The European Union, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), signed an $18 million regional program project to support refugees and returnees who fled violence in Sudan.
The regional programme funded by the European Union aims at supporting Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan due to the influx of refugees in their territories.
Addressing the media on Monday, the European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Timo Olkkonen, said the conflict in Sudan has triggered unceasing suffering, prompting people to flee their homes for safety in the neighbouring countries.
“On behalf of the EU, I am proud to be here today to sign this important agreement with UNHCR and IOM. The regional programme covers Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan and provides 17 million EUR to support these countries in welcoming people forced to flee because of the war in Sudan. The conflict is causing unspeakable suffering to the people in Sudan, but it is equally taking its toll on neighbouring countries in multiple ways,” Olkkonen said.
“Economies are very much interconnected, above all in the border areas, and the economic impact has so far been rather severe. South Sudan, as we all know, is economically interdependent with Sudan and the protracted conflict increases economic risks,” he added.
He said the funding would provide concrete support to the countries hosting the refugees.
“The war in Sudan is taking its toll on South Sudan and other neighbouring countries alike. This new funding reaffirms the EU’s willingness to provide tangible support to host countries. Through this regional programme, the EU intends to be forward-looking and ambitious in its response to the displacement crisis, complementing lifesaving humanitarian interventions with early-on, longer-term development support,” Olkkonen added.
He noted that the programme aids in integrating the returnees and will revamp their living setbacks.
“The programme aims at including refugees and returnees in service delivery systems while improving their livelihoods and ensuring peaceful coexistence with host communities, in synergy with other EU-funded initiatives on forced displacement. It will improve the living conditions of those forced to flee and, at the same time, contribute to security and stability in the region,” he stressed.
However, Marie Helene, the UNHCR representative, underscored the enormous role played by South Sudan in hosting refugees, adding that humanitarian action is not sufficient to address the refugees-returnees’ needs.
“South Sudan has always been a generous host to refugees and is keeping its doors open to those fleeing the conflict in Sudan. This contribution is a demonstration of solidarity with South Sudan and the communities that are now hosting refugees and returnees,” she stated.
“Humanitarian action alone is not enough to address the enormous needs; early engagement of development partners such as the EU is welcome and needed to help people rebuild their life and restore their dignity and self-reliance,” Helene emphasised.
According to her, the funding will be used to provide livelihood support, particularly to youth and women including training on financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, as well as support to access funds to set up businesses. Farmers will also receive climate-resilient seeds, as well as training on topics such as food processing and conservation, business management, marketing and commercialization.
Meanwhile, John McCue, IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission, stressed that the programme is an appropriate step in the humanitarian-development and peace-building processes.
“This funding, received at the start of the emergency, is a good example of the humanitarian, development and peace nexus and provides the displaced population with direct support to restart their lives more sustainably,” he said.
The war which broke out on 15, April 2023, has triggered a massive displacement, forcing 1.3 million refugees, returnees, and asylum seekers to flee Sudan into the neighbouring countries. By , City Review
