A European project to support 40,000 displaced Sudanese and refugees in South Sudan

June 21, 2025 (PEN) The European Union announced the allocation of €11 million each to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to support long-term recovery and stabilization in South Sudan, for communities affected by the conflict in Sudan and the resulting mass displacement.

According to a statement issued by the European Union, this support comes within the framework of a project entitled "Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Displaced and Host Populations in South Sudan," targeting approximately 40,000 people, including Sudanese refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities, with implementation focused on Upper Nile State and the capital, Juba.

According to the statement, the project aims to transition from emergency response to sustainable development solutions, focusing on economic opportunities, improving access to health and education, and enhancing social cohesion, with priority given to youth and women through programs that build skills, create employment opportunities, and promote community peace.

In a statement, the Acting Head of the European Union Delegation, Lothar Jaschke, said: "I am proud to launch this initiative in cooperation with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration... Supporting both displaced and resident communities without discrimination is essential to strengthening social cohesion."

Meanwhile, the UNHCR Representative in South Sudan, Marie-Hélène Vernet, considered the country "at a crossroads," noting the importance of European support in providing "a path toward greater stability."

For her part, IOM Chief of Mission Vijaya Suri affirmed the organization's commitment to "investing in long-term recovery" and working within national priorities to promote "sustainable, community-led solutions."