Safe drinking water is fundamental to a healthy life, and yet 2.1 million people in South Sudan require assistance to gain access to safe and reliable water sources.

The conflict that erupted in December 2013 stalled developmental and rehabilitation efforts that were slowly taking grip after the country gained independence in 2011. The ongoing crisis has led to the destruction of what little infrastructure previously existed, forced millions from their homes and further reduced access to safe water sources.

In areas where communities are displaced, they often have no choice but to fetch water from unsafe sources like seasonal rivers and shallow wells. Even communities in areas not directly affected by the war suffer from limited access to clean water, as years of underdevelopment have left boreholes broken or poor hygiene and sanitation.

This limited access to safe water and sanitation has exacerbated the detrimental effects of war, leading to disease outbreaks and even worsening severe malnutrition in extremely food insecure parts of the country.