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Monday, July 16, 2012

South Sudan flooding creates refugee crisis

Haram Hjana holds her son Samani,1, suffering from severe malnutrition at a field hospital July 17, 2012 in Jamam refugee camp, South Sudan. Up to 16,000 refugees are in the process of being moved due to flooding in the camp as the rainy season causes problems with the flooded fields around the tents. Jamam refugee camp is approximately 50 miles from the North Sudan border. There are currently three refugee camps in the Upper Nile area housing 107,000 refugees from the Engassana region coming from North Sudan. South Sudan recently celebrated it's first independence anniversary. Over the past year repeated conflict with North Sudan, corruption scandals and economic difficulties have plagued the new country. Further problems caused by the shutdown of its oil production have led to a sharp decline in its currency and a rise in the price of food and fuel. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.