EU’s €6.2m to build resilience, empower South Sudanese

February 14, 2024 (JUBA) –  A total of €6.2 million is to benefit families, children, youth and women in South Sudan through increased access to basic health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, child protection and disaster preparedness services.

The three-year project, launched by Save the Children with funding from the European Union (EU) and the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), seeks to build the resilience of communities and empower South Sudan for peace and prosperity.

Save the Children as the lead implementing partner for the project will work with War Child Holland and Tearfund to expand lifesaving and life-sustaining services in three conflict-affected states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity particularly in Robkona, Malakal and Akobo, noted a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The project tackles issues of women and youth empowerment, human rights, gender and age equality and mainstreaming and climate-smart programming.

“More than 230,000 people will benefit from this project, it is an important project for EU but most importantly for the people of South Sudan, we know about the fragilities and the huge needs, the money is not enough to address all the needs, but the idea is to address short term needs with long term perspectives to help people resettle,” explained Senastian Cocard, the Program Manager for the EU.

“It is about livelihood, resilience, peace building, community dialogue, preventing or mitigating conflicts and creating job opportunities to youth and women”.

The three-year project is timely for South Sudan, where a combination of communal conflict, a worsening economic crisis, and poor harvests, coupled with increased floods and food insecurity worsened by the climate crisis has left an estimated 9 million people, including refugees in South Sudan, in critical needs.

The project is targeting the most vulnerable including displaced persons affected by conflict, especially children, who are at most risk of malnutrition and disease.

In Akobo County, Save the Children will reportedly train community leaders on basic psychosocial support skills such as psychological first aid, disseminate culturally relevant key mental health and psychosocial support messages.

“The European Union (EU)-DRA funded project is not merely an investment infrastructure; it is an investment in the well-being and resilience of communities. It stands as a testament to the strength of collaboration and shared commitment. I extend my gratitude to the European Union for their support and belief in our vision for a more just, equal, and sustainable society,” explained Omar Ibrahim, Ahmed, Director of Programme Operation, Save the Children.

(ST)