"A Letter from the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan"
2015/6/15
Vol. 2:Japan's Contribution to South Sudan through the United Nations and Other International Organizations
South Sudan gained independence on 9 July, 2011, as the youngest country in the world. The country confronts numerous challenges in the ongoing internal conflict and in socio-economic development; however, the United Nations and a host of other international organizations are tapping on their individual expertise and networks to assist South Sudan in various areas and to realize its peace and self-reliance.
A large number of Japanese nationals are active in the field at international organizations’ country offices based in South Sudan. They are 16 altogether; female members account for most, currently standing at 14. Their affiliations range from UNMISS to UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNMAS, UNOPS, ICRC, among others. 8 of those in operation joined these UN agencies through the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme arranged by the Government of Japan, while 4 others are alumni/alumnae of the Program for Human Resources Development for Peacebuilding in Hiroshima, commissioned by the Japanese Government. These schemes and initiatives greatly promote Japanese nationals’ contribution through international organizations.
In mid-May, soon after my arrival here, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of Crisis Response Unit at UNDP, made a visit to South Sudan and had an occasion to exchange views with Japanese staff at UN agencies, JICA, and Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Engineering Contingent at UNMISS. Having listened to their views expressed on South Sudanese development issues, policy options for future external assistance as well as modalities of collaboration among Japanese actors in the development field, I was fondly reminded of the richness of Japanese professionals’ expertise and their high level of contribution.
Ms. Nakamitsu speaking with Japanese nationals at UN agencies, JICA, and JSDF
A casual get-together among Japanese staff at UN agencies and the Embassy
In March 2015, the Government of Japan disbursed approximately 88 million dollars as part of the FY 2014 supplementary budget to assist South Sudan in humanitarian crisis through NGOs and international organizations, most of which are for operations in South Sudan. More than ten organizations work to implement activities using this fund, covering wide-ranging areas such as education, health, food relief, shelter, and reconciliation, to name a few. The aggregate humanitarian assistance since the political crisis broke out in December 2013 amounts to 112 million dollars.
In late May, I had a chance to visit a Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp in the capital Juba where Japan assists the people of South Sudan through UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). The reproductive health clinic in the camp target nearly 20,000 Internally-Displaced Persons and carry out safe delivery of 100 babies every day. I saw South Sudanese doctors, midwives, and other staff ensuring cleanliness of the facilities and devoting their life to the healthy well-being of the community. I also presided over the hand-over ceremony of medical equipment and materials at a UNFPA store in Juba Teaching Hospital. The international NGOs that mainly operate in the northern 3 states in partnership with UNFPA make sure that the medical kits, mattresses, solar-powered generators, etc., essential for safe delivery of babies, are shipped and managed well in the neediest remote areas. In March 2015, Japan disbursed 3.2 million dollars in assistance for UNFPA projects.
At the maternity clinic at a Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp hospital in Juba
Hand-over ceremony of medical equipment with international NGOs
Then, in early June, I flew to Yambio, Western Equatoria, to attend the launching ceremony for UNICEF’s “Back to Learning” campaign. The atmosphere at the event mobilizing thousands of pupils in school uniforms at the city’s public square was quite pleasantly overwhelming. The nationwide “Back to Learning” campaign is an initiative that targets 400,000 kids around the country currently out of school, of which 40,000 are found in Western Equatoria, and ensures that they have all necessary materials to come back to school. The most exhilarating moment was when State Governor himself took the lead at the podium to explain passionately and in plain words how much education matters to peace and development. Governor Bangasi, while leading the most important office in the state, is a dedicated student enrolled in graduate-level security studies programme, expecting to complete it by the end of this year. “I am still learning at my age. Everyone in Western Equatoria shall keep learning!”—the resounding vow gave me hope for the future of Western Equatoria. During the same trip, I also made a visit to Yambio State Hospital, accompanied by State Governor, State Health Minister, and Country Representative of UNICEF South Sudan, to inspect a newly-installed solar-powered water distribution system funded by Japan through UNICEF. The disbursement of funds for UNICEF this March amounted to 9.5 million dollars.
“Back to Learning” campaign launching event
Solar-powered water distribution system at Yambio State Hospital
Assistance through the United Nations and other international organizations has the advantage of promptly delivering specific services making full use of respective organizations’ specialties and vast networks. Projects implemented by those organizations convey the spirit and messages of the people of Japan, while Japanese nationals at UN agencies also work for them. I aspire to continue visiting Japan-funded UN agencies’ project sites and,
through engaging JICA and JSDF, roll out even more effective assistance programmes for South Sudan’s development and self-reliance of its people.
A large number of Japanese nationals are active in the field at international organizations’ country offices based in South Sudan. They are 16 altogether; female members account for most, currently standing at 14. Their affiliations range from UNMISS to UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNMAS, UNOPS, ICRC, among others. 8 of those in operation joined these UN agencies through the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme arranged by the Government of Japan, while 4 others are alumni/alumnae of the Program for Human Resources Development for Peacebuilding in Hiroshima, commissioned by the Japanese Government. These schemes and initiatives greatly promote Japanese nationals’ contribution through international organizations.
In mid-May, soon after my arrival here, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of Crisis Response Unit at UNDP, made a visit to South Sudan and had an occasion to exchange views with Japanese staff at UN agencies, JICA, and Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Engineering Contingent at UNMISS. Having listened to their views expressed on South Sudanese development issues, policy options for future external assistance as well as modalities of collaboration among Japanese actors in the development field, I was fondly reminded of the richness of Japanese professionals’ expertise and their high level of contribution.
Ms. Nakamitsu speaking with Japanese nationals at UN agencies, JICA, and JSDF
A casual get-together among Japanese staff at UN agencies and the Embassy
In March 2015, the Government of Japan disbursed approximately 88 million dollars as part of the FY 2014 supplementary budget to assist South Sudan in humanitarian crisis through NGOs and international organizations, most of which are for operations in South Sudan. More than ten organizations work to implement activities using this fund, covering wide-ranging areas such as education, health, food relief, shelter, and reconciliation, to name a few. The aggregate humanitarian assistance since the political crisis broke out in December 2013 amounts to 112 million dollars.
In late May, I had a chance to visit a Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp in the capital Juba where Japan assists the people of South Sudan through UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). The reproductive health clinic in the camp target nearly 20,000 Internally-Displaced Persons and carry out safe delivery of 100 babies every day. I saw South Sudanese doctors, midwives, and other staff ensuring cleanliness of the facilities and devoting their life to the healthy well-being of the community. I also presided over the hand-over ceremony of medical equipment and materials at a UNFPA store in Juba Teaching Hospital. The international NGOs that mainly operate in the northern 3 states in partnership with UNFPA make sure that the medical kits, mattresses, solar-powered generators, etc., essential for safe delivery of babies, are shipped and managed well in the neediest remote areas. In March 2015, Japan disbursed 3.2 million dollars in assistance for UNFPA projects.
At the maternity clinic at a Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp hospital in Juba
Hand-over ceremony of medical equipment with international NGOs
Then, in early June, I flew to Yambio, Western Equatoria, to attend the launching ceremony for UNICEF’s “Back to Learning” campaign. The atmosphere at the event mobilizing thousands of pupils in school uniforms at the city’s public square was quite pleasantly overwhelming. The nationwide “Back to Learning” campaign is an initiative that targets 400,000 kids around the country currently out of school, of which 40,000 are found in Western Equatoria, and ensures that they have all necessary materials to come back to school. The most exhilarating moment was when State Governor himself took the lead at the podium to explain passionately and in plain words how much education matters to peace and development. Governor Bangasi, while leading the most important office in the state, is a dedicated student enrolled in graduate-level security studies programme, expecting to complete it by the end of this year. “I am still learning at my age. Everyone in Western Equatoria shall keep learning!”—the resounding vow gave me hope for the future of Western Equatoria. During the same trip, I also made a visit to Yambio State Hospital, accompanied by State Governor, State Health Minister, and Country Representative of UNICEF South Sudan, to inspect a newly-installed solar-powered water distribution system funded by Japan through UNICEF. The disbursement of funds for UNICEF this March amounted to 9.5 million dollars.
“Back to Learning” campaign launching event
Solar-powered water distribution system at Yambio State Hospital
Assistance through the United Nations and other international organizations has the advantage of promptly delivering specific services making full use of respective organizations’ specialties and vast networks. Projects implemented by those organizations convey the spirit and messages of the people of Japan, while Japanese nationals at UN agencies also work for them. I aspire to continue visiting Japan-funded UN agencies’ project sites and,
through engaging JICA and JSDF, roll out even more effective assistance programmes for South Sudan’s development and self-reliance of its people.