South Sudan Gov't, World Vision launch Enhancing Resilience and Local Governance Phase II (ECRP II) Project in Warrap
06 February 2025, Kuajok – To enhance flood resilience efforts in Warrap State, the second phase of the World Bank-funded Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project was officially launched last 06 February 2025. The launch marked the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Ministry of Finance, the Local Government Board, the Warrap State al Government, and World Vision. The signing took place at Sky Hotel in Kuajok and was attended by Warrap State Deputy Governor Her Excellency Aluel Garang Garang, state ministers, director generals, and community leaders.
Building on the accomplishments of Phase I, which focused on improving infrastructure and local governance in South Sudan, World Vision will implement Phase II in Gogrial West and Twic counties. The ECRP Phase II will continue until March 2027.
Samuel Manyok, representative of the Ministry of Finance and Planning Project Management Unit, explained that the ECRP project, which began in 2022, originally had a budget of $120 million. "An additional $30 million was later allocated to include two more states: Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Of this budget, $7 million is designated for World Vision South Sudan to support the communities most affected in the selected counties," Manyok said, emphasizing the role of the government in the tripartite agreement.
Mesfin Loha, Country Director of World Vision in South Sudan, emphasized that this project goes beyond immediate flood response; it aims to build long-term resilience. "This means enabling communities to adapt, absorb shocks and disasters, and emerge stronger as individuals, organizations, and as a country," he stated, "We are honoured to be the partner of choice to implement this government project. It focuses on enhancing community resilience during flood emergencies. As you may know, South Sudan has faced consecutive years of flooding since 2019, with over 1 million people affected just last year. This project has come at a crucial time."
Mesfin underscored that for the project to be effective, robust engagement of the communities and all stakeholders at all times is required, highlighting that success requires three Cs—collaboration, Coordination, and Communication. "World Vision is committed to delivering the agreed deliverables and with quality results," he furthered, noting World Vision's existing and long-term presence across South Sudan, particularly in Warrap.
He stressed that engaging communities at all levels and ensuring that actions directly benefit the people are essential for the project's success. Collaboration, he noted, also contributes to finding long-term solutions to the flood disasters in South Sudan.
Under the MOU's provisions, the National Government will provide funding and policy direction, the Warrap State government will provide conducive environment for smooth implementation of the floods resilience activities and lead coordination at State and County levels, and World Vision will lead the project's implementation.
Communications Contacts:
- World Vision: Diwa Aquino-Gacosta, diwa_aquino-gacosta@wvi.org
- MoF PMU: Lobson Kajawuya, lobsonkajawuya.ecrp2andpfm@gmail.com