UNICEF and WFP to Scale Up Support in South Sudan With German Aid

(JUBA) – Germany has announced a new contribution of 65 million US dollars (about 299 billion South Sudanese Pounds, SSP) to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen community resilience in South Sudan.

The funding comes at a time when 9.3 million people, around 70 per cent of the country’s population of 13.4 million, are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance.

The support, channelled through KfW, the German Development Bank, will be used under the second phase of the Joint Resilience Project. It is expected to reach close to one million people in urban and peri-urban communities in Juba, Torit, Yambio and Aweil.

The new funds will provide a wide range of services, including education, health, livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, and measures to prevent gender based violence.

Some of the funds will also go towards improving education infrastructure, including the renovation of classrooms, while daily school meals will be provided as part of a complementary health intervention to build human capital.

Gregory Bledjian, Head of Mission of Germany to South Sudan, said Germany was committed to helping South Sudan move towards self reliance.

“Enhancing food and nutritional security, improving education and fostering social cohesion avert long term dependence on humanitarian aid. South Sudan has enormous potential to be self reliant. The second phase of the Joint Resilience Project helps to unlock this potential. Germany is proud to support the South Sudanese people on this trajectory for development.”

Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan, described the contribution as timely and generous.

“This support from Germany will have a profound impact on some of the most vulnerable children in South Sudan. It will enable UNICEF to scale up critical interventions, from treating severe malnutrition and ensuring access to clean water, to supporting essential health and education services, and protecting children from harm.”

Adham Effendi, WFP’s Acting Representative and Country Director in South Sudan, emphasised that the support goes beyond short term aid.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from Germany, whose funding strengthens our commitment to empowering communities in South Sudan. This support is not just aid. It is an investment in lasting resilience, food security, and dignity of the people we serve.”

The Joint Resilience Project Phase II builds on the achievements of the first phase, which started in 2019 and reached about 550,000 people. Germany had previously provided more than 120 million US dollars (about 552 billion SSP) to support that initial phase.

The second phase is expected to expand geographically to other areas of South Sudan while consolidating the progress already made.

According to UNICEF and WFP, the contribution reflects Germany’s long standing commitment to support the South Sudanese people in tackling humanitarian and development challenges.

German Support Targets One Million South Sudanese in Crisis