Livelihoods in Aweil

This data and analysis are based on the Community-based Assessment of Reintegration and Absorption Capacity in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG), South Sudan (December 2024). The assessment examines the integration status of displaced and returned households living in NBeG, Aweil Central, North, West and East counties, and evaluates the area’s capacity to welcome additional arrivals.

Markets in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG) serve as hubs for both food and non-food items, yet availability and affordability continue to challenge market functionality. Across Aweil Central, Aweil West, Aweil North, and Aweil East counties, 56 unique marketplaces were identified, 91% of which sell a combination of food products and non-food items (NFIs), while 21% also facilitate livestock sales. At the time of the assessment, 86% of markets had staple cereals in stock, and most offered at least some legumes, fruits, and meat or fish. However, despite this diversity, 23% of marketplaces reported shortages of staple cereals, and 64% faced shortages of other food items, highlighting ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities.

Markets in the Aweil region are relatively resilient to seasonal fluctuations compared to other areas of South Sudan. Seventy percent of assessed markets indicated that goods remain consistently available throughout the wet and dry seasons. However, while availability is generally stable, affordability is not. Seasonal price hikes were reported by 80% of traders, primarily attributed to transport difficulties and deteriorating road conditions during the rainy season. These price increases place added strain on returnees and vulnerable households, who already face high levels of food insecurity and limited income opportunities, compounding broader challenges in achieving sustainable reintegration.

Livelihoods in the Aweil area are predominantly based on farming and casual labour. Farming remains the primary source of income for most households, yet access to essential inputs like seeds and tools is a major challenge, especially for assessed returnees (24%). Flooding and drought further exacerbate these difficulties, with a third of returnees citing insufficient rainfall as a critical barrier. Opportunities for diversification beyond farming are limited, particularly for returnees who lack start-up capital to begin small businesses. Many returnees developed work skills during their time in Sudan, but they find it challenging to utilize these skills in Aweil due to a weaker local job market.

Traders within marketplaces also identified several challenges: (1) poor road conditions in the rainy season; (2) limited availability of goods in source markets; and (3) limited access to foreign currency, highlighting the debilitating impact of the depreciation of the local currency and its impacts on the price of imported goods. 

Economic vulnerability in NBeG, particularly for returnees, is exacerbated by limited access to livelihoods beyond subsistence farming. Development actors should prioritize expanding support for sustainable agricultural practices, including providing climate-resilient seeds, tools, and training in modern techniques. In areas such as Gomjuer East and Aweil Town, where markets are more accessible, small business grants and vocational training programs tailored to local economic needs could empower returnees and hosts to diversify their income sources. Additionally, investing in shared economic initiatives, such as cooperative farming schemes, can foster both economic resilience and social cohesion.