The feeder road was developed by WFP at an estimated cost of €22.1 million from the European Union Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) as part of the EU’s Global Gateway plan.
The road connects local communities to essential services and unlocks new economic opportunities. According to the statement, the road also serves as a critical link to the strategic Kampala-Juba-Khartoum-Cairo corridor, enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
“For decades, families and residents of Mayom Lac and Ayai payams were cut off during the rainy season, when flooding made existing routes impassable for up to six months annually,” partly reads a statement from the WFP.
The newly built road connects these communities to the main road network, connecting Aweil South to the rest of the country and providing year-round access to healthcare, education, markets, and other critical services.
“Improved roads are essential for connecting communities, boosting local economies and ensuring access to vital services such as healthcare and education,” said Timo Olkkonen, the European Union’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.
“This road will transform lives in Aweil South and contribute to peace, stability and development in South Sudan,” he added.
Farmers can now access larger markets, enabling them to secure better prices for their produce, while small businesses, especially those led by women and youth, are experiencing increased opportunities for growth and development, the statement highlighted.
The feeder road also allows families to have easier access to healthcare facilities for services and schools, more easily, strengthening community resilience and livelihoods.
“This road is more than just infrastructure, it is a pathway to better lives,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan.
“We are grateful to the European Union for its continued support in building long-term resilience and investing in the future of rural communities.”
The construction of the road was done in close collaboration with the local community through WFP’s Smallholder Agriculture Market Support programme (SAMS).
The programme is designed to enhance the productivity and market access of smallholder farmers through improved aggregation, value chain integration and linkages to reliable markets.
Furthermore, the Mayom Lach-Ayai road is part of a broader initiative to improve food security and resilience in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal States, as well as the Greater Upper Nile region.
WFP is supporting more than 14,500 households through integrated activities aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods, improving market access, and promoting gender equality.
