On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) South Sudan team held its first project entry meeting for the Response to the Sudan Refugee Crisis in South Sudan Project at the Doro Community Centre in Upper Nile State. The meeting was attended by members of the Doro Camp Executive Committee, representatives from UNHCR and IRC, and AIRD’s technical working team.
Chaired by AIRD’s Construction and Project Manager, Primo Makpe Guli, the session introduced the objectives of the African Development Bank’s labour-intensive public works initiative. The project aims to strengthen resilience by creating immediate livelihood opportunities while contributing to long-term development. During the meeting, stakeholders were briefed on the project’s implementation approach, beneficiary selection process, payment modalities, documentation requirements, and the training that will be provided for both participants and their community leaders.
In total, 224 individuals will directly benefit from the project, half of them women, with deliberate inclusion of persons with disabilities to ensure equitable participation.
The Doro Camp Executive Committee was tasked with convening a general community meeting to raise awareness about the initiative and identify four priority flood response and mitigation activities for the first phase of implementation.
This two-year project, officially launched on September 30, 2025, by the African Development Bank in partnership with UNHCR and the Government of South Sudan, represents a major step forward in addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and longer-term development challenges. It is closely aligned with South Sudan’s National Development Strategy, the Global Refugee Forum pledges, and the Durable Solutions Strategy.
The launch marked a milestone for stakeholders and community members as it officially introduced the project, clarified roles, and highlighted expected outcomes that will strengthen the resilience of both refugees and host communities in Maban County.
