UN-Habitat’s projects in South Sudan show that infrastructure and participatory planning provide a preventative – rather than curative – approach to long-term conflict resolution and peace building.
This book illustrates a settled community of Turkana people, already at the 3rd or 4th generation of lifestyle shift.
Juba, South Sudan, February 05 2016 - A delegation from the Government of Japan led by Ambassador Kiya Masahiko made a visit to the UN-Habitat project in Gureii to inspect the ongoing work to provide clean water and sanitation, livelihood to over 10,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), community residents and measures to
Juba 9 December 2014 - UN-Habitat is providing safe water to people of South Sudan within a short period of time while having a positive impact in the lives of the residents. Ezo Kapoeta, Gok Machar counties are beneficiaries of the second phase Quick Impact Project. The project also offers capacity building for caretakers, training in operation & maintenance, hygiene awareness and sensitization.
Juba, 22 October 2014 - Random spatial growth, unplanned urban expansion as well as an increasing rural-urban migration are some of the most pressing issues mayors in South Sudan are grappling with, the country’s second national urbanization conference heard last week. Most of the mayors and town clerks who spoke at the Mayors’ Round-table were of the view that the national government should help them address these issues.
Juba 16 October 2014—The Second South Sudan Urbanisation Conference kicked off in Juba on Wednesday with speakers placing greater emphasis on better land governance practice in the urban areas.
Officially opening the meeting, the Speaker of the Council of Ministers Joseph Bul Chan set the mood when he rooted for an improved land governance system in South Sudan. “It is imperative that we have good land governance structures in our country. Land is at the core of development aspirations and there must be good system to utilise it.
Nairobi 9 May 2014—The partnership between UN-Habitat and The Coca-Cola company which seeks to promote water sustainability in selected countries around the world has been expanded to twelve after South Sudan signed up as a member of the initiative. Started in 2007,the “Golden Triangle Partnership for clean and safe water”, provides improved access to clean drinking water, sanitation and techniques that harvest groundwater and rainwater.
South Sudan has a population of 11.3 million according to the World Bank (2013). 50.6% of the population lives below the poverty line, with the poorest concentrated in rural areas. In urban areas, the figure is 24.4 percent (World Bank, 2011a).
South Sudan’s predominantly rural population has gradually been shifting to urban areas. Between 1972 and 2016 the proportion of the population living in urban areas increased from 8.6% to 18.8%. The magnitude of urban growth poses many challenges, exacerbated by dilapidated/destroyed infrastructure and services resulting from decades of war and marginalization. Infrastructure development and provision of amenities necessary to support the livelihoods of the population, have not been commensurate with the rise in the urban population. The country’s rapid urbanization, particularly its capital, Juba, calls for large scale urban planning and institutional capacity building of government institutions to be able to effectively plan and implement sustainable urban development initiatives in the country.
As the UN Agency mandated to promote sustainable urbanization, it is imperative that there be increased engagement between UN-Habitat and the government. The urban sector is a key driver of economic growth in South Sudan, due to its high potential to stimulate development and employment in secondary and tertiary sectors. It is also linked to the stimulation of other sectors such as infrastructure development, information and communication, tourism, and hospitality and financial services.
Re-settlement, reintegration of IDPs and returnees, and building their resilience: The anticipated outcome is IDPs, returnees and the host communities living peacefully together and accessing basic services. This is in line with priority area (III) of the United Nations Country Framework (UNCF) for South Sudan, i.e. Strengthening Social Services.
Land mediation, land governance and land administration: The anticipated outcome is to have land mediation and secure land tenure supporting peaceful co-existence and development in line with priority area (I) of the UNCF for South Sudan; Building Peace and Strengthening Governance.
National urban policy and physical planning for equitable development: This is to result in planned and sustainable urbanization to transform the lives of people in South Sudan; This is also in line with priority area (I) of the UNCF.
Housing and basic services through public works: The anticipated outcome is that basic services are meeting the needs of urban communities, and secondly that livelihoods are enhanced through employment in public works projects; in line with priority area (III) of the UNCF.
Livelihoods, local economic development, and youth empowerment: This component aims to result in the creation of conditions for sustainable livelihoods and urban economic development with a focus on improving the status of women and youth, in line with priority areas (II) and (IV) of the UNCF. (II) Improving Food Security and Recovering Local Economies, (IV) Empowering Women and Youth
Urban Population (2018): 19.6%
Urban Growth Rate (2015-2020): 4.10%
Capital: Juba
Major cities: Malakal, Wau, Pajok, Yei, Yambio, Aweil, Gogrial, Rumbek, Bor
Source: World Bank 2012
• Capacity Building for Land and Conflict Management in Southern Sudan To contribute to the more effective management of land-related disputes and conflicts in South Sudan. The programme will focus on critical interventions that will strengthen the capacity of key institutions to mitigate the risks of land-related disputes leading to conflict and to enable them to more effectively manage land disputes.
• Housing and Livelihood Support for Returnees in South Sudan Participatory settlement planning is applied in selected areas of the 3 targeted States where returnees will be settled, in support of their reintegration and of a slum upgrading/prevention effort. Basic housing units and urban services are provided, targeting the most vulnerable returnees in urban expansion areas. Trainings to returnees are delivered in low-cost and environmental-friendly SSB construction technology and they are engaged on construction activities to support their sustainable livelihoods.
• Quick Impact Project: Urban Water and Sanitation Project (UNMISS)
• Support to Sustainable reintegration of returnees in South Sudan To address immediate housing needs of displaced families after the revolution in Libya and assisting the ministry of housing with a short and medium term housing policy and technical support.
