South Sudanese refugees have hope for the country.

UN South Sudan representative and former Labour Leader David Shearer says the future looks grim in the country.

But a Kiwi working with South Sudanese refugees in Uganda says there's still hope from some.

Helen Manson told Mike Hosking that despite refugees going through unimaginable horrors, they still envision a stable South Sudan.

"The people I spoke to today said they do have a hope for the future but they just don't quite know what that will look like - they hope to one day to return to South Sudan and for peace to come back to the region."

She also said that the refugees arrive in a traumatised condition.

"I was speaking to multiple people today in the field, in the refugee settlement, and they were telling me about their testimonies of just going through horrendous things - some of the worst things I've ever heard, actually, as a Kiwi."

But Ms Manson said she has seen some incredible transformations in the refugees' psychological state.

If you would like to donate towards the work Helen is doing, here is the link: https://www.tearfund.org.nz/South-Sudan