In the past, DRC’s intervention in Southern Sudan has been focused primarily in supporting humanitarian needs in rural areas. As a result of high influx of returnees in the urban towns of Juba, DRC programmatic strategy is also focusing on urban and peril-urban areas, which are believed to be underserved communities despite the large presence of INGO head offices in Juba Town.

In needs assessment DRC uses the standard Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approach which allows communities in identification of priority needs and build their capacity to identify and solve problems. This approach is combined with several results such as conflict risk mapping exercise, which will allow local leaders to identify high risk groups and tools to avoid or mitigate conflict; interagency rapid need assessment. Prior to any intervention, DRC will conduct CDP exercise in order to create a baseline in question, identify urgent needs and prioritise from the community members’ perspectives.

DRC, as a rights-based organization, also naturally uses this approach in terms of capacity building of local authorities and providing information on issues related to human rights, returns, sexual and gender base violence.

DRC partners in South Sudan
In the South, DRC helps to strengthen local governments and partners including appropriate line ministries of agriculture, physical infrastructure, South Sudan Reconstruction and Resettlement Commission (SSRRC) through close collaboration and coordination of returns and reintegration activities. DRC also works closely with the Danish Demining Group on conflict studies and mitigation in the operational areas. Furthermore, DRC also seeks to establish and empower community-led groups such as shelter committees and water and sanitation committees.

DRC is also a lead member of the food security and livelihood clusters, and member of the Southern Sudan protection working group committee, UNHCR shelter supported committee.