Team Cupcakes Steven Holland Eng 2010 13 April 2014 Position Rough Draft In 2011 South Sudan became

an independent country. In 2013 they fell back into conflict because of a power struggle between the president and his deputy. This has led to fighting between the governments military and rebel factions (South Sudan profile). South Sudan is now amidst a conflict that has put the South Sudanese people in danger. Many people have been killed, some have been forced to leave their homes, and people throughout the country are in need of help. The UN has reported that 803,200 people have been displaced within Sudan and 254,600 have gone to other countries. They estimate that 4.9 million people need humanitarian assistance (OCHA South Sudan). Non-governmental organizations have come into South Sudan to help by providing shelter, health care, and educational opportunities. They have been able to help many people, but have also faced problems. Increased violence is putting workers in danger and some groups have had problems with the government intervening. There may be concern from some that NGOs are not effective enough or that they are preventing the Sudanese from learning to stand on their own, but the experiences of many NGOs in South Sudan have shown these organizations are vital to the country. NGOs are an important resource for the Sudanese people right now and provide things that would be otherwise unavailable during this conflict.

Some people are growing frustrated with the amount of international aid going to South Sudan and the uncertainty of how much it will help. Various countries have sent billions of dollars to South Sudan, the United States alone providing about $600 million each year. The aid they receive allows Sudan to fulfill many needs and then borrow money for their military (Dixon). Donating all of this money to South Sudan does not seem to be bringing any real progress yet, but groups that provide humanitarian aid, such as healthcare, have been a valuable resource to the people of South Sudan that is needed to help keep people alive. Currently, this ethnic war affects thousands of people and many are left without shelter, food, or water. The International Red Cross (IRC) provides tents to the people as a means of shelter since thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. The International Committee of Red Cross, a subunit of the IRC, also helps to provide clean water to many healthcare facilities within South Sudan, as well as improv[ing] the access to clean water for nearly 27,500 civilians (The ICRC in South Sudan..). The ICRC also visits detention centers to ensure that no humanitarian violations occur and help to distribute hygienic supplies and access to clean water for those held in these facilities. Multiple NGOs have helped thousands more people obtain shelter, and medical aid which is badly needed in the most war stricken areas of the country. The Doctors Without Borders organization helps to provide up to 8,000 weekly consultations for people suffering from the effects of malnutrition, skin and respiratory infections, and diarrhea (South Sudan). Without this medical attention, these patients would have continually suffered from their current illnesses or other debilitating issues. Despite reports of many medical facilities being attacked in South Sudan, many NGOs are sticking through the current conflict, continuing to provide basic and specialist health care services ("Medical Care Under Fire In South Sudan")

Although some international involvement in South Sudan may not be the most effective, NGOs that emphasize health and sanitation are vital. Without these NGOs, the number of deaths is likely to increase. It is important for NGOs to stay in South Sudan and do anything they can to help the Sudanese people survive as their country goes through this conflict. Providing access to healthcare and educating people about how to maintain health could help bring some stability into the lives of the local people. While donations of money can easily be misused by the government, health care and education help the Sudanese people directly and they will then be able to educate others as well. The country of South Sudan is in need of the NGOs throughout their country. War and corruption has thrown the country into a whirlwind of chaos and violence. Although the NGOs are receiving push back and pressure and have many reasons why they should or could leave, they are crucial in the development and the safety of the people of South Sudan. Helping these NGOs with financial support is essential to their staying and succeeding to help the people in this new country. NGOs have done many things in helping these people and without them the people of Sudan, as well as many more lives, would be lost.

Works Cited Dixon, Robyn. South Sudan Violence Leaves Donors Disillusioned. Los Angeles Times. 1 Mar. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. "ICRC in South Sudan: Fact Sheet on the Emergency Response." International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation in Juba. ICRC, Mar. 2014. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. "Medical Care Under Fire In South Sudan" Doctors Without Borders. n.p., 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. OCHA South Sudan. South Sudan Crisis: Report No. 29. Relief Web. N.p. 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. South Sudan" Doctors Without Borders. n.p., 2012. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. South Sudan profile. BBC News. N.p. 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.