SOUTH SUDAN

South Sudan, located in the Horn of Africa, is the world’s youngest country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after a long civil war. The country has a population of approximately 12.4 million people. South Sudan is culturally and ethnically diverse, with over 60 languages spoken. The majority of the population belongs to Christianity or indigenous religions.   

South Sudan has 2.2 million internally displaced persons. Conflicts, food shortages and extreme climatic events such as floods and droughts have driven people into inhumane living conditions. In South Sudan, women and children in particular face significant violence and abuse.   

More than 2 million South Sudanese have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries, making it one of the largest refugee populations on the African continent. However, hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have returned to their homeland over the past two years. The return is due to the conflict in Sudan, which began in spring 2023, as well as food shortages and inter-ethnic unrest in Ethiopia. Many of the returnees are staying in underdeveloped areas in South Sudan and are therefore also in a very vulnerable situation. 

Finnish Refugee Council in South Sudan

To support South Sudanese returnees, FRC provides cash assistance and financial literacy training to hundreds of households. The purpose of the cash assistance is to support people’s survival and enable them to buy basic necessities such as food, shelter and hygiene items. Through financial literacy training, people learn how to both write and count their money and better manage their finances. Information on gender-based violence and its prevention is also provided to returnees. Survivors of gender based violence are also referred to support services as part of the project activities.