IGAD Consults Nimule Residents on Fund Allocation

(NIMULE) – Community members in Nimule will have a direct say in how migration funds are spent as part of a regional programme aimed at easing pressure on the border town.

Officials from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, known as IGAD, and Johanniter met with the Mayor’s Office in Nimule Municipality to discuss the implementation of the Regional Migration Fund.

Johanniter is the implementing partner for the project in Nimule.

The meeting focused on a community based implementation approach where community members identify priority needs and recommend projects for approval and implementation under the fund.

Officials said the approach is designed to ensure that interventions are locally driven and respond directly to the needs of affected communities.

IGAD representatives said community consultations are still ongoing to gather more input and ensure inclusive participation before final approval of activities.

Mayor Caesar Longa Fuli welcomed the delegation and assured them of normalcy in the municipality.

The Regional Migration Fund aims to support local authorities and communities in addressing migration related challenges through targeted, community led projects.

Nimule has long been a major entry point for people moving between South Sudan and Uganda, placing strain on basic services such as water, health care and sanitation.

The town hosts thousands of returnees, refugees and cross border traders, many of whom settle for months before moving on.

Local officials say the pressure on services has grown as the population of the town has expanded rapidly in recent years.

The fund is expected to support small projects such as water points, market shelters, waste management and youth training programmes.

Community leaders who attended the meeting said they are eager to see the projects begin because needs on the ground are urgent.

They said past interventions often failed because decisions were made far away without consulting the people affected.

IGAD officials said the fund is also being rolled out in other border areas across the region facing similar migration pressures.

The programme is supported by international partners and is designed to strengthen the ability of local governments to plan and manage migration.

Johanniter representatives said they will continue working with community committees to identify and design projects that can be completed quickly.

They said transparency and accountability will be central to the implementation process.

The Mayor’s Office said it will provide land and other support where needed to ensure the projects succeed.

Further consultations are expected in the coming weeks, after which a list of priority projects will be approved for funding.

The amount of money available for Nimule under the fund has not been disclosed, but officials said it will be enough to address several pressing needs.

The meeting is seen as a positive step for a town that has struggled to cope with the effects of displacement and cross border movement for years.

Local residents have welcomed the initiative, saying it gives them hope that their voices will finally be heard.