(JUBA) – The United Nations Office for Project Services and the Government of South Sudan have signed a $25.7 million agreement to launch the South Sudan Livelihoods and Resilience Project. Using the current exchange rate of 7,100 South Sudan Pounds to one United States Dollar, the funding is equal to around 182.47 billion South Sudan Pounds.
The funds have been provided by the International Fund for Agricultural Development and are expected to benefit more than 93,700 households in Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
The government says the project will support internally displaced people, returnees and people with disabilities. Around 60 percent of the expected beneficiaries are women and 70 percent are youth.
The programme is planned to improve food production, strengthen local resilience to flooding and drought, increase access to markets and develop small infrastructure in target areas. UNOPS will act as the main technical partner supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in community planning and managing a Community Agriculture Investment Fund.
The work will include community mobilisation, distribution of in kind farming inputs, rehabilitation of feeder roads and construction of climate friendly facilities. Training will also be provided to local officials and farmer groups.
Agriculture Minister Abdelbagi Akol Agany said much of the rural infrastructure needed for farming simply does not exist. He said the project will focus on building small but vital structures that will improve farm yields, transport links and business activity.
Project Manager Hakim Luka Yatta said the initiative is designed to give communities more control over development planning. He said it aims to reduce hunger and poverty in the participating areas.
UNOPS Country Manager Petronella Halwindi Kasaka welcomed the agreement and said the agency is committed to delivering all its responsibilities under the contract.
The Ministry of Agriculture said it will continue to work with development partners to expand climate smart farming and support vulnerable households across the country.
IFAD Funds Major Livelihood and Resilience Programme in South Sudan
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Project Name | South Sudan Livelihoods and Resilience Project (SSLRP) |
| Total Funding | 25.7 million USD ≈ 182.47 billion SSP (at 7,100 SSP = 1 USD) |
| Funding Source | International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) |
| Implementing Partner | United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) |
| Government Partner | Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, South Sudan |
| Target Beneficiaries | 93,700 households, including IDPs, returnees and people with disabilities |
| Gender and Youth Focus | 60% women, 70% youth |
| Coverage Areas | Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Western Bahr el Ghazal |
| Key Activities | Community mobilisation, farm input support, feeder road rehabilitation, climate-smart infrastructure, training |
| Main Objective | Improve food security, increase market access, build resilience to climate shocks |