USAID/South Sudan Newsletter March 2023

 

United States Agency for International Development USAID - from the American People

USAID/South Sudan Newsletter

March 2023

We support community-led programs to build resilience and peace.


USAID Calls on South Sudan for Action on Maternal and Child Health, Literacy

USAID Mission Director Kate Crawford at tenth anniversary of Child Survival Call to Action

USAID Mission Director Kate Crawford (center) at a press conference in Juba marking the tenth anniversary of the global Child Survival Call to Action, which USAID launched with UNICEF in 2012. Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID

USAID joined UNICEF, the United Kingdom, and South Sudan's Acting Minister of Health Aya Benjamin Libo Warille on March 23 to mark the tenth anniversary of the Child Survival Call to Action, a groundbreaking event that catalyzed a global movement to dramatically improve maternal and child survival. South Sudan's maternal mortality rate remains one of the world’s highest at more than 1,150 deaths per 100,000 live births. "We call upon the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to ensure the security, well-being, and health  of the mothers and children who are the future hope of this country," said USAID Mission Director for South Sudan Kate Crawford. "The best predictor of a family's health is the health and education of the mother. The persistent low levels of female literacy, the high rates of gender-based violence, and the lack of access to quality health care continue to harm women, their children, and their communities. This country will never reach its full potential without realizing the potential of half its population." For more information on USAID's new strategic framework on preventing child and maternal deaths, see A Framework for Action in a Changing World.


South Sudan literacy-UNESCO

$288 Million in Humanitarian Assistance Will Help Address Severe Food Needs

South Sudan food distribution smaller

During a visit to Aweil in February, U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael J. Adler announced that USAID is providing $288 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan as populations across the country face the most severe levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition since independence in 2011. This additional funding will enable USAID's partner the UN World Food Program to help as many as 2.2 million of the most food-insecure people in South Sudan with life-saving food assistance. Read more about our humanitarian assistance.


South Sudan food insecurity-IPC

Additional $3 Million Expands USAID Agriculture Resilience Efforts

A woman picks vegetables from her garden. Photo: USAID Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan

A woman picks vegetables from her garden. Photo: USAID Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Activity

USAID announced an additional $3 million for agriculture resilience programs to alleviate food insecurity in South Sudan. The funds will support farmer groups in areas where seasonal production is possible. The program will support women's economic advancement by providing improved seed varieties, increasing crop diversity, and increasing production through improved agricultural practices. “This additional funding will strengthen USAID efforts to reduce emergency food dependence and increase household resilience,” said USAID Mission Director for South Sudan Kate Crawford.


intimate partner violence South Sudan

USAID Launches Safe House in Juba for Gender-based Violence Survivors

Acting USAID Mission Director for South Sudan Jeff Ashley with Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Aya Warille Benjamin

USAID Deputy Mission Director for South Sudan Dr. Jeff Ashley joined Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Aya Warille Benjamin and UNFPA Country Director Dr. Ademola Olajide to launch a USAID-funded safe house in Juba for survivors of gender-based violence. Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID

To support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Sudan, USAID funds a safe house in Juba for women affected by GBV. "The United States is providing life-saving shelter and related services for GBV survivors in Juba and prevention of GBV across Central Equatoria State, with a long-term plan to expand these services across South Sudan," said USAID Deputy Mission Director for South Sudan Dr. Jeff Ashley at an event in Juba on February 28 that marked the launch of the new safe house. 


Support to Traditional Authorities Gives Voice to Women, Youth

Dispute resolution training of traditional authorities in Ulang County. Photo: USAID Shejeh Salam Activity

Dispute resolution training of traditional authorities in Ulang County. Photo: USAID Shejeh Salam Activity

As part of USAID's efforts to halt patterns of revenge killings that are common in South Sudan, USAID supports Restore Hope Africa, a local South Sudanese organization, to train traditional authorities in Upper Nile State's Ulang County to better manage community disputes by applying Nuer customary laws in a way that respects both human rights and statutory law. Women and youth in Ulang have historically been denied opportunities to share their views on issues affecting their communities when elders were present. After the training, members were nominated to an inter-payam coordination mechanism composed of women, youth, and traditional leaders, who will liaise with counterparts from the county's other payams to resolve disputes and defuse tensions.  


Livestock Vaccination Protects Essential Community Assets

A community animal health worker deworms a cow in Bor. Photo:  VSF Germany South Sudan

A community animal health worker deworms a cow in Bor. Photo: VSF Germany South Sudan

Floods in South Sudan are causing movement of large herds of livestock—which are essential to communities' economic well-being—outside their home areas, potentially putting their livestock's health at risk. Without vaccination, cattle may become infected with pneumonia, East Coast Fever, or Rift Valley fever. To prevent spread of animal diseases, USAID deployed community animal health workers to vaccinate and deworm an estimated 88,050 livestock in Bor, Jonglei State. 


Consistent Medication Helps South Sudanese Living with HIV Maintain Health

An antiretroviral treatment provider explains the importance of testing HIV viral load to Christine before her sample is collected.

An antiretroviral treatment provider explains the importance of testing HIV viral load to a patient before her sample is collected. Photo: Achan Gladys/USAID Advancing HIV & AIDS Epidemic Control Activity

A 21-year-old woman in Juba who is living with HIV has been on antiretroviral therapy since December 2021 and receives her treatment from Munuki Primary Health Care Centre, which USAID supports through its Advancing HIV & AIDS Epidemic Control Activity. After admitting she took double her prescribed dose of medicine, completing a six-month dose in three months, a health provider counseled her on the importance of taking medication as prescribed. “The health provider informed me that if I take my medicine properly, my viral load will reduce, which will lower the level of HIV transmission to my sexual partners, and that I can possibly give birth to HIV-free children. This has encouraged me to stay on treatment. It’s been a year now and my viral load is suppressed,” she said.



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