Number of Households Affected By Floods (As of October 2021)

Data Story: Floods, Response and Support in South Sudan – 2021

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Floods displace thousands in six states across South Sudan amid limited supplies, a funding shortfall, and announcement by weathermen that water levels would continue to rise in the coming months.

By David Uku

Data collected by 211 Check according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) indicates how floods affected thousands of people in South Sudan, the response, and support from NGOs during the rainy season.

South Sudan, the world’s newest country and in East Africa, gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It has been through civil war and conflict, as well as devastating floods that have affected six of the current ten states.

On October 8, 2021, the South Sudanese government approved ten million US dollars as an emergency fund for flood-affected populations throughout the country, and Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, stated in Juba that the relief package approved by the cabinet will be used to help resettle those who have been displaced from their homes, in addition to providing food relief.

“The people who are displaced are very much affected by floods, and after the floods have subsided they need to be resettled in their areas of origin because they don’t have anything at present and all that they need is to be rescued now,” he told the pressed after the weekly cabinet meeting

As of October 2021, the states most affected by flooding are Jonglei, Unity, and Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Upper Nile, Warrap, and Western Equatoria.

Statistics of Floods Affected Population Around the Country:


S/No.
State		Number of Households
Funding 
Gov/NGOs
01Jonglei State 160,000$ 10,000,000South Sudan Government 
02Unity State 146,0001.7 billion OCHA
03Northern Bahr El Ghazal47,00020 million South Sudan Humanitarian Fund
04Upper Nile State  44,000
05Warrap State25,000
06Western Equatoria states.600
UN Agency Estimated Total 
01Report from UNOCHA affected by six States 466,000
02Report from UNRefugee affected by six states 380,000

Response from the and NGOs

OCHA last month warned of limited supplies and a funding shortfall, saying that it had only received 54 per cent of the $1.7 billion (1.4 billion euros) required to pay for programmers in the country.

IGAD weathermen recently announced that water levels would continue to rise in the coming months.

The Humanitarian Coordinator says it will allocate US$20 million from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, and part of the allocation will support flood response efforts.

The Flooding Season

Every year, heavy rainfall from April to October causes the Nile, Pibor, Sobat, Lol, and other rivers to overflow. Inland flooding was caused by the rains, and parts of the country (Jonglei State, Unity State, Northern Bahr Elghazal, Upper Nile State, Warrap State, and Western Equatoria State) were affected.

Conclusion

The government and humanitarian agencies must devise a good system for evacuating people from areas that are affected by floods during the rainy season in the country, because climate predicts that heavy rainfall will occur in the country every year from April to October.

It is too early to tell, but the coming years will be crucial in determining the seriousness of the government and humanitarian organizations in developing a good system for evacuating people from a bad place to a better place.

David Uku, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a two-month and half data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for two months and half (October to Mid December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information 

Opera Snapshot_2021-11-15_174048_public.flourish.studio211 Check

Data Story: South Sudan’s External Borrowing since 2017

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An overview of South Sudan’s external public debt from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, China Exim Bank, Qatar National Bank and the Afreximbank from 2017 to date

By Okot Emmanuel

According to the IMF, South Sudan’s external public debt was estimated at US$1,355 million (41 percent of GDP) as of end-June 2020.

Debt to the World Bank amounted to US$79 million on IDA terms, while debt to the African Development Bank (AfDB) amounted to US$28 million.

US$150 million had been borrowed from China Exim Bank to upgrade the Juba International Airport.

Debt to the QNB amounted to US$627 million. Oil-related short-term loans have declined significantly, from an estimated US$338 million in March 2019 to US$99 million in June 2020.

In FY19/20 around 81 percent of total loans (46 percent: QNB loans; 35 percent: oil advances and Afreximbank loans) are highly non-concessional.

South Sudan has not requested to participate in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.

In 2019 South Sudan public debt was 1,281 million Euros (approximately 1, 434 million dollars), a decrease of 724 million since 2018. This amount means that the debt in 2019 reached 31.26% of South Sudan GDP, a 15.04 percentage point fall from 2018, when it was 46.3% of GDP.

South Sudan External Borrowing 2017 – 2020

Slightly higher oil production and faster oil-price recovery relative to the projections in the 2020 DSA have modestly improved South Sudan’s debt-servicing capacity.

The latest oil production data from the authorities show slightly higher oil production of about 170 barrels per day (bpd) in February 2021 compared to the about 165 bpd for the same period assumed in the 2020 DSA.

The latest WEO also projects higher oil prices in 2021 and the next few years; the projected average Brent oil prices for 2021 and 2022 are 58.5 and 54.8, respectively in the February 2021 WEO compared to 43.8 and 45.6, respectively, in October 2020 WEO.

As more than 90 percent of total exports and government revenue come from oil, these positive oil-sector developments improved South Sudan’s debt-servicing capacity.

A pie-chart showing South Sudan total external debt outstanding.

Okot Emmanuel, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a two-month and half data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualization for two months and half (October to Mid December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information 

October-2021-Data-Flourish211 Check

Data Story: Reported Killings in South Sudan, 79 slain in October

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By 211 Check Editorial Team

Data collected by 211 Check according to multiple media reports from October of this year, show that at least 79 individuals were killed in violence-related incidents around South Sudan.

In comparison to September, when 114 persons were slain, October’s figures show a reduction of 30.70 percent.

The majority of the victims of violence died in Warrap State, where 41 individuals were killed, largely in intercommunal confrontations. The following state, Jonglei, comes in second with 13 deaths, the most of which were caused by intercommunal violence and road ambushes.

Following that is Western Bahr-el-Ghazal, where ten people are said to have died as a result of famine.

Unity, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, and Central Equatoria each had three deaths.

In both Lakes State and Eastern Equatoria, two persons were killed. In each of the states of Upper Nile and Western Equatoria, one person was slain

In any of the three administrative areas of Abyei, Ruweng, or Greater Pibor, there were no documented cases of violence-related deaths.

September-2021-Data-Flourish

Reported Killings in South Sudan, September 2021: 114 Dead

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Report By: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

Data obtained by 211 Check according to media estimates show that 114 individuals were killed as a result of violence in the month of September. This is based on information obtained from mainstream media;  Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, and Radio Miraya news reports.

In comparison to August, when 192 persons were killed across the country, the September killings represent a 40.63 percentage fall.

The majority of the deaths happened in Warrap State, where 30 people died, mostly as a result of floods. Western Equatoria State ranks next, with 26 deaths, the majority of which occurred during the renewed conflict in Tambura despite ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts.

The third state, Jonglei, had 13 cases, mostly due to ambushes and snake bites.

Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State registered 11 deaths whereas both Central Equatoria and Lakes States had 10 deaths each.

Five people died in both Eastern Equatoria State and Unity respectively. In Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, 04 people were killed.

There were no media reports of violence related killings in any of the three administrative areas of Abyei, Ruweng, or Greater Pibor and Upper Nile State

192 people killed in South Sudan’s continuous gun violence – Data Report

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By 211 Check Editorial Team

A data report released by 211 Check articulates that at least 192 persons across the country died in August alone due to incidents related to gun-violence.

The report is based on death tales generated from reports issued by prominent media houses, such as Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, and Radio Miraya.

In comparison to July’s gun-violence report where 63 people were killed, the August killings represent a 67.19 percent rise.

The majority of the deaths from violence happened in Western Equatoria State, where 57 people died, mostly as a result of confrontations in Tambura County which made the State to lead the count.

Upper Nile State ranks second with 36 deaths – majority of which occurred during the Magenis conflict following the Kitgwang Declaration – an event where the main opposition group experienced a breakaway faction opposing South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr Riek Machar.

Warrap State occupied the third position with 31 cases mostly linked to cattle raids, while road ambushes and inter-communal clashes between some Mundari Community resulted into killing 18 people in Central Equatoria State.

Eastern Equatoria and Unity States recorded 13 and 18 cases respectively. On the other hand, a total of fifteen people people died in Jonglei, Lakes, and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal States with each State recording 5 death cases each.

Lastly, four personnel perished in Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State. Surprisingly, there were no documented occasions of gun violence deaths in any of the three administrative areas of Abyei, Ruweng, or Greater Pibor.

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, and Radio Miraya]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

The role of misinformation in aiding Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in South Sudan

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South Sudan recorded its first Covid-19 case on April 5, 2020, through a foreign national that travelled from the Netherlands via the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, and then later to Juba.

After the announcement of the first case, health authorities and partners who anticipated the virus went to work. The team of united institutions created numerous programs aimed at sensitizing the public, in order to prevent and create responses to the virus.

It has been more than a year and a half since the proclamation was made, and efforts towards societal sensitization continue to shrink due to lack of funding. 

Many of the state’s Covid-19 health facilities have been shut down, as a result of  inadequate donor funding, according to the ministry of health – yet South Sudan, a country with fragile health infrastructure pumps 154,000 barrels of crude oil per day. 

Vaccine Misinformation

In March this year, South Sudan received 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine from CoVAX – the global initiative to ensure lower-income countries  have access to vaccines.

However, in May, the country initiated a process to return some of its vaccines after concluding it cannot administer the vaccines before they expire. Kenya immediately expressed interest to have the consignment of 72,000 vaccines. 

On  July 18, South Sudan’s second Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine consignment expired. This was after  56, 587 citizens got the vaccines.

According to the Ministry of Health Vaccination Report, Central Equatoria states led the highest vaccine consumption with 26, 195 South Sudanese vaccinated, Eastern Equatoria State followed with 3,073 immunized, while Jonglei State laid bottom with 1,788 total citizens vaccinated.

“The total number of South Sudanese below 56 years that took the vaccines is 5.72%, while a total of 94.28% personnel that took the jab are above the age 56.

“The total number of vaccines consumed from the first dose is 51,907, while 4,680 doses were consumed in the second dose” reads the report.

Since the vaccine arrival, the health authorities and partners initiated vaccine awareness programs which have largely been through mainstream media usage of Public Service Announcements (PSAs), talk shows, road drives etcetera – in a move to mobilize thousands to get the jab.

But the Health Ministry last month said at least 6,063 doses have been wasted in the 96 facilities of 35 counties, situated in 10 States across the country.

Why the low vaccine turn-up?

Kenyi Noel, a 33 old-year resident of Juba’s Gudele suburb says he has opted to stay without vaccination.

“If I get myself vaccinated and still get re-infected even after being inoculated, what does that mean? Secondly, I don’t need the vaccine because I am fine” said Kenyi. The World Health Organizations says,  “Covid-19 vaccine does not prevent you from getting the virus but prevents the disease from getting into severity because the anti-bodies the vaccine induces are a defense mechanism that fight back and reduce the number of the viruses that may cause more hurt to you and also reduces hospitalizations’’.

Dr. Garang Anthony – acting chairman of South Sudan Doctors’ Union blames Kenyi’s statement on low vaccine information, mixed with misinformation, ‘Majority are afraid of the vaccine because of a lot of misinformation and dis-information”.

“Misinformation related to vaccines is rampant. People have the information but somewhere the information got distorted and they are confused whether they should go for the vaccination or abstain” Garang added.

Meanwhile, Lusuab Memo – Eye Radio veteran journalist who has been covering Covid-19 since its emergence in South Sudan says the continuous rejection of the jab is triggered by vaccine rumors.

“The kind of understanding people have certainly coils from what they hear and whether the information is actually  from experts”.

“Some people created vaccine myths, because they have an underlying kind of attitude toward the general situation of the country like the economic crisis’’ said Memo who runs a weekly radio talk show on Covid-19.

With too much vaccine information being received, especially amongst those with access to the internet and social media – the dividing line between credible information and misinformation has become difficult.

“Malicious information driven by alternative media is also another contributing vaccine myths, especially done by individuals who sit in their houses and write to catch the attention of the person or want to sell their platforms’’ Memo added.

However, even with the rampant spread of  vaccine misinformation, some people are still willing to get vaccinated. For instance, Juba’s Hai Mouna resident who preferred to be identified as Monica said she will still get the jab regardless of the myths.

“Naiveness towards the vaccine is uncalled for. I am determined to receive my jab as soon as the second bunch arrives” Monica revealed.

Above all, it is due to acknowledge that there has been an increased number of people coming for the jab witnessed by the exhaustion of the first bunch received.

As of July 30, South Sudan has recorded 11,049 cumulative cases of Covid-19, 118 deaths and 10, 099 recoveries.

The World Health Organization has urged South Sudan to ensure at least 10 percent of the population is vaccinated against coronavirus by September 2021.

Author: Dave Boboto – AFF Fellow – Cohort 3, edited by Garang Abraham and Eleanor Macheso. 

NOTE: This article was produced as a result of partnership between DefyHateNow and Medaan, with support from Article19.  

End…

Gun-violence leaves at least 63 dead across South Sudan in July alone

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

211 Check July investigation has shown a huge decrease of citizens killed as a result of gun-violence across the country in July this year.

A monthly data gathered by 211 Check from reports published by prominent mainstream media houses, such as Radio Miraya, Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio and Juba Echo, revealed sixty-three [63] deaths triggered by gun-violence.

However, the data shows a huge decrease of 56.85% and 76.68% of killings registered, compared to months of June and May respectively. In May and June, at least 310 and 146 South Sudanese respectively lost their lives in various incidents associated with gun-violence.

In the July data report, Warrap State recorded 15 deaths – the lead state with the highest killings, most of which were related to cattle raiding, while Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Unity States followed each with 9, 8, 6, and 6 deaths registered respectively.

Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Western Equatoria States all enumerated two [2] violent related deaths each.

On the positive note, no deaths were reported in Abyei Administrative Area, Upper Nile and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State.

According to observers, the decrease in killing is attributed to improvement of security measures in some areas which were previously experiencing waves of insecurity. However, continuous consistent efforts in strengthening security across the country can reduce the loss of lives due to gun violence.

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, Juba Echo and Radio Miraya]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

Know your facts!

211 Check is a fact checking and information verification platform established to counter mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. To know more about fact checking processes, click: https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/.

END…

DATA REPORT – 146 people killed in June alone, a huge decrease compared to May’s gun-violence reported incidents

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Author: Bida Emmanuel

At least 146 South Sudanese have been killed across the country in June this year due to gun related violence.

June’s death data reveals a huge decrease of citizens killed as a result of gun violence, compared to the month of May, where over 310 people died. 

According to 211 Check data analysis, several sections of the country continue to see violent killings primarily as a result of cattle raids, revenge attacks, road ambushes, and other forms of assaults with guns being the major weapons used during the events. 

Since the beginning of June, 211 Check documented killings through its incident reporting team as published and/or broadcasted by credited mainstream media houses; Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio and Radio Miraya. 

June’s report shows Lakes State as the lead with 85 killings, most of which were due to cattle raids mainly in Rumbek, Yirol and Cueibet areas. 

The second in the map is Eastern Equatoria State with 26 killings caused by revenge attacks and road ambushes in areas of Budi, Chukudum, Ikotos, among other counties. 

Warrap State comes third with 15 killings, where-as both Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria registered 13 killings putting them in the fourth position.

Only seven and two violent deaths were reported in Jonglei and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal States, while Upper Nile, Unity, and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal States each had one death reported respectively. 

The total of those killed stood at 164. However, there were no reported killings due to gun-violence in any of the three administrative areas, compared to May where Pibor took the lead with over 150 deaths. 

In addition, June witnessed less killings of aid workers, compared to the month of May this year. 

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio and Radio Miraya]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

Know your facts!

211 Check is a fact checking and information verification platform established to counter mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. To know more about fact checking processes, click: https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/.

END…

DATA – Gun-violence leaves over 310 South Sudanese dead in May Alone

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Author: 211 Check Editorial team

Numerous gun related incidents across South Sudan have left at least 310 civilians killed in the month of May alone.

Last month, 211 Check documented reports of deaths across all the ten states and three administrative areas as published by two mainstream media houses renowned for reporting on crime.

According to data drawn from Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio, Greater Pibor Administrative Area took the lead of areas with the highest number of deaths occurrences. The area registered 150 cases in May alone.

Pibor is followed by the Upper Nile and Lakes States which recorded 36 and 32 deaths respectively.

Central Equator registered 32 deaths, while Jonglei and Lakes states both recorded 30 deaths altogether. The three States were followed by Eastern Equatoria State and Abyei Administrative Area, with 14 and 11 deaths reported.

Western Equatoria State and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal recorded the lowest deaths, having documented 5 and 4 deaths respectively.

Credit to Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State and Ruweng Administrative Area zones that did not notice deaths due to attacks. However, it needs to be known that the two areas registered several deaths in the month of April this year.

According to the above death related stories where local authorities were mainly quoted, these killings were mainly as result of inter and intra communal fighting, cattle raiding, road attacks and other forms of gun related assaults.

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

Bar graph showing the data

Know your facts!

211 Check is a fact checking and information verification platform established to counter mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. To know more about fact checking processes, click: https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/.

South Sudan leads East Africa with ‘most expensive’ electricity charges

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Author: Emmanuel Bida – Associate Editor

A new 211 Check report has revealed South Sudan in the East African region the country with most expensive domestic electricity charges.

The statistics unveiled Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) as the lead company with the highest electric fee per kWh charges in the region.

The brief study carried out by 211 Check featured all East African countries and some South Sudan’s neighboring countries, to compare electricity rates per kWh. Those included were Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.

According to the dreadful findings, South Sudan took the lead with $0.36 charges, followed by Tanzania with $0.12, Kenya and Rwanda grabbed the third position with $0.09 charges respectively, while Uganda came in the fifth position with $0.07.

On the last phase with less electricity charges, was Burundi who seized the sixth position with $0.03, Sudan and DR Congo ranked second last with $0.02, while Ethiopia was classified last with $ 0.01, the lowest charges.

Below is the data table:

S/No.Country1kWh in Local Currency1kWh in the U.S.DollarsRank
1Ethiopia0.54 ETB$ 0.0139
2DR Congo122.06 Congolese Franc$ 0.0167
3SudanSGD 6.35 – SGD 10$ 0.016 7
4Tanzania263 Tanzanian Shillings$ 0.1152
5Burundi62.01 BIF$ 0.0326
6Rwanda 89 – 201 RWF$ 0.09 4
7Kenya11.30 – 24.18 KShs$ 0.092 3
8UgandaUGX 250 – UGX 842.7$ 0.07 5
9South SudanSSP 148.57 – SSP 221.87$ 0.36061

Below is also data visualization table: