South Sudan

From Chaos to Hope and Engagement

More than 4

million people have been displaced by conflict and violence since 2013

92%

of the population lives below the poverty line.

27%

of the population can read and write

Up to 2.2

million children in South Sudan (over 70%) are not receiving an education – the highest proportion of out of school children in the world

19,000

estimated child soldiers still in South Sudan

South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation, faces significant challenges and conflicts that have led to widespread poverty, displacement, and humanitarian crises. The country’s most recent internal conflict began in late 2013, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and the displacement of over four million people. Having experienced a form of open conflict for more than 40 years over the last 60, the country remains significantly underdeveloped making the task of the government to this effect immense and demanding.

Education: More than 70% of children in South Sudan are out of school, with girls being the largest group. Some children live in pastoral communities and move with their cattle, making it difficult for them to attend regular classes.

Gender Inequality: Traditional gender norms hold considerable sway, explaining the fact that South Sudan has the 6th highest rate of child marriage in the world, with 28% of girls wed as children become pregnant before reaching adulthoo .

Youth Issues: UN reports from 2023 document forced recruitment of children as young as 13 by armed militias.

Peace and Security: Over four million South Sudanese are forcibly displaced, with most being women and girls.

WPDI has been working in South Sudan since 2012, focusing on empowering youth as peacemakers and entrepreneurs through the Youth Peacemaker Network. This network, covering the Eastern, Western, and Central Equatoria regions, promotes peace and development in local communities.

WPDI’s Initiatives

• Youth Peacemaker Network: Trains hundreds of youths in peacebuilding and entrepreneurship, reaching thousands annually through community projects and dialogues.
• Community Learning Centers: Eight community centers provide training in conflict resolution, ICT, arts, crafts, and business, reaching over 45,000 people annually.
• Community Dialogues: Engaging thousands in discussions on peace agreements and human rights.
• Conflict Resolution Education: Training children and teenagers to foster peace from a young age.
• Business and Entrepreneurship: Supporting small businesses in remote areas, creating jobs and services for vulnerable youths.
• Peace Through Sports: Uses soccer and other athletic activities to bridge divides, promote teamwork, and support trauma recovery. The program builds unity and inclusion by bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Psychosocial Support: Provides trauma healing, counseling, and creative resilience programs that promote mental health and social reintegration. Through arts, cinema, and sports, participants find community, healing, and hope.

View our South Sudan 2024 Report