A new project aimed at promoting peace, environmental protection and economic growth has been launched in Yei River County, targeting 3,000 people in Yei and Lainya counties of Central Equatoria State.
The Organization for Agricultural Opportunities (OFAO), in partnership with the Community Development Centre (CDC), unveiled the Sustainable Peace, Environment and Economic Development (SPEED) project on Thursday. The initiative will run for one year.
Henry Mundele, OFAO programs manager, said the project will use a “triple nexus” approach linking humanitarian assistance, development and peacebuilding to help communities address conflict, protect the environment and improve livelihoods.
“The project aims to improve resilience, sustainable livelihoods and peace in communities affected by displacement and climate change in Yei and Lainya,” Mundele said.
Barnabus Samuel, co-founder of CDC, called for collaboration to ensure the project brings meaningful change. “This project is going to bring a lot of change, which is why we call it SPEED. Economic development is a key part of it,” he said.
Rose Doru Simbe, director of Yei Town Payam, welcomed the initiative and urged transparency and proper coordination with local authorities. “Support for the people must be transparent. If there is any problem, tell us early,” she said.
Isaac Peter Zakayo, Yei local government inspector, warned chiefs against registering relatives as project beneficiaries. “We will follow up on any such cases,” he said.
The project will work through local structures, including social and economic empowerment groups, natural resource management committees and Village Savings and Loan Associations. Small grants will support green businesses, with beneficiaries selected through a vetting process.
In Yei, the project will target six bomas. In Lainya, it will focus on Kupera Payam, covering Mundu, Korobe and Kupera bomas, and Mukaya Payam, covering Loriga, Dimu One and Mukaya bomas.