A Fresh Start for South Sudanese Returnees in Abiemnhom
Before the war forced Mary Nyanriak, 40, to flee her home again, she would offer home laundry services to residents in the suburbs of Khartoum, Sudan. While the proceeds were small, she lived modestly and was able to support the basic needs of her family after her husband died. However, when conflict erupted one day in April 2023, Mary and her six children were displaced once more, leaving behind their only source of income.
Since fighting broke out in Sudan, some 675,000 + (UNHCR Border Monitoring, May 2024) individuals, comprised of Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees have crossed at various border points into South Sudan. The vast majority of these new arrivals to South Sudan are women and children.
The existing humanitarian crisis within South Sudan is deepening with increased pressure on already strained resources, resulting in an escalation of food and fuel prices as a result of the Sudan conflict. Reports state that 72% of South Sudan’s population, or 9 million people (International Rescue Committee, Emergency Watchlist, 2024), need humanitarian assistance, largely, but not exclusively due to climate shocks, conflict and poverty.
However, with the support of the humanitarian organisations operating, those fleeing the devastating conflict and violence in Sudan, like Mary and her family, are able to safely establish a future for themselves.
Together with our partners IOM and USAID, we recently concluded our three-month emergency food security and livelihoods (FSL) support project to assist South Sudanese returnees and the vulnerable host community in Abiemnhom County. During this project, the Women Agency for Resilience and Transformation supported the registration of 2,878 households, providing seed and livelihood kits to enable them to grow their own vegetable and crop gardens; as well as training on good agricultural practices, to ensure sustainability for farmers in the community. In total, through our training and distributions, we were able to serve the livelihood needs of 31,668 individuals over the duration of this project; with generous support from our partners.
Beneficiary Mary is very thankful for being among the beneficiaries who received the livelihoods kits and agricultural training as part of this project, stating:
“Since I came back from Sudan because of the war, my children and I have been relying on relatives and well-wishers. It is unfortunate that the ones we are relying on are also struggling to feed their families due the current economic crisis. I am thankful to WART and the Rapid Response Fund for the vegetable seeds, Maloda and the training that came with it. I know that I will soon be able to feed my children from the harvest, and will continue to practice the skills gained from the training.” – Mary (RRF FSL Project Beneficiary)
Ensuring sustainability is crucial to the work we do at Women’s Agency for Resilience and Transformation. Having the ability to continue supporting individuals like Mary, in such an impactful way, through the generous support of our partners, allows for our communities to feel represented and hopeful for their future; and those of their families.
