Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan

16/05/2026

Breaking Barriers & Shifting the power: Localization in Action 🇸🇸

What does a "balanced partnership" actually look like in action?

For us at Youth Social Advocacy Team, It looks like Laurent Palustran, the Country Director of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) 🇸🇸, stepping out of his office, leaving his desk behind to pull up a chair right here at YSAT -South Sudan Country Office.

When leadership meets local expertise on their own home turf, magic happens and here is what went down during this high-energy forward-looking bilateral strategy session:

🟢 Jonglei Emergency Response Update: Delivery of life-saving WASH kits to Ayod is officially in motion. 📦 Gatmai Machar Nien
🟢 Expanding the Footprint: Rapid needs assessments are launching in Duk to unlock critical WASH cluster approvals. 🗺️ Machar Blackey
🟢 The Big Tuesday Pitch: Co-curating a high-level donor briefing on the crisis situation in 🇸🇸, our work in Jonglei - a unified DRC-YSAT position next week. 📢
🟢 The Next Chapter: Mapping out long-term strategic continuity far beyond our current project borders. 🤝

"True localization isn't just about signing agreements from a distance or hiding behind the cool email trails, It should be about easy access, shared spaces, listening, strategizing, shared decision-making and driving impact side-by-side." — John Jaldak, Executive Director, YSAT.

Laurent reaffirmed DRC’s commitment to a deeply rooted "balanced partnership"—proving that local organizations aren't just sub-contractors, they are equal co-pilots in shaping the complex humanitarian landscape of 🇸🇸

Watch this space. We are just getting started!

📸 | Monica Dak James | YSAT

fans NPA South Sudan South Sudan NGO Forum AVSI South Sudan Minister of Gender Child and social welfare _ South Sudan Netherlands Embassy in South Sudan Norwegian Church Aid South Sudan U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan

27/04/2026

WASH 💦 Field Updates 🟢

Our WASH team led by the WASH Officer Gatmai Machar Nien and DRC Team conducted 2️⃣ critical activities in Ayod;

1️⃣ Consultative meetings with 2️⃣ IDP (Youth & Women) groups to discuss their current challenges, coping mechanisms, and priority needs.

Their Voices were clear:
⭕️ Lack of shelter, inadequate NFIs, limited access to farming tools and limited livelihood support,
⭕️ Devastating WASH services including damaged/non-functional boreholes,
⭕️ Learning has been disrupted for young people - insufficient scholastic materials,
⭕️ Health situation including shortages of medicines in health facilities needs urgent ‼️ attention acknowledging the partners doing their best on ground (CMD, WART, MSF France) at limited scale

2️⃣ Our WASH team leader Mr Nien then led the team (DRC & YSAT) to a few sites to conduct a rapid assessment of borehole conditions across selected sites in Ayod. A total of 3️⃣ boreholes were assessed in Kuenor 1, Kuenor 2, and Bool.

⭕️ Findings indicated that 2️⃣ boreholes were non-functional, while 1️⃣ was operational but functioning sub-optimally. Plans to reach far sites in IDP areas are scheduled in the coming days as we plan to rehabilitate 15 Boreholes in both Duk and Ayod counties

Keep an 👁️ on this platform for more updates

📸 | GMN | YSAT WASH Team
fans YSAT -South Sudan Danish Refugee Council Norwegian Church Aid South Sudan AVSI South Sudan Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan United Nations OCHA UNHCR South Sudan Netherlands Embassy in South Sudan Embassy of Japan in South Sudan Embassy of Canada to South Sudan U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan Welthungerhilfe Thomas Wieh Wieh Bol

26/04/2026

YSAT Field Updates from Ayod & Duk

Did you know that a committed National NGO field team can strategize in the shortest time possible to kick off an Emergency Response project in 2️⃣ counties?

Well check out what our team delivered this week;

🟢 Welcomed and hosted Technical team from our partner Danish Refugee Council Juba office for the MSA exercise
🟢 Held productive discussions with RRC and County Administration of Ayod and Duk, agreed on Payams for this project, targets, selection of Data Collectors, confirmed staff files with relevant authorities and approval of Multi-sectoral Assessment led by DRC & YSAT
🟢 Conducted FGD with key stakeholders focusing on WASH & Shelter.
🟢 security clearance provided for YSAT and DRC to conduct assessment of WASH facilities and consultative meetings with IDPs to ascertain their status of safety, needs and validation of proposed interventions to ensure relevance, safety and effectiveness

All credit to our Emergency Response Project Coordinator Mr. Thomas Wieh Wieh Bol for steering the team!
When you trust your team, they will do wonders and the green family field team just demonstrated that in action

📸 📷 Courtesy: YSAT field team
fans Redd Barna UNHCR South Sudan Embassy of Japan in South Sudan Embassy of Canada to South Sudan UNHCR East, Horn & Great Lakes Regions of Africa South Sudan NGO Forum AVSI South Sudan Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan

26/04/2026

Welcoming 🆕 YSAT Staff in Duk & Ayod 🎉

This week, YSAT successfully concluded a focused staff orientation, onboarding, and induction for over 26 newly recruited team members (ERC 1, WASH officers (2), RP & CCCM Officer 1, CHPs 15, CBPA (6), MEAL (1), PFO (1) supporting the DANIDA Flex Emergency Integrated Project in Jonglei State, specifically in Ayod and Duk counties.

The orientation served as an important milestone in preparing our teams for field deployment, readiness, while also grounding them in YSAT’s green family values, Humanitarian Principles, and the Core Humanitarian Standards that guide our work with conflict-affected populations.

Our Community Hygiene Promoters, CBPA,and WASH Officers underwent intensive training on ongoing project activities across WASH, Protection, and CCCM, with strong emphasis on their roles and responsibilities in delivering an integrated emergency response with professionalism, accountability, and dignity.

As the training concludes, teams are now fully equipped and ready to return to their respective project locations, including Mogok, Pajiek, and Wau Payam, to continue implementation and support communities in urgent need.

Participant reflections:
“This orientation helped me clearly understand my role and how it connects to YSAT’s mission & Vision 2030 .” CBPA

“The induction into Humanitarian Principles and Core Humanitarian Standards has strengthened my commitment to deliver quality support to conflict-affected families.” CHP

“I am proud to join the YSAT green family and be part of a team working together to bring integrated emergency assistance to people who need it most.” WASH Officer

We thank our dedicated staff for their commitment and readiness to serve. As we roll out this integrated emergency response, YSAT remains committed to principled, community-centered, and high-quality humanitarian action for the people of Jonglei & 🇸🇸

Danish Refugee Council AVSI South Sudan South Sudan NGO Forum Embassy of Japan in South Sudan Embassy of Canada to South Sudan Redd Barna UNHCR South Sudan fans UNHCR East, Horn & Great Lakes Regions of Africa

21/04/2026

Updates from Ayod Field Office 🇸🇸

YSAT Emergency Response Coordinator held a productive meeting today with 🆕 staff recruited under our 🆕 Integrated Emergency Response Project implemented in Ayod, Duk & Akobo East in partnership with DRC 🇸🇸 funded by DANIDA 🇩🇰

The staff in attendance include;
🟢 WASH Officer
🟢 Protection Assistants
🟢 Community Hygiene Promoters

The team outlined accelerated implementation strategies, stakeholder engagements plan and coordination with WASH, CCCM & Protection Clusters

This planning is in preparation for reception of our partners visit slated for Wednesday and the anticipated delivery of WASH items to kickstart;

❇️ Latrine construction
❇️ WASH kits distribution
❇️ Hygiene Promotion Awareness
❇️ Protection services and awareness creation

Follow Youth Social Advocacy Team for more updates

fans Oxfam in South Sudan AVSI South Sudan CARE SOUTH SUDAN Danish Refugee Council Norwegian People's Aid Minister of Gender Child and social welfare _ South Sudan South Sudan NGO Forum U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan

13/04/2026

🎉🤝 🆕 Partnership Kick-Off 🤝🎉

Danish Refugee Council 🇸🇸 and YSAT -South Sudan 🇸🇸kicked off an Emergency Response Project in Jonglei funded by 🇩🇰

: Communities and people affected by conflict can meet their basic needs and are more protected from further harm.

Key details to know:
🎯 23,000 direct people targeted
🎯 20,000 + Indirect people targeted
📍 Locations: Akobo East, Duk, and Ayod Counties of Jonglei state prioritized

Key interventions:
🟢 Multipurpose Cash Assistance 💵 & Economic Recovery to 550 HHs
🟢 WASH 💦 🪥 interventions targeting 1,800 HHs & 15,000 individuals directly
🟢 Camp Coordintion and camp mgt🏕️ ⛺️ (CCCM) 60 CBPN members targeted
🟢 Protection 🚶🏿‍♂️ 🚶 🚶‍♀️ reaching 20,000 individuals indirectly

This project will be implemented closely with relevant stakeholders from State, County, Payam and Boma levels ensuring community voices informs program relevance, their safety guide how the program is delivered and success is measured by their own standards, “because this is lifesaving intervention by and with the community” with DRC and YSAT only facilitating the program as enablers

Follow YSAT for more updates as we rollout the Project implementation!!

fans UNHCR South Sudan United Network of Young Peacebuilders Minister of Gender Child and social welfare _ South Sudan DEMAC - Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination Oxfam in South Sudan AVSI South Sudan Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan CARE SOUTH SUDAN NPA South Sudan John Jaldak Machar Blackey Thomas Wieh Wieh Bol

20/03/2026

🎉🎉Eid Al-Fitr Mubarak to our incredible staff, communities we are honored to work with & our partners🎉🎉

🟢As we mark this joyful occasion, we celebrate the values of , , , and . Eid reminds us that even in our differences, we can come together with shared purpose, care for one another, and build stronger communities.

🟢At YSAT -South Sudan , our Diversity Core Value calls us to honor every person’s , , , and . This Eid, we celebrate that diversity as a gift and a strength that brings us closer and inspires our work every day.

❇️May this season fill your hearts and homes with peace, happiness, and renewed strength for the journey ahead.

🟢🟢 Wa Shukran 🙏🟢🟢
fans UNHCR South Sudan Danish Refugee Council United Network of Young Peacebuilders DEMAC - Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan Minister of Gender Child and social welfare _ South Sudan Oxfam in South Sudan AVSI South Sudan CARE SOUTH SUDAN NPA South Sudan Markas Al Salam

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 2026!

Today, as we mark International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” we celebrate the remarkable achievements of women around the World. Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan reaffirms our commitment to our core Value.

From classrooms, libraries, displacement centres, farmer field sites, community forums and boardroms, women & girls in lead with courage, creativity, and compassion, shaping a brighter future for displaced people, their host communities and beyond.

YET THE WORK REMAINS!
commit to building safe workplaces and systems that close pay gaps, achieve 60% female staff ratio by 2027, remove access barriers to inclusive education & opportunities for women, scale up female staff capacity enhancement investments and ensure every woman has the opportunity to lead, innovate, and thrive at all levels in YSAT 🇸🇸 .

To every trailblazer who paved the way, Green family stars ✨ Amuna Vivian Fiona Akwero Lona Gal Shungwang Purdet Lillian Atayo Minala, Corinne, Scovia Kiden to mention a few
and to the next generation who will continue the journey—your resilience inspires us to do better as , together with our partners, donors, communities and stakeholders.

Join our by spotlighting an incredible woman in your life circle who inspires you: recognize her, share a story of her impact, Use this Hastages and we will repost to provide spotlight to their journey and inspire others.

We humbly invite like-minded partners, mentors, and volunteers to collaborate with us on campaigns, mentorships, internships, and action-oriented initiatives that empower young leaders to drive real impact.

How you can engage: 1) connect with us to discuss partnerships, 2) share resources and opportunities with your networks, 3) join our upcoming Annual Women Forum 🙂 Together, we can turn intent into impact.


fans Danish Refugee Council DEMAC - Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination UNHCR South Sudan United Network of Young Peacebuilders

08/12/2025

We were there, thank you DEMAC - Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination Danish Refugee Council YSAT Uganda team

04/12/2025

Youth Social Advocacy Team - South Sudan 🇸🇸 participated in the HNRP FSL cluster coordination meeting held at the UNHCR Office in Juba.

The meeting's key outcomes for 2026 FSL programming were:

1) Review of HNRP target requirements;
2) Discussion on food ratio distribution for 2026, with WFP reducing aid coverage from 2.5 million to 1.5 million persons in need;
3) Identification of priority areas for FSL response in 2026, namely Ayod, Fangak, Nasir, Ulang, and Uror, which require urgent humanitarian assistance; and
4) Development of emergency response packages for conflict and flood interventions.

A notable point was the lack of funding for flood response in 2026, with more emphasis on early warning systems. The meeting was organized by UNOCHA SOUTH SUDAN and attended by various partners.

Key decisions include the reduction of humanitarian assistance and the need for increased investment in early warning systems, which aligns with the YSAT AHEAD project's goals.

UNHCR South Sudan fans I CAN SOUTH SUDAN South Sudan Youth Awards NPA South Sudan MIT D-Lab Danish Refugee Council CARE SOUTH SUDAN United Network of Young Peacebuilders Minister of Gender Child and social welfare _ South Sudan Welthungerhilfe Education Above All Foundation Oxfam in South Sudan AVSI South Sudan

20/10/2025