SUDAN
Following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005 to end the over-20-year long civil war between the North and South Sudan, rehabilitation of the country has finally started. Over 4.2 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) are expected to return to Sudan. These people cannot easily make their way home since, not only their homes, but the infrastructure, including water supply system, electricity and schools were destroyed in the civil war.
Tetsuya Myojo (center) giving directions
at the well construction site.
(C)Peace Winds Japan
To deal with this situation, PWJ started gathering information from the beginning of 2006, and in May, conducted a field assessment to launch its support activities. The assessment revealed that in the southern Jongrei State, where the highest number of returnees from Sudanese refugee camps of the neighboring Kenya was expected, there was a delay in the reconstruction of the basic infrastructure and only a few number of NGOs were active in the area. PWJ judged the basic needs of water supply, better hygiene and education should be satisfied to promote the repatriation, thus PWJ decided to implement its support operations for Bor County in Jongrei State.
Residents happily gathered to
celebrate the completion of the well.
(C)Peace Winds Japan
PWJ begun its Sudan project in August and provided assistance for water supply and better hygiene. In the villages of Bor County, which have become homes for the returnees, 18 wells were built, using large excavators brought from neighboring Uganda. Training on the usage of the water pumps and maintenance of the wells were conducted, and maintenance tools were supplied.
In hygiene assistance, 8 toilets in public facilities were constructed. The soil in Bor County is sandy and crumbly thus it took time and effort to determine what kind of toilet structure could resist such soil texture and then to obtain suitable equipment. Although the construction schedule was delayed due to land claim problems concerning the sites for toilet installation, the construction work itself proceeded smoothly. Before handing over the toilets to the residents, PWJ plans to conduct hygiene promotion training for clean use of the facilities.
In Jongrei State, adequate assistance remains limited to the environs of its central city Bor because of the bad road conditions. PWJ has started local investigation in view of extending its support for water supply and hygiene system in 2007, not only for Bor County but also for Twic East County and Duc County.
|
Tetsuya Myojo (Field representative of PWJ Sudan Project) |