(MALAKAL) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Upper Nile State and other UN agencies, has officially launched a peacebuilding project worth USD 3 million (approx. 13.8 billion South Sudanese Pounds) to support peace and social cohesion in one of South Sudan’s most conflict-affected regions.
The initiative was launched on Thursday in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State. It aims to promote sustainable reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities by enhancing access to livelihoods, housing, basic services, and local governance structures.
According to UNDP Programme Advisor Natacha Kunama, the funding comes from the UN Peacebuilding Fund and targets some of the deepest social and humanitarian challenges in Upper Nile. She said the project was designed to respond to the long-standing impacts of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters, including floods, that have undermined community stability in the area.
“Upper Nile has faced repeated cycles of violence and displacement. These have affected social cohesion, disrupted access to land and services, and weakened the capacity of communities to recover,” Kunama said during the launch event. “Over 40,000 people remain in the Malakal Protection of Civilians site, and more have recently arrived from Sudan due to conflict there, adding pressure to the already limited services.”
She noted that the project is “timely and strategic,” developed through community consultation, and aligned with both state and national priorities. It is expected to promote inclusive governance by involving displaced populations, women, youth, and minority groups in decision making.
Key areas of focus will include:
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Skills and Livelihood Development
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Access to Adequate Housing and Community Infrastructure
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Inclusive Local Governance and Trust Building
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Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Social Cohesion
The project will run for 24 months and is intended to serve as a foundation for long term stability and development.
Pia Philip Michael, Undersecretary at the National Ministry of Peacebuilding, highlighted that the project marks a transition from reliance on humanitarian aid to sustainable development.
“This is the beginning of a new journey for Upper Nile. While other parts of South Sudan are moving toward development, Upper Nile has lagged behind due to conflict. This project is a crucial first step,” Michael said.
He acknowledged the relatively small scale of the initiative but emphasised its potential to pave the way for broader progress in the state.
Speaking at the same event, Nyanuer William Nyuon, Acting State Minister of Peacebuilding in Upper Nile, described the complexity of rebuilding unity in a region affected by past administrative divisions. She said the legacy of the 32-state arrangement has continued to cause tension in the area.
“The division into 32 states split Upper Nile into five parts, and bringing these communities back together remains a major challenge,” Nyuon said. “We are also dealing with unresolved land disputes, gaps in health infrastructure, and now a growing number of refugees and returnees from Sudan.”
The project launch comes at a time when the region faces significant demographic and economic pressures, with returnees joining communities already hosting large IDP populations.
Authorities say the intervention will not only improve service delivery and governance but also create space for reconciliation and healing among formerly divided communities.
