MALUALKON, South Sudan (Reuters) - The world's newest nation relies on oil to finance 98 percent of its budget. So when the government decided to shut off crude production in January after a dispute with a neighbor, South Sudan's foreign donors and aid groups were shocked.

South Sudan is marking its first year of independence with development at a virtual standstill and conflict, hunger and displacement distracting its government and international donors from tackling vast needs stemming from decades of war.

NTAMUGENGA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Squatting against a brick wall under the blazing afternoon sun, Esther slowly catches her breath. She walked just a few dozen yards from the doors of the health center, but she is already exhausted and deeply disoriented. Her triplets are fast asleep in her lap, unaware of the mayhem all around.

Far from the bright lights of Chicago where world leaders met to shape NATO's exit from Afghanistan, one of the war's victims, 12-year-old Aleema, sums up her life in three words: "It's the worst.

YIDA, South Sudan (AP) — An unexploded bomb sticks out of the earth. Foxholes have been dug by aid workers fearing more airstrikes from Sudan. Streams of hungry refugees are pouring in.

South Sudan is facing a humanitarian crisis with more than half its population threatened by food shortages because of its ongoing conflict with Sudan, the UN has warned.