ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳

The operation has been modified as budget revision 5.

South Sudan became an independent nation on 9 July 2011, after more than five decades of war and a six-year interim period following signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudan People¡¯s Liberation Movement and the Government of the Sudan. The country is at a critical juncture: severe neglect or destruction of basic infrastructure and the absence of public services have resulted in some of the worst socio-economic indicators in the world. South Sudan is not on track to meet any of the Millennium Development Goals.

In South Sudan¡¯s first year of statehood, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳focused on providing life-saving relief assistance, primarily through general food distributions; in 2012, it launched a country strategy (2014¨C2017). This protracted relief and recovery operation is part of that strategy, which has four pillars: i) meeting the emergency food needs of vulnerable groups; ii) improving community resilience and livelihoods; iii) expanding market access and the food value chain; and iv) enhancing access to social services in support of good nutrition and learning. WFP¡¯s strategy is guided by the need to increase the capacity of state institutions and enhance partnerships to promote sustainable hunger solutions.

In 2013, through emergency operation 200338, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳continued to meet urgent needs while exploring the potential for self-reliance and household food security in areas where conditions are favourable to the transition from relief to recovery, and to improving resilience to shocks.

In line with the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳Strategic Plan (2014¨C2017), this operation will provide food assistance to up to 3.1 million people over two years.