Relief Organization South Sudan (ROSS)
The official humanitarian and relief wing of the SPLM/SPLA-IO, delivering aid and protection to the people of South Sudan
The Relief Organization South Sudan (ROSS) is the official humanitarian and relief arm of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Sudan People's Liberation Army — In Opposition (SPLM/SPLA-IO). Established to address the acute humanitarian needs arising from conflict and displacement, ROSS operates under the political and organizational framework of the SPLM-IO, coordinating relief, protection, and recovery efforts for affected civilian populations across South Sudan.
Mandate & Functions
Humanitarian Relief
Coordinate and deliver food, medicine, shelter, and essential supplies to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected communities in SPLM-IO-administered territories and beyond.
Civilian Protection
Advocate for and facilitate the protection of civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly, in areas affected by armed conflict and political instability.
Coordination with Aid Partners
Serve as the primary liaison between the SPLM-IO and international humanitarian organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, and donor governments to facilitate access and delivery of aid.
Refugee & IDP Support
Support South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries and internally displaced persons by facilitating documentation, resettlement assistance, and reintegration programmes.
Health & Medical Services
Coordinate emergency medical response, support field clinics, and work with health partners to address disease outbreaks and maternal and child health needs in underserved areas.
Reconstruction & Recovery
Support post-conflict reconstruction efforts including rehabilitation of schools, water and sanitation infrastructure, and livelihoods programmes to restore dignity and self-reliance.
ROSS in the Context of the SPLM-IO
The SPLM/SPLA-IO, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has consistently maintained that the struggle for a democratic, federal, and united South Sudan must be accompanied by a commitment to the welfare of the civilian population. ROSS embodies this commitment — functioning as the movement's institutional response to the humanitarian consequences of conflict.
ROSS operates in close coordination with the SPLM-IO's political and military structures, ensuring that humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence guide its operations. It engages with the international humanitarian system while remaining accountable to the communities it serves.
As South Sudan navigates the path toward lasting peace under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), ROSS plays a critical transitional role — bridging emergency relief and long-term development, and supporting the conditions necessary for durable peace and national reconciliation.
Engagement with the International Community
| Organisation | Area of Engagement |
|---|---|
| United Nations OCHA | Humanitarian coordination and access facilitation |
| UNHCR | Refugee protection and resettlement support |
| WFP | Food security and emergency nutrition programmes |
| UNICEF | Child protection, education, and health services |
| ICRC | International humanitarian law compliance and detainee welfare |
| MSF / Médecins Sans Frontières | Emergency medical care in conflict-affected areas |
Contact ROSS
For humanitarian coordination inquiries, partnership proposals, or to report urgent needs in SPLM-IO-administered areas, please reach out through the official SPLM-IO contact channels.
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