By Wani James Abraham

Obongi

The Refugee and host Communities of Palorinya settlement in Obongi district have been urged to embrace peace and harmony in order to create a conducive environment for peaceful coexistence amongst the refugees and host communities. The call was made during the commemoration of the international day of peace held last week at zone 2 in Palorinya refugee settlement.

Mrs. Nagudi Lydia Sarah, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) protection Coordinator, says it’s everyone’s responsibility to take action for peace to prevail in the community. “What do we mean by our action? Let’s continue preaching peace to our family members, to our neighbors and to our communities”. Mrs. Lydia said.

Mr. Ibrahim Ratif Dafala the Assistant Settlement Commander for Zone III, Palorinya refugee settlement, who represented the office of the Prime Minister (OPM) encouraged the refugees to stay in peace.

He has appealed to the youth mentors in the area to build harmonious relationship with the new arrivals so that they can forget about the war in their home country but rather rebuild on their life in Uganda. “Currently we are receiving new arrivals within the settlement and these new arrivals are new to the environment and you people who are within here should make them to stay in peace”. Mr. Ibrahim said.

Mr. Andrew Cohen Odong, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) focal point person for peace building and peaceful coexistence echoed that UNHCR is committed to run the peace building project for the youths in the settlement. “The project has a vision to create a network of trained South Sudanese youths in peace building, and our intention is to train this youths so that in future they can contribute to peace building in the whole of South Sudan”. Mr. Andrew said.

According to him, the peace project is to expand peace building skills to be practiced in south Sudan which has started by empowering the youth mentors to train the refugees.

 
Traditional dance group during the commemoration of international day of peace in Palorinya settlement

Hon. Dramundru Anthony Mogga, the Chairperson Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) III asked authorities in the Settlement to be role models of peace in the community.

He has equally asked parents at their different capacities to continue living exemplary life for the young ones to learn positive life style that would proof them to be the leaders of tomorrow. “I suggest to all the youth mentors to continue as role models in the community so that people can copy from them and they continue engaging with the community members; peace start with you and peace starts with me”. Mr. Anthony said.

The international day of peace is commemorated annually on the 21^st of September. The peace was held under the theme Action for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.

COVER PHOTO: Stakeholders during commemoration of International day of peace in Palorinya settlement By Wani James Abraham