Tag Archive for: #DataStory

Reported Killings Across South Sudan - November 2021 (1)

Data Story: Reported Killings in South Sudan, 267 slain last month

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By #defyhatenow South Sudan #DataSpeaks Fellows

Data collected by 211 Check, according to multiple media reports from November of this year, show that at least 267 individuals were killed in several incidents around South Sudan.

In comparison to October, when 79 persons were slain, November’s figures show an increase of 237.97 percent.

The majority of deaths last month happened in Jonglei State, where about 89 individuals were killed by an unknown illness and over 70 others died largely in intercommunal confrontations. 

The following state, Warrap, comes in second with 32 deaths, the most of which were caused by intercommunal violence and road ambushes.

Following that is Western Equatoria State, where 24 people are said to have died last month and Eastern Equatoria State with 18 deaths.

Upper Nile State, Central Equatoria and Unity States each had 14, 12 and 5 deaths respectively.

In Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State there were two reported deaths and 1 killing in Lakes State.

In any of the three administrative areas of Abyei, Ruweng, or Greater Pibor, there were no documented cases of violence-related deaths as well as in Western Bahr-el-Ghazal.

About the Authors:

Data Speaks Fellows 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

Market Commodity Price Increase

Data Story: Commodity Price Hikes in Juba Ahead of Festivities

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This story focuses on the most recent increase in commodity prices in Juba. The data is based on a physical market survey at Konyo Konyo Market.

By Charles Lotara

The market prices of commodities in South Sudan have been unstable since the outbreak of civil war in 2013 when the South Sudanese Pounds started losing value against the United States Dollars.

In August this year, the prices of basic commodities almost doubled after truck drivers declared strike over rampant insecurity along the Nimule – Juba Highway, the only major route that connects South Sudan to the rest of East African countries.

This phenomenon compelled the government to enforce security measures to curb the runaway level of criminality and banditry along the highway.

In mid-August, truckers trickled in after security assurance from the government. This has resulted in market stabilization. The government through the Ministry of Finance injected more forex into the market, this resulted in an improved exchange rate. But prices never went down thanks to lack of confidence from traders in sloppy regulatory policies.

And, the skyrocketing prices are worsening as the festive season approaches. A first hand assessment reveals that some have doubled their initial price tags within the space of two weeks. A continuity in trend of increase could make basic commodities unaffordable to low-income households.

On Wednesday, 01 December 2021, the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly summoned eight institutions to explain circumstances surrounding market price hikes. These were the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Ministry of Roads and Bridges.

Other institutions summoned by the parliament were the National Revenue Authority, the Central Bank, Chamber of Commerce, and the National Bureau of Standards. 

Paul Yoane Bonju, the Chairperson Designate of the Reconstituted Transitional National Assembly blames the government for failure to implement regulations that protect local consumers.

“The prices of commodities in our markets are very, very high these days. Our markets have been dominated by foreigners, and South Sudanese are not in control of their markets,” the Chairperson Designate was quoted by The City Review to have said.

“We are supposed to be a mixed economy rather than a free economy. In a free economy, anybody can come and do anything that he wants, but in a mixed economy, we can control the prices,” added Mr Yoane.

But it is unclear whether the summon of these institutions will drive a positive impact on the market ahead of festivities.

Between late November and the first week of December, a kilogram of lentils was costing SSP 800 up from 600 a few weeks earlier. Our market survey within Juba also reveals that the price of onions has doubled from SSP500 to SSP1000.

By the time of publishing, a liter of cooking was sold at SSP 1000, an increase from SSP 700 two weeks prior. The cost of public transportation also doubled, especially for those staying on the outskirts of Juba. The trend paints a bleak future for the common man.

Leading cause of market price hikes

South Sudan is a landlocked country. The country is one of the biggest importers of commodities. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), an organization that monitors trends in staple food prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity, cereal supplies in Juba, Torit, Bor, and Rumbek are mostly sourced from Uganda.

Agriculture production remained poor, especially in states and administrative areas ridden by communal conflict and flooding.

About the Authors:

Charles Lotara, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, updated this data story (already in the 211 Check archive), 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 

COVID-19 Vaccine Statistics in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State as of October 2021

Data Story: COVID-19 in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State; Cases and Vaccine Statistics

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Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State had registered 775 COVID-19 cases and 01 death as of October 2021 according to its Health Ministry

By Ngor Deng

Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal is one of the states where the novel coronavirus has been identified. Following the confirmation of a few cases, a COVID-19 isolation center was established at the Light House in Aweil.

According to an announcement by the management of the COVID-19 taskforce in the State, the isolation center was closed in May due to a lack of funding from the government and implementing health organizations.

Because of a lack of financial support, the trained health workers who were providing services abandoned the center, causing the Covid-19 patients and suspects to live in disarray.

What Is The Number Of People Affected?

Between January and October 2021, 775 positive cases were recorded according to the State Coordination office on Covid-19 pandemic hence the number of positive confirmed cases in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state as of October 2021 was 775.

Only 71 patients within the registered or recorded were admitted in the isolation center until they became fully recovered or rescued before it was closed down in May.

A pregnant woman died of COVID-19 in October 2021 while under the care of Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF) at Aweil civil hospital, while four positive COVID-19 cases were officially confirmed at the same time.

Table Showing COVID-19 Cases Statistics in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State as of October 2021

Total Cases Recorded775
Cases Admitted at Isolation Center71
Cases Not Admitted at Isolation Center703
Death Cases1

Vaccination Against Covid-19 Spreads In NBGS-Aweil Government And Health Partners Response

The Covid-19 vaccines arrived in Aweil on June 12, 2021, and vaccinations began immediately. In the first round, 2, 856 people were vaccinated, and the vaccines were finished by August 2021.

The second vaccination was effective from August to October, and 4,581 people were immunized. According to state coordinator for the Expanded Immunization Program Santino Ngong Chan, males accounted for 3,635, while females accounted for 946.

Table Showing COVID-19 Vaccine Statistics in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State as of October 2021

Total Number of People Vaccinated4,581
Male3,635
Female946

Recommendation

Despite numerous requests, medical officials at the COVID 19 taskforce office reiterated calls on the National Ministry of Health and partners to support the isolation center. 

About the Authors:

Ngor Deng, 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 

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