Since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, the new country has faced serious challenges in promoting peace and stability after decades of conflict and under-investment. In response to these challenges, IOM’s Transition and Recovery Unit was established to develop programs that address the root causes of instability and conflict in South Sudan.
Transition and Recovery programmes incorporate community-based peacebuilding and conflict mitigation strategies to foster communication and accountability within and between all sectors of society. Engaging community members in the development and implementation of projects promotes a sense of ownership and is crucial to creating successful, sustainable interventions. As such, IOM actively motivates the participation of project beneficiaries. This approach stresses the imperative of peace for development and the necessity of assuming responsibility for the long-term maintenance of projects, within a framework of cooperation with government institutions. By strengthening mutual confidence, trust and open dialogue in communities, it is hoped that future conflict can be defused and prevented.
In 2013, IOM’s Transition and Recovery Unit has an operating budget of over USD 18 million, with activities ongoing in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Unity States, as well as in the Abyei Area.