South Sudan Launches Two Major Multi-Million Dollar Peacebuilding Projects

South Sudan has launched two significant peacebuilding projects with UNDP and UNICEF to combat community violence and foster resilience. Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA, these initiatives focus on empowering local youth and women, enhancing social cohesion, and addressing violent extremism. Community involvement and collaboration with civil society are emphasized for project success.

The Government of South Sudan, alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, has launched two significant peacebuilding initiatives aimed at minimizing communal violence and enhancing resilience among conflict-affected populations. Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), these projects seek to empower communities, particularly youth and women, in peace efforts.

During the launch event held in Juba, Stephen Par Kuol, the Minister of Peacebuilding, highlighted the necessity of community-centric strategies for achieving lasting peace. He stated that the initiatives should pursue the ultimate goal of eradicating communal violence entirely, emphasizing that leaders must ensure community safety and security.

The first initiative, entitled “Community Violence Reduction Partnerships with White Nile and Sobat River Communities,” is allocated a budget of USD 4 million and has a duration of 36 months. This project aims to alleviate insecurity along the White Nile and Sobat River corridor, focusing on reintegrating conflict-affected youth, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering social cohesion through trauma healing.

The second initiative, “Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism in East Africa,” encompasses South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia, with a budget of USD 4.8 million. It aims to bolster community resilience and social cohesion, especially among youth and women in regions such as Eastern Equatoria, Warrap State, and Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Mohamed Abchir, the UNDP South Sudan Resident Representative, remarked on the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle the underlying causes of violence in the region, ensuring communities are equipped to foster a peaceful future. He expressed gratitude for the continued support from the Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA, underscoring that the projects are designed for the benefit of the South Sudanese people.

Pia Philip, an undersecretary at the Peacebuilding Ministry, called for community involvement in the initiatives aimed at empowering youth and women while addressing challenges posed by security checkpoints along critical transport routes. He emphasized that community engagement is a pivotal element in the pursuit of sustainable peace.

To counter violent extremism, the projects will promote peace education, combat hate speech, and support economic empowerment for youth and women. Moreover, they will address conflict drivers through innovative methodologies and enhanced mechanisms for violence management, reinforcing local strategies for conflict prevention and providing essential skills training.

The Ministry of Peacebuilding reiterated its dedication to collaborating with civil society and local communities to ensure project efficacy. Minister Par Kuol emphasized the importance of engaging traditional leadership and local populations in realizing the projects’ objectives, asserting, “Juba is not South Sudan. South Sudan is out there, where our people are.”

The initiatives are expected to create socio-economic opportunities and foster trauma healing, which will assist communities in becoming more self-sufficient and resilient amidst ongoing challenges related to violence and instability.

In summary, South Sudan has initiated two pivotal peacebuilding projects in collaboration with UNDP and UNICEF, aimed at empowering local communities and addressing violence. Both projects prioritize community engagement, social cohesion, and resilience-building particularly among youth and women. The government’s commitment to a collaborative approach with civil society is crucial for the success of these initiatives, designed to provide essential support and opportunities for conflict-affected populations.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org