South Sudan is characterised by mass, continued and repeated displacement. Against this backdrop, the January 2017 announcement of 32 states demarcated partly along ethnic lines spelt immediate concerns for returns and relocations. Occupation of land following displacement of local populations has further complicated the picture, as have government decisions to demarcate empty or occupied land for sale in some parts of the country.

Providing aid in this context can pit humanitarian principles against one another. Moreover, decisions about where, how and who to assist can impact perceptions of housing, land and property rights, with conflict implications for many years to come.

The briefing note provides a conflict sensitivity analysis of emerging housing, land and property issues and trends. It is based on discussions at an expert roundtable (July 2018) and aid actor workshop (August 2018).