A child is watching his hands in one of water supply point UNICEF built with support from German government in Lologo residential areas in Juba on Monday 29th January 2024 - Credit: UNICEF South Sudan

At least 100.000 residents of Juba including IDPs will have access to clean and safe drinking water after UNICEF handed over a German-funded water supply to the government on Monday.

UNICEF signed the handover deal with the National Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC), and the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities – Central Equatoria State (MHLPU-CES).

The project was estimated to have cost 20 million Euros.

In a statement, UNICEF South Sudan acting Representative Obia Achieng described the project as “an important milestone for the sustainable operation and secure water supply for many thousands of vulnerable residents in Juba.’

He said the water supply system is crucial to ensuring families and children have a safe and secure water supply ultimately improving their health and wellbeing

The Memorandum of Understanding was done under the auspices of the German Head of Cooperation, Dr. Björn Niere to enable a smooth takeover of the operations and management by the government for the large-scale water supply scheme in the Lologo suburb of Juba.

“We are proud to have funded the Lologo-Juba project which will provide clean water to up to 100.000 people in the Juba IDP camps and vulnerable host communities on the outskirts of Juba City,” stated the German Head of Mission in Juba.

Germany has been providing long-term financial and technical support to the development of urban water supply systems and basic sanitation in Juba, Torit, Yambio and Yei.

After completion, more than 200.000 people are expected to benefit from access to safe and clean drinking water.