South Sudan Records 24,000 Community Feedback Entries in Second Quarter
Credit: IDN
Nearly 24,000 community feedback entries were recorded through South Sudan’s Community Feedback Mechanism during the second quarter of 2026, marking a sharp increase largely linked to a biometric registration exercise for displaced populations.
The South Sudan Operational Community Feedback Q2, 2026 report, released July 28, recorded 23,986 feedback entries, an increase of about 1,100% compared with the previous baseline of 1,998.
The International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix biometric registration and re-registration exercise accounted for almost all of the increase.
According to the report, people used the Community Feedback Mechanism Information Desk to request new registration cards, update registration details and replace lost or damaged cards.
The Displacement Tracking Matrix received 23,061 entries, representing 96% of all feedback recorded during the quarter. Shelter and non-food items accounted for most of the remaining submissions, while water, sanitation and hygiene also received feedback.
Biometric registration cards were the dominant topic, followed by concerns about shelter conditions and shelter materials.
Bentiu IDP Camp recorded the highest concentrations of feedback, with submissions spread across several camp sectors.
Women and girls submitted 56% of the feedback, compared with 43% from men and boys. Feedback from vulnerable households accounted for 17%, while persons with disabilities represented less than 1% of submissions.
The report said the figures largely reflected participation in the biometric registration exercise rather than broader differences in community feedback patterns.
It also raised concern over the low level of participation by people with disabilities and said further investigation may be needed to ensure the group is not being overlooked.
The surge in feedback comes amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, displacement, economic decline, hyperinflation and severe food insecurity continue to affect communities.
IOM figures cited in the report show that more than 420,800 people were displaced by conflict between January and May 2026.
In Unity State, where Bentiu IDP Camp is located, humanitarian conditions continued to deteriorate. A March attack on Abiemnhom displaced an estimated 27,900 people, while early rains and flooding further restricted humanitarian access.
The report also cited worsening hunger, reduced health services because of funding cuts and continuing cholera and other disease outbreaks as factors increasing humanitarian needs.
IOM continued its camp coordination and camp management and site development activities in Malakal, Bulakat Transit Centre and Bentiu IDP Camp, supporting approximately 160,000 people through improved living conditions, coordination and accountable service delivery.
Despite the high volume of feedback, the report recorded no completed or expired referrals during the quarter because of changes in the programme approach. The registration requests followed an adapted referral process and were not handled as individual case-management referrals.
The report cautioned that the feedback data reflect people’s engagement with the Community Feedback Mechanism and should not be treated as a representative assessment of humanitarian needs or overall service quality.
