Save the Children, partners launch 6.2 million Euro project funded by European Union to build resilience, empower South Sudanese for peace and prosperity.

JUBA, 13, FEB 2024 – More families, children, youth and women in South Sudan are set to benefit from increased access to basic health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, child protection, and disaster preparedness services, as Save the Children launched a three (3) year project funded by European Union (EU) and Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), aimed to build the resilience of communities and empower South Sudan for Peace and Prosperity.

Save the Children as the lead implementing partner for this 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.

The project addresses cross-cutting issues of Women and Youth Empowerment, Human Rights, Gender and Age equality and mainstreaming, and climate-smart programming. 

Senastian Cocard, the Program Manager for European Union said:

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

The 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, Save the Children will train community leaders on basic psychosocial support skills, such as Psychological First Aid, disseminate culturally relevant key Mental Health and Psychosocial Support messages.

Omar Ibrahim, Ahmed, Director of Programme Operation, Save the Children said:

“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”

About Save the Children in South Sudan.

Save the Children works to improve children’s lives in South Sudan by supporting schools, training teachers, building the capacity of the health sector to tackle child mortality and improve child health, treating and preventing malnutrition, helping families to grow sufficient food, and protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation. Our primary areas of focus in emergencies are education and child protection, supporting children affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters.

About European Union (EU) in South Sudan.

With emergency levels of food insecurity and malnutrition across the country, the EU provides food assistance and nutrition interventions, including in hard-to-reach areas. EU humanitarian funds support the acquisition and distribution of nutrition products, including ready-to-use therapeutic foods, for the treatment of malnourished children and mothers.

Written by Estella John/Save the Children

Edited by Tito Justin/Save the Children