Japan offers 8.17 million USD to support referendum in Sudan

Khartoum, 2 August 2010 - The Government of Japan will provide a contribution to the UN in the amount of approximately $8.17 million to assist the conduct of the referenda in Sudan. The contribution will be channeled through the Referenda Basket Fund managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The funding will enable critical assistance to the newly established Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, and support key activities such as voter registration, civic and voter education, media training, domestic observation, assistance to protection and active participation of women, and strengthening of the Joint Integrated Police Units in Abyei.

In 2005, long years of conflict between the North and the South of Sudan came to an end with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). As final key milestone events mandated by the CPA, the referenda for Southern Sudan and Abyei are due to be held in January 2011.

Japan’s funding marks a major contribution to the estimated 58.5 million USD required by the Referenda Basket Fund. Japan has been one of the major donors to UNDP in Sudan. In 2009 alone, Japan provided 17 million USD for the UN Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Programme and 10 million USD to support the elections held throughout Sudan in April 2010.

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For more information please contact:
Kumar Tiku, Head, Communications Unit, UNDP Sudan: kumar.tiku@undp.org

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.