South Sudan Key Message Update, March 2017

Assistance reaches Leer and Koch; Famine (IPC Phase 5) likely ongoing in parts of central Unity

Key Messages- Emergency food assistance was distributed to over 30,000 people in Koch, nearly 128,000 people in Mayendit, and over 98,000 people in Panyijiar in February. In March, over 71,600 people were reached with assistance in Leer. It is likely Famine (IPC Phase 5) remains ongoing in Leer and is possibly ongoing in Koch. It is expected that ongoing, large-scale humanitarian assistance in Mayendit continues to prevent the occurence of Famine (IPC Phase 5), and this county remains in Emergency (IPC Phase 4!). Results from a recent SMART survey in Panyijiar indicate Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes persist.- According to UNHCR, an estimated 53,880 people have migrated to Sudan between January and mid-March 2017, many of whom are from Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Extremely low food access is likely driving the displacement, although FEWS NET cross-border monitors note that recent migration is primarily single household members, in contrast to entire household migration, which was observed during the 2016 lean season. Food security is expected to further deteriorate during the lean season, and many poor households will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) acute food insecurity.- Insecurity and low food availability are forcing thousands to flee Greater Equatoria. Over 53,700 refugees arrived in Uganda between March 1 and 28. Clashes in and around Torit and Magwi of Eastern Equatoria in early March have limited household access to farms and driven many from their places of origin to Uganda and Kenya. For those internally displaced, food security has significantly declined in recent months due to the loss of last year’s harvest, disrupted markets, and limited humanitarian assistance.- In Jonglei, fighting between Government troops and armed opposition in Uror County in mid-February displaced an estimated 2,000 to Nyirol and more than 9,800 to Akobo. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected in these areas throughout the outlook period, due to disrupted livelihoods, very low purchasing capacity, below-average food availability in markets, and restricted humanitariain access to some areas of need. In Ayod, a MUAC screening of 125 children conducted in February reported a proxy GAM prevalence of 26 percent. Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes are expected from April through July.