Damazin, February 24th, 2016- The Sudan Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SDDRC), the Governor (Wali) of Blue Nile State Mr. Hussien Yasien Hamad, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), arranged a high level visit to Damazin, Blue Nile State, with H.E. Ambassador of Japan Mr. Hideki Ito to witness firsthand progress of the Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) activities and stabilization efforts in Damazin and Azaza community in Blue Nile State.
Due to years of tension in Blue Nile state, communities remain at risk of being drawn back into the protracted conflict. The Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) aims to create stability and resilience in vulnerable communities. C2SP will achieve this through creating diversified alternative livelihoods, providing socioeconomic infrastructure and capacitating communities to manage their community infrastructure in an environment conducive to graduated small arms control to reduce the occurrence of armed conflicts and loss of life. C2SP envisions long-term peace and stability including cross-border cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan to enhance stability in the bordering communities.
The delegation visited a dairy products manufacturing project; an initiative for women empowerment in addition to fishery and agriculture projects targeting vulnerable youth and a bakery project for people with disability (PWD) to stimulate the rural economy. The visit allowed interaction with various stakeholders and beneficiaries to assess progress and discuss on the ground challenges to support community security, stabilization, peace, and development
“I am very pleased today to be part of this mission to witness the C2SP’s impact on the ground” H.E Mr. Ito Ambassador of Japan stated in his speech. “Japan recognizes the significance of the Community Security and Stabilization Programme as it assists in creating appropriate and sustainable atmosphere for peace as well as its positive impact on the conflict-affected societies. Therefore, Japan is always keen to assist the tremendous efforts of Sudan DDR Commission that help to overcome the tension in the area and region.”
Reiterating Japan’s support to C2SP, His Excellency recently endorsed Japan’s 2nd commitment by declaring a future contribution worth 2 million U.S. dollars to C2SP programme, “I hope it will help stabilize further these vulnerable communities through enhancing their livelihood and self-sustaining development. That will enable people to think, plan and believe in their future. Their belief in the future will definitely consolidate peace.”
Last year, the first contribution of 2.5 million US dollars from the Government of Japan to C2SP marked a firm commitment towards stability and peace-building by strengthening resilience of communities that are affected by the conflict or are at higher risk of being drawn into conflict. Thanks to Japan’s contribution, UNDP continues to support the strengthening of target community resilience focusing on unemployed youth with conflict carrying capacities, at-risk women, refugees, returnees and IDPs through C2SP interventions.
Japan’s further contribution ensures that UNDP Sudan will be able to continue to create positive impacts in creating employment opportunities for youth with conflict carrying capacities, at-risk women and IDPs and refugees. By encouraging and supporting economic growth and stability throughout conflict sensitive areas in Sudan, UNDP Sudan, alongside government partner - SDDRC - and the Government of Japan anticipate to create a long-standing solid partnership and a pathway for the stable development of Sudan.
For more information, please contact Ms. Afra Osman: e-mail: afra.tagelsir@undp.org