3.B - what are the impacts of intervention on local communities in South Sudan? Flashcards
preliminary facts about S. Sudan
- landlocked = trade is difficut
- large mix of ethnicities
- young population
- healthcare infrastructure not very developed. very low life expectancy and high mortality
- LIDC (83% rural population)
- became a country in 2011
mortality statistics South Sudan
- life expectancy 42 years
- maternal mortality **2054 per 100,000 **births
- child mortality 105 per 1,000 births
health statistics South Sudan
- 6% of children under 2 years fully immunized
- malaria is the leading cause of death and disease responsible for 25% of deaths. 2 in every 10 people seen at health facilities die from malaria
- 7% households using improved sanitation
population statistics South Sudan
- pop estimate for 2013 12 million
- 51% population below 18 yrs
- 83% rural population
- avg. household size 6
economy statistics South Sudan
- GDP estimated $13billion (92% of which comes from oil) which suggests corruption. they are oil rich but very poor.
- 51% living below national poverty line of less than a dollar per day
what is the background to the South Sudan conflict?
- President Salva Kiir (Dinka) sacked his deputy Riek Machar (Nuer).
- he accused him of plotting a coup. Machar denies it and an ethnic conflict breaks out.
SINCE 2013:
- the fighting has killed at least 50,000.
- 2.3 million are displaced, 6m are hungry, 70% schools are closed.
how many ethnicities are there in S Sudan?
over 60 ethnicities total in S. Sudan
- Dinka 36%
- Nuer 16%
what are the interventions of the UN in south sudan?
- aid/resources
- 17,000 troops
- POC camps (6 camps, 220,000 people)
- Bentiu (120,000)
- observing
- peace treaty
how does UN operate in S Sudan?
- UN, through UNMISS, operate in S Sudan on a large scale, with 17,000 troops from multiple countries spread in bases through S Sudan.
- they work out of UN military camps and 6 POCs
how does UN provide humanitarian assistance in S Sudan?
in order to provide the humanitarian assistance needed for the 220,000 people who live in the POCs, the UN have to cooperate and coordinate with NGOs, such as the Red Cross or MSF as it is these who are responsible for helping provide healthcare for the displaced population
what is Bentiu?
- Bentiu is the largest POC, currently home to 120,000.
- it contains homes, markets, schools and clinics.
- the population are provided with food and water but women have to risk leaving everyday to collect firewood.
- they are safer there than they would be in their villages, so it has created different types of local communities.
- however, they cannot farm there or earn a living.
how was UNMISS reinforced?
- UNMISS was reinforced in 2014 w/ a new mandate.
- originally after 4 years of interdependence, the mandate was to support the S Sudanese govt in peace consolidation, state building and economic devp.
- but following the Dec 2013 crisis, military and police presence has been increased.
- this involves 12500 military personnel, 1000 police plus 2500 others contributing from countries across the globe.
what has the new emphasis for UNMISS been?
- to consolidate peace and security
- protect civilians
- monitor human rights
- implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
- and support delivery of humanitarian assistance.
which other UN agencies have been working in S Sudan?
- other UN agencies working in the country include UNICEF, important in a country where total fertility rate is 5.3 and 45% of pop is under 15.
evaluative comments on effectiveness of UN in S Sudan
- saved 10,000 lives
- not very good long term
- challenges sovereignty and encourages dependency
- scale of confict compared with 6 POC camps. scale of response not enough with 4 mill IDPS.
- POC camps long term problem. UN then has to protect these people.
- didnt manage to secure peace, 7 years of conflict before peace treaty.