Brick-laying machines donated by the UNDP to the NBGS returnees. (Photo by Courtesy)
AWEIL-The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated 83 brick-laying machines to support the livelihoods of thousands of returnees and vulnerable host communities in Northern Bahr El Gazal State.
This initiative aims to assist returnees in building their homes, as many of them are currently living in public buildings such as churches and schools.
Benson Lual Awach, Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Northern Bahr El Gazal State, confirmed on Monday that the 83 brick-laying machines donated by the UNDP will be distributed to support these communities.
“We have bricklaying machines that will be provided to the returnees, and we have a policy and a volition to advise them to use the machines properly so that they lay the bricks, construct their permanent tukuls, and leave the facilities where they live, such as churches and schools,” Lual stated.
According to Lual, the returnees would sell some of the bricks to raise money to improve living standard of their families.
“However, this will eventually generate revenue for them, as some individuals will visit areas with pools or hairs to obtain water for bricks and lay bricks for sale,” he stated.
“They can use those water sources and lay bricks for a living by selling some extra bricks”, he suggested, since there is a Hafiir in Maper-Akot-aru and other locations in the counties that were excavated by road building businesses.
He said the machines would help some vulnerable host communities as well as returnees.
He stated that once the distribution method is finalized, the distribution will start.
Since the conflict broke out between Sudan’s army and a notorious paramilitary force in April 2023, thousands of refugees and returnees have been pouring into South Sudan, which is already facing economic difficulties of its own.
Lual said that the returnees will use some of the bricks for sale in order to earn money to improve their livelihood.
“This, however, will eventually result in business for them, as some people will go to where there are hairs or pools and get water for bricks and lay bricks for sale,” he said.
As there is a Hafiir in Maper-Akot–aru and other sites in the counties that were dug by road construction companies, they can use those water points and lay bricks for a living through business by selling some surplus bricks,” he advised.
Lual said both returnees and some vulnerable host communities will benefit from the machines.
He said the distribution will commence after the modality of distribution is ironed out.
Since the unrest erupted in Sudan between the warring factions, RSF and the sovereign council, thousands of returnees and refugees have been flocking into South Sudan, which is also grappling with its own economic challenges.
