Five New Counties in South Sudan to Benefit from the ‘Shabaka Meisha’ Project
Mundri – The Government of the Republic of South Sudan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, has announced the extension of the World Bank-funded Productive Safety Net for Socio-economic Opportunities Project (SNSOP) to five new counties.
This expansion introduces the project, commonly known as ‘Shabaka Meisha’, to Mundri West, Pochalla, Aweil West, Maban, and Pariang, bringing the total number of selected counties under the initiative to 15.
‘Shabaka Meisha’, a US$129 million project funded by the World Bank, is set to benefit over 96,000 vulnerable households, including refugees and host communities, through cash transfers and income-generating opportunities. The initiative will also enhance the national safety net delivery system’s efficiency while focusing on empowering women and promoting gender equality.
The official launch of the project in Mundri West County of Western Equatoria was presided over today by the National Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Honorable Aya Benjamin Libo Warille.
The Minister emphasized the project’s gender focus, ensuring that 65% of the beneficiaries are women. Activities under the project will equip female participants with essential skills and knowledge in areas such as WASH, nutrition practices, and early childhood support.
Since its national launch in August 2023, ‘Shabaka Meisha’ has aimed to implement structures and systems necessary for its success, following the achievements of previous World Bank-supported projects. The project will provide cash assistance to vulnerable households, introduce climate-smart Labor-Intensive Public Works programs, and offer training in financial literacy, WASH practices, and early childhood development.
The extension of ‘Shabaka Meisha’ to these five new counties is a significant step towards improving the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in South Sudan and promoting sustainable socio-economic development across the region.
