The Nile is our highway.
Goamal moves food and cargo by barge along the White Nile and the Sobat, and distributes food for the World Food Programme to communities the roads cannot reach.
Food distribution by river
We carry WFP food assistance from Juba down the Nile and take it the last mile to the people it is meant for.
For river communities in Jonglei and Upper Nile, the river is often the only reliable way in during the rains. Our field offices in Bor, Renk and Akobo sit on that network, so our teams are already on the ground when the barge arrives.
We handle the whole chain: receiving the food in Juba, protecting it on the water, discharging it at the river port, moving it to the distribution point and returning the paperwork that accounts for every bag.
Where trucks stop, barges keep going
Road and river work together. We pick the route that gets the food there on time, and in the rains that is often the river.
Reaches cut-off areas
In the rainy season, roughly May to October, many roads become impassable. The river keeps moving.
Moves volume
One barge carries what would take a long line of trucks, which suits bulk food deliveries.
Lands close to people
Many communities live along the Nile and the Sobat, so food lands close to where it is needed.
From Juba port to the distribution point
Six stages, one accountable team. The same waybill follows the food from loading to hand-over.
- 01
Receive & check
We receive the food at the Juba river port and count every bag and carton against the waybill before it is accepted.
- 02
Load & protect
Cargo is stacked on pallets and covered with tarpaulins so it reaches the destination dry and undamaged.
- 03
Move on the Nile
Barges travel the river with an experienced crew, and we keep the client updated on position and arrival.
- 04
Discharge
At the destination port the cargo is offloaded and recounted, and any loss or damage is recorded and reported.
- 05
Last mile
Our field teams move the food from the riverbank to the distribution or storage point by truck, tractor or porters.
- 06
Distribute & report
Food is handed over or distributed as planned, and signed waybills and reports go back to the client.
Cargo on the water
Food commodities for distribution programmes, plus general cargo for clients working along the river.
| Cargo | Examples | Typical packing |
|---|---|---|
| Cereals | Sorghum, maize, maize flour, wheat flour, rice | 50 kg bags |
| Pulses | Beans, lentils, split peas | 50 kg bags |
| Vegetable oil | Fortified cooking oil | Tins, jerrycans, cartons |
| Salt & sugar | Iodised salt, sugar | Bags |
| Nutrition products | Specialised nutritious foods for programmes | Cartons |
| Other cargo | Fuel in drums, building materials, relief items | Per load |
Every bag accounted for
Food assistance has to arrive complete. These checks run on every movement.