South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
The Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission In South Sudan, WATANABE Tomoko said that Japan will continue to provide support for the efforts of self-sustainment of the South Sudanese people and help the lives of the most vulnerable people including women and children.
“Japan’s efforts in supporting South Sudan’s effort for durable peace and nation building will continue and Japan has been actively assisting South Sudan’s effort for durable peace and nation building since its independence,” Tomoko said on Tuesday in Juba.
Tomoko attended the closing ceremony organized to empower newly arrived female internally displaced persons to ensure food security and peace consolidation in South Sudan held in Rejaf Payam.
She said that Japan is confident that South Sudan will complete the peace agreement.
“It is my pleasure to join you this morning. I am happy to witness further progress of IDPs and host-community women in progress in South Sudan. About eighty women have gained their skills to generate income to their family through workshops on EDP, Entrepreneurial Development Programme, and VSLS, Village Savings and Loan Association’s Savings,” she said.
Tomoko added it is their time to stand up and provide training to other IDPs and host community especially women to expand their businesses despite the support and number of targeted people being small.
“I was just given an opportunity to see the motorcycle, grinder, peanut peeler, and new label designed for Mazza oil and peanut butter. Thanks to UNIDO, women in Rejaf Payam can now stand on their own feet to feed their families,” she said.
On 20 February, 2024, the Embassy of Japan participated in a closing ceremony of the Japan-funded project “Empowering newly arrived female internally displaced persons to ensure food security and peace consolidation in South Sudan”.
The Project was implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with support from Mazarello Women Promotion Center located in Don Bosco, Gumbo, Rejaf Payam.
At least 80 vulnerable female IDPs, mainly newly arrived ones, from Eastern Equatoria’s Magwi County and their host communities were trained to start up income generating activities in production of edible oil and other processed foods.
The government of Japan funded 303,000 U.S dollar from March 2023 to February 2024, and is pleased to contribute to the peace consolidation of South Sudan.
The event was witnessed by stakeholders, including the Director General of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Leo Okwachi and Chairperson of South Sudan National Bureau of Standards Hon. Dr Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel.
