disaster
“Women are in fear day and night”: Untold numbers suffer conflict-related sexual violence as crisis grips South Sudan
By United Nations Population Fund at ReliefWeb
· June 18, 2026
· 6 min read
Countries: South Sudan, Ethiopia . She fled the outbreak of violence in March and arrived across the border in Ethiopia, frightened and struggling to access any services. “I ran for my life without carrying anything with me, only my children,” she told UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, whic
Key takeaway On 19 June, the United Nations observes the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, calling for an end to this violence and to the stigma that prevents so many survivors from coming forward.
Why this matters
The crisis in South Sudan highlights the critical need for sustained humanitarian support and protection for women and girls affected by conflict-related sexual violence. As the situation worsens, with a 35 percent rise in sexual violence against children in 2024, the international community must prioritize addressing the root causes of this violence and providing comprehensive services to survivors. The observation of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on June 19 serves as a call to action, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to end the stigma surrounding sexual violence and ensure that survivors receive the support they need. In the context of faith-based giving and humanitarian relief, organizations accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, such as those tracked by Christgiving, can play a vital role in providing critical services and support to affected communities, promoting a coordinated and effective response to this crisis.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: South Sudan, Ethiopia . She fled the outbreak of violence in March and arrived across the border in Ethiopia, frightened and struggling to access any services. “I ran for my life without carrying anything with me, only my children,” she told UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, whic
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by United Nations Population Fund at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .