UNIDO Salisbury Diocese/Christian Aid-funded Famine-Response Project

From 11-16 August 2017 Lino Baba, Christian Aid South Sudan Programme Officer visited Christian Aid’s local partner in Nyal, the Universal Intervention and Development Organisation (UNIDO). He went to Nyal to carry out a participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment, which will help with the planning of future Christian Aid support for UNIDO in southern Unity State.

While in Nyal, Lino also did some post-distribution monitoring for the Salisbury Diocese Lenten Appeal-funded UNIDO famine-relief project, which had been visited by Canon Ian Woodward of Salisbury Diocese in June. Lino spoke with the heads of three IDP (internally displaced person) families that had been displaced to Nyal in the Opposition-held county of Panyijiar by the fighting and famine in Unity State counties to the north of Panyijiar. The three families had already received the first two of the three planned monthly distributions of cash and cash-vouchers, those for June and July, with the third distribution due towards the end of August. The vouchers can be exchanged for food and other items in twelve project-selected local shops.

The conversations that Lino had with the three heads of family will be recorded in greater detail in due course. The main points are summarised here below and show what a great difference the Salisbury Diocese cash and cash vouchers are making to the lives of the displaced families spoken with. Those families all expressed their gratitude for the project.

Mr Jame Nyinguan, 50 years old. There are ten adults and children in his family. “Before I received the cash and cash vouchers, I was struggling to feed my family. Now I am able to buy most essential foods, such as sorghum, wheat flour, cooking oil, salt and sugar. That lasts us ten days. My priority is to feed the children. Having cash and cash vouchers allows me to choose the most important things I need for my family”. Mr Nyinguan would like the project to continue, for more people.

Mrs Maria Nyapith, 28 years old. There are 9 adults and children in her family. “Before the cash and cash vouchers, I was facing problems, as prices are increasing. I now have assurance that my family will get food. I can now buy sorghum, rice, flour, sugar, salt and, as a treat, sweets of the children. For when that food is finished each month, I also have a small amount of maize that I cultivate”. Mrs Nyapith has spent some the money on clothes and medicine, as it is very cold for the children when it rains and they get ill in the wet and the mud. She would like the project to continue.

Mr Simon Garkoi, 38 years old. Mr Garkoi is head of a family of 9. The cash and cash vouchers “have transformed the family”. “Life is guaranteed. There is something for the children. We can buy sorghum, sugar, oil and flour, as well as medication. We appreciate the response and the help we are receiving. I also like it that you are coming to follow up and speak with us, so we can raise any concerns. Other people come, give something and we never see them again”.

Robert Hayward, Christian Aid London

Juba, 18 August 2017

[Based on notes on conversations held with project-beneficiary heads of family in Nyal by Lino Baba, Christian Aid South Sudan Programme Officer Community Health, HIV and Gender Focal Point on 15/16 August 2017.]

Click here to read Elizabeth's story and click here to read Nyaboul's.