Organization for Nonviolence and Development - ONAD

04/08/2026

ONAD team engages community members in Juba Protection of Civilians (PoC) 3 on community protection meetings. These meetings are carried out regularly targeting community leaders, youth, women and representatives of identified gang groups within the PoC. These meetings aims to prevent violent conflicts and promote peaceful co-existence by improving relationships and networking among communities. We are so thankful to Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) for the partnership especially the technical support provided.

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

A recently Trauma Healing Training successfully concluded which brought together 20 dedicated youth and women leaders representing the 5 Payams of Yei River County. Participants gained a deeper understanding of trauma and healing processes/coping mechanisms, equipping them to better serve families and communities.

The training focused on essential aspects of trauma awareness, resilience and healing strategies, fostering supportive environment for leaders to develop their skills and knowledge. Attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow in this vital area.

As an organization, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) for their continued support and partnership in making this impactful training possible.

This training marks a significant step towards building more resilient and compassionate communities, empowered by informed and empathic leaders.

21/07/2026

‎ONAD CONCLUDES THREE-DAY TRAUMA HEALING TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS IN YEI RIVER COUNTY
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‎The Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD) has concluded a three-day trauma healing training for 20 participants drawn from the five payams of Yei River County, aimed at strengthening community awareness and understanding of the causes, effects, and management of trauma.
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‎The training brought together representatives from communities across the county to build their knowledge and skills in recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals, families, and communities, particularly in areas affected by conflict and displacement.
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‎According to the organizers, the training sought to equip participants with practical approaches to trauma healing, promote psychosocial well-being, and encourage community-based support mechanisms that contribute to peaceful coexistence and social recovery.
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‎Participants engaged in interactive discussions and practical sessions on identifying trauma, understanding its long-term effects, and promoting healing through dialogue, empathy, and community support.
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‎At the conclusion of the training, participants pledged to share the knowledge gained with their respective communities and to promote awareness of trauma healing as part of ongoing peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts across Yei River County.
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‎ONAD reaffirmed its commitment to working with local communities and stakeholders to strengthen resilience, promote mental well-being, and support initiatives that foster lasting peace and sustainable development in the county.

20/07/2026

‎ONAD TRAINS COMMUNITY LEADERS ON TRAUMA HEALING IN YEI RIVER COUNTY

‎More than 20 participants drawn from all five payams of Yei River County have begun a three-day trauma healing training organized by the Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD), aimed at strengthening psychosocial resilience and community recovery among conflict-affected populations.
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‎The training, being held at CEJA Guest House, has brought together representatives of persons with disabilities, women, and youth. The programme is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.
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‎Speaking during the opening session, James Wani Banja, Director of Peacebuilding in Yei River County, commended ONAD for organizing the training, describing trauma healing as an essential component of peacebuilding and community recovery.
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‎He said many families continue to experience the psychological and social effects of years of conflict, compounded by ongoing economic challenges that have limited access to education, healthcare and other basic services.
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‎Banja noted that equipping community representatives with trauma healing skills would help strengthen resilience and enable them to support affected individuals and families within their communities.
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‎The ONAD Project Manager, Lupai James, said the training seeks to increase participants' understanding of the causes and effects of trauma while strengthening community-based healing mechanisms.
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‎He explained that the programme is designed to enhance participants' capacity to identify trauma-related challenges, promote healing processes, and improve networking and coordination among community stakeholders working on peacebuilding and psychosocial support.
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‎Lupai encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and apply the knowledge gained in their respective communities, particularly in supporting people affected by conflict and the current economic hardships.
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‎He added that ONAD remains committed to supporting communities affected by conflict and other humanitarian challenges in South Sudan.
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‎The organization continues to implement programmes that promote nonviolence, social cohesion and resilience, while recognizing that many South Sudanese remain displaced both within the country and in neighbouring countries, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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‎The training forms part of ONAD's broader efforts to strengthen community resilience, promote peaceful coexistence and support long-term recovery in Yei River County.

16/07/2026

By James Innocent ‎20 traditional chiefs and local government administrators from Yei Town Payam have begun a three-day training on nonviolence and conflict resolution aimed at strengthening local …

16/07/2026

‎20 TRADITIONAL CHIEFS, LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS BEGIN THREE-DAY NONVIOLENCE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING IN YEI
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‎By James Innocent
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‎Twenty representatives of traditional chiefs and local government administrators in Yei Town Payam have begun a three-day Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution Training aimed at strengthening peacebuilding and promoting peaceful coexistence among communities in Yei River County.
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‎The training, organized by the Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD) with support from the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), opened on Tuesday at Rajaf Safari Hotel and will run until Thursday, 16 July 2026.
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‎Representing the Commissioner of Yei River County, Noel Taban officially opened the training and thanked God for the opportunity to bring together traditional leaders and local government administrators despite the challenges encountered during the preparations.
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‎In his remarks, Noel Taban urged participants to make the most of the three-day training by acquiring practical knowledge and skills that they can apply in resolving conflicts within their communities.
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‎He emphasized that the knowledge gained should be put into practice to strengthen peace, unity and social harmony across Yei River County.
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‎He also appealed to parents and community leaders to protect children from violence, criminal gangs and other negative activities, saying safeguarding young people is essential for building peaceful and resilient communities.
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‎The Paramount Chief of Yei River County, Joseph Brown , applauded ONAD and its partners for their continued commitment to promoting peace in Yei River County. He said the organization has played a significant role in addressing community conflicts through dialogue, mediation and peacebuilding initiatives.
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‎Chief Brown encouraged all participants to actively engage in the training so they can return to their communities with the knowledge and skills needed to peacefully resolve disputes and strengthen cooperation among local communities.
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‎He also acknowledged the challenges ONAD has faced in its peacebuilding work, noting that some of its staff members were kidnapped last year and detained for nearly one week before regaining their freedom.
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‎He said the incident highlighted the difficult environment in which peace actors operate and called for greater support for organizations working to promote peace and stability.
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‎According to the organizers, the training seeks to deepen participants' understanding of the root causes of conflict, equip them with practical nonviolent conflict resolution and mediation skills, and strengthen networking and cooperation among payams to promote lasting peace and peaceful coexistence in Yei River County.
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‎Lupai James working for ONAD mentions that the three-day programme brings together traditional leaders and local government administrators, who are expected to play a leading role in applying the skills acquired during the training to prevent conflicts, mediate disputes and promote dialogue within their respective communities.

16/07/2026

‎20 TRADITIONAL CHIEFS AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS BEGIN PEACEBUILDING TRAINING IN YEI
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‎Twenty traditional chiefs and local government administrators from Yei Town Payam have begun a three-day training on nonviolence and conflict resolution aimed at strengthening local peacebuilding efforts and promoting peaceful coexistence in Yei River County.
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‎The programme brings together 20 representatives of traditional leadership and local government to enhance their capacity in mediation, dialogue and nonviolent approaches to resolving community disputes.
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‎Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Yei River County, Noel Taban officially opened the workshop and thanked the organisers for bringing together traditional leaders and local administrators despite logistical challenges encountered during the preparations.
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‎He urged participants to fully engage in the training and apply the knowledge and practical skills gained to help address conflicts within their respective communities.
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‎"The success of this training will depend on how the knowledge acquired is translated into practical action that promotes peace, unity and social harmony across Yei River County," he said.
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‎Taban also called on parents, traditional leaders and community members to work together to protect children from violence, criminal gangs and other harmful influences, describing young people as central to building peaceful and resilient communities.
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‎The Paramount Chief of Yei River County, Joseph Brown, commended ONAD and its partners for their continued support to peacebuilding initiatives in the county.
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‎He said the organisation has contributed to addressing community conflicts through dialogue, mediation and community engagement, and encouraged participants to actively take part in the training so they can return to their communities better equipped to peacefully resolve disputes.
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‎Chief Brown also reflected on the security challenges facing peace practitioners, noting that some ONAD staff members were abducted last year and later released after several days in captivity.
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‎He said the incident underscored the risks faced by organisations working to promote peace and called for continued support for such initiatives.
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‎According to the organisers, the training is designed to deepen participants' understanding of the root causes of conflict, strengthen practical mediation and nonviolent conflict resolution skills, and improve cooperation among local leaders to promote sustainable peace across Yei River County.
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‎Lupai James, representing ONAD, said the programme is intended to empower traditional chiefs and local government administrators with practical tools to prevent conflicts, mediate disputes and encourage dialogue within their communities.
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‎The training forms part of ongoing efforts by ONAD and its partners to strengthen community-based peacebuilding mechanisms in Yei River County through collaboration with local leadership structures.
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16/07/2026

‎COMMUNITY LEADERS COMPLETE CONFLICT RESOLUTION TRAINING TO ADDRESS RISING GANG VIOLENCE IN YEI

16th of July 2026
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‎Community leaders, local government officials and traditional chiefs in Yei River County have concluded a three-day conflict resolution and peacebuilding training aimed at strengthening local efforts to address community disputes and the growing challenge of youth gang activities.
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‎The training, organized by the Organization for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD), brought together more than 20 participants from local government structures, traditional leadership and community stakeholders to build practical skills in conflict prevention, mediation and peaceful coexistence.
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‎Speaking at the closing ceremony, participant Hellen Awate commended ONAD for organizing the training, saying it had equipped community leaders with knowledge and practical skills to help reduce gang-related violence and other conflicts across Yei River County.
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‎She said many communities continue to experience recurring disputes that have left residents feeling discouraged, emphasizing that the newly acquired skills should now be translated into action.
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‎Awate urged fellow participants to apply what they had learned in their respective communities to promote peace and strengthen social cohesion.
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‎Another participant, Lagu David, a senior citizen in Yei, said community leaders were committed to helping resolve conflicts involving young people through dialogue and mediation.
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‎He called on parents to play a greater role in guiding and supervising their children to help prevent their involvement in criminal activities.
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‎He also appealed to the government to strengthen measures against gang-related crime while promoting community dialogue and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at preventing violence and encouraging peaceful behaviour.
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‎ONAD Project Manager Lupai James said the organization was encouraged by the successful completion of the training, noting that preparations for the workshop began last year despite logistical challenges that delayed its implementation.
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‎He said ONAD plans to continue working with the trained community leaders through 2029 as part of its long-term peacebuilding programme in Yei River County.
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‎According to Lupai, youth gangs remain one of the major security concerns in the county and require coordinated community-based responses.
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‎He said the organization intends to engage some gang groups directly through dialogue and peace education while working with community leaders to identify areas most affected by gang activity.
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‎He encouraged local leaders and government administrators to continue monitoring the security situation and support planned community dialogues aimed at reducing violence.
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‎Yei River County Director for Peacebuilding and Planning, James Wani Banza, urged participants to use the knowledge gained during the training with confidence and integrity despite challenges they may face while serving their communities.
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‎Representing the Yei River County Commissioner at the closing ceremony, Nowel Taban praised participants for their commitment throughout the three-day programme.
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‎He said peacebuilding requires collective responsibility from county authorities, local government administrators, traditional chiefs and community members working together to prevent and resolve conflicts.
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‎Taban emphasized that strengthening collaboration at all levels of local governance would contribute to lasting peace and stability across Yei River County.
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‎The training concluded on 16 July 2026, with participants reaffirming their commitment to applying the conflict resolution skills acquired during the programme to help reduce violence, strengthen community dialogue and address the growing challenge of youth gang activities in the county.
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