Written 2014
An outbreak of fighting in the world's newest nation has left thousands killed or injured, and tens of thousands fleeing as refugees.
South Sudan gained independence from its northern neighbour in 2011, the final outcome of a 2005 peace deal negotiated at the end of a 22-year civil war.
Fighting started in December last year, but the full scale of the violence is hard to gauge. Reports suggest thousands have been killed or injured, but even more disturbing are suggestions that civilians are being targeted. In some cases ethnic identity has been the motivation for killings, harassment and the destruction of property.
Neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Kenya have already taken more than 42,000 refugees, but roughly 395,000 South Sudanese have fled their homes, leaving about 352,000 people internally displaced. More than 60,000 have sought shelter in just 10 United Nations peace-keeping bases.
World Vision has been in the area now known as South Sudan (previously Sudan) since 1989, because despite its potential oil wealth, South Sudan is one of Africa's least-developed countries. The majority of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day.