A pilot socioeconomic survey carried out by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warns that the ongoing conflict in Sudan is exacerbating the already severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan for refugees and the communities hosting them.

The findings of UNHCR´s first-ever Forced Displacement Survey (FDS) conducted between April and December 2023 on some 3,100 households in South Sudan show that refugee and hosting communities face similar challenges that aggravate protection risks and limit self-reliance opportunities. Results show that those forced to flee to South Sudan often arrive in rural areas with limited basic services, high unemployment rates, lack of education opportunities, poor infrastructure and overcrowded shelters.

While realities vary among the host communities and refugees who participated in the survey living in the north and the south of the country, the results paint a worrying picture for all. Food insecurity remains the most prominent challenge, with about 74 per cent of both refugee and host community households surveyed experiencing hunger in the previous month. Over two-fifths of both groups saw their incomes from all sources fall relative to the previous year.

The current crisis in Sudan has driven large numbers of refugees and returnees into South Sudan, increasing the refugee population in areas already impacted by sporadic inter-communal violence and overstretched services. South Sudan´s economy has been further disrupted by the war in the neighbouring country, particularly resulting from the closure of the country´s main oil pipeline.

“Millions of South Sudanese live below the poverty line and the war in Sudan is taking a heavy toll on the country’s economy,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan. “In this context, integrating refugees is particularly challenging, and it is crucial that we now link humanitarian assistance to stabilization and development programmes to the extent possible.”

In the coming weeks, unprecedented high-water levels in Lake Victoria and forecasts of above-average rainfall across the region threaten to exacerbate an already dire situation. Severe and persistent flooding over previous years has seriously damaged crops, agricultural land and farming infrastructure, impacting food production and livelihoods.

“South Sudan is home to an overwhelmingly young population. The world needs to invest in them, and give them the tools and opportunities to build a better future,“ Verney added. “Despite the challenges, the Government of South Sudan has opened its doors to provide safety to those fleeing war. But overstretched resources can easily translate into tensions. Substantive long-term investments are crucial to improving the wellbeing of refugees and the communities hosting them.”

South Sudan hosts over 460,000 refugees, mainly from Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. Most refugees live in the North and have been in the country for over a decade. Since the war started in Sudan over a year ago, South Sudan is receiving an average of 1,600 people a day, including refugees from Sudan and South Sudanese returning to a country many of them had never lived in.

The new UNHCR FDS gathers comprehensive socioeconomic data on refugees and host communities that is comparable across populations and time. Including statistics on demography, legal status and basic needs such as water, shelter and health, the survey is the first of its kind delivering insights to improve programming and policies, bridging the gap between humanitarian and development spaces. The results will be used to better target assistance to where it is most needed within the country.

For more information, please contact:

In Nairobi (regional), Faith Kasina, kasina@unhcr.org, +254 113 427 094
In Juba, Gift Friday Noah, noah@unhcr.org, +211 922 654 219
In Geneva, Olga Sarrado, sarrado@unhcr.org, +41 797 402 307

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

As ITC begins a new phase of its work with Tunisia’s clothing industry, we’ll be working directly with businesses to introduce digital systems and more sustainable processes.

Using circular production essentially produces zero waste. That’s better for the environment, and gives a competitive edge for companies seeking to ease consumer worries about fast fashion.

That means companies can create more and better jobs, especially for women.

The second phase of the project launched in Tunis, on 14 June 2024.

‘Today, we celebrate the successes of the initial phase and embark on a promising new chapter aimed at boosting the export competitiveness of the Tunisian textile sector through economic development and job creation,’ said Mehdi Chaker, ITC project manager.

During the first phase of the project, known as GTEX/MENATEX, the International Trade Centre (ITC) worked with policymakers to improve the regulatory environment. The project worked with business support organizations and academic institutions to improve training. Experts also worked directly with small businesses and fashion designers to improve their operations. Specific support went to interior regions, outside of the capital.

As a result, 44 small businesses made international business transactions, and 586 new contracts were signed, leading to a $45 million increase in export value.

Businesses working with GTEX/MENATEX created 3,140 jobs since 2017. One company in Gafsa that established a new unit, resulting in the creation of 10 new positions.

The project’s strong focus on gender equality meant that 422 of those jobs went to women, while 218 women received promotions to higher positions. Additionally, four women designers gained international visibility and secured orders worth $10,000 from new clients in Belgium and the United Arab Emirates.

A Promising New Chapter

The second phase looks to build on those successes.

The launch event gathered the ITC project team, representatives from donor organizations SECO (Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) and Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). Key figures from public and private Tunisian institutions, industry leaders and fashion designers also attended.

Donor and institutional representatives welcomed the gains from the first phase. They cited the need to improve the regulatory framework, enhance collaboration in the industry, and make businesses more competitive globally.

Key Achievements and Future Focus

The second phase, set to span four years (2024-2027), will operate on two levels. One level will work on policy and the institutional ecosystem. The second level will work with enterprises, including industrial small businesses, fashion designers, leading companies, and green technology providers.

The event concluded with a fashion show featuring the latest collections from Tunisian designers involved in GTEX/MENATEX II. The collections showcased a blend of tradition and modernity, reflecting the richness and diversity of Tunisian fashion.

With the launch of this second phase, a new step has been taken to energize and strengthen the textile industry in Tunisia, opening promising prospects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to the Republic of Mauritius from 16th to 17th July 2024. The visit marks one of the first bilateral engagements undertaken by EAM following his re-appointment and follows the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, the Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet and Council of Ministers. EAM had previously visited Mauritius in February, 2021.

2.​ During the visit, EAM will call on the Prime Minister of Mauritius, H.E. Mr. Pravind Jugnauth and will hold bilateral meetings with other senior ministers of the Government of Mauritius. In addition, he will engage with other prominent Mauritian leaders. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively take stock of various facets of the bilateral relationship.

3.​ The visit underscores the importance of the India Mauritius relationship, and is a reflection of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, Vision SAGAR, and commitment to the Global South. It also reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to strengthen further the multi-dimensional bilateral relationship and deepen close people-to-people ties.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, HM Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, on the occasion of his birthday.

In this message, His Majesty the King expresses His warmest congratulations and best wishes for good health and happiness to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and his esteemed Royal family, and for further progress and prosperity to the brotherly people of Brunei Darussalam, under the wise leadership of their sovereign.

“I should like to take this opportunity to say how much I value the special relations between our countries, which, I am sure, will continue to grow and prosper,” says HM the king in the message.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.