Background

South Sudan is the youngest country in Africa. It was founded in 2011 and has 11 million inhabitants. There have been a lot of armed conflicts going on in the North of the country and later, due to inner-state fights for land and political power. Due to these fragile circumstances the people of South Sudan have been suffering for years. Insecurity is both political and economic, and food security is at threat. Livestock farming is the main pillar of livelihood and it plays an important socio-economic role. Nonetheless, both agriculture and livestock are affected by armed conflicts; the farmers and sheepherders cannot survive on agropastoralism – a mixture of agriculture and livestock farming – anymore.

Half of the 12 million inhabitants of South Sudan are children, of which a third suffers from acute malnutrition. In addition, almost 0.6 million children are growing up as orphans, as armed conflicts, natural disasters and food shortages have cost many lives.

Key activities

• Supporting community animal health workers to provide veterinary services and protect livestock-based livelihoods in underserved areas
• Providing vegetable seeds, tools, and training to improve food and nutrition security of displaced households
• Championing the animal welfare-conscious use of donkeys and oxen for ploughing to enhance agricultural productivity
• Establishing fruit tree nurseries to promote reforestation and diversify income sources
• Working with peace committees to mediate conflicts around natural resources