A Study of Statelessness in South Sudan - 2017 © UNHCR A group of South Sudanese displaying their newly received Nationality Certificates. nationality documentation. UNHCR operates in cooperation with both national and international NGOs; moving forward, there is a need for increased involvement and contributions from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in assisting vulnerable people and communities at risk of statelessness in their nationality application procedure CSOs currently play only a limited role in the fight against statelessness in South Sudan, although UNHCR emphasises the importance of their involvement.148 According to CSO staff members in Aweil and Renk, CSOs “are very connected to the communities at the grassroots level in South Sudan”, and have a better understanding of the local context within which they operate.149 As such, they have the potential to “fill the gaps which UNHCR cannot reach”, reaching out to remote communities, providing them with necessary information, counselling, and assistance together with DNPI and other concerned parties where there is limited capacity and presence for processing nationality applications.150 They could also play the role of monitoring the DNPI’s correct application of nationality legislation. In Aweil, CSOs have already supported UNHCR and other partner CSOs through community mobilisation and information-sharing.151 For instance, a CSO member in Aweil reported raising awareness on the importance of nationality and birth certificates, and educating the public on nationality application procedures over the radio and through community meetings.152 To encourage additional CSO involvement, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) staff highlighted the importance of providing necessary technical and financial support. “The only way to involve Civil Society Organisations to become part of world efforts to end statelessness is by providing them with funds and conducting capacity building for the CSO staff on how to address statelessness”.153 KII with UNHCR Staff in Juba; KII with State Director of DNPI in Renk. KII with CSO Staff in Aweil; KII with CSO Staff in Renk. 150 KII with CSO Staff in Renk. 151 KII with UNHCR Staff in Juba. 152 KII with CSO Staff in Aweil. 148 149 37