South Sudan – Emergency Livelihoods Assistance - Save the Children Canada 2015

March 2015 – Nearly four years since independence internal conflict continues to devastate the lives of millions of people in South Sudan. On December 2013 violence broke out in Juba South Sudan’s capital and quickly spread throughout the country. The humanitarian consequences of the ongoing crisis include: massive population displacement; high mortality rates; increasing food insecurity; disrupted livelihoods; and wide-scale malnutrition. Over 1.5 million people are internally displaced within the country over 103 000 individuals are seeking physical protection in UN bases and over 500 000 South Sudanese have fled the country. Agricultural production is disrupted and essential basic services such as safe drinking water schools and medical facilities have been shut down or destroyed in the fighting. With DFATD’s support Save the Children Canada is improving the health living conditions and livelihoods for 50 687 vulnerable conflict-affected people in Akobo and Nyirol Counties Jonglei State. Project activities include: (1) providing 3 000 vulnerable households with cereal and vegetable seeds as well as agricultural tools; (2) providing vouchers to 1 500 vulnerable households that have experienced crop failure; and (3) training eight community health staff and 22 staff from local partners on infant and young child feeding.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to interventions designed to promote greater self-sufficiency and reduce negative coping strategies; (2) increased awareness of health practices and behaviours; and (3) increased awareness of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.