UN team visits Torit to lay the ground for development
The leaders of the UN Mission in South Sudan have arrived in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, after weeks of brutal warfare in several sections of the state, particularly Magwi County.
According to the press secretary in Governor Louis Lobong’s office, the joint high-level solidarity team led by the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General is in the state to assess the Eastern Equatoria State development priorities as a one-stop-shop for project implementation in the state.
The team comprised the UN secretary-general deputy special representative, the country representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the country representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Lobong briefed the UN delegation on the state’s position and urged them to assist the state government in restoring peace through development.
“With the challenges here and there, Eastern Equatoria is ready for development,” said Lobong.
Sara Nyanti, the Secretary General’s Deputy Special Representative, said they are in Torit with the intention of looking at what is needed to move the state forward.
Dr. Samuel Doe, UNDP Resident Representative, stated that the UN and its partners are ready to explore development programs in Eastern Equatoria State.
Last month, the UN High Commission for Refugees reopened its headquarters in Torit, with a UNHCR team led by Arafat Jamal, the country’s representative, to assess the needs of individuals returning from refugee camps to rebuild their houses in all eight counties of Eastern Equatoria State.
Lobong informed the UNHCR special envoy that if the necessary facilities and humanitarian support are in place, a huge number of people will return. He encouraged development partners to assist people coming home to rebuild their lives.
UNHCR’s Special Envoy to the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) commended South Sudan for returning its integrity with the progress the parties to the revitalised peace agreement have made and has urged them to do more to implement the agreement as it was designed.
He stated that the massive return of South Sudanese to their homes necessitates the help of everyone, including the international community, in order to create progress for the country’s population. He noted that people returning to South Sudan voluntarily demonstrate that there is hope, which pushes others to return.
“As an international community, I think it is time we meaningfully partner with the people of South Sudan.” Amb. Affey stressed
According to research conducted with the government’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission and NGO partners, about 400,000 South Sudanese refugees have returned to neighbouring countries in a self-organized way since 2018.
