Viable Support to Transition and Stability (Vistas) Fy 2017 Annual Report October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017
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VIABLE SUPPORT TO TRANSITION AND STABILITY (VISTAS) FY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER1, 2016 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 October 10, 2017 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by AECOM. VIABLE SUPPORT TO TRANSITION AND STABILITY (VISTAS) FY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 1, 2016 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 Contract No. AID-668-C-13-00004 Submitted to: USAID South Sudan Prepared by: AECOM International Development Prepared for: Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation (OTCM) USAID South Sudan Mission American Embassy Juba, South Sudan DISCLAIMER: The authors’ views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Acronyms ................................................................................................................................. 4 II. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ 6 III. Political and Security Landscape ........................................................................................... 8 IV. Program Strategy.................................................................................................................... 9 V. Program Highlights ............................................................................................................... 10 To Increase Space and Tools to Manage Conflict and Tensions .................................................................. 10 To Build Cross-Line Interdependency to Promote Peaceful Coexistence ................................................ 14 To Promote a More Informed Community ....................................................................................................... 19 To Engage Communities in Trauma Awareness to Lay the Foundation for Healing And Reconciliation ............................................................................................................................................................ 21 Program Challenges and Lessons Learned ......................................................................................................... 23 VI. Impact .................................................................................................................................... 24 VII. Administration and Logistics .............................................................................................. 26 Annex A: Financial Information (For Internal USAID Use Only) .......................................... 28 Annex B: Schedule of Upcoming Events ................................................................................... 29 Annex C: Region-Specific Information ...................................................................................... 30 Annex D: Progress on Indicator Targets .................................................................................. 31 Annex E: Success Stories ............................................................................................................ 32 FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 3 I. ACRONYMS VISTAS Viable Support to Transition and Stability ARCISS Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan SRS Strategy Review Session PoC Protection of Civilians NBeG Northern Bahr El Ghazal SPLA-IG Sudan People’s Liberation Army SPLA-IO Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition SPLM-IO Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition MSI Management Systems International GoSS Government of South Sudan NGO Non-Government Organization RPF Regional Protection Force JIA Juba International Airport IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development JMEC Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission UNMISS United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan PSC Peace and Security Council IMDRM Informal Mediation Dispute Resolution Mechanism IDP Internally Displaced Persons BNFA Bentiu, Nasir, Fangak, and Akobo Nuer Association WPDI Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative GWEA Ganyliel Women’s Empowerment Association UNDP United Nations Development Programme JIPDD Jonglei Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development SSTO South Sudan Theater Organization AMA American Mission for Africa UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 4 ACR Action for Conflict Resolution SSYLF South Sudan Young Leaders Forum RRC Relief and Rehabilitation Commission CCN Cooperating Country National NXP Non-expendable Property SSNLM South Sudan National Liberation Movement GBV Gender-Based Violence STAR I Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience MS TOT Morning Star Training of Trainers KCB Kenya Commercial Bank FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 5 II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FY17 saw conflict and instability continue sporadically in different parts of South Sudan throughout the reporting period. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) failed to deliver the peace hoped for when it was signed in August 2015. The chasm between the signatories deepened while additional political and military defections occurred, creating more opposition groups. As a result, the conflict spread into previously unaffected parts of South Sudan (most significantly, the Equatorias. The Government (SPLA-IG) led offensives the were successful in gaining territory from the Riek Machar-led SPLA in opposition (SPLA-IO) in Greater Upper Nile and Jonglei during the dry season. The opposition groups, though more numerous, are fragmented; as such, they have thus far failed to represent a united front against the predominantly Dinka government. The National Dialogue process spearheaded by the Government remained with limited appeal and credibility from both national and international observers. So far, very few, if any, efforts have been made to roll it out at the state, county and payam (district) levels. The continued collapsing of the SUMMARY OF VISTAS PROGRAMMING1 economy remained a concern, with annual consumer price inflation over Total # of Activities Cleared in FY17 172 250% compared to FY16. Conflict- driven famine and displacement Total Value of Activities Cleared in FY17 $ 14,804,316 continued in parts of the country, as an Average Grant Size $ 86,071 estimated 6 million South Sudanese faced severe food insecurity and the Program Funds Disbursed in FY17 $ 9,867,081 number of displaced persons climbed to 3.8 million2. Humanitarian operations Program Funds Disbursed To Date $ 29,689,171 faced additional impediments, including access restrictions and violence against their staff. With the situation in Juba stabilized after the July 2016 outbreak of violence, FY17 saw VISTAS expatriate staff permanently return to South Sudan in January and February 2017. Despite the instability in various parts of the country and remote management of program and operational activities for Q1 of FY17, VISTAS had its strongest performing year, with 172 cleared activities (50% more than FY16) valued at approximately $14.8 million (30% more than FY16). Approximately $9.9 million in program funding was disbursed, which represented an increase of 36% over FY16. VISTAS carried out its annual Strategy Review Session (SRS) in Tanzania in November 2016, bringing together all current staff, both international and national. The main objectives achieved were updating the strategic vision and plans for VISTAS programming in 2017 and providing psychosocial care for the South Sudanese team members. Programming in Juba continued to focus on trauma awareness and youth engagement activities in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp and citizens’ access to independent media (especially in rural areas, through shortwave and print medium). This included support to Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, and Juba 1 The figures presented in the table are as of September 25, 2017 2 Crisis in South Sudan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 05, 2017, from http://www.fao.org/emergencies/crisis/south-sudan/en/ FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 6 Monitor, increasing access to accurate information to an estimated one million listeners in South Sudan (Eye Radio estimates). In Northern Bahr El Ghazal (NBeG), VISTAS continued its work promoting cross-border interdependency between the Rizeigat, Misseriya and Dinka tribes, contributing to continued peaceful migration southward. Trade was weak due to the South Sudan-Sudan border closure and food security was a serious challenge facing the population, with many aid agencies working to prevent a famine. In Lakes State, VISTAS began support to the inter-state (Lakes and Equatoria region) cattle migration work in collaboration with UNMISS Civil Affairs Division. Four new buildings were constructed to promote the livestock economy and traditional authority system, including a new Traditional Authorities Court in Rumbek town. In Unity, VISTAS supported local NGOs implementing peace programming in Panyijar, southern Unity. Southern Unity saw peaceful trade continue between the Nuer and the neighboring Dinka communities in Bor and Eastern Lakes region. In northern Unity, VISTAS expanded its work outside the PoC into Bentiu and Rubkona towns to engage the administration and youth groups in peace dialogues. In Upper