Juba, 17 August 2023 – The Government of the Republic of South Sudan unveils a new $129 million World Bank-funded Productive Safety Net for Socio-economic Opportunities Project (SNSOP) which is set to benefit more than 96,000 vulnerable households in selected 15 counties across the country through cash transfers and income generating livelihood opportunities while also strengthening the effectiveness of the national safety net delivery system.
In Juba, an inauguration event titled, ‘Enhancing Social and Economic Inclusion Opportunities through the Social Safety Nets System in South Sudan’ marked the launch of the SNSOP with a ground-breaking ceremony graced by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Honorable Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol as the Guest of Honour.
“I am thrilled to know that SNSOP will ease access to socio-economic benefits for underprivileged households. SNSOP is a timely move and for me it is very important, how we plant seeds that bloom into flowers to advance our human capital. We are committed to strengthening our institutions and SNSOP helps us to deliver efficient safety net delivery systems for the people.” said Honorable Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, South Sudan Minister of Finance and Planning.
The SNSOP is a four-year project implemented by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare (MGCSW), with the implementation support of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
“SNSOP marksa milestone towards strengthening the social safety net system in South Sudan. The ongoing insecurity and weak economic performance have worsened poverty and deepened vulnerabilities, driven by escalating food insecurity, and repeated climate-induced natural disasters in South Sudan. The World Bank is committed to making a lasting contribution to the lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged households through productive, social and economic inclusion opportunities.” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan.
The event was attended by a cross-section of senior government officials, including representatives of development partners and key stakeholders, providing them with the opportunity to discuss the role of ‘Social Safety Nets in Strengthening Household Resilience and Livelihoods in South Sudan’.
On her part, the Honourable Minister of Gender, Aya Benjamin Warile stated that, “this project provides us with another unique opportunity to provide much needed services to our vulnerable communities and will also contribute to the further strengthening of the nascent National Safety Net Delivery System in South Sudan.”
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food security, Josephine Joseph Lagu added that, “South Sudan is currently undergoing a transition and is steadily moving from a humanitarian to a development context, which means that more efforts need to be exerted in the provision of social protection opportunities.”
The Acting Undersecretary, Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, Joseph Loro German, provided an overview of the evolution of social safety nets in South Sudan. In addition, Acting Director for Planning and Social Protection in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Emmanuel Ladu Laku presented the salient features of the SNSOP highlighting how the project builds on the successes and lessons of World Bank-supported predecessor projects, including the Safety Net and Skills Development Project (SNSDP) and South Sudan Safety Net Project (SSSNP). He also underscored how the project advances the social protection agenda through direct cash transfers, labor intensive public works, while enhancing economic inclusion opportunities for the youth from the vulnerable households. The project will thus support efforts to link safety nets more explicitly to human capital accumulation in South Sudan as well as help to develop a national government-led safety net system. He also highlighted the added focus of the SNSOP on two refugee hosting counties to address vulnerabilities and enhance resilience to shocks for both refugees and host communities.
The event also provided the opportunity to showcase voices and experiences of the social safety net beneficiaries through a short video and dissemination of a photobook, bringing out the human impact of the World Bank-supported social safety nets in South Sudan.
The Hon.Undersecretary,Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), Dr. John Ogoto Kanisio expertlymoderated the proceedings of the event, highlighting how the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is working together with the World Bank and other cooperating partners to better coordinate efforts for more systemic delivery of the social protection services in the country.
For further information, contact: Janet Maya Logo, Communications Officer, SNSOP Project Coordination Unit, Juba, South Sudan Tel: +211926592713
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