South Sudan is facing a refugee crisis.  Driven from their homes by conflict and/or extreme weather, millions of people are displaced internally.  In our region of operation, tens of thousands of IDPs (internally displaced people) are moving into already populated areas or setting up camps in isolated, uninhabited areas.

In Fangak County people already face widespread hunger, a shortage of clean water, disease, and inadequate shelter. As we look to respond to the crisis (and having limited funds) it is important to assess the needs by visiting the sites with the most IDPs.

In mid-November our Alaska team set out to visit some of the most populated and most isolated communities.

Our path through the swamps was a maze of twists and turns. At many times it seemed as if we reached a dead end. Then our South Sudanese crew would jump into the swamp to push (or pull) our boat through the tall reeds and grasses.

When we came to the populated camps or villages, our team met with the local leaders and chiefs to ask the important questions.  How many people live here? Where do they get drinking water? How many IDPs in your community?  Are any NGOs already planning a response?

By visiting the communities and getting the baseline information, AHPSS is now working on a program plan to address the needs based on the best information we could gather.  We want to help everyone!  But we will start where the need is greatest.