The funding has been used to provide services such as; psychosocial support; GBV prevention and counselling; and cholera preparedness activities, enabling over 700 children to be released from armed forces and groups and over 30,000 people to receive safe drinking water in Greater Equatoria.

“We are continuously grateful to our partners, including the Government of Japan, for the support that they provide to the women and children of this country,” said Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan. “With these funds, we have helped the release of more than 700 children from armed forces and groups, improved WASH facilities at schools, giving children safe and hygienic spaces to learn and provided psychosocial support in three of the former South Sudan states, thus enabling us to assist some of the most vulnerable children and women.”

The Government of Japan has partnered with UNICEF in South Sudan since independence to reach vulnerable populations affected by emergencies. UNICEF is pleased to announce the continuation of this partnership with the signing of a further $1.2 million in funding for 2019 to provide more lifesaving WASH and child protection services. UNICEF and its partner organisations will continue to deliver these services to children and women in some of the hardest to reach areas in South Sudan thanks to this support.