Today marks the 10 years since South Sudan gained independence.
It's a significant anniversary for the world's youngest country, but one which is mired by instability, corruption and one of the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
UNICEF say two-thirds of children in South Sudan, are in desperate need of support - the child mortality rate is among the highest in the world with one in 10 children not expected to reach their fifth birthday.
Former MP David Shearer returned to New Zealand earlier this year, after spending four years in South Sudan as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the United Nations Mission.
He spoke to Susie Ferguson.
