Blind Sides and Soft Spots – An Evaluation of Norway’s Aid Engagement in South Sudan

BACKGROUND Norway has contributed to the development and peace processes of South Sudan for decades. Since the 1970s, Norwegian non-governmental organisations have been providing services, humanitarian aid and political support. The Norwegian government has provided high-level political support to the various peace processes since the early 2000s. In parallel, the Norwegian government has contributed with humanitarian and development aid reaching NOK 4.2 billion from 2011–2018. Throughout this long history, Norway’s aim has been to reduce poverty, increase stability and promote peace. To assess Norway’s engagement in South Sudan, the Norad Evaluation Department commissioned this evaluation.

The main purpose of the evaluation was to assess the effects of the total Norwegian engagement (development and humanitarian) in South Sudan, consider whether the engagement has been coherent and conflict sensitive, and assess how the Norwegian engagement has been adapted to a changing context. While the focus is on the development and humanitarian aid provided, the evaluation also examines the links between political engagement and aid to see how the two complement each other. The evaluation focuses primarily on the strategic and portfolio levels. The effectiveness part of the evaluation covers South Sudan since its independence in 2011 until 2018, while the remaining parts, concerning coherence, conflict sensitivity and learning, covers the period from the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 to 2018.