USAID launches five-year health plan for vulnerable children in South Sudan

August 10, 2024 (Juba) – The U.S. aid agency (USAID) has launched a new health program to support HIV orphans and vulnerable children in South Sudan.

U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael Adler and USAID Mission in South Sudan Director Kate Crawford unveiled the initiative on Thursday in the capital, Juba.

The project, called Hayatna, which means “our lives” in Arabic, represents a major investment in the well-being of the country’s most at-risk populations.

The five-year project, called “Hayatna,” aims to invest in the well-being of at-risk populations, providing income-generating activities and life skills training to vulnerable young women to enhance health and economic stability in the region.

Ambassador Adler, speaking at the project launch on Thursday, said Washington remains committed to helping the people of South Sudan.

“For decades, delivering assistance has been at the heart of America’s efforts to help the people of South Sudan. I express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues and implementing partners for their tireless dedication to this life-saving work,” he said.

According to USAID, the Our Lives program will work with local organizations to help children and adolescents living with HIV, infants exposed to HIV, and children from HIV-positive families. The program will also provide support for survivors of child violence.

The report emphasizes that the goal is to improve HIV and health outcomes in these vulnerable households while ensuring children remain healthy, safe and able to attend school.

The programme will be implemented in several areas of Juba County including Juba, Katol, Lokiliri, Munuki and Regaf.

The five-year project will complement the U.S. government’s other President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in South Sudan. Since 2007, PEPFAR has played a critical role in the fight against HIV, providing life-saving antiretroviral treatment to approximately 50,000 South Sudanese and supporting vulnerable families and young women across the country.

(English stone)