South Sudan received 7.12 million US dollars in funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Monday to help the country improve its food security.
The first grant is worth $5.84 million and covers food and nutrition security resilience. In comparison, the second grant is worth $1.28 million and will assist in training and seed finance to help refugees and host communities build entrepreneurship ability.
“The first grant is meant to help enhance resilience and response to climate shocks in South Sudan, as it will contribute to improving our ability to manage climate risks and disasters. The project will enhance climate services, infrastructure and provide climate risk finance and insurance,” he said during the signing ceremony held in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The funding will go towards helping refugees and host communities in the country’s northern state of Upper Nile in establishing small companies, according to Dier Tong Ngor, minister of finance and planning.
According to Meschack Malo, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s national representative in South Sudan, it will allow South Sudan to trial an insurance plan for its farmers.
South Sudan is now hosting over 310,000 refugees, as well as over 90,000 persons who have left fighting in neighbouring Sudan since April 15.
Themba Bhebhe, country manager of the AfDB in South Sudan, said the projects will support the government of South Sudan towards achieving its national development goal.
“These investments will result in enhanced production of climate services for agriculture, livestock, climate insurance and early warning, and enhanced sustainable protection against climate shocks in South Sudan,” Bhebhe said.
