“A Letter from the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan”

An inflow of a large number of Syrian refugees to Europe is currently drawing global attention. This was taken up as a major issue at the United Nations General Assembly last month. Responding to refugees is also a big challenge here in South Sudan.

The independence of South Sudan four years ago and the outbreak of political crisis two years ago both triggered the outflow of a tremendous number of refugees in and around South Sudan. As of now, the refugees from neighboring countries to South Sudan are 266,000, and the refugees from South Sudan to neighboring countries are 764,000, In addition, there are 1,641,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Sudan.

(Photo 1: A refugee camp in Maban County)

(Photo 2: Inside an improved accommodation at the refugee camp)

In August this year, I made a visit to a refugee camp in Maban County of Upper Nile State. South Sudan’s independence caused a renewed conflict in Blue Nile State of Sudan. This triggered about 130,000 refugees to evacuate to South Sudan to this border area, and they still stay in four refugee camps. They cannot go back home until the conflict inside Sudan ends.

 Still, these refugees continue their daily lives, receiving support and looking to the future. The living conditions such as housing, water and sanitation, medical services and education are getting better.  The host community with much smaller population than 130,000 refugees warmly receives them, also with external support.

(Photo 3: Visit to Maban County Hospital)	(Photo 4: At a water supply tank with Ms. Kashiwa of UNHCF South Sudan)
(Photo 5: At a refugee camp primary school with Maban County Commissioner)	(Photo 6: Dialogue with representatives of Refugee communities)

 
 Japan supports both refugee and host communities. The Maban County Hospital greatly expanded operation theatres and other functions, making it currently function as the only referral hospital in the whole state. Japan also improves the water supply network with solar power generation, constructs schools and supplies textbooks, expands accommodation and roads, and provides necessary food. There will also be a new Japanese staff at this UNHCR Maban Sub Office soon.

 In the dialogue with the representatives of refugee communities, I was requested further support. I replied that support from the international community will never be enough to meet their needs but expressed my wish, nevertheless, that they would make efforts under various constraints to become self-reliant and to live a happy live in the future.

(Photo 7: Refugee camp in Gambela, Ethiopia (Photo: UNHCR/Rika Hakozaki))

(Photo 8: Vocational Training Graduation Ceremony at a refugee camp in Kiryandongo, Uganda)

 As South Sudan hosts refugees from neighboring countries, those countries also hosts refugees from South Sudan. It is not quite known in South Sudan, but Japan extends helping hands to South Sudanese also in refugee camps in neighboring countries.

 For instance, in March this year, Japan announced USD10 million assistance to a refugee camp in Gambela of Ethiopia through UNHCR, WFP and WHO, and the implementation is underway. In August, a graduation ceremony took place for the JICA-supported vocational training at a refugee camp in Kiryandongo of Uganda.

(Photo 9: World Refugee Day event with IGP Gen. Kuol (centre) )

(Photo 10: Musician Emmanuel Kembe)

 It is notable that South Sudanese who have overcome difficulties as refugees are now playing important roles in various fields. At the World Refugee Day event in June this year, the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kuol, confessed that he once was a refugee and arrived in Ethiopia with just an underwear. I was moved by a song that Emmanuel Kembe, now a famous musician, made when he was a refugee himself many years ago.

 It is my sincere wish that each and every refugee in South Sudan and neighboring countries will overcome the current challenging environment with the support from Japan, take up important roles for nation building and be rewarded with happiness like current leaders in the future.

(End)