Context
South Sudan has a long history of conflict and underdevelopment. Since December 2013, an estimated 400,000 people have died due to violence, disease and lack of food. Around 4.3 million people have been forced to leave their homes, of whom 2.3 million have fled the country, while over two million people are internally displaced. Some of the main drivers of the flow of refugees are the civil war that began in 2013, local violence between different groups, and natural disasters such as floods and droughts. These factors, combined with the proliferation of dangerous explosives, unresolved housing, land and property conflicts, and lack of basic services such as schools and health centres in the communities, are reasons that prevent refugees from returning to their homes in South Sudan.
Conflicts and climate-related crises force people to flee, often several times, and disrupt people's food security and ability to earn a livelihood. Extreme levels of food insecurity and malnutrition affect two-thirds of the country's population. This makes South Sudan one of the worst food crises in the world.
Since 2023, the conflict in Sudan has further pressured South Sudan as hundreds of thousands of people have crossed the border into South Sudan, increasing the need for humanitarian assistance. At the same time, aid work is hindered by insecurity and limited access. Despite the peace agreement in 2018 and the establishment of a transitional government in 2021, implementation has been slow, leading to the postponement of the 2024 political elections, which further persists the political unrest. The country is thus in a persistent and complex crisis where political stagnation, violence, economic instability and climate change reinforce each other.
Norwegian People's Aid South Sudan programmes
In South Sudan, NPA works across the three aid pillars: humanitarian, development and peacebuilding, and is increasingly focused on contributing to increased capacity to both respond to an emergency, prevent new crises and contribute to long-term development solutions. NPA's programmes are based on a conflict-sensitive context analysis, gender mainstreaming and gender equality, and the prevention of gender-based violence through a partnership approach, and with a focus on the environment. Norwegian People's Aid operates through four different programs:
The Civil Society Programme
The Civil Society Programme supports local partners working to promote democracy, peace and human rights. They spread information about peace and reconciliation, strengthen women's rights, support young adults who work in non-violent conflict resolution and in securing rights to land and natural resources. Our partners have a special focus on the inclusion of women and youth, and work both nationally and locally in large parts of the country.
Agricultural development and humanitarian aid
Norwegian People's Aid, together with local partners, works to establish medium- to long-term livelihoods and access to markets to increase the resilience of conflict-affected households. The program focuses on increasing household incomes through microfinance, supporting increased food production by providing access to agricultural efforts, and promoting peacebuilding, natural resource management, and reducing disaster risk. Peace work is an integral part of the work. Norwegian People's Aid also works to provide food aid to vulnerable civilians with the aim of saving lives and supporting the transition process after an emergency through the distribution of food aid, emergency packages, unconditional contact support and cash grants. The program also works to coordinate and provide broader humanitarian responses to the needs of local communities, including dignity packages for women and girls and shelter, prevent gender-based violence, and promote the protection of civilians.
Mine clearance
Norwegian People's Aid has a long history of mine clearance in South Sudan. In July 2025, Norwegian People's Aid started a new project where we work with capacity building of local authorities.
