Effects of Conflict on Humanitarian Services in South Sudan (2013-2020)

Abstract

This study examined the Effects of Conflict on Humanitarian Services in South Sudan (2013-2020). The study was prompted by the persistent conflict in the country that has made it difficult for the humanitarian agencies to fully meet the expectations of the needy. The study aimed to evaluate the financial effects of conflict on humanitarian assistance in South Sudan; the role of the political actors both state and non-state actors in conflict on humanitarian Assistance in South Sudan; the reasons humanitarian workers are targeted when offering humanitarian services and the way forward in providing humanitarian services in hard-hit areas like South Sudan. The study employed a Cross-sectional survey design on a sample of 300 respondents who were selected using simple random sampling from humanitarian agency employees and humanitarian receivers. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the respondents and interviews were conducted with the top management of the humanitarian agency. The findings of the study revealed Financing the humanitarian budget has become a problem because of conflict in South Sudan, and the negative effects of conflict are also there. The study further revealed that Humanitarian organizations are Faced with the challenge of Political objectives increasingly pursued on the ground in South Sudan. The study also revealed that the reason for targeting humanitarian workers is because of efforts to dominate populations and territories and delegitimize the government in power in South Sudan finally the study revealed that there is a need for Innovative and sustainable ways of meeting people's needs in South Sudan. The study recommended among others that; The humanitarian agencies should find some new ways of financing their various humanitarian budget without depending match on donors. Humanitarian agencies should practice the principles of neutrality, to have a proper operational environment. The humanitarian agencies and their workers should practice the principles of neutrality, to be targeted during their operation period. The humanitarian agencies should adopt the new innovative and sustainable means of addressing the effect of conflict on humanitarian assistance.