The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Government of South Sudan have launched a $7 million initiative to enhance community resilience and strengthen local governance in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The project, titled "Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Government Project Phase II," is funded by the World Bank Group and will be implemented by IRC.

The initiative targets Aweil East and Aweil South counties and was officially launched in Aweil town, with key government officials, including the state's acting governor, state ministers, and county commissioners, in attendance.

Speaking at the launch, Acting Governor Dr. Tong Lual Ayat expressed gratitude to the World Bank and IRC for their commitment to supporting local communities. He assured stakeholders that the state government would work closely with the implementing agencies to ensure the project's success.

“We are delighted and thankful to the Government of South Sudan, the World Bank, and IRC for bringing this significant initiative to our people. This project will directly benefit youth and women by improving livelihoods and fostering economic resilience,” Dr. Lual stated.

Guyson Adikobaa, a representative of the World Bank Group, emphasized that the project is designed to address the devastating effects of flooding in the region. “The government has allocated $7 million for emergency flood response to support Aweil East and Aweil South. We are grateful for the successful launch and look forward to seeing its impact,” he said.

IRC Acting Country Director Cosmas Ayella reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring smooth implementation of the initiative. “This project represents a significant milestone in demonstrating that NGOs and governments can collaborate effectively to improve livelihoods. The devastating floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have persisted for years, and we appreciate the World Bank’s support in helping communities recover,” Ayella remarked.

The project aims to enhance access to essential services, strengthen flood resilience, and improve local governance through institutional capacity building and integrated disaster risk management. According to Ayella, the initiative will support nearly 950,000 beneficiaries who require urgent development assistance.

“Our responsibility is to help affected communities restore their livelihoods. Floods have destroyed homes and farmlands, and this project will provide critical support to rebuild and recover,” Ayella emphasized.

The IRC will collaborate closely with state ministries and county officials to ensure effective implementation, further strengthening the partnership between humanitarian organizations and the government. This initiative is expected to provide sustainable solutions to ongoing challenges and enhance the resilience of communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.