The Government of Eastern Equatoria State, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), over the weekend launched a peacebuilding and preventing violent extremism project in Torit.
The project, which will last 36 months and cost USD 4.8 million, will be implemented across the country.
In Eastern Equatoria State, the project will target up to 2,700 beneficiaries through livelihood
activities and community-based reintegration, of which 50 percent are women, in the counties of Torit, Magwi, Ikotos, and Kapoeta
East and Kapoeta South.
Speaking at the launch, Eastern Equatoria State Peacebuilding Minister Marko Lokidor Lochapio urged for the speedy execution of the project to check violence and promote peaceful coexistence.
“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.”
For her part, Mary Juwa, the chairperson for peacebuilding committee at state assembly, said the project will improve livelihoods as it will engage many 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 UNDP statement mentioned that community-based reintegration will provide alternative
livelihood to beneficiaries and will enhance community resilience and
improve socio-economic capacities and strengthen livelihoods.
“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, the chairperson of the Ikotos County Peace Committee and a target beneficiary of the project, lauded UNDP and the funding community for launching the project.
“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.”