Protecting Livelihoods, Restoring Hope: how ZOA supports South Sudanese Refugees in East Darfur

Of the Darfur states, East Darfur hosts the highest number of South Sudanese refugees. The influx of new arrivals still continues. Half of all new South Sudanese refugees settled in East Darfur. After fleeing violence, they are often met with limited income generating opportunities.

7 February 2020

funding from ECHO

Supporting 3,310 vulnerable South Sudanese refugee families

They lack access to livelihood assets and casual labour opportunities are scarce. The wages are extremely low and most of the jobs are seasonal in nature. As a result, families resort to selling everything the have to cover their expenses. It makes them less resilient to shocks like drought, especially during the annual lean season that occurs usually from June to September.

With funding from ECHO, ZOA’s team in Sudan was able to support 3,310 vulnerable South Sudanese refugee families in Kario camp and two refugees settlements (Adilla and Abu Karinka) in East Darfur. ZOA provided these households with cash assistance to cover household needs, and provided livelihood assets (including agricultural inputs, tents, milling machines, and equipment for tea-making) for 250 households.

Moreover, the livelihood component strengthened the relationship between refugees and host communities and had positive impact on protection aspect of refugees.

Focus on families with malnourished children

One of the project goals was to reduce malnutrition and improve nutritional wellbeing of children and women at reproductive age. To achieve this, 75 households with malnourished children were assisted with home gardens to ensure access to diversified and nutritious foods. With the support from ECHO, ZOA contributes to promoting self-reliance, improved livelihood recovery and enhancing resilience of refugees on humanitarian assistance.