UN Pledges Developmental Projects Continuous Support In South Sudan

Peter Lokale Nakimangole

TORIT, 27 April 2015 [Gurtong] – The UN Development Programme Resident Representative, Toby Lanzer said in a statement that his key UN agencies notably Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will continue to spearhead development efforts in the country’s South Sudan.

He explained, “Since independence the United Nations and its agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have worked in support of the people of South Sudan and key institutions of the world’s youngest country. Our work has continued throughout the crisis which has enveloped the nation since December 2013."

Citing technical support provided to the aid coordination office in the ministry of finance to better account for humanitarian funding flowing into country over the last few years, the UN Coordinator Lanzer said that his Agency (UN) has continued to work in key areas such as economic planning and finance, law and reconciliation While the country’s ongoing conflict over the past 16 months had affected funding flows from development partners and donor communities.

Apart from provisions of financial, organisational and management support to the national Platform for peace and reconciliation to carry out its crucial work to reduce tensions between key communities, Lanzer further recorded completion of the construction of Juba University’s college of law, training for key personnel in criminal justice and case management, as well as the provision of legal texts as some of its other development projects' achievements it undertook during the year.

He revealed that in coming months, the UN will work towards the acceleration of engagement with the ministry of labour and key institutions in seven states to match civil servants from neighbouring countries with their counterparts, as well as the expansion of its collaboration with the Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Mr. Lanzer clarified that other agencies in the United Nations family here in South Sudan continue to work on important development initiatives, in particular in the crucial areas of agriculture, education and health.