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Juba, South Sudan – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) wants to reassure beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders involved in the South Sudan Productive Safety Net for Socioeconomic Opportunities Project (SNSOP), also known as Shabaka Meisha, as well as the public, about recent delays in some cash transfer payments.

The project is a government of South Sudan flagship social safety net protection project funded by the World Bank being implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as the lead partner, and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare as co-lead, in collaboration with development partners, including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Cash transfer payments under the project commenced in December 2024 and continued throughout 2025, providing critical support to thousands of vulnerable households across the project implementation areas. This project gives direct cash support and cash for public works to poor and vulnerable families in 20 selected counties countrywide, helping to improve livelihoods and build resilience.

The Ministry recognizes that about six payment cycles are still pending. These delays are mainly due to temporary shortages of local currency and the need to implement the appropriate administrative steps to ensure beneficiaries get the most value from the project while maintaining an honest, accountable payment process.

At present, the Ministry expects payment disbursements to resume once the current financial and administrative processes are completed. Beneficiaries will be informed promptly once the exact payment dates are confirmed. It is important to note that payment backlogs have happened before. Earlier in the project, a six-month backlog built up but was cleared in July 2025 once the needed steps were taken. This shows the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to beneficiaries, even when challenges arise.

The Ministry asks beneficiaries to stay calm and not take actions that could disrupt the program or affect the support for vulnerable households. We understand the difficulties caused by the delays and thank everyone for their patience.

If beneficiaries or their families are facing urgent financial needs during this period, we encourage them to contact their local program offices or community leaders for guidance and possible support.

MAFS remains fully committed to ensuring every eligible beneficiary receives all outstanding payments. The Ministry is working with UNOPS, the World Bank, and other partners to complete the necessary financial and administrative steps so that payments can resume, and all arrears can be cleared as soon as possible.

All current beneficiaries will continue to receive support as planned. This means that if you have not been contacted about any changes, you remain eligible to receive the benefits provided by the project very soon.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security thanks beneficiaries for their ongoing understanding, patience and cooperation. We remain committed to being transparent and accountable, and to ensuring the SNSOP succeeds for the people of South Sudan.

To keep beneficiaries and the wider community informed, updates on payment schedules and other important information will be shared through local community leaders, program staff, and public radio announcements, where possible. We encourage everyone to stay in touch with their local program offices and listen to radio broadcasts for the latest information about the project.