A Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) was conducted between 29 February and 1 March 2024 in Lainya Payam, Lainya County, following reports of mass displacement caused by renewed armed conflict in the area. The assessment was led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) South Sudan, in partnership with Modesto Agriculture and Development Organization (MADO), Hope Agency for Development Organization (HADO), World Health Organization (WHO), ACROSS, and Change Agency.
The team identified that approximately 4,734 individuals, including children, women, men, and persons with disabilities, had been displaced from their homes, with many seeking refuge in surrounding villages and bush areas without access to basic necessities.
Key Findings and Immediate Needs:
The joint assessment revealed dire humanitarian conditions and the following critical needs:
• Food: Most families fled without supplies and now face severe food insecurity.
• Emergency shelter: Many are living in open or overcrowded spaces with no protection from weather conditions.
• Clean water and sanitation: Water sources have been compromised, and latrine access is limited, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.
• Health services: Immediate medical support is needed, particularly for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The humanitarian partners are appealing for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to address these urgent needs and to prevent further suffering and health deterioration.
“This assessment underscores the severity of the displacement crisis in Lainya Payam,” said a representative from UNOCHA South Sudan. “The affected communities are in urgent need of lifesaving assistance. Swift and collective action is necessary to restore dignity and protect lives.”
The findings of the assessment will be used to inform planning and mobilization of humanitarian aid across relevant sectors in the coming weeks.