USAID/South Sudan Newsletter May 2023

 

USAID/South Sudan Newsletter May 2023 We support community-led programs to build resilience and peace. USAID Providing $22 Million Humanitarian Aid to Assist People Fleeing Sudan Thousands of people have crossed into South Sudan fleeing conflict in Sudan. Photo: Renk County, South Sudan, May 3, 2023, © WFP/Peter Louis USAID is providing $22 million in additional humanitarian assistance to meet increased humanitarian needs in South Sudan caused by the conflict in Sudan—part of $103 million total for the region. More than 75,000 people have fled Sudan for South Sudan since fighting erupted on April 15, more than 93 percent of them South Sudanese returnees. Learn more about our assistance to the people of South Sudan as the largest humanitarian donor. Building Peace among Communities in Eastern Equatoria and Pibor This April 2023 peace dialogue among Buya, Tennet, Didinga, and Toposa communities focused on building trust to end violence and achieve peace. Photo: USAID Shejeh Salam Activity As part of USAID’s efforts to build peace in South Sudan, USAID supported a comprehensive community peace dialogue among Buya, Tennet, Didinga, and Toposa of Eastern Equatoria State, and Murle of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, to address cattle raiding and violence. The event included a trauma awareness workshop followed by a four-day peace dialogue with 150 participants, including community representatives, religious leaders, women leaders, and youth. Nyakiriket Consortium, a local organization, facilitated the event. Participants agreed to uphold justice, integrity, and accountability, and reject taking anyone's life in revenge. They agreed to safeguard the unity of Eastern Equatoria State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and work honestly to achieve real peace among the five communities. "We must embrace peace with our neighbors, stop cattle raiding, child abductions, and revenge killing among the communities,” said Sarah Achen, a women’s representative from Pibor. Murle cattle traders renewed trade relationships with Toposa counterparts with assurances that the communities agreed to forgive past transgressions. Borehole Repair, Management Training Benefits Wau County Community  Nura Marko Mahadhi (right), chair of Hai Bafura Water Management Committee in Wau, met a visiting USAID team this month and described her committee's progress in maintaining the borehole USAID repaired and educating the community about sanitation and hygiene. In Wau County, USAID rehabilitated the Hai Bafura water point, which had not been operating for eight months, and reconstituted and trained the Hai Bafura Water Management Committee. Women in the community play a major leadership role in running the reconstituted Water Management Committee, chairing the committee and serving in nine of the committee's 11 member positions. “We are so proud that USAID repaired this borehole and trained us," said Chairperson Nura Marko Mahadhi. "We are now drinking safe water from this borehole. We are more organized as a water management committee, collect water user fees kept in our savings box, and call the pump mechanic to do routine maintenance of our borehole any time. We meet monthly with the water users to brief them on use of the collected water user fees and create more awareness on hygiene and sanitation. We are really so thankful to USAID and the people of America for this great support,” she said. The borehole now provides nearly 3,000 people with water. Community Resource Center, Traditional Authority Court Open in Chukudum USAID and U.S. Embassy staff and Budi County Commissioner Akileo Mboya Peter Anyanga (center) attended the inauguration of two USAID-funded community buildings in Chukudum, Budi County—the Traditional Authority Court and a community resource center. Photo: Eddie Price/U.S. Embassy On May 4, USAID handed over the new Traditional Authority Court and a community resource center, managed by the local civil society organization Roots of Generations, to the community of Chukudum, Budi County, Eastern Equatoria—part of USAID's efforts to promote peacebuilding in South Sudan. USAID and U.S. Embassy staff who attended the opening with Budi County Commissioner Akileo Mboya Peter Anyanga also visited farmers in the Mulleny Producers Group that USAID supports to learn about their savings and loan initiative to help build community resilience, and witnessed health improvements from USAID's water, sanitation, and hygiene support. USAID Support in Wau and Jur River Counties Is Improving Livelihoods USAID support for a Farmer Field School in Maluil, Jur River County, included distribution of these ox plows to boost their agricultural productivity. A graduate of a Farmer Field School USAID supports in Maluil, Jur River County, told visiting USAID and U.S. Embassy staff that USAID-provided training helped her triple her sorghum crop yield. The U.S. Government team also met a thriving Village Savings and Loan Association group that USAID has supported, including by sharing the cost of purchasing a grinding mill, with the group's 25 members paying half the cost. The group wanted to get a bank loan to expand their livelihoods, but first had to pool sufficient funds. “Due to the little money each group member had, we were not able to open bank accounts with formal banks, but with the help of USAID, we are now ready and able to open a bank account with a formal bank,” the group secretary said. Farmers in Budi, Kapoeta to Train Dozens of Other Farmers on Ox Plowing  A farmer tills soil with an ox plow in Budi County. Photo: USAID Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Activity Farmers benefiting from USAID agriculture training in various parts of South Sudan have begun production preparations for this year's planting season and are increasing land under production. In Akobo County, Jonglei State, crop and vegetable producer groups have increased production and sales of farm produce. In Budi and Kapoeta North Counties in Eastern Equatoria State, USAID is providing training to nine farmers who will train an estimated 160 other farmers on the simple but effective technique of ox plowing to help them expand land under cultivation. This is expected to increase agricultural production for household consumption and cash income in the two counties. Youth Coalition Forum Promotes Unity, Appreciation of Cultural Diversity USAID supports the South Sudan Youth Coalition, which held its second monthly forum in Juba, generating lively debate about issues relevant to youth. As part of USAID’s goal to promote good governance and democracy in South Sudan, USAID supported the South Sudan Youth Coalition’s monthly youth forums, which focused on raising awareness about important issues that affect South Sudanese youth. The Coalition held its second monthly forum in Juba, focused on South Sudan’s National Youth Development Policy Bill. More than 80 participants, including 42 women, attended and agreed to engage young people in dialogues that encourage unity and discourage tribal differences. The workshop highlighted the importance of building youth networks that promote harmony and celebrate South Sudan's cultural diversity. “There is a need for young people to love one another and appreciate diversity,” said participant Keji Hanan. Project Supporting Orphans, Vulnerable Children with HIV Helps 184 Families Gune Cecilia and her son, both living with HIV, are among 184 families who have received support from USAID. Photo: USAID ACHIEVE project Gune Cecilia, 57, is a mother of nine living with HIV. One of her sons is also living with HIV. They are among 184 families who have benefited from USAID support for orphans and vulnerable children. These families are now able to financially support themselves, help their children remain healthy and resilient, and prevent others from getting HIV. Cecilia's family was struggling to meet basic needs including food, medical bills, and school fees, and was referred to USAID’s ACHIEVE project. While her son received support to cover school expenses, Cecilia attended parenting classes and joined the project’s Savings and Internal Lending Communities, which helped strengthen her economic status through financial literacy and saving. Cecilia started her own business with a loan from the savings group, and now earns the equivalent of $5 to $10 U.S. dollars a day selling items at her small shop. “In the future, I want to own a big shop and stock my goods in large quantities,” said Cecilia. “I am certain I will achieve my goals.” New Grant Opportunity for HIV Epidemic Response and Prevention Students in Juba participated in a World AIDS Day event in solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS. Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID With resources from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID/South Sudan intends to provide $15 million for a five-year activity to support children, adolescents, and their families to improve HIV and health outcomes and reduce new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women. The activity will be based in Juba County. USAID intends to award this activity to an implementing partner that can build the capacity of local organizations. Learn more at grants.gov.