What to do if someone dies in South Sudan

South Sudan became independent in July 2011 — the world’s youngest country. Civil war began in December 2013 and a ceasefire was signed in September 2018, but armed conflict continues in multiple states. The British Embassy in Juba is a resident mission, but consular capacity in conflict-affected areas is severely limited.

The civil registration system has been operational only since independence. Infrastructure outside Juba — mortuary facilities, road access, administrative offices — is extremely limited.

UK deaths in South Sudan involve aid workers, UN and NGO staff, journalists, and peacekeepers.

First step

Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Juba: +211 912 179 100.

The first question to answer: where exactly did the death occur? Location determines what is achievable. Deaths in Juba follow one process. Deaths outside Juba require a separate assessment.

British Embassy Juba

The British Embassy is a resident mission with established local contacts. It registers the death for UK purposes and can liaise with South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) and government ministries. Embassy liaison is particularly valuable given the limited formal systems.

Civil registration

South Sudan’s civil registration operates through the Office of the Registrar General. The attending physician issues the cause of death certificate. The Registrar General’s office issues the death certificate in English.

For non-natural deaths, SSNPS must attend before the body is moved. Police capacity outside Juba is very limited — in remote areas, this step may require significant time.

Outside Juba: body transfer to the capital

Embalming facilities exist in Juba but almost nowhere else. If the death occurs outside Juba, the body must reach the capital before preparation and export processing can begin.

Options depend on location:

• By air charter: Small aircraft from bush strips to Juba. Security conditions permitting.
• By road: Some areas accessible but road quality is poor.
• Not achievable: Conflict-affected states (Unity, Upper Nile, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria outside Juba). Recovery from these areas is not achievable by standard means.

Ministry of Health export permit

Once death registration is complete and police clearance is in hand, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director embalms and prepares the body in Juba.

Document checklist

Routing

Juba International Airport (JUB):

• Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (ADD) — primary UK route
• Kenya Airways to Nairobi (NBO) — connecting to London
• EgyptAir to Cairo (CAI)

Both Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways provide consistent services from Juba.

What to do first

FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Juba: +211 912 179 100.

Engage a specialist firm with East African experience and existing Embassy Juba contacts. For remote area cases, confirm the feasibility of body transfer to Juba before any other steps. Cases in active conflict states require assessment by the Embassy before any planning.

Sources: UK FCDO South Sudan travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-sudan, updated 2024); British Embassy Juba.