Yambio, South Sudan – Economic recovery Stalled by War, Weather, and Tax
The land in Yambio is lush, rich in colour, and fertile – the perfect place to grow crops and raise farm animals. Located in the Western Equatorias region of South Sudan. Yambio is just 20 kilometres from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which should make it easy to transport and trade those crops across the border.
But the civil war that erupted in 2013 has, not only, inflicted physical pain and suffering on the people of this country but has also devastated the economy, particularly the ability of farmers to grow, harvest, and sell crops.
The stallholders at the Yambio market say the security situation has improved. There is still some looting and violence but it tends to be isolated incidents.
The main challenge now is the economic crisis. Many in the local community do not have jobs and therefore the money to buy food for their families. That has a flow-on effect for local businesses.
It is also difficult to access the goods they need because of the damage to the roads caused by war and the weather during the rainy season. Sometimes the journey with their fruit and vegetables takes so long that the produce spoils before they can get it to market.
High taxes on their stalls and goods are also eating into their profits. So even though the environment is safer, they’re still struggling.
These stallholders are entrepreneurs who want to work. They want to get ahead and for the country to succeed. Sitting back and waiting for help from the international community is simply not an option.
Local authorities acknowledge the challenges faced by businesses but say durable peace is needed before the country can move forward with economic recovery.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is supporting that development with a number of quick impact projects, including building vital infrastructure like water supply systems.
It is also advocating for an increase in capacity building programs to train local people in skills like carpentry and farming so they can move from dependence to being empowered to take control of their own lives and future.
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