By Baraka John
The Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has held an inception meeting with authorities in Ibba County to launch a new humanitarian project aimed at supporting internally displaced persons who fled conflict from various parts of Western Equatoria State.
The project, titled “Emergency Response and Recovery to IDPs who Fled Conflict in Various Parts of the State to Ibba County,” seeks to address urgent humanitarian needs among vulnerable families currently sheltering in the county. The initiative marks another step in CODEP’s ongoing commitment to supporting conflict-affected communities across Western Equatoria State.
According to data from the Ibba County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, more than 2,000 displaced households are currently residing in two main locations. Nanguruza hosts over 1,000 households, while the Nakuri area shelters more than 900 households. Many of the displaced families are living in dire conditions, with limited access to health services, clean water, food supplies, and other essential humanitarian assistance.
The inception meeting brought together key stakeholders, including CODEP Director Reverend Charles Mbikoyo, Project Manager Emmanuel Gigaragbere, and the Ibba County Commissioner. Discussions focused on coordination, priority needs, and implementation strategies to ensure effective delivery of support to the most vulnerable households in the displacement sites.
Under the new initiative, 200 households will directly benefit from emergency assistance and early recovery support. County authorities emphasized the urgent need for intervention, noting that the displacement sites lack adequate health facilities, functional water points, and sufficient food supplies to meet the growing needs of the displaced population.
CODEP has been actively supporting conflict-affected communities across Western Equatoria State in recent years. The organization has distributed food and non-food items to displaced families in Tombura County and surrounding areas, provided livelihood support to vulnerable households, and implemented peacebuilding and community resilience programs. In addition, CODEP has partnered with international agencies to deliver emergency relief, improve access to clean water, and strengthen local response mechanisms in displacement-affected communities.
County officials welcomed the new project, expressing hope that the intervention will ease the suffering of displaced families and help restore dignity and stability to affected communities. Their endorsement reflects the growing recognition of CODEP’s role as a critical partner in addressing the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable populations in the region.
The launch of this project in Ibba County comes at a time when thousands of families across Western Equatoria continue to grapple with the devastating consequences of prolonged conflict, displacement, and limited access to basic services. CODEP’s intervention represents a meaningful step toward alleviating immediate suffering while laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery and resilience in communities that have endured years of hardship and instability.
