13/04/2018 – Juba/Nairobi

In September 2017, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat) together with the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Land Housing and Urban Development with support from the government of Japan launched the ‘Housing for Veterans for Sustainable Peace and Development Project in Wau, South Sudan.

The Housing for Veterans for Sustainable Peace and Development Project aimed at providing war veterans with decent shelter and livelihoods as a key strategy for reducing the likelihood of them returning to armed conflict. Veterans have been assisted in the construction of their own houses and trained in technical construction skills. UN-Habitat used a ‘people’s process’ in which beneficiaries contributed to decision making. Technical assistance was provided along with a subsidy to purchase crucial inputs such as roofing sheets and cement.

War veterans and the community of Alel Chok have been actively involved in the construction of houses since October 2017. Construction materials were supplied by the host community and many youth and women were involved in the construction process. In the end, livelihoods of the war veterans as well as Alel Chok community have been improved.

On the 22nd of February 2018, the Ambassador of Japan, H.E Okada will hand over houses to the beneficiaries in the presence of the representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Land Housing and Urban Development, Government of Wau, and United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

For more information, please contact Jeanette Elsworth, Head of Press and Media on +254 (0) 20 762 5518, jeanette.elsworth@unhabitat.org or visit www.unhabitat.org