ACCORD organized a training for Refugee Camp leaders and Host Community representatives on Conflict Sensitivity approach, in Arua, Northern Uganda, between the 19th and 21 April 2017.
Majority of the South Sudanese who crossed to Uganda, Kenya and other neighboring countries carried along with them the divisions that the conflict created which overlapped with pre-existing ethnic fault lines. Their national cohesion is broken and people have little trust of each other. In Bweyale, Kiryadongo, Rhino and Bidibidi refugee camps, a number of fights between Dinka and Nuer refugees and between other tribes have been reported. This ethnic divides have influenced on how service provision and sharing of resources are done by the leaders at various levels. Water points and food distribution centers for example have been centers of violence which are tribally motivated. Based on this identified need, ACCORD and local partner organizations, the Community Empowerment for Rehabilitation and Development (CEFoRD), and Community Technology Empowerment Network (CTEN) organized a three days training for Rhino refugee camp leaders and their host community representatives.
The training was aimed to equip the refugee and host-community leaders with conflict sensitivity skills and knowledge to mitigate such conflicts over resources amongst themselves and their host community.The training was tailored in a manner that responded to the specific day-to-day mandates of the camp leaders, and the context they function around.
The training outcome:
- Based on the current mandates the trainees were able to identify triggers of conflict and collaborative methods to prevent and resolve it peacefully.
- New partnerships initiated with the Office of the Prime Minister – Refugee Desk and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCRR) in Arua, Northern Uganda which will facilitate future engagements and collaborations.
The Peacebuilding Unit was represented by Ms Bezawit Kefyalew, Senior Programme Officer; Mr. Emile Yanaki Taban, Programme Officer, South Sudan Initiative; and Viola Gaba, Programme Administrator, South Sudan Initiative. The African Peacebuilding Coordination Programme (APCP) at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Government of Finland since 2007.
