Strengthening OPD Collaboration Through State-Level Peer Exchange in Wau, South Sudan

The People with Disability Society (PWDS), with technical support from the Humanity & Inclusion (HI) LNOB team, conducted a one-day state-level peer exchange in Wau on 19 October 2026, bringing together nine Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) from Wau and Jur River County to strengthen collaboration, promote peer learning, and advance the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

Objectives of the Exchange

The exchange provided a platform for participating organizations to share experiences, discuss common challenges, learn from one another’s practices, and explore opportunities for stronger coordination and collective advocacy for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Sharing Experiences and Lessons Learned

People with Disability Society (PWDS), the organizer of the peer exchange, through the sub grant provided by HI with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), reflected on their experiences since their engagement with the Phase 4 – Leave no one behind! project, as well as the key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. This enabled other OPDs to gain insights on entry points to join cluster coordination mechanisms and on the benefits of participation in cluster coordination mechanisms, such as increasing visibility and recognition by cluster partners and greater opportunities for funding through collaboration with humanitarian partners.

Key Takeaways from the Workshop

The key takeaways from the workshop included the following: continued networking among the OPDs, increased OPD participation in the cluster coordination system, knowledge-sharing among OPDs to build collective capacity, strengthening advocacy, and identifying common priorities for action.

The Way Forward

Moving forward, continued collaboration between OPDs in Wau and Jur River County builds mutual trust and contributes to a more coordinated and representative disability movement, working collectively to advance the rights, dignity, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in South Sudan.

Closing Remarks

During the closing remarks, Mr. Akoth, the Chairperson of the State Union of Persons with Disability (SUPD), emphasized:

“We appreciate HI and the donor for such initiatives of bringing OPDs together to share their experiences and learn from one another. This is the first time that OPDs have been brought together in Wau. I wish HI would continue with this initiative because it empowers OPDs and creates unity.”