Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |

Jondoru Community of Rajaf Boma and UNDP Break Ground on New Market to Promote Peace

The new market, which will be constructed drawing labor from the Jondoru community, is expected to take 6 months to complete

This is the first time since 2011 that we see a great project being constructed in our area to help and support our people

JUBA, South Sudan, November 14, 2016/APO/ --

Construction began today on a new market in Rajaf which aims to to enhance livelihoods and promote peace in a community impacted by conflict in Juba in July.

Members of the Jondoru community in Rajaf County gathered on Friday to celebrate the progress on the market, which aims to serve approximately nine thousand residents, as well as various additional communities in the county.

“This is the first time since 2011 that we see a great project being constructed in our area to help and support our people [who are trying to] improving their lives, and for that we are very grateful to UNDP,” said Chief Agostino Mori of Rajaf Payam.

“This project is an answer to our current marketing and self-employment problems, and, as women, we are not going to suffer any more,” said Ms. Rose Muja who spoke on behalf of Jondoru women.

The market is part of UNDP’s Integrated Crisis Response Plan and comes after a series of consultations with the local community. The new vegetable market will consist of 72 stalls, toilet blocks, a vegetable washing area, an elevated water tank, and a solar lighting system.

“UNDP supports such development projects because we [UNDP] see community-owned infrastructures as important places to bring people together to discuss their future, and thus promote peace,” said UNDP Democratic Governance and Stabilization Unit Team Leader Andrew Shuruma at the ceremony.

“We shall continue to work with you in your pursuit for peace and development, because we strongly believe that there can be no development without peace and no peace without development; and where both lack, humanity suffers immensely,” Mr. Shuruma continued. 

Joseph Loro, speaking on behalf the Executive Secretary of Rajaf County, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the support of UNDP, and promised to provide security and protection during the construction process.

The new market, which will be constructed drawing labor from the Jondoru community, is expected to take 6 months to complete.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).