Enhancing resilience in fragile context: evidence from a randomized experiment in South Sudan

Abstract

South Sudan is the youngest state in the world. Yet, since its independence, several shocks and crises brought food security to the edge of collapse. Both humanitarian and development agencies have adopted multisector interventions to enhance resilience. This paper provides data-driven evidence from a randomized impact evaluation in Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state. The intervention adopted a multifaceted strategy to improve the resilience and food security of vulnerable households. Results suggest that the initiative was successful as it enhanced various aspects of local livelihoods, including the short term (the provision of inputs with greater productivity) and long term (increased technical skills)

Keywords: integrated assistance, food security, resilience, randomization, South Sudan.

JEL Classification: C83, Q18, R20, C93