Ground-breaking for school construction in Ajuong Thok refugee camp
14 February 2018 saw the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Almerawi primary school by the South Sudan country programme of Action Africa Help International (AAH-I) in Ajuong Thok refugee camp. Once completed the school amenities will comprise of 8 class rooms, an administrative block as well as 3 sanitary facilities which will host over 320 students.
H.E. Ambassador of Japan SejiOkada (L), Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Hon. Lt. Gen Bol John Akot (C) and UNHCR Rep. Johann Siffointe (R)
The event was attended by Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan His Excellency Seiji Okada, UNHCR representative to South Sudan Mr Johann Siffointe and the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Hon. Lt. Gen. Bol John Akot. They were received by AAH-I’s South Sudan team alongside the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
According to a UNHCR education report, 3.5 million refugee children did not attend school in 2016 and only 61% of refugee children attend primary school compared with a global average of 91%. “The construction of the Almerawi primary school is aimed at making education accessible to additional refugees as the other schools are overcrowded and have exceeded their hosting capacities. Access to education is an indispensable human right that all children should be entitled to. AAH-I is very proud to be part of this project,” said AAH South Sudan Jamjang-Ruweng State Area Coordinator Mohamed Galgalo.
UNHCR Rep. Johann Siffointe (L); H.E. Ambassador of Japan Seji
Okada (C), Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Hon. Lt. Gen Bol John Akot
Action Africa Help-International is the lead implementation partner of UNHCR, implementing projects in logistics support for refugees and asylum seekers and infrastructure development in South Sudan such as the Pamir Public Health Care Center that was visited by his Excellency Seiji Okada on the occasion. The Ambassador of Japan also met with the Governor of Ruweng State and used the opportunity to reiterate The Government of Japan’s commitment to supporting South Sudan.
This initiative funded by the Government of Japan and UNHCR is under AAH-I South Sudan Country programme and addresses Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality education. Action Africa Help International is committed to working with local governments, communities and partners in order to support inclusive and equitable quality education.