SSD, VSF-Suisse: Enhancing Agro-Pastoral Food Security, Livelihoods and Protection in South Sudan Phase III
The contribution of Switzerland supports vulnerable food-insecure agro-pastoralist communities in conflict affected and displacement prone areas of South Sudan. VSF Suisse is investing in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management by strengthening animal health and livestock and crop value chains. In addition, the intervention addresses protection concerns (focus women and children) and contributes to social cohesion.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
South Sudan |
Agriculture & food security Gender Equality Conflict & fragility
Household food security
Sexual & gender-based violence Conflict prevention |
15.07.2025
- 14.07.2028 |
CHF 2’330’000
|
- Swiss Private Sector
- Vétérinaires sans Frontières Suisse
- Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse (VSF)
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation OTHER MULTISECTOR
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Household food security programmes
Ending violence against women and girls
Civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution
Cross-cutting topics Conflict reduction
The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10516
| Background | 95 percent of South Sudan’s population rely on the livestock sector and rain fed agriculture for livelihoods. However, food insecurty persists due to conflicts, insecurity, displacement (including the influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan), climatic shocks, economic crisis, epidemic diseases, and bad cultural practices such as cattle rustling. Other factors driving food insecurity include, unclear land boundary demarcations, lack of infrustructre, competition over water, fishing sites and pastures.The June 2025 IPC report estimates that 7.7 million people are facing acute food insecurity, and 2.3 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition1. The South Sudan’s armed conflict has gravely violated human rights, including recruitment of children into armed groups raising serious protection concerns and psycosocial distress. Lack of employment opportunities particularly among youth have further led to over exploitation of wildlife resources in areas such as Boma. The current livestock production systems in South Sudan exposes pastoral communities to diseases through poor sanitation, infectious vectors and livestock products, i.e. milk and meat. |
| Objectives | This project aims to equitably improve protection of vulnerable groups, enhance access to nutritious diets, diversified livelihoods and incomes among 150’000 beneficiaries in Juba, Aweil East, Pariang, Rubkona, Boma and Panyijiar Counties. |
| Target groups |
Refugees, returnees, unemployed youth, female/child headed household, pregnant/lactating mothers and vulnerable host community members: 25’000 Households (150’000 individuals- 25’000 men, 25’000 women, 50’000 boys, 50’000 girls) |
| Medium-term outcomes |
• Improved food and nutrition security and income opportunities among targeted vulnerable populations. • Psycho-social and mental health/ wellbeing of children and their families/ caregivers is promoted, their rights are protected and enhanced capability of communities including community-based support mechanisms capacity to respond and cope with threats and promote peaceful coexistence. • Improved knowledge, attitudes and practices related to one health |
| Results |
Expected results: • Improved poultry production and VSLA • Enhance access to animal source foods • Refugees/returnees and people with special needs, empowered with value chain • Enhance natural resource management • Promote rights and mitigate conflcits • Improved KAP3 on one health and nutrition Results from previous phases: • Improved food security and livelihoods. • Improved income/resiliance through VSLA.2 • Livestock health services for peace mitigated cattle related conflcits. • Improved environment and nutrition through planting fruit tree seedlings. • Reduction in child abuse through protection • One heath approach has improved animal-humanenvironemental health |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Private sector Swiss Non-profit Organisation |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Ministries of Health; Livestock and Fisheries; Agriculture and Food Security; Gender, Child and Social Welfare; RRC; and UN agencies: FAO and UNICEF, Other partners are Brooke East Africa, FAO, FCDO and WFP. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 2’330’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 612’500 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 4’600’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 2’122’500 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 4’580’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 3 15.07.2025 - 14.07.2028 (Current phase) Phase 2 15.07.2022 - 14.07.2025 (Completed) |
