Arop Jonchol
By Emmanuel Michael Garjiek
Over the weekend, the Government of Eastern Equatoria State, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programmed (UNDP), launched a USD 800,000 peacebuilding and violent extremism prevention project in Torit.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) funds the three-year project, which aims to benefit around 3,600 people in five counties: Ikotos, Magwi, Torit, Kapoeta South, and BUDI. The project would empower young people and women in productive activities like as sports, business, farming, and capacity building, among others, to help them become self-sufficient.
Speaking during the event, Eastern Equatoria State Peacebuilding Minister Marko Lokidor Lochapio emphasised the importance of completing the project as soon as possible in order to reduce violence and foster peace.
“We need UNDP to take very firm decisions in the execution of this project soon so that the beneficiaries can begin doing the work,” he said. “We need this project to kick off very first so that we can achieve the objectives within the timeframe. We need your support wherever there is an issue. With these few remarks, this project is officially launched.”
Mary Juwa, head of the state assembly’s peacebuilding committee, stated that the project will enhance livelihoods by engaging numerous youth and women.
“The project is very huge for three years and we in Eastern Equatoria are the lucky people who have been chosen, especially the youth and women,” she said. “We will not think of raiding cattle now but plan to improve our standard of living.”
The donor representative, Olivia, who chatted online from the diaspora, stated that the project will train and provide seed funds to 80 percent of women and youth to be self-sufficient.
“How are we going to respond to the economic crisis? We are going to be using community-based integration and support to livelihoods, so we will be providing seed grants to the local communities,” she said. “We will also train the targeted beneficiaries, and the youth will be able to get some machines to implement livelihood activities so that they become sustainable when the project ends or even before.”
Meanwhile, Mario Odiongo, chairperson of the Ikotos County Peace Committee and a project beneficiary, praised UNDP and the financing community for starting the initiative.
“This project is going to help women and youth to increase their production, not only for consumption but also for sale to support school fees, medication, and buying clothes for children,” he stated. “We appreciate UNDP for bringing this project to our Eastern Equatoria State.”
