IOM, Norway ink $5 million project to resettle IDPs in Wau
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Norway on Monday inked agreement to tune of 5 million U.S dollars to help resettle internally displaced people in Wau town of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
“I am proud to announce our agreement with IOM to support durable solutions for Internally displaced people in Wau town, over the next three years Norway has committed 5 Million USD to IOMs project in Wau,” said Linken Nymann Berryman, Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan during press conference held at the Norway Embassy in Juba.
Nymann said the project will cover local integration, return or relocation of IDPs to a third location within South Sudan.
She said that population movements are very controversial in South Sudan, adding that IDPs under this project will be provided support to make informed decisions on the durable solution they would like to pursue.
South Sudan has over 2.2 million people displaced within the country.
“The project is unique as it brings together all stakeholders, ensuring ownership at government and community level; in linking humanitarian and development support; in providing long term, sustainable solutions for displaced populations,” said Nymann.
Peter Van der Auweraert, IOM Country Representative welcomed the support from the Norwegian government.
“I am very happy that Norway has decided to support the implementation of the roadmap of the internally displaced people in Wau, when you look at the last few years in South Sudan we have actually seen more and more camps being created many people are displaced because of the conflict and floods,” said Auweraert.
He said they have been seeking durable solutions to find alternative areas for resettling IDPs in areas where there is peace and stability.
“Around 10,000 are going to benefit and community living around Wau will also benefit from this project. If this camp goes everything will go down like poverty, insecurity,” he said.
Auweraert hailed the project as the first of it’s kind in the country as it will enable them to close the two IDP camps in Wau.
“It’s very important to the people of South Sudan so that these people rebuild their lives and be independent from humanitarian aid and depend on their own by making their own livelihood , build their permanent home, when we finish this there will no more displaced camps in Wau,” he said.
