UNHCR hands over support projects in W. Equatoria state

August 23, 2015 (YAMBIO) – The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said it handed over two projects meant for the host communitied of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, announcing further cooperation with the state and local authorities.

This came days after the UNHCR representative in the country, then acting governor, Clement Mbugoniwia and state minister for education, Phillip Pia inaugurated two primary schools located in Nzara and Yambio counties of Western Equatoria state.

Two vehicles, officials said, were also donated to the education ministry as well as that of the local government and local enforcement.

Last week, UNHCR announced it had successfully completed the distribution of emergency relief items to an estimated 25,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), in Western Equatoria state, many of whom lost almost everything in the recent violence.

The operation, it said, targeted 5,000 vulnerable families who were driven from their homes in Maridi town in early June when conflict between cattle keepers and farmers triggered ethnic violence, in which 14 people were killed and properties destroyed.

“UNHCR conducted focus group discussions with the affected population to understand the needs on the grounds and engaged the population on protection themes,” the agency said in a brief statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

According to UNHCR, most the displaced people had demanded for shelter, food, form tools and education for their children, adding, “Family tracing and creation of conditions conducive for return were the main protection priorities raised by the population”.

(ST)