Supporting Economic Transition by Transforming Livelihoods and Environments (SETTLE)

With funding from USAID/OFDA, the SETTLE program supports the re-integration of returnees in the Central Equatoria region of southern Sudan by promoting livelihoods and economic opportunities for returnees as well as host communities.

Activities under SETTLE build upon the successes achieved under CHF’s Community Livelihood Improvement Program for Southern Sudan (CLIPSS). CLIPSS promoted socio-economic development and improved living conditions in rural communities through construction and improvement of water systems and sanitation facilities, infrastructure creation and rehabilitation, and livelihoods and skills development.

Voter Outreach Training and Empowerment (VOTE)

Through the USAID-funded VOTE program, CHF is implementing voter information campaigns in five states in southern Sudan. In partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), CHF is preparing and educating voters in for the upcoming national elections in 2010 as well as the referendum on independence for southern Sudan to be held in 2011. The program is targeting more than 240,000 people in the five states with the goal of increasing voter registration, participation and civic awareness including a special focus on vulnerable groups such as returnees, women, youth and the disabled.

VOTE builds on the Southern Sudan Radio Distribution Initiative (SSRDI). Under the SSRDI, CHF distributed approximately 80,000 radios in three states of Southern Sudan. In addition to radio distribution to remote and vulnerable communities, CHF conducted community listening groups to increase civic awareness. This effort enabled villagers to have access to news and information and exposed them to different perspectives and ideas while sharing their own views on a particular subject.

Jonglei Community Assistance Program (JOCAP)

Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, Jonglei State has witnessed a growing number of refugees and internally displaced people returning to the area. Since 2008, CHF has been working to repair infrastructure, improve access to water and sanitation and build the capacity of local government institutions with funding from Total France.

Juba Water Chlorination Services (JWCS)

To prevent a recurrence of the 2007 cholera outbreak in Juba, CHF established chlorination stations at seven key water pumping sites along the Nile River in Juba County, from which an estimated 80% of Juba’s water is supplied. CHF trained a number of chlorination assistants at each of the seven sites to administer chlorine solution accordingly to the water tanks’ capacity and volume of water. Targeting these pumping sites is one of the most effective ways for CHF to reduce the chances of a renewed cholera epidemic as 400 – 500 trucks are treated everyday.

Women’s Empowerment to Abate Violence and Exploitation (WEAVE)

The goal of the WEAVE program is to expand community and government support for abused and exploited women. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (SEA) are major security concerns for returnees. WEAVE engages communities in prevention of and response to GBV and SEA by identifying men and women to act as community-based “focal points.” The individuals selected are trained in GBV prevention and response, human rights, women’s rights and government laws and policies. Programs covering GBV-related topics and discussions are then aired on the radio to promote awareness, reporting, and prevention of GBV.

CHF has previously supported GBV prevention and response through the STOP! program. The successes of STOP! include production of a GBV radio program which became one of the most-listened-to radio programs in southern Sudan; outreach to more than 5,000 community members through GBV dramas; and training for female officers from the Southern Sudan Police Service and medical workers from health centers and hospitals in GBV prevention and response.