ECHO-FUNDED CASH ASSISTANCE EMPOWERS OVER 80,000 TO MEET BASIC NEEDS

Wednesday 13 November 2024

CH11144277_Save the Children staff, Tiem, 58, during cash distribution in Akobo, South Sudan.

JUBA, November 13, 2024: A life-changing Cash program, funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), has reached 86,085 individuals, covering approximately 10,179 households across South Sudan.

The project, led by Save the Children in partnership with Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), provides critical needs for returnees, refugees, internal displaced persons, and host communities, including female-headed households in the crisis-affected states of Jonglei, Unity, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

Nyador, 28, is a female-headed household from Akobo and shared how the assistance made a difference for her family:

“This money is helping me. I want to thank you very much. I use it to pay school fees and buy food, soap, and materials to build my house. I used the money to buy two goats, and now I have six. I plan to buy another one to exchange for a cow. One time, I sold one of my goats and used the money to buy two small goats; they are now big. Thank you so much.”

The cash provided empowered beneficiaries like Nyador to address their urgent needs, make choices that support their families, and strengthen their future. Beyond covering daily needs, beneficiaries are leveraging this support to build resilience, contributing to a more stable future for their communities.

Famari Baro, Save the Children’s Interim Country Director:

“Direct cash assistance to individuals in urgent need empowers them to prioritize their most immediate concerns. With cash in hand, people can make choices that align with their unique needs and circumstances, enhancing their sense of agency and control over their lives. This method promotes dignity and choice, often more effectively than other forms of aid. Although we have reached nearly 80,000 people, the needs in South Sudan are still significant. To save more lives and expand this crucial support, we urgently require additional resources and call upon the international community and the government to stand with the vulnerable population.”

Data from post-distribution monitoring (PDM) shows the cash assistance has significantly increased households’ ability to cover critical needs, with 80% of respondents confirming that women are involved in how the cash is spent at the family and community level. The project has been delivered safely, transparently, and inclusively, restoring dignity and choices to those affected by crisis.

In a country where 7.1 million people—nearly 75% of the population—are in urgent need of food aid, the ECHO Cash Project stands as a dynamic lifeline. Launched in March 2024, the Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) is enabling crisis-affected households to access food, health care, and education, ultimately fostering resilience and reducing long-term vulnerabilities.

Through targeted support and a commitment to transparency and inclusion, the ECHO-funded consortium is not only meeting immediate needs but also laying the foundation for a more resilient South Sudan, ready to face future challenges.

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