When it first began, the conflict in South Sudan quickly spread along ethnic lines. By early 2018 with no end to war in sight, as many as 2.4 million people had decided to leave the country entirely, making South Sudan the largest refugee crisis in all of Africa, and the third largest worldwide behind only Syria and Afghanistan.

In addition to those who fled to neighbouring counties, another two million have been internally displaced within the country. Over 200,000 live in one of six Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites established by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 

Surrounded by trenches and large mounds of earth topped with barbed wire fences and UN watchtowers, the Bentiu PoC appears from above as an incongruent square box framed by a sea of nature that toggles between hues of vibrant green in the rainy season and dusty brown in the dry season.