South Sudan Protection Analysis Update

Out of 11.29 million people of South Sudan (IDPs, Returnees, Residents) affected by natural hazards, conflict, and displacement, approximately 9.18 million are exposed to at least one of the top five protection risks, noting that 840,000 are returnees and 1.6M are IDPs. During 2024, 379,000 people were newly displaced by flooding, and some 530,000 returnees and refugees arrived fleeing the conflict in Sudan. The country is subject to a severe economic crisis resulting in rampant inflation, making food and basic goods imports more expensive. The situation is challenged by the dramatic drop in oil revenues that has reduced the government's capacity to improve the protection environment. Inter-communal conflict and general seasonal insecurities continue to challenge the people of South Sudan including the capacity of internally displaced people to find (re)integration or durable solutions, partly due to shifting of resources towards Sudan crisis, and returnee communities yet to find their lives in safety and dignity.

The five most reported protection risks that require immediate attention covered by this analysis are:

1. Gender-Based Violence
2. Theft, Extortion, Forced Eviction, or Destruction of Personal Property  
3. Child, Early or Forced Marriage and Family Separations
4. Discrimination and Stigmatization, Denial of Resources, Opportunities, Services, and/or Humanitarian Access
5. Attacks on Civilians and Other Unlawful Killings, and Attacks on Civilian Objects