Participants at the QRM pose for a group photo with the EU team leader and State Governor  (3rd & 4th from left; standing) on Tuesday.

Delegation of the European Union to South Sudan on Tuesday resumed its Quarterly Review Meetings (QRM) in Wau, Western Barh El Ghazal state, with its implementing partners across the country after two years of COVID-19 disruption.

The two-day QRM served as a platform for coordination, lesson learning, synergy building, information sharing and sharing best practices amongst EU partners and stakeholders for better implementation of its food resilience and rural development programmes in South Sudan.

Gracing the opening of the 13^th QRM, the Governor of Western Equatoria State attributed the food insecurity in the country to extreme weather conditions, localized conflict and under-developed infrastructure. Hon. Sarah Cleto further called for collective efforts especially in research and innovative farming practices in order to overcome food insecurity challenges across the country.

Adela Rodenas Rodriguez, Governor Sarah Cleto and  Daniel Akwong BWONA at the QRM on Tuesday.

“We need to invest more in agriculture. Investment in agriculture must be strategic and science based and should employ innovative farming technologies to overcome the challenges contributing to food insecurity. Let us work together to promote a resilient and sustainable food system,” Hon. Cleto appealed.

Adela Rodenas Rodriguez making her opening remarks at the QRM on Tuesday.

On her part, Adela Rodenas Rodriguez, the Team Leader in the Cooperation Section at the European Union Delegation, reiterated their commitment to continue supporting the people of South Sudan. “The European Union remains committed to support the people of South Sudan by working closely with the national and state governments,” she said.  

“Currently, the European Union is formulating a new country programme that would inform our investment in food security sector. It would have a strong emphasis on green and resilient economy, women and youth empowerment. It is my sincere hope that you will find these two days engaging and fruitful as you discuss the challenges facing our projects as well as new opportunities to improve them.”

Participants keenly attending to a presentation during the QRM in Wau on Tuesday.

The need for the revitalised government  of national unity to find a lasting solution to the recurring inter- communal conflict, which greatly hinders effective project execution, and allotting 10% of the national budget to the agricultural sector as mandated by the Maputo Declaration, were some of the key resolutions of this year’s QRM, which concluded on Wednesday.

Constatine Bartel of FAO answering questions after his presentation during the QRM on Wednesday.

Various implementing partners of the European Union in the country namely, WFP, FAO, UNOPS, ACTED, OXFAM, World Vison, AVSI, IRC, NRC, Cordaid and ZOA, national and State government officials including the undersecretary in the National Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. K. Nyuar, attended the review meetings.

 The European Union Delegation over the years been supporting the Government of South Sudan through investments targeted at enhancing food security and resilience of vulnerable rural populations. The EU Rural Development Programme (with investments in infrastructures, agriculture, livelihoods and resilience) remains the EU’s biggest investment in South Sudan, accounting for at least 50% of the total EU funding in the country.

An EU Delegation led team posing for a photo with the state Governor after paying her a courtesy call on Monday prior to the beginning of the QRM.