June 2022
 A trainee farmer learns line-planting techniques. Photo: DAI
Farmers Trained on Best Agricultural Practices to Boost Yields, Food Security
USAID’s Resilience through Agriculture in South Sudan Activity trained 500 farmers in Akobo, Budi, Kapoeta North, Jur River, and Wau on crop management practices such as site selection for crop or seed production, land preparation, quality seed identification, planting in lines, and crop spacing. The 500 trained farmers will train 2,500 other farmers who have had low yields from traditional farming practices. This expertise will help improve farming methods, boost yields, and improve food security. South Sudan is facing its worst hunger crisis since independence in 2011.
 Youth participating in the South Sudan Youth Camp Activity in Juba, funded by USAID and implemented by the Luol Deng Foundation. Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID
Building Youth Skills Through Sport: 80 Youth Benefit from Residential Camp
The Luol Deng Foundation concluded its second residential youth camp as part of USAD's South Sudan Youth Camp Activity in Juba. More than 80 youth—aged 13 to 29—from all states of South Sudan played basketball daily and attended classes on literacy, life skills, relationships, trauma awareness, HIV prevention, and the dangers of violence and drugs. The camp also built the youths’ confidence and helped prepare them to be responsible citizens. “I encourage you to share the life skills you learned in the camp, to continue with your teamwork and remember to maintain your new social network. There is much we can learn from the game of basketball," said USAID Mission Director Haven Cruz-Hubbard.
 USAID-funded training of 150 traditional chiefs in Panyijiar County, Unity State, included 46 women. Photo: DT Global
46 Women Among 150 Chiefs Trained in Human Rights, Customary Law
USAID’s Shejeh Salam Activity trained 150 traditional chiefs, including 46 women, May 11-13 on human rights and Nuer customary laws in Panyijiar County, Unity State. Twenty of the women were selected to sit in customary law courts, which marked a significant breakthrough in women’s representation at the lower courts that will support justice for women. “We have been empowered as women through this training, we have been given the same training with our male counterparts, this is the equality we need in our society. We pledge to apply knowledge acquired in our work,” said Deborah Nyatet Madieng, a newly appointed chief in Panyijiar County.
 USAID Health Office Director Jennifer Erie addressed the May 24 event highlighting maternal health and honoring mothers in Juba. Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID
Motherhood Celebrated at Health-Focused Event
USAID commemorated motherhood with an event on May 24 in Juba, featuring presentations on maternal health, testimonies by individuals whose well-being was improved by maternal health services, voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, and COVID-19 vaccinations. Women entrepreneurs supported by USAID also showcased their products as such liquid soap and dresses. “A mother is the origin of life—from giving birth and bringing up children. I’m a single mother, which means I also wear a man’s shoes to provide for my son,” said Angela Leke, a participant at the event.
 USAID/South Sudan Mission Director Haven Cruz-Hubbard signs the Implementing Partners’ Coordination Charter. Photo: Achuoth Deng/Integrity Global
USAID Partners Sign Coordination Charter to Maximize Assistance Benefits
USAID and 14 of its newest implementing partners signed a coordination charter in April to maximize positive benefits for communities receiving USAID development and humanitarian assistance by "pursuing thoughtful and efficient coordination in service of our beneficiaries through collective impact." With many donors and nongovernmental organizations providing assistance in South Sudan, proactive coordination is essential to maximize the effective use of resources and avoid redundancies. The charter says that under USAID’s strategic framework for South Sudan and "through strategic and meaningful coordination, we can achieve greater impact than any one partner can achieve alone." The agreement also provides flexibility needed in foreign assistance, recognizing that "some sectors can engage in longer-term planning, but others do not have the same luxury, as in humanitarian assistance, when lives are on the line." Objectives of the charter include partnering with beneficiaries to build ownership and sustainability, and capitalizing on partners' core competencies, existing interventions, and physical locations.
USAID-Supported Radio Station Campaign Prompts Water Pump Repairs
After widespread floods forced residents of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State to use unsafe river water for drinking and exposed them to waterborne diseases, residents of Aweil East, North, and South counties faced acute shortages of safe water due to damaged boreholes, reported to number 700. Akol Yam FM radio station, which USAID supports through The Radio Community, aired several programs highlighting the challenges residents faced and called on the government to fix the damaged boreholes. The Akol Yam FM campaign led to government intervention, and repair of the boreholes in March and April this year by organizations specialized in water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Several radio listeners called into Akol Yam FM programs to say they now have access to clean water and thanked the radio station for its advocacy efforts. Photo: Repair work on a water pump in Aweil North/The Radio Community.
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Services Protect Women at Risk of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections
Scovia (not her real name), a female sex worker living with HIV, has received antiretroviral medication from a USAID-funded health facility since 2020. USAID partner IntraHealth provides services for sex workers in South Sudan including health education, screening, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, condoms, counselling, family planning, and linking clients to care and treatment. Sex workers are particularly at risk of violence due to the stigma that surrounds sex work.
 Farewell party May 27 for departing USAID Deputy Mission Director Michele Russell (center) with Mission Director Haven Cruz-Hubbard (right) and Health Office Director Jennifer Erie (left). Photo: Victor Lugala/USAID
Farewell to Deputy Mission Director Michele Russell
On May 27, we bade farewell to USAID Deputy Mission Director for South Sudan Michele Russell, who will take up her next post with USAID in Papua New Guinea. Thanks and farewell Michele!
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