May 30, 2025 (Juba, South Sudan): The IGAD Secretariat convened stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government of South Sudan for a National Consultation and Validation of the Assessment and Capacity Building Plan for Durable Solutions in South Sudan.
The consultations and validation engagement which were organised under the auspices IGAD Support Platform on Forced Displacement, brought together members of the National Technical Committee on Durable Solutions (NTC-DS), drawn from 25 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Government of South Sudan, including humanitarian and development partners as defined in the 2024 Durable Solutions Strategy for South Sudan.
The consultations were aimed at finding consensus on the institutional and technical capacities of key government ministries, agencies, and other relevant stakeholders, identifying existing gaps, needs and opportunities. The engagement was also intended at enhancing collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, UN agencies, and community-based organizations working on durable solution to promote a coordinated approach and efficiency in the utilization of resources.
Through the engagement, actionable recommendations were agreed that will strengthen coordination structures and enhance the ability of relevant institutions to facilitate durable solutions for refugees, returnees, asylum seekers, IDPs and their host communities.
The Head of Social Development at the IGAD Secretariat, Dr. Victoria Anib commended the leadership of the South Sudan Government and support from partners to provide durable solutions to displacement affected persons in South Sudan. Dr. Anib called for consensus on the measures needed to build a more effective and responsive system to the increasing needs of displaced persons.
“Addressing displacement situations requires more than humaniarian assistance, it demands strengthened institutional capacity, cordinated approaches and a long term vision” said Dr. Anib.
Mr. Massimo Scalorbi, the the Head of Cooperation for the European Union delegation to South Sudan, reiterated EU’s support to the IGAD Secretariat to design targetted capacity building initiatives to address gaps and strengthen the Institution and Member States’ responses to forced displacement. He also reaffirmed EU’s commitment to supporting durable solutions for displacement affected communities.
Participants identified major gaps on policies and legislation, established key sector needs and highlighted key areas that require strengthening in governance, coordination and partnership for succesful implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan. Participants also identified areas for piloting socio-economic and infrastructure services for future interventions in return and socio-economic integration across South Sudan.
The Director for Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons at the Return and Reintegration Commission (RRC), Mr. Arop Mathiang, urged all line Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government to play their designated responsibilities as a whole of Government effort to provide durable solutions.
In a similar call, the Commissioner, at the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA), Mr. John Dabi emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration, consolidation and coordination of efforts among the members of the NTC-DC who are selected from relevant MDAs, academia and partners to realise a bigger impact of interventions amidst the declining humanitarian support while displacement numbers surge.
About the South Sudan National Durable Solutions Strategy
In October 2024, with support from the IGAD Secretariat and partners, the Government of South Sudan adopted the National Durable Solutions Strategy and Plan of Action. The strategy provides an overarching framework for supporting refugees, returnees, IDPs and host communities to find sustainable durable solutions.
The Startegy and Action Plan also guide the coordination and collaboration on durable solutions programming between Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), as well as between the Government and Non-Governmental Organizations, IGAD, International Organizations, United Nations, Peace and Development actors.
The NTC-DS, co-chaired by by the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA) and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), was set up to supervise and provide oversight functions to the implementation of the South Sudan Durable Solutions Strategy and Action.
The consultations and validation meeting was supported with funding from the European Union and Government of Sweden.
