South Sudan - World Bank Group Country Engagement Note (FY21-23) - RECA/CRW ERF Eligibility Note

Jul 19, 2026

World Bank Executive Directors discussed the World Bank Group Country Engagement Note for South Sudan covering FY21-23 and South Sudan’s eligibility for IDA’s Remaining Engaged during Conflict Allocation (RECA) and Crisis Response Window Early Response Financing (CRW ERF). The discussion emphasized timely support aligned with FCV priorities and COVID-19 response, balancing institution building, short-term basic services, and longer-term human capital development. Directors highlighted fragility drivers such as food insecurity and gender-based violence, and urged governance, anti-corruption, and strengthened domestic resource mobilization, debt resolution, inclusion, climate resilience, and deeper IFC/MIGA engagement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

Chair Summary

Eligibility for RECA and CRW ERF

Alignment, balance, and priorities

Fragility drivers and governance requests

Inclusion, climate resilience, and economic engagement

Political economy risk and implementation approach

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized South Sudan World Bank Group Country Engagement Note (FY21-23) Remaining Engaged during Conflict Allocation (RECA) Eligibility Note Crisis Response Window Early Response Financing (CRW ERF) Eligibility Note Chair Summary* May 13, 2021 Executive Directors discussed the Joint IDA/IFC/MIGA Country Engagement Note (CEN) for South Sudan for the period FY21-23 together with the eligibility of South Sudan to resources under IDA’s Remaining Engaged during Conflict Allocation (RECA) and the Crisis Response Window Early Response Financing (CRW ERF) . Directors underscored the timeliness and importance of the CEN and welcomed the support from the two IDA19 envelopes, namely the RECA and CRW ERF, which will provide critical resources to operationalize the CEN. They noted the alignment of the CEN with the World Bank Group’s overall priorities, particularly the FCV Strategy and COVID-19 Crisis Response Approach. They also commended the CEN for striking a good balance between: (i) laying the groundwork for institution building, which aims to increase the Government’s critical capacity in areas such as public financial management; (ii) responding to short-term needs by supporting basic service delivery, including the continued support to health services and the COVID-19 responses, as well as longer-term human capital development; and (iii) addressing vulnerabilities and promoting resilience, particularly in response to emerging food insecurity situations. Directors reinforced the need to address key causes of fragility with a focus on food insecurity and genderbased violence and welcomed the shift from third party implementation to a Government-led approach. They urged the Government of South Sudan to prioritize building key institutions, strengthening governance and transparency, and addressing corruption. Directors shared the assessment that South Sudan is entering a phase of cautious optimism and acknowledged the continued commitment and efforts of the World Bank Group to support the Government of South Sudan with key reforms in areas of development priority . They underscored the importance of addressing social and economic inclusion, with a focus on gender and youth (particularly, youth unemployment), as well as climate resilience. Directors emphasized the need to address food insecurity, as famine remains a problem. They also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic resource mobilization and addressing debt. They encouraged the IFC and MIGA to deepen their engagement to develop the private sector and to play a more prominent role in areas such as agriculture, energy, digital technology and infrastructure, and overall economic diversification. Directors took note of South Sudan's complex political economy and the associated high political and governance risk to the implementation of the program. They welcomed the commitment by the World Bank Management to undertake regular political economic analyses to inform a flexible approach to implementation, boosting staff presence in the country, and working in partnership with other development players – including the United Nations - to implement the CEN, monitor risks and maximize synergies across organizations. *This Summary is not an approved record.

FAQs

What are RECA and CRW ERF in the context of South Sudan’s eligibility?

They are IDA resources evaluated for South Sudan under the Country Engagement Note, covering Remaining Engaged during Conflict Allocation (RECA) and Crisis Response Window Early Response Financing (CRW ERF). Directors welcomed support from these two IDA19 envelopes to operationalize the CEN.

How did Directors describe the balance and alignment of the Country Engagement Note?

Directors highlighted a balance between institution building, short-term basic service delivery (including health and COVID-19 responses), and longer-term human capital development, alongside vulnerability reduction and resilience. They also noted alignment with FCV Strategy priorities and the COVID-19 Crisis Response Approach.

Which fragility challenges and governance actions were emphasized?

Directors emphasized addressing key fragility causes, particularly food insecurity and gender-based violence. They also urged prioritizing institution building, strengthening governance and transparency, addressing corruption, strengthening domestic resource mobilization, and tackling debt.

Jul 19, 2026

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