Support for refugee return/Technical training/Constructing wells

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Project Background

The Republic of the Sudan has an area seven times that of Japan and is the largest nation in Africa. Also, this nation is one of the African nations that has experienced a long civil war. Since independence in 1956, in southern Sudan, the first civil war has continued for 17 years and the second civil war has continued for 21 years. It is estimated that there have been 2 million war victims, more than 500 thousand refugees and 4 million internally displaced people in this region over the course of the war. In January 2005, the Comprehensive Pease Agreement (CPA) was concluded between the central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and its Army (SPLM/A) finally and the long conflict between the two forces ceased. Therefore, over 4 million people who had been evacuated either inside or out of the country started to repatriate. However, all of the infrastructure had collapsed due to the long fighting, and it is not easy to recon-struct and rehabilitate the fundamental basis of people's livelihoods.

On the other hand, in 2003, the conflict intensified in the Darfur region, western Sudan, where many citizens have been attacked and massacred; it is estimated that more than 200 thousand people were killed and more than 2 million were evacuated. UN agencies launched an appeal, stating that this severe situation is "the worst humanitarian crisis in the 21st Century ". In 2006, a section of the central government forces concluded a peace treaty, but social and economic stability has not yet been achieved.

Summary of activities

1. Assistance Project for the Repatriation Process and Vocational Training (Juba, Southern Sudan)

In the first half of 2006, the repatriation of 10 thousand Sudanese refugees was achieved with the assistance of UN agencies. It was necessary to provide assistance in every field for the rehabilitation of livelihoods after repatriation: for example, education, water and sanitation, health, vocational training, etc. In this situation, JVC has started an assistance project in collaboration with a Sudanese automotive workshop in Juba. We have supported the maintenance and repair of the vehicles necessary for the repatriation program, and also vocational training on vehicle maintenance for the returnees from the refugee camps.

2006 Annual Report
In Juba, JVC officially started its activities by cooperating with our partner, Sudanese Church Council (SCC), to manage the vehicle repair workshop. We have provided vehicle maintenance as logistic support for the repatriation process conducted by UNHCR and INGOs. Also, we accepted 10 young returnees as mechanic trainees, and started a training course including lectures and on-the-job training to acquire skills for living in the SCC workshop. In this year, JVC dispatched 3 Japanese mechanics and 1 project manager from Japan.

2007 Annual Plan
We are planning increase the number of trainees by accepting new returnees in 2007. The term necessary for skills training is fixed at two years, and so we will endeavour to create a more suitable training environment. Specifically, we aim to get more vehicles requiring maintenance or repair to be utilized in on the job training, to make a space for the supply of materials, to improve stock management, and to improve the overall management system.

2. Construction of Wells (West Darfur)

People have been suffering from shortages of water due not only to the long war but also to the severe drought. There are not enough wells, and so the search for safe drinking water acts as a new seed of conflict in the community.

2006 Annual Report
Four wells were constructed in three villages (pop. 5,000) and one IDP camp (pop. 1,000) located in the state of West Darfur by Islamic Relief, the partner agency which we funded. This activity was completed with the inauguration of the wells. In this way, JVC will continue to observe the future of peace treaty.