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Human Security Survey 2018 Annual Summary Report for Jonglei State, South Sudan

Countries
South Sudan
Sources
PAX
Publication date
Origin
View original

By Anton Quist

• A gap exists between local community security needs and the capacities for protection that security actors – local or international, like UNMISS – provide

• PAX and SSANSA address this gap by surveying local security perceptions and feeding back this information into protection dialogues involving citizens as well as security actors

• This report summarises the Human Security Survey findings for Jonglei State and the main conclusions from the local community security dialogue in November 2018

Introduction

The Human Security Survey (HSS) is a unique survey methodology developed by PAX, that includes a series of complementary activities, including population-based research, community engagement, and advocacy. The objectives of the HSS are: 1) to increase knowledge and understanding of local human security experiences, perceptions, trends and priorities; 2) to enhance the ‘claim-making capacity’ of civilians to hold security providers and power brokers to account; and 3) to guide and inform a wide variety of stakeholders who have an ability to impact protection issues through evidence-based advocacy at local and international levels. PAX currently implements the HSS in South Sudan and Iraq.

The underlying rationale for the HSS is that by strengthening the voice and agency of civilians on protection strategies and security policies, the resulting protection practice will be more reflective of, and responsive to, local needs and priorities. In order to achieve this, the HSS seeks to create or leverage opportunities for civilians to participate in security dialogues at the community level, where practical decisions by military, local government, police, traditional leaders, diplomats and security actors such as the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) by providing valuable, first-hand information about the experiences and perspectives of conflict-affected communities. The survey itself is therefore best seen as a means to an end, with the ultimate aim being to facilitate more effective protection of civilians’ strategies in South Sudan.