03. Jun. 2026
Together, we reach conflict- and displacement-affected populations in Ayod, Duk, and other affected areas of Jonglei State, including women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities who face heightened exposure to waterborne diseases and inadequate sanitation conditions.

Over 450,000 children across the state are estimated to be at risk of acute malnutrition, leaving them highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases and preventable mortality. Children under five are particularly exposed to cholera and acute watery diarrhea due to unsafe drinking water, overcrowding, and poor sanitation.

A disproportionate burden on women and girls

Women and girls, who bear primary responsibility for water collection and household hygiene, are facing heightened safety risks. Many must walk long distances to fetch water from unsafe rivers and swamps because over 70% of boreholes and water yards in conflict-affected counties are damaged or non-functional.

“DRC has been operational in South Sudan since 2005 and works directly and with local partners to support displacement-affected people from acute emergency, into recovery, resilience and towards solutions to their displacement.“

A response scaled to the needs

The current WASH response in Jonglei State remains critically insufficient in relation to the scale and severity of needs and large segments of the displaced and host populations remain without sustained access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene services.

Borehole technical assessment in Hai Kelibalek within Ayod town. (Danish Refugee Council)

Borehole technical assessment in Hai Kelibalek within Ayod town. (Danish Refugee Council)

Thanks to a multi-year framework agreement that allows DRC to swiftly allocate resources globally when emergencies hit, DRC is rapidly scaling up its response to provide urgently needed assistance to people affected by the crisis.

“What we are witnessing in Jonglei State is a humanitarian emergency of enormous proportions. Grundfos Foundation's support could not have come at a more critical time – it is helping us bring safe water and dignity to people who have lost almost everything.“
Laurent Palustran, DRC South Sudan Country Director

Grundfos Foundation-funded activities will reach conflict- and displacement-affected populations in Ayod, Duk, and other affected areas of Jonglei State, including women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities who face heightened exposure to waterborne diseases and inadequate sanitation conditions.

What is DRC doing

With support from Grundfos Foundation, DRC is working to reduce public health risks and improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services through:

  • Rehabilitation of hand pumps and solar-powered water yards
  • Water quality testing and chlorination on a regular basis
  • Distribution of emergency WASH kits
  • Construction of semi-permanent latrines and handwashing facilities
  • Community-based hygiene promotion campaigns.