 | | Mr. Seneque (right) with UN-HABITAT colleagues at the new office in Juba. |
UN-HABITAT said the office would help the Government of Southern Sudan devise policy and programmes aimed at achieving sustainable recovery and urban management. The new office is headed by Mr. Garth Seneque, a senior South African urban and regional planner with close to 20 years of professional experience in developing and post-conflict countries. Prior to joining the UN-HABITAT operation in Southern Sudan, Mr. Seneque participated in project formulation and assessment missions in the tsunami affected areas in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. More recently he worked for agency in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. “We are delighted that the cessation of hostilities now makes it possible for UN-HABITAT to play a catalytic role in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region,” said Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. “Our officers are experienced at post-conflict management and recovery of shelter and human settlements issues and we look forward to working with all the parties in the north and Southern Sudan to re-house and resettle the over 2 million internally displaced persons and refugees.” It is widely believed that the agreement holds the key to peace and prosperity in Sudan. A 2005 peace accord provides for a high degree of autonomy for the south. Sudan is the largest and one of the most diverse countries in Africa, home to deserts, mountain ranges, swamps and rain forests. |
