Transition and Recovery Update

Transcription

1 September 2013 IOM OIM IOM South Sudan Transition and Recovery Update IOM South Sudan s Transition and Recovery programming utilizes community-based peacebuilding and conflict mitigation strategies to foster communication and accountability within and between all sectors of society Transition and Recovery initiatives are designed to promote dialogue and boost local economies by facilitating trade and income generation, constructing or rehabilitating key infrastructure and raising awareness on the benefits of peace. IOM actively encourages the participation of beneficiaries, stressing the importance of peace for development and the necessity of assuming responsibility for the long-term maintenance of projects, within a framework of cooperation with government institutions. Nearly two million people have returned to South Sudan since 2007, straining the country s already limited resources and creating tensions with host communities. By focusing interventions on parts of the country that have experienced the highest levels of return and improving access to basic services for both returnees and host communities, Transition and Recovery activities help to create an environment for the successful reintegration of returnees. IOM s Transition and Recovery initiatives currently have an operating budget of over USD 18 million, with activities being carried out in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Jonglei, Lakes and Unity states, as well as in the Abyei area.

2 Reintegration Assistance to Returnee Communities in Counties of High Return With the support of the Government of Sweden, IOM is contributing to the sustainable reintegration of returnees in areas of high return by improving access to water and education. The project covers Aweil East and Twic counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states, respectively, where water and education were identified as priority needs by communities and relevant government authorities. IOM constructed/rehabilitated 18 water sources and distribution systems as well as 12 schools through this initiative, benefitting more than 130,000 individuals. As of August 2013, all of the water and school projects have been completed, and handover to local authorities is ongoing. Schools where children used to attend class outdoors now have newly constructed/rehabilitated classrooms, latrines and hand-washing facilities, as well as perimeter fencing. The rehabilitated schools include a secondary school in Warrap State, which has one of South Sudan s lowest secondary school enrollment rates with only 3% of boys and less than 1% of girls enrolled. To ensure that the benefits of this initiative extend beyond the short term, IOM has established and trained Parent-Teacher-Community Associations (PCTAs) and Water Management Committees (WMCs). These committees instill a sense of community ownership and sustainability. The PTCAs and WMCs took part in a one-day workshop in September 2013, facilitated by a UN gender expert, to discuss the roles of women in community committees as well as the importance of girls education. Handover of Bosyar Primary School in Aweil East County (top) PCTA members participate in gender awareness training (bottom) Peace and Stability Quick Impact Fund To foster peacebuilding and stability in high-risk areas along the South Sudan-Sudan border, the European Union Instrument for Stability and IOM initiated the Peace and Stability Quick Impact Fund Grants Programme (PSQIF) in The overall objective of the PSQIF is to provide quick, flexible and visible peacebuilding and stabilizing interventions that help create an environment for peaceful coexistence among communities in the border states, deterring future conflict while strengthening mutual confidence and trust among community members. The first phase of the programme ended in August During this phase, 17 community-based initiatives were supported, promoting community dialogue, rehabilitating key economic and social infrastructure such as marketplaces and boreholes, and disseminating peace messages through mass media. These initiatives were implemented by community-based organizations whose knowledge of and working experience with the target communities ensured relevant, effective interventions and sustainable results. Over 800,000 individuals benefitted from these interventions. Building on the success of the initial phase, IOM and the EU agreed to extend the PSQIF to Jonglei State. The component in Jonglei is supporting human rights training for soldiers (above photo), providing WASH support for vulnerable populations and working to build peace dialogue with an emphasis on the role of women in peace promotion. 2

3 Improving Water Supply for Returnees and Host Communities Funded by the Government of Japan, this project aims to meet urgent water needs in communities affected by the arrival of large numbers of returnees. The project targets areas in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Unity states that are among the most affected by the continued arrivals of returnees as well as by recurrent conflict and flooding. An estimated 89,000 individuals will benefit from these interventions. Twenty eight boreholes for communities that have limited access to potable water will be provided through this project. To date, 22 boreholes have been completed, delivering water to an estimated 69,400 people. Unfinished water distribution systems in Aweil, the capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, will also be rebuilt under this project. These projects are considered to be of vital importance by local authorities, as they will serve populations in two state capitals with some of the highest return rates in the country. IOM staff inspect the water distribution system in Bentiu Improved access to water reduces the risk of water-borne disease and allows communities to practice better personal hygiene. It also reduces the burden on women and children who are often responsible for fetching water for their families, allowing them to engage in other productive activities such as farming and study. Additionally, the project contributes to the improvement of the learning environment at three primary schools by repairing broken boreholes used by students. DDR Pilot Reintegration Project Drawing on IOM s extensive Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) experience, this project aims to promote peacebuilding in the states of Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes and Warrap, where ex-combatants will be reintegrated as part of a pilot initiative led by the National DDR Commission (NDDRC) and funded by the World Bank. IOM is working with the NDDRC to implement the community support component of the DDR Reintegration Pilot Project. This component aims to contribute to the sustainable reintegration of ex-combatants by working with communities where they will settle. Smallscale infrastructure projects, such as water system rehabilitation or marketplace upgrades, will be implemented in eight to ten communities in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal for the benefit of both the host population and ex-combatants. A total of roughly 300 ex-combatants are included in the overall DDR pilot initiative. 3

4 Special Focus: Abyei Administrative Area A tapstand is constructed near a recently rehabilitated primary school in Abyei The Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative began in January 2013 in response to dire needs in the Abyei area stemming from armed conflict in the lead up to and following the referendum on South Sudan in 2011, as well as longstanding tensions between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka tribal groups. In order to make potential returns sustainable, when and as they occur, the rehabilitation of public infrastructure in Abyei is vital. Through the USAID-supported Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative, priority infrastructure including schools, health clinics and potable water systems has been rehabilitated in coordination with returnee communities in order to ensure that those who do choose to return have access to adequate basic services. The project also provides assistance to Misseriya pastoralists by rehabilitating water yards along established migratory routes in the Abyei area. Four schools in total have been rehabilitated through the initiative. One school has been opened to date, and is currently attended by approximately 200 boys and girls. Local authorities plan to open the other three schools at the start of the next semester. PTCAs have been established for each of the rehabilitated schools. In addition, four clinics and one hospital in the Abyei area have been rehabilitated. Abyei Hospital, the largest health care facility in the area, is currently staffed and operational, providing vitally-needed public health services. Following the end of the rainy season, four additional projects are planned under the Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative, including the rehabilitation of the Traditional Authorities Center and the Abyei Primary School for Girls. Infrastructure repairs to prepare for the return to the marketplace following the unrest in May 2013 are planned as well. IOM is currently working with local officials and community representatives to identify a group of projects to improve living conditions in Abyei through a programme financed by the Government of the Netherlands. These projects are also set to commence when the rains subside. 4

5 Immigration and Border Management South Sudan inherited one of the weakest border and migration management regimes in Africa following its independence. In response to these needs, IOM has developed a strong partnership with South Sudan s Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration (DNPI) and the Ministry of Interior to improve immigration and border management practices and policies. Through the support of the Government of Japan, IOM s capacity building approach seeks to facilitate migration in support of development needs and enhance national and regional security. As a key component of this partnership, IOM is providing training for new DNPI cadets on effective immigration and border management practices. The training covers practical skills, including document examination and forgery detection, as well as such topics as human trafficking and international immigration standards. The most recent round of training was completed in August To date the project has trained 300 new officers on border management, 107 of whom have received additional training on migration management, covering various aspects of border control and transnational crime. The newly trained immigration officers are being deployed to various duty stations, including the challenging border regions with the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia, where IOM is constructing and equipping 14 new border posts. Each border post will be equipped with communications and A training session for newly graduated immigration officers (top) Workers construct a post at the Ugandan border (bottom) document examination equipment, and will be electronically linked with existing border posts and the Juba headquarters through the IOM-developed Personal Identification and Registration System (PIRS). Solar energy is being utilized to provide power at each of these newly-constructed border posts. As of August 2013, six border posts have been constructed and are in the process of being equipped. Future immigration training will take place at the new Immigration Training Academy being constructed by IOM in Juba. Construction of the academy is expected to be completed by the end of October. A training expert will be appointed in September who will undertake a needs assessment, develop training modules and conduct a training of trainers session. In addition, a study tour for senior government officials is planned in partnership with IOM s African Capacity Building Center based in Tanzania, in order to facilitate regional cooperation in border management and to inform the government s policy making in border management. IOM South Sudan s Transition and Recovery & Border Management initiatives are supported by: European Union Instrument for Stability The Government of Japan The Kingdom of the Netherlands The World Bank IOM South Sudan iomjuba@iom.int 5