Alan Clement
Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County Wani Jackson Mule has appealed to ACROSS-International and other development partners to expand their project coverage to include all five Payams in the county.
He also stressed the need for establishing an office space and providing greater support to the Kajo-Keji Union of Persons with Disabilities (KKUPWD).
He made the appeal during a project briefing held at his office on Wednesday, June 16, 2025, attended by representatives from Christian Blind Mission (CBM), the donor agency, along with local officials and implementing partners.
He emphasized the need for increased technical support from relevant government ministries to ensure that projects are implemented effectively, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Kajokeji and surrounding counties in Central Equatoria State.
Mr. Lowudu Wilson, Project Officer for ACROSS in Kajokeji, presented an overview of the ongoing activities, which include water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), peacebuilding, food security, and livelihood support.
He noted that the project prioritizes the needs of persons with disabilities but is facing operational challenges due to insecurity and poor road networks.
ACROSS-International, with funding from CBM, is implementing a multi-sectoral, disability-inclusive resilience-building project across five counties—Kajokeji, Morobo, Lainya, Yei, and Juba.
The project focuses on internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, refugees, and host communities, with the goal of strengthening disability inclusion and promoting community resilience.
Representing CBM’s Monitoring and Validation team, Mr. Francis Odor confirmed that the project is progressing well and credited the collaboration with county leadership for its achievements.
He urged ACROSS to speed up the distribution of assistive devices to support the mobility of persons with disabilities.
Mr. William Atak Deng- ACROSS Project Manager reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to inclusion, stating that persons with disabilities make up at least 20% of project participants.
He called for their meaningful participation in community decision-making processes.
Representing the State Ministry of Child, Gender and Social Welfare, Peter Batali pointed out while the project focuses on gender-based violence (GBV)—an issue central to post-conflict recovery, the children should not be overlooked.
Keji Mary Marle, speaking on behalf of the County’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, revealed that over 59,000 households, totalling 160,385 individuals, have been registered in Kajokeji since 2021.
She highlighted the persistent shortage of mobility aids and the lack of office space as critical obstacles, while commending ACROSS for its contribution to facilitating the voluntary return of refugees.
The meeting concluded with a call for coordinated action to address the pressing needs of vulnerable groups and ensure the sustainability of recovery efforts in the county.