South Sudan: US announces four-year resilience project through agriculture

By Ruot George

The US agency for international development – USAID signed a four year deal with Development Alternatives Incorporated – DAI, an internal development company to help increase resilience through agriculture in 13 counties in South Sudan.

These 13 counties are among the poorest, most isolated, and least assisted places in South Sudan, the US Embassy said in an emailed statement.

“By focusing multi-layered assistance in these severely underdeveloped counties, USAID seeks to build community and household resilience,” it said.

“As a result, these communities will be better able to withstand shocks including floods and conflict, and to become more self-sufficient, thereby requiring less emergency assistance.”  

The counties are selected from five states including Kapoeta North and Budi in Eastern Equatoria State, Akobo, Duk, Pibor, and Uror counties in Jonglei State, Leer, Mayendit, and Panyijar counties in Unity State, Baliet and Ulang counties in Upper Nile State Jur River and Wau counties in Western Bahr-el Ghazal 

“With ongoing challenges in South Sudan including severe floods, displacement due to community-level conflict and natural disasters, and the economic impacts of COVID-19 and other economic shocks, building resilience is essential,” USAID/South Sudan Mission Director Haven Cruz-Hubbard said in the statement.

“This activity will help households gain skills and create community assets to withstand these shocks without being forced to sell all their assets, and thus help end the vicious cycle of compounding poverty and hunger,” Cruz-Hubbard said.