Cookies on oxfam

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find out more

Oxfam in South Sudan

Children from a school youth club perform a play about changing public health behaviour. Water and sanitation are major components of Oxfam's work in South Sudan. Photo: Jane Beesley

From our staff

Augustino Buya Mashual, Programme Manager

 I've worked for Oxfam for 24 years. Most of our work in South Sudan involves helping people who have either been displaced by the conflict in this region, or who are supporting people who have been displaced. We provide clean water and sanitation facilities, and also distribute supplies like mosquito nets to prevent malaria.

After decades of brutal war, South Sudan is being built up almost from scratch. It needs increased support - and long-term support - from the international community to help development and to provide security for its people. That's why Oxfam, working as a humanitarian organisation, is important to the country.


Full details of what Oxfam is doing in South Sudan (PDF, 1.2MB)

South Sudan crisis

South Sudan is facing a growing refugee crisis as people flee fighting in Sudan's Blue Nile region. Oxfam is there.

South Sudan crisis

In 2010-11 Oxfam helped:

350,000
people in
South Sudan

You can help

Oxfam's projects in countries like South Sudan rely on your generosity.

Donate now 

You may also be interested in:

Snapshot of Oxfam in South Sudan

Photo 1/10 photo by: Jane Beesley

In January 2011 South Sudan voted in a historic referendum, deciding to secede from the north and become the world's newest country. Yet, after the longest war in Africa, and as one of the least developed countries on earth, the new nation will need long-term support. Here, Nyalual Deng Joak carries a stack of Oxfam buckets distributed to help communities collect and store water safely.

  • In January 2011 South Sudan voted in a historic referendum, deciding to secede from the north and become the world's newest country. Yet, after the longest war in Africa, and as one of the least developed countries on earth, the new nation will need long-term support. Here, Nyalual Deng Joak carries a stack of Oxfam buckets distributed to help communities collect and store water safely.
  • Only half the population in South Sudan have access to safe drinking water – so many rely on dirty streams or stagnant pools. Our work includes drilling boreholes to provide villages and schools like this one pictured in Wandi with steady supplies of clean water. We also run activities to teach communities about safe hygiene practices and build facilities like toilets.
  • Helping ensure people stay free from disease is another important element of our work in South Sudan. We work closely with local youth and women's groups on public health education projects to stop the spread of malaria and diarrhoea and also distribute mosquito nets. Here, Oxfam Public Health Promotor, Joyce Poggo, displays a traditional sleeping sheet.
  • Despite having considerable agricultural potential, a lack of infrastructure – such as roads and storage facilities – and ongoing insecurity have limited people's ability to make a proper living from the land. We work closely with small-scale farmers and women’s groups by providing them with seeds, tools and equipment to help increase the amount and quality of crops they are able to grow.
  • Oxfam also supports small businesses like the all-female Lulu Works Trust Ltd Sudan. Here, two members use a machine to produce soap. The group also makes a variety of skincare products as well as honey and cooking oil. Having supported the business as it developed, Oxfam has bought soap from the women to use in the staff compound.

The impact of our work

 I have seen a very great difference since this borehole was drilled. Everyone can drink safe water without worrying about getting sick and families now get to eat twice a day, because before women used to be all day looking and collecting water.


[Name withheld for security reasons], beneficiary of an Oxfam borehole