The ongoing civil war in South Sudan has displaced over four million people. At the moment, there are about 40,000 people in refugee camps in Wau, the country's second largest city. An estimated 20 per cent of people living in these camps are young people aged 15 to 24. This means that around 8,000 IDPs in Wau are of vocational school age. In addition, there are 43,000 regular residents of the city of the same age. Without training, the vast majority of these young people will not be able to find work.

The vocational qualification of young people in Wau is a particular concern for Malteser International. This capacity building through training secures the sustainability of other aid measures, while breaking the vicious circle of illiteracy, poverty and hunger. With this project, young people in Wau can acquire general life skills, as well as skills to become masons, carpenters, welders, and automobile mechanics.