Darfur Beyond Peacekeeping: UNDP and UNICEF Launch $3 Million Integrated Peacebuilding and Development Project in Golo, Jebel Marra

July 30, 2018

Form right: H.E Jeremiah Mamabolo - UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Mr. Abdullah A. Fadil - Representative, UNICEF Sudan, H.E. Idris Suliman - Sudan Ministry of International Cooperation, Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Sudan Country Director, H.E. Mohamed Ahmed - Deputy Governor of Central Darfur State.

 

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

 

Khartoum, 29 July 2018: The Government of Sudan, UNDP and UNICEF have launched a new joint peacebuilding project “Sustainable Returns and Peacebuilding through Durable Solutions and Rule of Law” in Golo, Jabel Marra one of the conflict-affected areas in Darfur.

With USD $3 million funding from the UN Peace Building Fund (PBF) Support Office in New York, the project will provide support to people in Golo for sustainable returns and peacebuilding for a period of 18 months. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with UNAMID, local authorities and communities starting July 2018.

This is the first-ever integrated development and peacebuilding intervention in Golo. The project has two main pillars – supporting informal and formal institutions and mechanisms for rule of law, while providing multi-sectoral support to people including IDP returnees. Components include enhancing community based mediation and reconciliation capacity; legal empowerment of local communities; community policing; child protection institutions and networks; youth volunteers for recovery works; agricultural irrigation and development support; livelihood for nomadic communities; support to education facilities and access to safe drinking water.

“This project is the beginning of what we hope for Darfur in terms of peace and development. We hope to mobilize more resources to ensure that such productive communities can be resilient.” Said Mr. Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative and acting UN Resident Coordinator. “I am glad to see that this project, in addition to providing basic services like education, water and sanitation, protection and livelihoods opportunities, also aims to strengthen mechanisms for closer partnerships between communities and local authorities.”

UNAMID Joint Special Representative Mr. Jeremiah Mamabolo stated that “We are highly encouraged by what we see today. This is a critical time for Darfur, we need to take into account the need for durable solutions to ensure stability for the people of Darfur. We are looking forward to more projects of this nature that provide sustainable developmental solutions to revive Darfur and Sudan. Sudan deserves to take its place among the world.”

Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Country Director stated “This project has a huge impact on youth and adults – both men and women who need to be part of development activities and act as active agents for solutions in peacebuilding. Sustainable peace requires a comprehensive durable approach, and I am glad that the project will provide income generation opportunities, rule of law support and social services with capacity development for Sudanese as a unifying principle. It is not about humanitarian or development support. People need both.” Affirmed Mr. Ramachandran.

The UN calls for further funding from donors to invest in the greater Jebel Marra area to prevent conflicts and facilitate sustainable peace.

Minister of International Cooperation Ambassador Idris Suliman stated that “ The uniqueness of this project stems from the fact that , for the first time there is a developmental project in Jebel Marra of a comprehensive nature. This project encompasses peacebuilding , provision of services as well as developmental aid. The project is multi-sectorial targeting youth, women and children, IDPs as well as host communities. This is the model which we wish for Darfur; one of recovery and stabilization.”

The United Nations established the Temporary Operation Base in Golo, Jebel Marra as per Security Council resolution 2363 in response to increasing tensions- in contrast to improving security situations in the rest of Darfur region-. The UN is committed to working with the Government of Sudan to promote peace and stability in Jebel Marra.

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For more information, please contact:

Yusra Salim, UNDP Communications Analyst, +249 18712 2103 yusra.salim@undp.org

Mai El Shoush, UNICEF Communication and Advocacy +2491 871888000 EXT 330 melshoush@unicef.org

About UNDP:

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram, or visit our official website.

About UNICEF:

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.