Stories
June 11, 2026 • 3 min read
Along South Sudan’s border with Sudan, thousands of displaced families arriving in Renk face overcrowded conditions, limited services, and urgent healthcare needs after fleeing conflict. Through support from UNICEF, PRM, and ECHO-funded interventions implemented by GOAL and Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH), the Renk Stabilization Centre has expanded its capacity, strengthened staffing, and improved access to essential medicines and specialized care. These investments are helping vulnerable children receive life-saving treatment, giving families renewed hope as they rebuild their lives.
Renk, in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, has been a critical entry point for thousands of people fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. For many families, crossing the border marks the end of one difficult journey and the beginning of another as they navigate overcrowded transit centres, uncertain living conditions, and urgent health needs.
Among those seeking safety was Suzan Agok Manyang, who arrived in Renk with her granddaughter, Deng Musa Makuach. Originally from Aweil, Suzan had been living in Sudan before conflict forced her family to flee. Like many newly arrived families, they were staying at the transit centre while trying to rebuild a sense of stability after displacement. It was there that a new crisis emerged.
When Health Needs Outpace Available Services
The humanitarian situation in Renk continues to place significant pressure on health services. Children arriving after long journeys often face increased risks of illness due to disrupted access to healthcare, poor nutrition, overcrowding, and exposure to disease.
On 6 March 2026, Deng became seriously ill. “He had fever and was not getting better,” Suzan recalled. “I was very worried because he was weak and sick.”
Recognizing the severity of his condition, health workers referred Deng to the Stabilization Centre in Renk for urgent treatment. Medical assessments confirmed that he was suffering from malaria and diarrhoea, two conditions that can rapidly become life-threatening for young children, particularly those whose health has already been compromised by displacement and prolonged stress.
For families arriving in Renk, access to timely and specialized care can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy. Ensuring that vulnerable children receive appropriate treatment remains a critical priority as humanitarian needs continue to grow.
Strengthening Care When It Matters Most
To respond to increasing demand, GOAL has worked alongside local health authorities and partners to strengthen the Stabilization Centre’s capacity to provide life-saving care for vulnerable children and families.
What began as a small-capacity facility has evolved into a stronger and more capable centre equipped to respond to growing humanitarian needs. Through support from UNICEF, PRM, and ECHO-funded interventions implemented in partnership with Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) and GOAL, the facility has expanded its bed capacity, improved staffing levels, strengthened referral systems, and maintained a reliable supply of essential medicines.
Investment has also focused on strengthening the skills of frontline health workers through regular training and refresher sessions. These have included specialized areas such as the Management of At-risk Mothers and Infants (MAMI), clinical management of rape, and healthcare waste management, helping ensure that staff are equipped to provide high-quality care to patients with complex needs.
For Amal Doc Amoure, Facility In-Charge, the changes have been significant. “I was working here when the facility capacity was still small, and we could support fewer patients,” she explained. “Thanks to the support of our partners, the capacity has now increased, medicines are available, and we are better able to care for children who need urgent treatment.”
These investments have strengthened not only the facility itself but also the ability of healthcare workers to respond effectively to emergencies and provide sustained care for vulnerable populations.
Hope Restored Through Partnership
Access to timely treatment made all the difference. After receiving medication, medical care, and close monitoring at the Stabilization Centre, Deng condition gradually improved.
For Suzan, seeing her granddaughter recover brought immense relief after weeks of uncertainty and displacement. “I am happy my grandchild received treatment here and is now improving,” she said.
Working alongside PAH, local health authorities, and funding partners, GOAL continues to reach the most vulnerable children in Renk, ensuring that families like Deng’s have access to life-saving treatment when it matters most.
