US approves $54m aid to Juba’s troubled state
An internally displaced Sudanese eats tree leaves in Akobo town in south Sudan’s Jonglei state on May 8, 2009. US has committed $54 million to set up modern agricultural projects aimed at improving food security and tackling cattle rustling in the region. FILE|AFRICA REVIEW. |
By MACHEL AMOS in JubaPosted Saturday, October 22 2011 at 11:49
Washington, through its Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $54 million to set up modern agricultural projects aimed at improving food security and tackling cattle rustling in South Sudan’s Jonglei state.
The U N estimates that over 3,000 people have been killed and more than 300,000 others displaced in violence associated with militia fighting and cattle rustling in the country since January, with the highest percentage in Jonglei state.
More than 600 were killed in Pierri village in August when armed Murle youths staged a dawn cattle raid in Uror County.
The grant will be used for human resource development, improve access to the market, build roads and introduce new food technology in the region which is occupied by armed pastoralists.
The country’s USAID Mission Director, Kevin Mullally, said the project is aimed at improving the food security of nearly 150,000 households in the state by mid-2014.
“We will strengthen household and community resiliency to food insecurity by increasing crop and livestock productivity and by helping livestock owners to build their production capacity and business skills,” Mr Mullally said at the launch of the project in Bor, the Jonglei state capital.
Peace
The grant will also be used to set up modern crop and animal farms that will encourage the cattle rustlers to abandon raiding and embrace peace.
According to the state governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, the funds will be used to purchase tractors, training tractor operators and viable seeds.
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