FY2015 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS)

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by AECOM International Development. The program's main objective is to support the transition to a more stable and peaceful South Sudan by addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting economic development. During the 2015 fiscal year, VISTAS completed a total of 119 activities valued at approximately $11,923,914. The program focused on several key areas, including supporting traditional courts to manage blood compensation in Lakes State, working with communities in conflict in Bentiu, and promoting trade and economic development in Northern Bahr El Ghazal. In Jonglei State, VISTAS supported efforts to improve inter-communal relations between the Murle, Bor Dinka, and Lou Nuer. The program also supported the dissemination of the new Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) in areas with good partners and trusted relationships with local authorities. VISTAS held three Rolling Assessments during the reporting period, including a Program Performance Review, a Management Review, and a deep dive analysis to feed into the 2015 Strategic Review Session (SRS). The program made several changes to its overall strategy and specific regional outcomes during the SRS, but inter-communal conflict remains a key program priority. The program faced several challenges during the reporting period, including ongoing national conflict, high levels of crime in Juba, and near collapse of the economy. However, VISTAS was able to adapt to these challenges and continue to implement its program activities. The program's focus will require regular monitoring and re-calculations to operate safely and effectively in the fluid and difficult-to-predict environment. In terms of program performance, VISTAS reported a total of 119 activities cleared in FY15, with a total value of $11,923,914. The program disbursed $6,193,695 in program funds during the reporting period. The average size of FY15 activities was $100,200. VISTAS also reported progress on indicator targets, including a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The program's geographic focus was primarily in the states of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Lakes, Bentiu, and Jonglei. The program's implementation was also influenced by the political, security, and operational landscape in South Sudan. The program worked to address the root causes of conflict and promote economic development in these areas, with a focus on supporting traditional courts, promoting trade and economic development, and improving inter-communal relations. Overall, the VISTAS program made significant progress in promoting peace and stability in South Sudan during the 2015 fiscal year. The program's focus on addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting economic development helped to improve living conditions for IDPs and promote trade and economic development in key areas. However, the program also faced several challenges, including ongoing national conflict and near collapse of the economy.