During a week-long visit to South Sudan, SungAh Lee, Deputy Director General for Management and Reform at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlighted the severe and complex challenges of displacement affecting millions of people in the country. She called for greater global attention to the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, emphasizing the need for durable solutions that promote safety, dignity, and long-term stability. Lee commended the resilience and determination of displaced communities who continue to strive for normalcy despite repeated displacement, urging support that goes beyond humanitarian aid to include recovery and peacebuilding efforts.
South Sudan remains among the world’s most displacement-affected nations, with more than 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, nearly 2 million internally displaced, and over 1.3 million arrivals from Sudan since April 2023. During her visit, Lee met with government officials, UN partners, and displaced communities in Malakal and Bentiu, witnessing both the ongoing humanitarian challenges and the progress toward recovery. In Malakal, she met newly returned families from Sudan receiving IOM’s critical assistance, including health screenings, vaccinations, and safe onward transportation. In Bentiu, she observed communities rebuilding homes, restoring services, and working toward sustainable recovery despite persistent flooding and insecurity.
Years of conflict, recurring floods, and the spillover from the crisis in neighboring Sudan have deepened humanitarian needs across South Sudan. Many displaced families have faced repeated shocks, eroding their resilience and leaving them dependent on aid. In Juba, Lee met with senior government and UN officials to strengthen the link between humanitarian aid and long-term development planning, aiming to build pathways from emergency response to sustainable recovery. She also met IOM staff in South Sudan to commend their dedication to assisting displaced and host communities amid ongoing challenges.
Lee’s visit took place at a time when South Sudan’s humanitarian response remains critically underfunded, with only 31 percent of the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan financed. This shortfall is constraining the delivery of lifesaving assistance and delaying progress toward durable solutions. The visit also coincided with the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, where IOM co-led a high-level event on transitioning from aid to recovery. The discussions emphasized the importance of people-centered and inclusive approaches to development—values that guide IOM’s work in South Sudan to help communities rebuild and achieve stability.
Under the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, South Sudan has been designated as a pilot country to advance practical, long-term solutions for displaced populations. In 2025, IOM, alongside UNDP and UNHCR, is leading coordination with the government to integrate displacement solutions into development planning, marking an important step toward ending protracted displacement and fostering lasting peace and recovery.
