7 chickens are vaccinated in South Sudan

First came the chicken, then the egg

Food security in South Sudan

What do you know about South Sudan other than peanut sauce? Most people know little about the youngest country in the world, where a devastating civil war has been raging for two years. Over 1.5 million people are refugees within the country, and a further 760,000 have fled to neighboring countries - for example to Kenya, where the Dabab refugee camp is one of the largest in the world with around 350,000 refugees. Many have also set out on the dangerous journey to Europe in the hope of being able to live there in peace and dignity. One of the main reasons why so many people are fleeing is their inadequate food security: warring troops have destroyed fields and crops, and in many areas famine is threatening or already occurring (IPC 2016). Veterinarians Without Borders supports local people in strengthening their livelihoods and protecting them from hunger. The organization distributes chickens to those in need, particularly refugee small farmers and pastoralists, and also provides training in chicken farming. By selling eggs, chicken meat and chickens at local markets, families are able to earn additional income.

need

Improved supply of basic foodstuffs (protein) to South Sudanese families.

activity

Veterinarians Without Borders raises chicks, vaccinates them and distributes them once they are fully grown to women in particular need.

Measurable performance

Number of chickens vaccinated against diseases & number of households that received 7 chickens each.

Result

Compared to the beginning of the civil war, approximately 6,000 households are expected to have an improved nutritional situation.

Systemically relevant impact

Food and income security leads to less potential for conflict and refugees.

background

The reasons for the conflict in South Sudan, which has been going on for two years, are multifaceted and complex: the failure of those in power to build a functioning state, the simmering rivalries between different clans, interference from North Sudan and a population traumatised by the decades-long civil war between North and South Sudan that hardly knows peace - these are all pieces of the puzzle of the crumbling state.

Gogrial East borders directly on Sudan and has to cope with a large number of internally displaced persons and returnees. The returnees' problems are that they neither own livestock nor have any claim to arable land. However, livestock and agriculture form the basis of life for the semi-nomadic small farmers in the region. In this way, they produce food for their own consumption and sell products on the local markets. To make matters worse, internal conflicts among the Dinka clans in the region have led to an increase in internally displaced persons from other regions of South Sudan. They are also seeking refuge in the communities. They are dependent on building a new livelihood, but compete with the locals for scarce resources.

The good deed

Veterinarians Without Borders raises chicks in South Sudan, provides them with veterinary care (including vaccinations) and then distributes them to women in particular need (widows, pregnant women, single parents, those with many children, the elderly, internally displaced persons). The chickens provide women and their children with vital protein in the form of eggs and meat. In addition, unlike larger animals, women are allowed to make their own decisions about these animals and do not need the consent of a male head of the family. This means they can, for example, sell their products at the market and use the income to cover other needs.

AboutSouth Sudan