Since April 2023, a power struggle has been raging between the armed forces under General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has already demanded tens of thousands of deaths, millions are on the run. Even in the neighboring South Sudan, hundreds flock to security every day. Many of them had only fled to Sudan a few years ago before the armed fights in South Sudan and are now returning - again on the run from violence. In the meantime, the South Sudan has taken over half a million refugees. Chris Hartmann (48) is responsible for humanitarian aid at Terre des Hommes. In the interview, he reports on the current situation and how Terre des Hommes supports the refugees in South Sudan.

Chris, how is the people who flee from Sudan to South Sudan?

Many suffer from malnutrition, especially children. The World Food Program (WFP) distributes food and cash aids, but it is not enough. The refugees usually have no access to agricultural areas to improve their situation themselves. Many are desperate - partner organizations report an increase in suicide attempts in recording centers due to the precarious conditions. This is a shocking sign of the lack of hope in view of the uncertainty and the long -lasting crises. The refugees urgently need better humanitarian care, accommodation and protection. Perspectives must also be created, especially for young people.

Where do most refugees arrive?

The village of Renk in the northeast of the country is a first point of contact for many. Here the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has set up two recording centers in cooperation with the South Sudanese government. However, they are overloaded. In addition, floods in Renk and Maban exacerbate the location and present people with further dangers and challenges.

How are the children on the run?

Children, adolescents and women suffer the most from these difficult living conditions. In the reception centers, increasing acts of violence against these groups are documented. Cases of child labor also increase due to the precarious care situation, as well as cases of domestic violence. In addition, escape, loss of relatives, property and assets and the hard living conditions in the reception areas have sustainable psychological effects.

What do the incoming and especially the children need among them?

Food, psychosocial support and education: So far, around 255,000 children and adolescents have fled with their families to South Sudan. The already weak education system cannot cover the additional needs of these children and adolescents. Educational offers are also hardly available in the admission centers.

What are the biggest obstacles to bring relief supplies to South Sudan?

Above all, these are the heavy rains and floods in the north of the country. This affects logistics and transport. The difficult economic situation and high inflation also have an impact: in 2024 alone, the inflation rate in South Sudan was 63 percent. The market prices have increased, but wages are still low or are not paid at all. The costs for the provision of relief goods are increasing in areas that are difficult to access. Bureaucratic hurdles make humanitarian aid more difficult, as well as newly introduced taxes and levies that continue to increase the operating costs.

How important is the role of the local partners when providing emergency aid in South Sudan?

The current situation requires the participation of all relevant humanitarian actors. This includes the UN as well as international and local non -governmental organizations. The latter plays a special role in this because they know the conditions and needs on site and can adequately operate. Good coordination and division of labor are required for this. Local partners must be promoted here. They remain on site and can let humanitarian aid go into long -term development cooperation. Sustainable and permanent partnerships play a major role and offer the opportunity to create a minimum level of continuity. This promotes liability and trust.

What strategies pursues Terre des Hommes to improve the living conditions of the refugees and the local population?

Our partner organization, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), focuses on immediate help, but also on promoting permanent solutions and measures. People should be strengthened in order to counter crisis situations. In the measures, humanitarian, peace and development policy activities are connected. Refugees, returnees and relatives of the recording communities are involved and promoted equally.

In the north of the country, the auxiliary measures focus on the psychosocial support of refugees and returnees, i.e. South Sudanes who had once fled to Sudan before violence in South Sudan - again on the run from violence. We help you to deal with the burden and improve your mental health. These activities are combined with peace -promoting measures. We want to promote positive social interactions and a peaceful coexistence between refugees, returnees and recording facilities and prevent conflicts. Increased integration as well as strengthened social relationships and networks also have positive effects on mental health. In addition, educational measures are carried out in the admission centers and communities in order to enable displaced children to return to school and to reduce the number of school dropouts.

In the southern provinces, too, the measures focus on strengthening the refugees and their recording communities through educational, support and reconciliation programs. Due to the relative security in these regions, these programs can be invested in the long term and expanded to include income -securing measures. We also promote school committees and the training of teachers in order to make education in the communities better. In the area of ​​peace promotion, community members are trained in recognizing and solving conflicts within their community.

Future measures will focus more on the vocational training of young people and market -oriented activities. We want to promote the economic independence of the refugees. Education and training give you better opportunities for employment - both in South Sudan and when you return to your home.

Is there a topic that you think has so far received too little attention?

Clearly the shocking situation of people with disabilities: they are severely affected by the effects in conflicts, but rarely receive the necessary support. Despite their increased needs, hardly any funds are provided to meet their specific humanitarian needs. This particularly vulnerable group must be taken into account more in humanitarian aid, not only current in South Sudan and Sudan, but generally in the context of crises and conflicts.

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