South Sudan at a crossroads: humanitarian response in a changing context

20130522 - 20130522

Please be aware that this is a past event.

Much has changed in South Sudan in recent years, but has the humanitarian situation in the world’s newest nation improved? Some have argued that the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between Sudan and South Sudan in 2005 should have resulted in a shift in focus and resources from humanitarian relief to development aid.

However, as this issue of the Humanitarian Exchange highlights, humanitarian needs in South Sudan are far from gone. Since 2011, over 187,000 refugees have arrived in Unity and Upper Nile States from Sudan and continuing inter-communal violence in Jonglei has affected more than 170,000 Southern Sudanese. The 2013 Consolidated Appeal for South Sudan estimates that an estimated 4.6 million people will need food and livelihoods support this year.

This event will seek to examine the humanitarian challenges that remain in South Sudan, from the drivers of conflict in Jonglei to constraints on humanitarian access. With a live video-link to Juba, speakers in London and South Sudan will reflect on these challenges, drawing from articles in the Exchange as well as their own experience.

Speakers:

IN JUBA
Dr Luka Biong Deng – Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, JFK School of Government and former representative of the President of the Republic of South Sudan on the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee

Toby Lanzer – UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident Development and Humanitarian Coordinator, South Sudan

Dr. Jok Madut Jok – Executive Director of the Sudd Institute and Undersecretary in the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Government of South Sudan

IN LONDON
Sandrine Tiller – Programmes Advisor: Humanitarian Issues, Médecins Sans Frontières UK

Sarah Pickwick – Policy Officer, Tearfund

Chair:

Sara Pantuliano – Head, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI

If you’d like to attend this event please visit the event webpage or email hpn@odi.org.uk. You can also register to follow the event online via the video stream or view live coverage on Twitter through the hashtag #JubaCalling.