The World Bank has approved at least a $129 million grant to increase access to economic and livelihood opportunities for 96,000 most vulnerable households in South Sudan.
15 counties across the country have been targeted to benefit from the project. They include; Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Warrap states, and Pibor Administrative Area.
The grant includes $25 million from IDA19 Windows for Host Communities and refugees and $30 million from the Crisis Response Window.
It will finance the South Sudan Productive Safety Net for Socioeconomic opportunities project (SNSOP) that seeks to consolidate and deepen the development gains achieved. It also seeks to increase social and economic opportunities for the poorest and most vulnerable households.
The World Bank’s Social Protection Specialist Mukulish Arafat Simeonah, said the project timeframe is 18 months.
“Each beneficiary is given 2.7 dollars per day and the beneficiary participate for 15 days in a month to get $40.5 which will total to $729 after 18months.” Mukulish breakdown.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and other UN humanitarian partners.
Josephine Joseph Lagu, the national Minister of Agriculture and Food security welcomed the grant underscored that it will build the resilience of the beneficiaries.
“Enhancing social and economic opportunities for poor and vulnerable households will contribute to achieving longer term development outcomes and build their resilience to climate impact and other shocks. It will also make them potential drivers of economic growth, stability and national transformation in South Sudan.” she stated.
For his part, Firaas Raad, the World Bank Country Manager said the project will also build the capacity of key ministry personnel.
“This new financing will help the government to gradually establish a national owned safety net program. It will also help maintain predictable and reliable national safety net system in the country and increase citizen confidence in national institutions.”
Ayaa Benjamin Warile, the national minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare said the project will enhance equal economic opportunities for the poor and vulnerable women.
“Women are exposed to a wide range of economic and social risks in South Sudan. The emphasis on including young women will pave the way towards addressing the marginalization of women, bringing them into the mainstream of development,” she said.
The project targets the 15 priority Counties due to their vulnerability to climate change and low safety net.