Assistance by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security to the Project in the Solomon Islands

August 11, 2011
Japanese

On August 11, the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend assistance totalling 2,062,088 US dollars (approximately 184 million yen) through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security to a project entitled "Human security initiative for 'tensions' reduction, reconciliation and rehabilitation" in the Solomon Islands, which is going to be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Solomon Islands was greatly damaged by the conflict which broke out in 1998. Furthermore, structural drivers for conflict remain such as poverty, grievances against society and division between communities. This project aims to enhance human security for the target communities and ex-combatants through reducing tensions and promoting peaceful and sustainable measures for their survival and dignity. The activities will include the following:

— Organizing provincial workshops for local consensus on implementation and exit strategy, establishing local registration systems, implementing advocacy measures for promoting local participation and maintenance of rehabilitated infrastructure, as well as rehabilitating and reconstructing peace centres;

— Establishing local reintegration counselling mechanism among ex-combatants and their communities and conducting public awareness raising campaign on human security and peaceful co-existence;

— Assessing the economic needs and employment opportunities of ex-combatants and conducting training for engaging in small but sustainable self-start businesses as well as assisting formulation of business groups;

— Establishing water and sanitation committees, installing WASH (Water, Sanitation and Health) facilities, and formulating guidelines and manuals on operation and maintenance of community water supply.
This project is expected to promote human security of ex-combatants and conflict affected communities, exposed to vulnerable situations.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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