Juba, 14 October 2021 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched today the first published report titled “Remittances and Diasporas Engagement in South Sudan: A Policy Research with Focus on the South Sudanese Community in Australia”.

The report is produced within the framework of IOM’s International Development Fund project on “Enhancing Knowledge on Remittances and Diaspora Engagement in South Sudan”.

South Sudan is both a sender and receiver remittance country with domestic, regional and international remittance flows. Data on remittance flows is mostly based on estimates, with the total inflow of remittances to South Sudan estimated to represent 6.7 per cent of the national GDP in 2019.

Remittances have been used to support South Sudanese families living in South Sudan and surrounding countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Diasporas in Australia have been active in making contributions to South Sudan especially in responding to the crisis through fundraising, invest in their communities through small community projects, and assist families to respond to household needs including education.

Whilst the findings suggest a significant contribution made by diasporas through remittances, there are still persisting challenges to make this contribution long-lasting. Some of the challenges include lack of security assurance which is prominent for creating a positive business investment climate, the high transaction cost of remittances amounting 9.66 % which is the highest in the region, and lack of connection between diasporas and the government of South Sudan.

To address some of these challenges, the report provides 12 policy recommendations, including increasing the compliance of unlicensed remittance and foreign exchange operators to the existing legal framework by reinforcing policy and administrative measures in South Sudan.

“This report will guide our government on how to engage with the diaspora. We will pay attention to the findings, and we will put them into action,” said Ambassador Reuben Marial Benjamin, the Director for Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation who represented Hon. Deng Dau Deng, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The IOM Chief of Mission, Peter Van Der Auweraert, promised the UN Migration’s continuous support to the government of South Sudan in producing knowledge that can maximize the contribution of diasporas and remittances in responding to crisis, contributing to peacebuilding and development in South Sudan.

“This report provides that knowledge base and we are committed to continuing supporting South Sudan responding to recommendations provided in the report,” said Van Der Auweraert.

The IOM Development Fund is the Organization’s funding mechanism that supports its Member States to improve migration governance to meet the goals set forth in the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Agenda 10.7 and 10.10.

Read full report here:https://bit.ly/3BMzr8c

For more information, please contact: Liatile PUTSOA at IOM South Sudan, Tel: +211 912 380 104 Email: lputsoa@iom.int.