Emergency Assistance to Displaced Populations in South Sudan - UNHCR 2009

Ongoing conflict in Sudan has left millions in need of humanitarian assistance. Overall more than 5.2 million Sudanese are internally displaced and more than 500 000 are living abroad as refugees. It is estimated that 1.7 million people have returned to South Sudan since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. However the war-time destruction of infrastructure in the region has left many returnees reliant on international assistance for basic services including shelter health care and access to clean water and sanitation facilities. With CIDA assistance the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing support to returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the north-south conflict in Sudan. UNHCR's humanitarian activities focus on the key areas of protection community-based healthcare education and the provision of safe water and sanitation services. Project activities also focus on facilitating the voluntary return of Sudanese refugees from various countries of asylum and assisting IDPs as necessary.