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The Shabaka Meisha Project at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has reassured beneficiaries of the South Sudan Productive Safety Net for Socioeconomic Opportunities Project (SNSOP), also known as Shabaka Maisha, that efforts are underway to resolve delays affecting outstanding cash transfer payments.

The assurance follows concerns raised by beneficiaries regarding six pending payment cycles under the World Bank-funded social protection program.

The Shabaka Meisha initiative acknowledged the concerns of beneficiaries and said the Government remains committed to ensuring that all eligible households receive their outstanding payments.

“We understand the concerns of our beneficiaries and appreciate the difficulties caused by the delay in payments. We want to assure everyone that these payments have not been cancelled. The Government remains committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries receive their full entitlements,” said the Shabaka Meisha.

SNSOP is the Government of South Sudan’s flagship social protection program, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) manages the cash transfer component of the project.

The program provides direct cash assistance, public works opportunities, and livelihood support to vulnerable households in selected counties across South Sudan.

According to the Shabaka Meisha Ministry Lead Project, the delay in payments is linked to ongoing financial, administrative, and implementation processes involving key stakeholders.

“Discussions with our partners, including UNOPS and the World Bank, are ongoing and have reached an advanced stage. We are working together to complete the necessary processes so that payments can resume and the outstanding arrears can be cleared,” it said.

The Ministry clarified that the outstanding six months of payments remain part of the program commitment and beneficiaries should not consider the delays as a loss of their benefits.

“It is important for our beneficiaries to understand that the six pending payment cycles remain valid. Once the ongoing processes are completed, the payments will be made. Our commitment is to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind,” the Shabaka Maisha Ministry Lead Project said.

The Ministry also noted that payment delays have occurred previously during project implementation but were successfully resolved. Earlier in the program, a backlog accumulated and was cleared after the required procedures were completed.

“We have experienced challenges before, but we have demonstrated our commitment by resolving previous backlogs. The current situation is receiving attention, and we are working with all partners to reach a solution as quickly as possible.”

MAFS encouraged beneficiaries to remain calm and continue using official communication channels, including local program offices, community leaders, and project representatives, for accurate updates.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of our beneficiaries. We encourage everyone to rely on official information and avoid actions that may disrupt a program designed to support vulnerable families,” said the Shabaka Meisha

The Ministry reaffirmed that Shabaka Maisha remains a priority national program aimed at improving the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable households through cash transfers, public works, and livelihood opportunities.

Further updates on payment schedules will be communicated through official channels once the ongoing processes are concluded.