Nutrition support transforms lives in Wau Shilluk, South Sudan

In the bustling riverside community of Wau Shilluk, Malakal county, 25-year-old Martha Abwok Deng starts her day managing multiple responsibilities. She cares for her three children – one son and two daughters – runs a small business making bread and groundnut paste, and cooks for her family. Yet, before receiving support from FAO, Martha and her children faced a daily struggle for adequate nutrition. 

Under FAO’s Building Resilient Livelihoods to Climate Change (BRLC) project, funded by the Government of Norway, vulnerable households in Wau Shilluk – including children, pregnant and lactating women, people over 60, returnees and households headed by women – are receiving fresh food vouchers that can be used to purchase vegetables, fish, eggs and other nutritious foods, alongside support for climate-smart agriculture. For Martha, these interventions have been life-changing. 

“Before this support, our health was critical. Even with money from my business, I could not always access sufficient and nutritious food. Now, my children are healthier and happier,” she said. 

FAO and its partners provided Martha with seeds and training in good agricultural practices, such as row planting, enabling her to grow sorghum, maize, okra, and Sukuma (collard greens). With part of the harvest sold, she has generated over SSP 1 million (USD 219) in income, which she uses to buy food and medicine for her children when needed. 

FAO also provided Martha with fishing twine – durable thread used to weave fishing nets – enabling her to catch fish for her family. 

“FAO’s support with seeds and fishing kits has given us a way to feed ourselves and generate income,” she explained. 

The impact on Martha’s household has begun to take shape. Two of her children had been malnourished, but their nutritional situation has gradually improved as the household has gained better access to diverse foods and consistent care. They are now playing and learning with more energy. The food vouchers and farming support are helping to create a more stable foundation for her family. 

Martha hopes to expand her income by growing her farm and developing her small business to include livestock trading. Education is also a priority: she wants her children to attend school and pursue higher education. 

“Food vouchers and the farming support have helped secure our future. I can send my children to school, buy them clothes and ensure they are healthy,” she said. “I would love to receive more training in good agricultural practices and continued support for the vulnerable in my community.” 

By combining nutrition support with climate-smart agriculture, the BRLC project is helping families like Martha’s improve their food security and rebuild their livelihoods in Wau Shilluk. 

The UN declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. In crisis contexts, women like Martha are among the most vulnerable and have a vital role to play in strengthening food security, resilience and livelihoods for themselves, their families and their communities. Supporting women farmers means contributing to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable future for all.  

To learn more, visit: https://www.fao.org/woman-farmer-2026/en