DataFeed

South Sudan

130.3

Population 2021
(Millions)

0.78

HDI Score
2019 (Max. 1)

70.2

SDG Score
2020-2021
(Max. 100)

0.32

Gender Inequality
Index Score
(Max. 1)

36

Internet Inclusivity
Index 2022
(100 countries)

Sources: 1. World Bank (2021), 2. UNDP (2019), 3. Sustainable Development Report (2021), 4. UNDP (2019), 5. Economist Impact (2022).

Overview

South Sudan, located in northeastern Africa, has a rich variety of flora and fauna in its rainforests and savannahs, with the Nile River running along the entire length of the country. The economy is heavily dependent on oil and agriculture, and the population (which is largely rural) faces high levels of poverty and lack of amenities. One of the most well-known conflicts in the world, the civil war between what has become Sudan and South Sudan raged for nearly 50 years and brought devastation to the country. In addition to political instability, South Sudan faces challenges emanating from its high illiteracy rate, lack of infrastructure and urban development, and low levels of food security. Unfortunately, healthcare is another major concern, with only 17% of children being fully immunized and making the country more vulnerable to outbreaks of disease.

Projects

Socioeconomic Assessment of the Impacts and Implications of COVID-19 in South Sudan

  • South Sudan,
  • May - June 2020
  • P3 - Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems

With the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and in partnership with ADE, this paper assessed both the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in the country and identified implications for the donor community, including the UN System. First it looked at macroeconomic and fiscal prospects, noting a dearth of options in the absence of sustained structural changes; then at the effects of COVID-19 on human development; the virus’ interplay with peacebuilding and state-building dynamics; and lastly, assessments of possible ways forward are discussed.

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Digital Maturity Assessment: Methodology Development and Implementation

  • Bangladesh, South Sudan,
  • November 2021 - June 2022
  • P1 - Just Digital Transformations

DPA developed a Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) framework to provide Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Country Offices with a tool to self-assess their digital transformation journey based on the perceptions and experiences of its staff. The DMA framework is the analytical background guiding the calculation of a Digital Maturity Score that measures the level of digital transformation in the COs based on qualitative data on: Digital ecosystem, data, and tech management; User-centricity and digital inclusion; Digital mindset, literacy, and innovation; Strategy, governance, policies, and frameworks; Investment and partnerships. The DMA was tested in the COs in Bangladesh and Sudan. The results and outputs of these pilots were made available in an interactive dashboard created to facilitate the visualization and extraction of insights.

Landscape Mapping and Review of Technology-based Interventions to Mitigate Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

  • Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Uganda,
  • July 2022- January 2023
  • P4 - Data Feminism

DPA, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, conducted a comprehensive landscape mapping of key technology-based interventions to mitigate child-marriage and FGM through empowerment of girls and to review the digital solutions and tools used in these interventions, their effectiveness and potential areas for improvement in 13 countries in Africa and Asia. The methodology proposed by DPA was based on an analysis that integrated both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as traditional and non-traditional data sources collected at different stages of the study, underpinned by a participatory approach involving UNICEF, UNFPA and other stakeholders that provided feedback and input throughout the entire project.

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Strategic Evaluation of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Use of Technology in Constrained Environments

  • Bangladesh, Jordan, Niger, South Sudan,
  • September 2020 - February 2022
  • P1 - Just Digital Transformations

This evaluation, developed in collaboration with ADE, looked at the extent to which WFP has effectively and efficiently deployed the most appropriate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and how, why and under which conditions the use of technologies has contributed to management and program objectives. The team designed a mixed methods approach consistent with WFP’s proposed analytical framework and outlined the factors affecting technological innovation and diffusion. In addition, six case studies were conducted in Jordan, Niger, Iraq, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bangladesh.

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