The conflict in South Sudan is one of four in the world — along with those in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen — that are classified by the United Nations as humanitarian emergencies of the highest order (Level 3), a newly updated report from the Congressional Research Service points out.
“U.N. officials estimate that at least 50,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, but no reliable death count exists, and some experts suggest the toll may be much higher. More than 2.7 million people have been displaced since December 2013. At least 1.7 million people are displaced internally, and in September 2016 the number of refugees surpassed 1 million.”
For background on the conflict and its humanitarian impact, see Conflict in South Sudan and the Challenges Ahead, updated September 22, 2016.
Other new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following.
Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations, updated September 20, 2016
U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues, updated September 27, 2016
Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tehran’s Compliance with International Obligations, updated September 26, 2016
Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy, updated September 26, 2016
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Regulations: Background and Issues for Congress, September 28, 2016
Housing for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, updated September 27, 2016
The Yahoo! Data Breach–Issues for Congress, CRS Insight, September 26, 2016
Wells Fargo Customer Account Scandal: Regulatory Policy Issues, CRS Insight, September 28, 2016
Monuments and Memorials Authorized Under the Commemorative Works Act in the District of Columbia: Current Development of In-Progress and Lapsed Works, updated September 26, 2016
U.S. Peanut Program and Issues, updated September 27, 2016
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