Mr. Sven Kuehn speaking at the EU conference hall in Juba during the launch of the PSQIF [©Gurtong/ Waakhe Wudu]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 11th May 2012 [Gurtong]
Referred to as “Peace and Stability Quick Impact Fund (PSQIF)” and to be administered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM); the fund aims at fostering peace and stabilization in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Unity and Warrap States.
“It will support quick projects that will foster the conditions on the ground to create peaceful co-existence among communities in the border region States that will deter the likelihood of future conflict outbreak,” Sven Kuehn Von, Head of the EU Delegation to South Sudan said.
He said the project will specifically be targeted towards meeting urgent and reconstruction needs in the immediate post conflict phase, contributing to the resumption of normal life in post-conflict societies; promoting employment and boosting the local economy; and visibly demonstrating the benefits of stability and peace.
Military conflicts between the Sudan and South Sudan broke out since March this year along the border regions displacing thousands of civilians and worsening humanitarian situation in the country.
According to the United Nations office for Coordination and Humanitarian Affairs, at least 20,000 civilians have been displaced in the South Sudanese States bordering Sudan as a result of these conflicts.
Kuehn said the European Union has also allocated eighteen million Euros to cater for similar situation in the affected States of Sudan. He said establishing peace between Sudan and South Sudan depends on many factors including the provision of social stability.
“This entails the need to provide the resources and opportunities for social stability, and means of delivering peace and dividends to potential ‘spoilers’ particularly in areas where friction between the South and North is most likely to occur,” he added.
However, activists are still concerned if the project will yield positive outcomes with critical peace initiatives yet to be implemented. Edmond Yakani is the Program Coordinator of Community Empowerment for Program Organization (CEPO), he said unless the EU sets strong mechanisms in place to monitor the implementation, the project will not benefit the affected persons.
Kuehn said that the PSQIF is set for 18 months, and is also programmed to be implemented through competent National and International organizations under the administration of the IOM.