The European Union, alongside the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), launched a €23 million project Friday to strengthen resilience for displaced people and host communities in South Sudan.
The initiative, part of a broader regional response covering South Sudan, Chad and Ethiopia, aims to address humanitarian needs stemming from the war in Sudan, which has displaced millions.
At the signing ceremony in Juba, Lothar Jaschke, deputy head of the EU delegation to South Sudan, called the project “more than just a contract,” noting that displaced populations and local communities face similar challenges.
“The needs are vast—from healthcare and education to livelihoods, peacebuilding and support for survivors of violence,” Jaschke said. He emphasized the EU’s partnership with U.N. agencies, calling the bloc the U.N.’s “biggest donor.”
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has triggered mass displacement, with South Sudan receiving a significant influx of refugees and returnees. Despite its own challenges, Jaschke said South Sudan has shown “great solidarity,” hosting roughly 10% of its population as refugees.
The project focuses on integration, improving access to basic services, and supporting legal assistance for land, property and documentation. It also includes rehabilitating schools and health clinics, along with training in healthcare, agriculture and conflict resolution.
Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR’s representative in South Sudan, praised the EU’s swift response. “Development actors usually come in two or three years later. The European Union came within three to four months. That made a big difference,” she said.
The project’s second phase will expand to Juba and Malakal in Upper Nile state, areas strained by population influxes.
Asaf Mohamed, head of the Association for Humanitarian Assistance, said the initiative aligns with national priorities, calling it a step toward “durable solutions.” He noted improved coordination among aid groups, calling it “unprecedented” in his eight years in the country.