German support for the people of South Sudan: Partnership signed to handover of the Lologo/Juba water supply system

29th January – Juba.

With generous funding from the Government of Germany through the German Development Bank KfW, UNICEF has implemented the "Lologo/Juba Water Supply Project" in the southern part of the capital. This project has the potential to provide water to approximately 100,000 people in the Juba IDP camps and vulnerable host communities on the outskirts of Juba City.

Under the auspices of the German Head of Cooperation, Dr. Björn Niere, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today between UNICEF, the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation SSUWC, Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities – Central Equatoria State (MHLPU-CES) and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) to enable the smooth handover of operations for the large-scale water supply scheme in Lologo, Juba.

The MOU sets out the agreements for the handover of all operations and management of the system from UNICEF, which has been responsible for operations temporarily, to the three Government partners for ongoing sustainable operations, to provide water for the communities in Juba.

“This is an important milestone for the sustainable operation and secure water supply for many thousands of vulnerable residents in Juba. The ongoing cooperation and partnership between the National and State Ministries and the Urban Water Corporation is crucial to ensuring families and children have safe and secure water supply ultimately improving their health and wellbeing,” said Obia Achieng, UNICEF South Sudan acting Representative.

The handover sets the stage for further expansion of the system to provide clean water for over 100,000 residents. For this purpose, the German Government has set aside additional grant funds, their release being contingent on the proper operation of the current system. If fully utilized, the total German contribution to the project will amount to EUR 20 million.

 “Germany continues to support the people in South Sudan with large-scale water projects. We are proud to have funded the Lologo / Juba project which will provide clean water to up to 100.000 people in the Juba IDP camps and vulnerable host communities on the outskirts of Juba City. With the South Sudanese authorities now formally taking over the responsibility for the new system, today’s event marks an important milestone towards the sustainable operation of the new system and improving the provision of water to the broader population, including those who are most in need,” said Head of Cooperation Dr. Björn Niere.

UNICEF is implementing the Lologo/Juba Water Supply Project in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the State Government of Central Equatoria, and the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation.

#######

About Germany’s assistance to South Sudan

Besides providing humanitarian aid, Germany supports the peace process and the long-term development of South Sudan, primarily in the fields of local governance, rural development, sustainable agriculture, gender equality and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

In addition, Germany has over the years provided long-term financial and technical support to the development of urban water supply systems and basic sanitation in Juba, Torit, Yambio and Yei.