“What you have done for the women is not something minor. If you continue to support them like this, all our vulnerable women will gain power to do business and support their families, thus chasing hunger out of Eastern Equatoria State.” – Linda Achol, Leader of the Eastern Equatoria’s Women’s Union
March 23, 2026 – At the end of February, WPDI officially handed over newly constructed vegetable market stalls to the Torit Municipal Council in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan, marking an important milestone in strengthening local market infrastructure and supporting 245 local vendors, many of them women traders.
The opening of the vegetable shelter represents a concrete step toward improving trading conditions for vendors, particularly women who rely on selling produce to sustain their families. The initiative is part of a broader market development project launched in November 2025, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC). The new market infrastructure is expected to provide a more formal, organized, and sanitary environment for traders and customers alike.
During the handover ceremony, David Dagu, Country Manager of WPDI South Sudan, emphasized the importance of economic empowerment: “We know that, given the challenging world for humanitarian organizations, conditions are tough. However, we will provide whatever support we can. Building this vegetable shelter is primarily to help you become self-sufficient in your own endeavors, complementing the government’s development agenda and supporting your livelihoods.”
He further underscored the need for daily maintenance of the facility to ensure it continues to serve the community effectively and sets a positive example for market organizations across Torit.
A Long-Awaited Development for Torit
Mayor Oyito Baptist Soforonio of Torit Municipal Council welcomed the new market stalls as a fulfillment of a long-standing community aspiration:
“This is what you people have been searching for; you have got it today.”
He described the shelter as a testament to collective efforts to support women entrepreneurs and thanked The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for financing the project and WPDI for mobilizing the necessary support.
Mary Luka, another vegetable vendor, reflected on the difficult conditions of the previous market setup:
“We were having many challenges, especially in the place where we sell, where people parade their products on the dirty ground, which could lead to the spread of diseases.”
The newly constructed vegetable shelter directly addresses these concerns by providing a clean, organized space that reduces health risks and enhances vendors’ ability to operate sustainably.
Improving Health, Hygiene, and Livelihoods
For local traders, the new infrastructure brings protection and opportunity. Martha Peter, a local trader, noted: “The construction will make us stand strong with the current crisis, where there is no government salary.”
Women’s leader Linda Achol, representing the Women’s Union of Eastern Equatoria State, praised the initiative for empowering vulnerable women:
“What you have done for the women is not something minor. You opened the eyes of our women and lobbied for a hygienic vegetable storage space in Torit. If you continue to support them like this, all our vulnerable women will gain power to do business and support their families, thus chasing hunger out of Eastern Equatoria State.”
Strengthening Local Economies Through Partnership
The Torit vegetable market project contributes to improved livelihoods, greater economic resilience, and enhanced dignity for women traders in Eastern Equatoria State. As the market opens its doors, it stands not only as new infrastructure, but as a symbol of opportunity, collaboration, and hope for the 245 vendors who depend on it every day.
In partnership with
