The Government of South Sudan, along with UNDP and UNICEF, has launched two comprehensive peacebuilding projects aimed at reducing community violence and fostering resilience. Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA, these initiatives will empower local communities, particularly youth and women, to participate in peace efforts and address the root causes of conflict. Notable officials emphasized community collaboration as crucial for sustainable peace.
The Government of South Sudan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, has inaugurated two significant peacebuilding initiatives aimed at mitigating community violence and enhancing resilience in conflict-impacted regions. Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), these projects aim to empower local communities, particularly youth and women, to engage in peace efforts actively.
The first initiative, dubbed “Community Violence Reduction Partnerships with White Nile and Sobat River Communities,” is designed to improve security along the White Nile and Sobat River corridor. With a funding of USD 4 million, the project will extend over 36 months, focusing on reintegrating conflict-affected youth, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering social cohesion through trauma healing and psychosocial support.
The second initiative, “Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism in East Africa,” encompasses efforts across South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. With a budget of USD 4.8 million, it aims to boost community resilience and social unity, particularly among youth and women. This project will be executed in Eastern Equatoria, Warrap State, and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
During the launch in Juba, Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding, stressed the necessity of community-centered approaches to ensure sustainable peace. He remarked, “This project is very important and timely because it is community-centered. We must go beyond violence reduction and aim to end community violence entirely.”
Mohamed Abchir, UNDP South Sudan’s Resident Representative, underlined the significance of cooperative efforts to tackle the root causes of violence. He stated that these projects underscore a collective commitment to fostering reconciliation and equipping communities, especially youth, ex-combatants, and women, with the necessary resources for a peaceful future. He acknowledged the ongoing support from the Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA.
Additionally, Pia Philip, the undersecretary at the peacebuilding ministry, emphasized community involvement in the projects, aiming to bolster resilience among youth and women while addressing the challenges posed by local checkpoints. He indicated, “Today marks an important step toward achieving sustainable peace through community engagement.”
Further, the Peacebuilding Fund initiative will focus on promoting peace education, countering hate speech, and enhancing economic opportunities for youth and women, while addressing conflict drivers with innovative strategies for violence management. The Ministry of Peacebuilding reiterated its intention to collaborate with civil society and local communities to ensure project success.
The launch of these vital initiatives occurs at a pivotal moment for South Sudan, as the nation grapples with ongoing community violence and instability. These projects are anticipated to yield socio-economic opportunities, trauma recovery, and reconciliation support, ultimately enabling communities to achieve greater self-reliance and resilience.
The launch of the two significant peacebuilding projects by the Government of South Sudan, in conjunction with UNDP and UNICEF, represents a strategic initiative to address community violence and encourage resilience. These efforts, focused on empowering youth and women, aim to foster sustainable peace through community engagement and collaboration. As South Sudan continues to confront instability, these projects are poised to deliver essential socio-economic benefits and promote reconciliation, ensuring a more secure future for its citizens.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
