Cash assistance helps a South Sudanese father feed his family

Feeding a family of six on a single income is a daily struggle for 60-year-old Akoi Riak Akech, who lives in Kongor Payam, South Sudan. Two years ago, he lost his wife to illness, leaving him to care alone for five sons and one daughter.

“Since I lost my wife, I am struggling to manage my family and fulfill my children’s needs,” Akoi said, which is even more difficult for someone of his age.   

For years, Akoi relied on farming to feed his family. But since 2020, floods have submerged his land in Pawel, about seven kilometres away, making cultivation impossible. Akoi said he lost his cows to raiders three years ago and now has only five goats left. To survive, he collects firewood and cuts poles for construction to sell. Most days, that income is barely enough to provide a single meal.

Akoi is not alone in struggling to provide enough food for his family. In Jonglei state, severe flooding and a deepening food crisis mean many people do not have enough to eat.

“Most of us eat only once a day. It is such a frustrating life,” Akoi said.

But support from donors helped provide much-needed food at a crucial time.

From January to May 2025, monthly cash transfers helped more than 11,400 people in Duk and Twic East counties buy food and ease their hunger. The four-month, $733,663 project is funded through CLWR’s account at Canadian Foodgrains Bank and implemented through a partnership between Canadian Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran World Federation.

This year, Akoi was selected by a local cash committee to receive emergency assistance. Over the course of the project, he received about C$300. With the money, he bought 50 kilograms of sorghum, five litres of oil, beans, fresh fish every other day and meat once a week. His eldest son now cooks meals for the family.

The assistance changed life for Akoi and his children.

“I have no words. We survived because of this support,” he said. “I managed to feed my children properly. My food gap is closed for this time.”

With the immediate pressure eased, Akoi also had a brief respite from the daily burden of collecting firewood, giving him more time to focus on his children.

Still, he continues gathering wood to save money for the future. He hopes the floods will recede so he can return to farming, but the future is uncertain.

“If I save properly, maybe life will continue after this help ends,” he said.

Top image caption: Akoi with his daughter next to his house. Photo courtesy of LWF