Why Does South Sudan's Plight Remain Overlooked and How Can Empowering Local Capacity Address the Crisis

South Sudan, a nation that gained independence just 13 years ago, carries the weight of a troubling legacy. The young nation inherited charonic poverty, long-standing conflict, widespread displacement, fragile governance structures, and recurrent humanitarian crises after decades of struggle and civil war. Sadly, the plight of South Sudan has been forgotten and brushed aside, reduced to a mere symbol of despair or overlooked data with no human feelings. It's a stark reminder of the immense challenges and human suffering faced by countries caught in the grip of instability and economic hardship.

During my time in South Sudan, I couldn't help but reflect on how the situation of the children, women, and elderly people living in such dire conditions had become normalized. It left me questioning why their plight failed to register as an alarming crisis on the big media screens. I was confronted with the harsh realities of protracted and chronic humanitarian crises. However, what struck me even more deeply was not just the suffering itself, but also the alarming indifference and normalization of it by much of the international community. It was disheartening to witness how the desperate circumstances in which children and families were trapped went unnoticed or were reduced as an unfortunate norm.

Amidst the emergence of new global humanitarian crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Palestine, as well as natural disasters in Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, its worrying to see South Sudan slowly slipping from the radar. Categorized as just another unfortunate instance of "normal suffering," it is overshadowed by the most recent intense crises such as the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the devastating Gaza war, and the escalating violence in Sudan spiraling into a full-blown civil war. This further marginalizes South Sudan, already on the periphery of media attention.

It is crucial to note that South Sudan bears the highest percentage of the population in need of humanitarian assistance within one nation globally. As of 2023, an estimated 9.4 million people, equivalent to 76% of the country's population, are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. This represents an increase of 500,000 people compared to the previous year, underscoring the intensifying severity of the crisis.

Not to mention the crisis in neighboring Sudan, which has significantly worsened the situation. Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces have resulted in internal displacement within Sudan and forced a considerable number of people to seek refuge in South Sudan.

While I sincerely appreciate and acknowledge the donors who, despite all the odds, continued to provide support children and families in some of the hard-to-reach areas, what worried me the most is when some donors referred to these situations as "severe but not prioritized humanitarian crises" or labeled them as "incurable chronic humanitarian illness." Such terminology only further minimized the urgency and undermine the magnitude of the suffering experienced by these vulnerable populations.

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It is deeply troubling to learn about the ongoing funding cuts and discussions among donors and humanitarian partners regarding scaling down operations and support. These actions have only compounded the anguish and fear among thousands of children and their families who rely on external aid for their very survival. The prospect of reduced funding next year, or in subsequent years, is being declared by almost all donors.

Nevertheless, as I reflect on my experience working in South Sudan, I am constantly reminded of the resilience and strength exhibited by the South Sudanese people in the face of immense adversity. Their perseverance and determination to survive against all odds serve as both an inspiration and a humbling testament to the human spirit.

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Media: Beyond blank news, Towards Accountability

The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing action. However, when it comes to South Sudan, media coverage often falls short in capturing the profound extent of human suffering and the urgent nature of the situation. The plight of the South Sudanese people is reduced to mere statistics, overshadowed by other news headlines. To truly convey the gravity of the crisis, the media must delve beyond surface-level reporting and provide comprehensive coverage that highlights both the alarming numbers and the personal stories that lie behind them.

By delving into the distressing child protection cases, the barriers to education, and the devastating impact of malnutrition, the media can humanize the crisis and foster empathy among a global audience. It is imperative for the media to shed light on these issues, amplifying the voices of those affected. Through such efforts, the media can ignite public demand for action and ensure that South Sudan's suffering receives the attention and support it deserves for the global. Media should ask right and difficult questions to the donors and international community, highlight negligence, indifference during recurrent crises. With more crises popping up continues, the suffering of South Sudanese children might even remembered.

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Empowering Local Capacity for Sustainable Emergency Response

?Partners, including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and the United Nations (UN), are vital in providing assistance in South Sudan, particularly during emergencies. However, they face significant challenges due to limited funding, resources, and bureaucratic procedures. These hurdles inevitably hinder the scale and speed of their assistance.

The costliness associated with international partnerships poses a significant challenge. Providing aid on a large scale requires substantial financial resources, which may not always be readily available. The costs of logistics, transportation, and personnel can quickly add up, placing strain on the partners' budgets and limiting their ability to reach a broader population.

Additionally, bureaucratic procedures can be time-consuming and complex. Partners must navigate through various administrative processes, such as securing permits, complying with regulatory requirements, and coordinating with local authorities. These procedures can cause significant delays in delivering timely assistance to those in need, despite the partners' established mechanisms and preparedness.

The combination of costliness and bureaucratic procedures creates a double burden for international partners. The financial strain restricts the resources available for aid efforts, while administrative hurdles slow down the deployment of assistance. As a result, the scale and speed of their response are inevitably limited, preventing them from reaching as many people as they would like and providing immediate relief.

Furthermore, the depletion of initial start-up funding adds to the challenges faced by international partners. When their resources are exhausted prematurely, it becomes difficult to sustain their operations effectively. Even with a timely presence on the ground, the lack of sufficient funding compromises their ability to make a meaningful impact and provide ongoing support to the affected communities.

In early 2023, Save the Children, in collaboration with its strategic partners, introduced a new initiative by establish joint Rapid response between Save the children and some of its strategic partners. This initiative involved the establishment of joint rapid response mechanisms with a select group of national partners based on their specialization, capacity and mobility. The implementation of this collaborative approach has provided evidence of its effectiveness in emergency response, showcasing the capacity of national partners to mobilize and respond swiftly while minimizing costs. By pooling resources and leveraging local expertise, this initiative has already shown promising shifts in terms of the scale and speed of emergency response efforts specially in Renk and Awiel who are receiving some of the largest refugees and refugee returnees. The streamlined aid delivery process has resulted in cost reductions and improved efficiency in navigating administrative hurdles. This collaborative approach not only maximizes the impact of interventions but also fosters sustainability and ownership within the communities being served. Save the Children's commitment to working closely with its strategic partners demonstrates actualize an innovative and localized approaches that prioritise the well-being of those in need through hands of local experienced partners and staff.

In order to tackle the current funding challenges, and foster local ownership, it is crucial to prioritize and invest promptly in strengthening the capacity of local NGOs and community-based organizations in South Sudan. This support and transfer of resources should commence while sufficient resources are still available. It entails providing financial assistance, technical guidance, and training to enhance their capacity for prompt and effective emergency response.

By empowering local actors, we can establish sustainable and locally led emergency response systems that are better equipped to address the needs of affected communities in a timely and culturally sensitive manner. Donors should consider making it a condition for all consortiums and joint projects to incorporate 50% national partners, ensuring their meaningful participation and representation.

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Conclusion

The normalized suffering in South Sudan is a painful reminder of the urgent need for action, compassion, and international solidarity. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the plight of millions of people who are trapped in a cycle of poverty, conflict, and displacement. It is time to break the silence, bring attention to the forgotten crisis, and empower the local communities to lead their own recovery.

Through increased media coverage, enhanced support for local capacity, and robust international action, we can work towards alleviating the suffering and creating a more hopeful future for the people of South Sudan. The time to act is now, for every day that passes without meaningful action, the human toll deepens, and the chances of a sustainable recovery diminish. Let us come together and ensure that the forgotten crisis in South Sudan is remembered, and the voices of the disempowered are heard.