessed settlements Payai, Juet, Pamai, Tiam, Patuet and Motot settlements across Jonglei reported that most latrines remained high but stable in March across Jonglei reported that most people were were some of the worst-affected by fighting, people felt safe most of the time in March, (53%). The proportion of assessed settlements washing their hands with soap. This could be a however, intercommunal violence, killing, cattle unchanged from December 2019. However, reporting this remained highest in Canal/Pigi consequence of high access barriers to clean raiding and child abduction were reportedly key between December and March, the proportion County (97%), Fangak County (87%) and Duk water. For example, in Canal/Pigi County, 48% protection concerns across the whole Greater of assessed settlements reporting that most County (67%). The primary reported reason for of assessed settlements reported people were Akobo region.44 people felt safe most of the time fell sharply people not using latrines was that there were not washing their hands, and FGD participants in both Uror County (83% to 42%), and Nyirol The proportion of assessed settlements none available (42% of assessed settlements), reported that, to access water, most people County (88% to 54%), likely due to a seasonal reporting any protection concerns for women likely a consequence of flooding; for example, in their settlements were reliant on rivers and spike in intercommunal violence. (62%) and girls (54%) remained higher than FGD participants displaced from Duk County47 swamps, which could reportedly take up to 2 hours to walk to.49 Intercommunal violence and associated for men (40%) and boys (38%), consistent with reported that all the latrines in their settlements insecurity have displaced thousands of people the previous reporting period. Early marriage had been destroyed by flood water.

41. FGD with participants displaced from Uror to Akobo Town, February 2020. 46. Ibid 5 42. FGD with participants displaced from Ayod to Bor PoC, February 2020. 47. FGD with participants displaced from Duk to Bor Town, February 2020. 43. USAID. South Sudan - Crisis Fact Sheet #5. March 2020. 48. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public. March 2020. 44. FGD with participants displaced from Uror to Bor PoC, March 2020. 49. FGD with participants displaced from Canal/Pigi to , February 2020. 45. United Nations. COVID-19 Response. March 2020. Healthcare assessed settlements with IDPs reported tukuls Education reported that, while primary education services as the main shelter type for IDPs, with 58% The proportion of assessed settlements Access to education reportedly remained stable do exist, cultural expectations, (primarily of reporting most were living in semi-permanent reporting the presence of a functional primary with 85% of assessed settlements across household work and of early marriage), prevent shelter types. 57 healthcare facility within walking distance from Jonglei reporting that education services most girls from receiving an education. their settlement remained stable between Reportedly poor IDP shelter conditions could were available within walking distance in Lockdown measures may further embed reporting quarters (68% in March). However, be a legacy of flooding. According to FGD March. Reporting remained particularly low existing gender inequalities. The closure of the proportion of assessed settlements participants displaced from across Jonglei in assessed settlements in Canal/Pigi County schools could have a differential effect on reporting this remained extremely low in Canal/ State52 flooding destroyed shelters and limited (16%). Of the assessed settlements reporting women, who provide most informal care, with Pigi County (13%). access to construction materials. For example, that no education services were available within the consequence of further limiting work and FGD participants displaced from Ayod County walking distance, the primary reported reason In March, 27% of assessed settlements across economic opportunities, and also on girls, who reported that most residents from Gorwai, Tuoh, was that school teachers had been displaced 58 Jonglei reported malaria as the perceived main often don’t have access to an education at all. Wau, Nyayin, Padek, Nyanepal, Luakuoth, (55% of assessed settlements). This may cause of death in their settlement. This could be Gany, Paghol and Duardeng settlements were be a consequence of flooding; for example, Conclusion related to barriers limiting access to healthcare displaced to Ayod Town by flooding.53 Due to a FGD participants displaced from Duk County, The situation across Jonglei appears to have and a reported lack of medication in some reported lack of readily available construction reported that flooding forced schools to close deteriorated throughout the reporting quarter. settlements. For example, FGD participants materials and a limited humanitarian presence, and most teachers left in search of other The combined impacts of flooding on access to displaced from Panyagor (Twic East), reported many IDPs were reportedly forced to shelter in livelihood opportunities.56 food stocks, livestock and functioning markets that there had not been any supply of medication open spaces or under trees.54 has seemingly brought forward the onset of the to healthcare facilities since the onset of the Boys between the ages of 6 and 17 continued to lean season which may be further exacerbated rainy season in June 2019, forcing people to Flooding also reportedly destroyed or washed have higher reported rates of education access by COVID-19. Humanitarian access is likely to rely on herbal medicines.50 away many affected populations’ NFIs. For compared to girls of the same age. Of the example, FGD participants displaced from Duk assessed settlements reporting the presence decrease as the rainy season starts, which may The reported impact of malaria and other County55 reported that most residents were of education facilities within walking distance, have serious consequences for food security, treatable diseases may be exacerbated moving forced to prioritise the collection of food when 86% reported that half or more of boys were WASH and health conditions across Jonglei. forward, if, as has been seen in some countries, evacuating their houses, meaning that most attending school in March. However, just About REACH Initiative non-COVID medical care is temporarily cooking utensils, agricultural tools, sleeping 53% of assessed settlements across Jonglei deprioritised and unwell individuals become REACH facilitates the development of information mats, and jerry cans were washed away. reported the same for girls. tools and products that enhance the capacity of unwilling to seek medical attention due to the aid actors to make evidence-based decisions in 51 Of the assessed settlements reporting the Consistent with findings from December, the perceived risk of contracting the virus. emergency, recovery and development contexts. The presence of IDPs in March, cooking pots (19%), primary reported reasons for girls not attending Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs) methodologies used by REACH include primary data mosquito nets (17%), plastic sheets (15%), school continued to be the need to work in the collection and in-depth analysis, and all activities are IDPs reportedly continued to live in less and sleeping mats (10%) were reported as the home (22% of assessed settlements), and early conducted through inter-agency aid coordination permanent shelter types in comparison with main IDP NFI needs. A lack of mosquito nets marriage (21%). The proportion of assessed mechanisms. REACH is a joint initiative of IMPACT members of the host community. In March, may explain why, in March, 37% of assessed settlements reporting early marriage as the Initiatives, ACTED and the United Nations Institute 95% of assessed settlements across Jonglei settlements reported malaria as the main health main barrier to accessing education services for Training and Research - Operational Satellite reported that most host community members concern for people in their settlement (see was particularly high in Akobo County (54%). Applications Programme (UNITAR- UNOSAT). were living in tukuls. In comparison, just 24% of Health section). FGD participants displaced from Akobo West Visit www.reach-initiative.org and follow us @ REACH_info.

50. FGD with participants displaced from Twic East to Bor Town. January 2020. 54. Ibid 6 51. The Guardian. Lockdowns around the world bring rise in domestic violence. March 55. FGD with participants displaced from Duk to Bor Town, February 2020. 2020. 56. Ibid 52. FGDs with participants displaced from Akobo, Twic East, Canal/Pugi, Duk, Uror and 57. FGD with participants displaced from Akobo County to Akobo Town. January 2020. Ayod. 58. Lancet. COVID-19: the gendered impacts of the outbreak. March 2020. 53. FGD with participants displaced from Ayod to Bor PoC, February 2020.