The goal is to address and mitigate human rights abuses, conflicts, and challenges with essential social services along the border, which greatly affect refugees and host communities.
Security officials in South Sudan and Uganda have pledged to
ensure safe and secure entry and exit for refugees from South Sudan. The goal
is to address and mitigate human rights abuses, conflicts, and challenges with
essential social services along the border, which greatly affect refugees and
host communities.
The
initiative is being supported by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) through
the Cross-border Opportunities for Migration, Peace, and Self-Sustenance
(COMPASS) project. The project aims to work with almost 73,000 people in the
Eastern Equatorial region of South Sudan and refugee settlements in Northern
Uganda.
The collaborative initiative for peace-building, protection, and
livelihoods will run for three years and is funded by the European Union,
UNOPS, and Bread for the World, with a total of EUR 1.2 million.
Jennifer
Adong, LWF Programs Manager for Lamwo district, expressed concern during an
interview about the lack of and denial of social services to refugees as they
transit to the two countries.
//Cue in: ‘’before the
inception…
Cue out: …cross border
movement.’’//
Phoebe
Akullu, the Settlement Commandant for Palabek under the Office of the Prime
Minister (OPM), emphasized the need for coordination on the security and protection
of refugees and host communities.
//Cue in: ‘’sometimes
also when…
Cue out: …a hard
time,"//
Geoffrey
Osborn Oceng, Lamwo Resident District Commissioner, stated that incoming and
outgoing refugees have often been denied access to essential services such as
health, education, water, and agricultural production, which he believes the
initiative will address.
He also disclosed that Uganda has signed a pact with
South Sudan for harmonious coexistence while working together to foster peace
and security.
//Cue in: ‘’We did
sign…
Cue out: …in these
areas.’’//
Akileo
Mboya, Commissioner of Budi County in the Eastern Equatorial in South Sudan,
pledged to ensure safe and healthy cross-border working relationships.
Emmy Daniel Ojara
Freelancer