15 January 2014 - A group of South Sudanese women said today they wanted to be included in ongoing peace negotiations in Addis Ababa to resolve conflict in their country.

Under the umbrella “The South Sudan Women Leaders for Peace Initiatives Forum”, they called on the government and regional powers responsible for the dialogue to include women in trying to find peaceful resolutions to the crisis.

A women’s representative, Agnes Kwaje Losuba, told UN Radio Miraya that women’s contribution should not be overlooked.

“We … appeal that the government … as well as regional powers utilize the peace building potential of women in South Sudan, simply because women have skills and women have experience that cust across ethnic divides,” Ms. Losuba said.

“We don’t have tribes, we are women. That is what signifies (what) women … are – tribeless,” she said. “We are sixty percent in South Sudan and this voice of sixty percent population in South Sudan must be … heard loud calling for peace, development and tranquility in South Sudan.”

Mr. Losuba said they had already met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and were hoping to meet with the opposition.

Conflict broke in the country between pro- and anti-government forces in the capital Juba, Central Equatoria State, on 15 December 2013, quickly spreading to several other states.

15 January 2014 - Continuous fighting around the Jonglei State capital Bor has driven an estimated 136,000 South Sudanese civilians across the River Nile into Awerial County in Lakes State, according to local officials.

An estimated 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were still crossing the river daily, but have yet to be properly registered due to the overwhelming number, an official from the Awerial County Office of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) told an UNMISS team assessing the area from 10 to 14 January.

The price for the boat crossing from Bor to Awerial ranges from 100 to 200 South Sudanese pounds. Those with no money remained stranded amidst the conflict, as Awerial is the safest and closest place to flee.

Some people were reportedly trapped on islands along the Nile, but security concerns made immediately rescuing them unlikely without government assistance.

In Minkgaman, IDPs initially settled in host community compounds or under trees and shared with local people what little they had. Now, some 67,500 IDPs have received food and non-food items, but more is needed, according to the SSRRC.

Community and county administrations have allocated about 30 kilometres of land for IDP settlement along the Minkgaman - Yirol road.

Ongoing humanitarian assistance is being provided by Medecines sans Frontieres (health), Doctors with Africa, the International Committee of the Red Cross, OXFAM, Save the Children and other organizations.

County authorities noted that the humanitarian situation had improved despite the influx of IDPs still crossing the river. Some IDPs have travelled on to Yirol, Rumbek and Juba.

15 January 2014 - UNMISS will use all resources available to protect civilians taking refuge in UN compounds from continuing conflict in South Sudan, UNMISS Spokesperson Ariane Quentier told UN Radio Miraya today.

“The UN will do its outmost to protect civilians with and within the limits of its capacity of resources … and in general go at length to protect civilians,” said Ariane Quentier.

She said the UN message to those sheltering at UN compounds fearing for their safety was that the UN was committed to protect everyone, regardless of their background.

“The UN is committed to protect every single civilian, wherever they come from, whoever they are and what their background is,” said Ms. Quentier. “The UN remains committed to provide the conditions for humanitarian assistance to reach them in the protected sites.”

Currently, 65,000 civilians are sheltering in UN compounds in Juba, Bor, Malakal and other areas around the country.

Ms. Quentier said UNMISS would open their bases to people seeking protection and the United Nations would reach out to those outside UN bases.

16 January 2014 - Some 30,000 feet above the ground in South Sudan, the pilot of an Australian C-17 Globemaster was kitted out in a flak jacket and helmut, preparing to clear the country’s airspace.

“We’re flying at a specific profile, which will mitigate a lot of the risk that the aircraft will be put in,” Flight Lieutenant Luke Ridgway recently told UN Radio Miraya. “Being on the ground in South Sudan for a minimal amount of time has been our goal."

In December 2013, after conflict broke out in the world’s youngest nation, Acting Australian Prime Minister Warren Truss committed two Australian aircraft and crew to support UNMISS.

The team has used three air crews to keep the enormous C-17 running constantly between Juba and the UN logistical hub in Brindisi, Italy, bringing vital supplies. Each load has three classic, metal containers like those on any cargo ship.

“Inside, those containers are loaded up with supplies … like water purification kits, sanitation kits, tents and tarpaulins and also defensive stores for United Nations personnel that are dispersed around the capital and regionally in South Sudan,” Lieutenant Ridgway said.

“The UN and UNMISS can only stress the extremely valuable role that the Australian forces are playing right now,” said UNMISS Spokesperson Ariane Quentier. “Coming back with all these supplies is vital and crucial for the mission to continue and for the crisis to be addressed.”

Lietenant Ridgway was modest about the part he was playing to assist in the crisis, which began on 15 December with clashes between pro-and anti-government forces in Juba before spreading to several other states.

“It’s very humbling to be a part of this mission,” he said. “It becomes a lot more human when you’re there on the ground, and you see the people, you fly over the refugee camps, as opposed to seeing it on the news.”

And it’s very humbling that we can help even if it is only via shipping containers to the capital,” the flight lieutenant added. “It may seem like a small part but it’s a large cog in a large wheel that is helping the people of South Sudan."

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has taken a number of steps to improve security at its ‘protection of civilians sites’ in UN bases across the country. The objective is to ensure the safety for the around 65,000 displaced persons and the surrounding communities, and maintain the civilian nature of the sites.

An array of security measures have been put in place. Weapon searches have now been undertaken in all the main bases, in Juba, Bor, Bentiu and Malakal. This has been done by UN Police supported by UNMISS military forces, including ‘combing’ the areas with metal detectors. Joint UN Police and military patrols are taking place inside and in the immediate vicinity of all the sites, while troops are guarding the perimeter of UNMISS compounds.

Fencing, berms and ditches have been built, and displaced persons coming in and out are systematically screened and controlled. Further security measures to strengthen the perimeters of the camps are also underway.

Another 63 additional UN police personnel arrived yesterday, bringing the total number of UNPOL reinforcements to 315. With a last group coming next Friday, the additional more robust and armed police units authorized by the Security Council in December will be completed. They will deploy in Formed Police Units to UNMISS bases in Juba, Malakal and Bentiu.

To address all security concerns, the UN Police (UNPOL) Commissioner is regularly meeting with the South Sudan Police Inspector General and in Juba with the Central Equatorian Police Commissioner.
The congestion of the sites also poses a challenge to the safety of civilians. Yesterday UNMISS started moving newly arrived displaced persons from the UN Tomping compound to the protection site at UN House where space is still available. Several hundred have now changed location.

UNMISS wants to reiterate its impartiality in the ongoing conflict, and in the implementation of its mandate to protect all civilians, irrespective of who they are, where they come from and what their ethnic background is.

For further information or media enquiries,
Spokesperson: Ariane Quentier - quentier@un.org +211 912 177 770

17 January 2014 - Health workers at the UNMISS Juba Tomping base, which now hosts over 17,000 displaced South Sudanese, were facing tremendous challenges, the hospital commandant said today.

Although it had only 25 beds, 100 patients were currently seeking treatment at the mission hospital, Dr. Chanthy Phok said.

“We have many women and children,” he said. “These need treatment for which the hospital was not equipped in the first place.”

The hospital, which is ordinarily intended for UN staff, was now dealing with pregnancies and deliveries and children’s diseases.

“Treating children is a real challenge,” said Dr. Phok. “We have medicine that is intended for adults, not syrups for children. Now we have to improvise and make powder out of tablets in order to get some treatment for the children.”

The most common diseases were malaria, diahorrea and measles, he said.

A weekly reported issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 15 January said 39 new suspected measles cases had been recorded from Tomping internally displaced person (IDP) camp in Juba in the last week.

“WHO and cluster partners are making efforts to control the measles outbreaks in all the displaced people’s camps through emergency vaccination campaigns,” the report said.

According to Dr. Kouassi Rene Kouame, a member of a team that recently joined the mission to deal with increased cases requiring surgery, lack of necessary tools was also a problem.

“We got someone who was injured near the neck and needed a special tool in order to operate on him,” said Dr. Kouame. “We had to improvise, to create the tool. Luckily, the operation went well and the patient will soon be discharged.”

He noted, however, that there were many cases of pregnant women needing caesarean sections, which was difficult in situations where decisions were taken late, depending on the arrival time of patients.

“We had one C-section that was not successful,” he said, adding that the hospital was now encouraging women to get checked as early as possible so that decisions could be made in time.

Doctors at the hospital also said it was important that both humanitarian actors and IDPs worked to ensure better hygiene in the camp to prevent the increasing number of people acquiring preventable diseases.

“Water and sanitation conditions remain dire in most areas, posing a higher risk of water borne diseases,” the WHO report also said.

20 January 2014 - Churches in the Western Equatoria capital Yambio have donated vitally needed items to over 60 internal displaced persons (IDPs) who were recently caught in conflict in Mundri Country.

Secondhand clothes, bed covers and food were distributed to the IDPs, who survived in the bush for three days after conflict erupted between Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldiers there on 4 January.

“We as a church should … help our people spiritually and physically by offering what we have to those in need,” said Reverend Samuel Timoteo of the Christians in Communion of Evangelical Churches (CEEC).

He called on South Sudanese leaders to stop fighting and enter into dialogue. People were tired of war, which had been present in the country on and off since the 1950s.

Churches and community based organizations, including the Young Women’s Christian Association, submitted their contributions to the state Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, which has been hosting the IDPS at its Rehabilitation Centre.

Peace has prevailed in Western Equatoria following conflict that broke out in Juba on 15 December 2013 between pro- and anti-government forces and spread to several other states.

20 January 2014 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was alarmed by attempts of senior South Sudanese government officials to force entry into the protective site for civilians at the UNMISS compound in the Jonglei State capital Bor, UNMISS Spokesperson Ariane Quentier said in Juba today.

Ms. Quentier’s remarks followed comments from government officials about UNMISS’ refusal to allow armed soldiers into the mission’s base. According to the comments, the incident raised concerns about the UNs position during conflict in the country over the last five weeks.

“The Secretary-General is also very disturbed that there were threats against staff members from UNMISS when they denied access to military personnel from the South Sudan army into the compound,” she said. “The Secretary-General calls on all the parties to respect the sanctity of UNMISS protection sites and UNMISS installations.”

There are currently an estimated 10,000 civilians taking shelter in the protection site at UNMISS premises in Bor.

“The Secretary-General condemns the threats made against UN personnel and demands that all parties to the conflict respect the sanctity of UNMISS protection sites,” a statement issued by his spokesperson said yesterday.

“This incident is just one of a growing number of violations of the Status of Forces Agreement, making it increasingly difficult for UNMISS to implement its mandate and dangerous for UN staff working in South Sudan,” it added.

Mr. Ban noted in the statement that thousands of civilians had been killed, brutally abused and left homeless in just over a month of conflict in South Sudan.

He called on parties and their leaders to do far more to ensure fighters under their command protected civilians and respected international humanitarian law. They should also immediately cease hostilities, which have had such a devastating impact on their young country.

21 January 2014 - Seven unaccompanied children were among 18 internally displaced people (IDPs) who arrived in the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal capital Aweil today from Rubkona County in Unity State. IDP Adhok Akok said when fighting started in Bentiu, they took refuge in the UNMISS compound. But after the government recaptured the town earlier this month, they made a decision to leave the state.

Using public commercial transport, the IDPs set off for Aweil.

“These children were crying without their parents, so I took them for their safety and welfare,” she said. “Four of their mothers have contacted us, but we do not know the whereabouts of the others.”

Ms. Akok thanked Aweil residents for giving the children food and asked for more support, as she was also a new arrival in the area.

The state’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission director, Deng Kuel Kuel, described the situation as “terrible”.

“(When) they reported to my office this morning, I interviewed them and confirmed seven children (arrived without) their parents,” he said. “I talked to the social welfare department in order to identify the families or relatives.”

24 January 2014 - When shooting began in Juba on 15 December 2013, Mary Nyapel was sleeping in her house near the national army’s headquarters in Juba, unaware that the gunfire would change her life.

“My husband was killed in front of our children,” said the mother of five, who currently lives in a small make-shift tent in the UNMISS protection site in Tomping. “When the children saw this, they ran away from the house thinking that both of their parents had been killed. It was hard for our children to see the blood of their father.”

Ms. Nyapel survived, but with injuries to both legs she could not escape, and stayed in her home with her two youngest children.

“I spent three days without seeing my (other) children,” she recounts. “I did not know where they were, but an UNMISS staff brought me here and later on I was reunited with my children.”

Apparently, another woman from her neighbourhood took Ms. Nyapel’s children with her as she and thousands of other civilians sought refuge in the mission’s base.

Ms. Nyapel’s story is similar to others in the camp, where UNMISS, UNICEF and the non-governmental organization Non-Violent Peace Force are working together to respond to different child protection challenges.

“We are … involved in reunification of children separated from their families (and) in family tracing,” said UNMISS Child Protection Officer Bado Datar.

According to a UNICEF report issued on 5 January, 210 separated or unaccompanied children have been identified in UN camps in Juba. While the more fortunate ones like Ms. Nyapel have been reunited with their children, the report noted that there were still 87 cases of missing children.

Close to Ms. Nyapel’s tent, a father walked around with a photo of his missing son in his pocket. As they escaped fighting in Juba, the little boy somehow got separated from his mother.

“I have a problem,” he said, explaining that he and his family had only just returned to South Sudan from Israel. Now it seemed that dreams of settling in their peaceful, independent nation had been shattered, but even worse, they’d lost a child.

Other children have been reported missing in camps across the country, the report said. In Awerial, Lakes State, a total of 97 unaccompanied children were identified and registered. Eight were reunified with their parents, while protection partners worked out a foster care system for others.

UNMISS and UNICEF organized an advocacy programme in Juba UN House this week to raise awareness about issues of recruiting children into armed forces and reporting on grave child rights violations.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ms. Hilde F. Johnson welcomes the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement as a first step towards a lasting and durable peace in South Sudan.

The SRSG calls on all the parties to fully and immediately implement the agreement and start an inclusive and comprehensive political dialogue to resolve the underlying causes of the conflict, work towards national reconciliation and build effective state institutions so the people of South Sudan enjoy the peace they so much deserved.

The SRSG also wants to acknowledge the tireless efforts and constructive role played by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and regional partners to achieve this cessation of hostilities agreement and expedite the release of the detainees.

For further information or media enquiries,
Spokesperson: Ariane Quentier - quentier@un.org +211 912 177 770

28 January 2014 - Continued violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed between teams from the South Sudan government and rival forces were because the accord was defective, the Minister of Information said in Juba today.

“There is no set up system to which we can report instances of violations,” said Michael Makuei Lueth at a press conference.

Mr. Lueth’s comments followed a briefing on the two agreements by the chief negotiator of the government delegation, Nhial Deng Nhial, who said the main aim of his team’s participation in the talks was a cessation of hostilities and an environment conducive to permanently end the conflict.

“Continued fighting indicates importance of expeditiously setting up the monitoring and verification team,” said Mr. Nhial. “We anticipate continued skirmishes because it is not easy to reign in an army of civilians which has no command and control mechanism.”

Following the signing of the agreement which UNMISS Chief Hilde F. Johnson welcomed as “a first step towards a lasting and durable peace in South Sudan”, there have been reports of violations of the agreement by both sides.

Speaking to Radio Miraya yesterday, a member of the Intergovernmental Authority in Development (IGAD) mediating team, Ambassador Dina Mufti, said no cessation of hostilities was ever implemented immediately and that it was normal to have sporadic clashes before such agreements went into full effect.

“Both sides are obliged to observe it and the IGAD and the rest of the International community would expect minimum forms of observing the cessation of hostilities agreement,” he said.

He revealed however that a monitoring and verification team would be on the ground by the end of this month.

“It is not something that should take long because it is very urgent,” he said. “IGAD is working on this and as soon as they finalize (it) … they will disclose the details because there will be different mandates for this monitoring group."

Speaking about the status of 11 political detainees, Mr. Nhial said the issue had gained much attention as a condition for rebels to sign the agreement, but noted that his delegation had had no input on the matter during negotiations.

“It’s an issue not with the president, but with the Ministry of Justice,” he said, adding that the latter had informed an extraordinary cabinet meeting yesterday that investigations were now complete.

“They shall not be held indefinitely; South Sudan is not a police state,” Mr. Nhial added. “We are a young country, but we have institutions and any action against the law requires due legal process including investigation and accountability. For now, there is no imminent release of the detainees.”

29 January 2014 - South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) was seeking to bridge the gap of trust between citizens and the force which had widened during the crisis in the country, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) said in Juba today.

“There are increasing demands for police to become visible in its law and order role,” said Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol, describing the extent of the division between the police and the people as “detrimental to efficient and successful future operations, reforms and restructure” of the force.

Following discussions with UNMISS Police Commissioner Fred Yiga on how to achieve a positive outcome out of a negative situation, Gen. Kuol presented a draft strategy which will focus on developing capacity of SSNPS officers’ skills in reconciliation and rebuilding of public relations as well as place importance on bringing civilians back to their homes.

He said the pilot programme which will start in Juba before extending to other states, will establish an interactive process, integrating SSNPS officers approved by IDP community leaders in protection of civilian sites.

He emphasized that SSNPS would not “force ourselves in, but need to develop a programme that is attractive to the people”, with an expected result of improved relations and eventual repatriation from protection sites.

UNPOL commissioner Yiga said the meeting, which he described as “very successful” was intended to look at South Sudan after the conflict.

“Before the crisis, we had a very steady programme of transforming and reforming the police service but because of the last few days, there has been a need to change our direction before we continue with what we had planned,” he said. “We are talking about South Sudanese who are living in fear … (and) need confidence that police in this country is still available for them and can give them the protection that they think we give them.”

Mr. Yiga said UNPOL had agreed to work with SSNPS to raise awareness through the media and give local police officers specialized training in topics such as human rights, protection of civilians and international humanitarian law.

“Police is the only institution that has been mandated by the constitution to keep law and order and this is the time to make sure that it is visible,” he said. “The police must make sure that they keep their promise of assuring the people… Development at this time in history cannot happen unless all the citizens in this country feel secure.”

28 January 2013 - Construction on a vital road linking residents of Turalei, Warrap State, with the only medical facility in Twic County was launched by UNMISS in the town today.

The road suffers seasonal flooding, making is virtually impassable during the rainy season.

The almost one-kilometer project, chosen by the community association and county authority, is being funded by an UNMISS Quick Impact Project (QIP).

County Executive Director Baptist Gum said constructing the road from Freedom Square to Mother Tereza hospital was prioritized to ensure year-round accessibility to the facility.

“UNMISS … this is yet another support of your organization to the people of Twic County and South Sudan,” Mr. Gum said.

Women’s representative Pantel Yor Malith said the road would significantly assist pregnant women and those delivering babies during the rainy season.

UNMISS State Coordinator Abraham Onifade noted that the project was small in terms of distance, but would have a significant and long-lasting impact on the entire Twic community.

“It opens up access to Mother Tereza health facility and it will serve the community beneficially in many respects for years to come,” Mr. Onifade said.

He also noted that UN humanitarian agencies were supporting more than 11,000 IDPs in Twic County.

Relief and Rehabilitation Commission County Secretary Abraham Yor said the launch signified positive cooperation between UNMISS and Twic County.

The mission has also assisted Twic with a community center and extension of the County Commissioner’s office as well as a QIP-funded water project awaiting commissioning.

Also attending the launch were members of the Turalei community, the county inspector of police, community leaders and representatives of the project contractor, LOU Group.

31 January 2014 - Seeking peaceful migration of livestock this year, more than 500 delegates from the Dinka Malual and Misseryia communities concluded a three-day conference today in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State.

The two communities agreed to allow Misseryia nomadic tribes access to water and pasture from South Sudan’s territory and the Dinka Malual commercial goods from the Misseyria areas of Sudan’s Western Kordofan State.

The Agreement was witnessed by senior government officials and UN representatives.

In closing remarks, Misseryia women’s representative Gisima Ibrahim Hamid expressed regret at the death of their sons in past conflicts, urging youths of her tribe to advocate for peace.

“Enough, enough for the sadness of the women,” Mr. Hamid said. “And orphans that remained without knowing … their fathers. Our youth who came here should listen and observe how we sat together with South Sudanese.”

Dinka Malual youth representative James Garang Arech said he had observed that Misseryia youth were serious about peace this year, calling on them to maintain it for development in the two communities.

UNMISS State Coordinator Seth Kumi said the mission would support the peaceful migration of Misseryia nomads.

The conference was supported by the non-governmental organization VISTAS, UNMISS and the state Peace Commission.

2 February 2014 - UNMISS staff had shown a great resilience and effectiveness as they assisted the South Sudanese people during the crisis in the country, the UN peacekeeping operations chief said in Juba today.

“There had to be difficult decisions to be made,” said Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous on arrival in the country for a two-day visit. “I think it’s a credit to the UN that the Special Representative of the Secretary General and all the staff, whether international or national … have displayed such strength during these very difficult circumstances.”

Mr. Ladsous, who arrived from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa where he attended the African Union (AU) summit was met by UNMISS Chief Hilde F. Johnson. During his visit, he will meet with UN staff and peacekeepers as well as senior government officials to discuss the ongoing crisis in the country and the operations of UNMISS.

“I thought it only natural that I should come to Juba, to visit UNMISS to commend the bravery and the incredible work that they have been doing over this terrible period and also to see the senior leadership in the country to see how we can helps towards coming out of this terrible ordeal that South Sudan has suffered,” he said.

Mr. Ladsous and Under Secretary General for field support Ameerah Haq represented the UN during a meeting held by the AU-UN Joint Task Force on Peace and Security immediately after the AU assembly of heads of state and government in Addis Ababa.

“The task force recognized that the outbreak of violence was due to political disagreements and emphasized that a lasting solution could only be found through dialogue,” said a statement on the AU website. “In that regard, the AU and the UN would continue to support the mediation led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and ongoing efforts to establish a mechanism for the monitoring and verification of the cessation of hostilities agreement.”

The UN also pledged full support to the Commission of Inquiry into human rights violations being established by the AU as an important tool for promoting accountability, reconciliation and healing, the statement added.

3 February 2014 - There could be no other solution to the crisis in South Sudan than a political one, UN peacekeeping operations chief Herve Ladsous said in Juba today.

“UNMISS is concentrating on three areas: protection of civilians, human rights and help to humanitarian actors to deliver, but clearly the solution to this massive crisis has to be a political one,” he said.

During his two-day visit to the country, Mr. Ladsous met with President Salva Kiir and discussed different challenges brought on by the crisis.

“Priority must go to the agreement signed on 23 January for the cessation of hostilities,” said Mr. Ladsous after the meeting. “In that sense, I conveyed the total support of the United Nations for the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) mediation process.”

The peacekeeping chief also briefed the president on the situation the mission was dealing with on various UN bases sheltering civilians.

During a visit to the protection of civilians area at the UNMISS base in Tomping, Mr. Ladsous said seeing thousands of people alive was a clear indicator UNMISS had made the right decision in opening its gates to civilians, although living conditions were difficult.

Community leaders expressed their appreciation, but also discussed the people’s fears and challenges with him.

“We are under pressure to return to our homes, but people are afraid,” said one representative. “If the UN cannot take us to another country, let us at least get transport back to our localities (of origin).”

Mr. Ladsous said the mission and humanitarian partners had taken up the most urgent aspects of people’s needs, but with coming rains, it was important to find ways to decongest the bases.

“It is a terrible strain for the UN and humanitarian partners to provide water and food but a lot of work is ongoing to improve facilities, find alternatives, but above all to bring about conditions that will help you return to your homes,” he said.

The UN chief also met with national and international UN staff, who he commended for their resilience throughout the crisis, and for sharing UNMISS facilities with South Sudanese seeking shelter in Juba and other places. He noted that this action had saved lives, but “deaths that don’t occur don’t make news”.

“Had this not been done, then it would have been many thousands or ten thousands of civilians who would have been killed,” he said. “Difficult as it may have been, as it is, as it could be in future, I think it shows a great example of the sort of thing we have to do."

4 February 2014 - Reinforcing the UNMISS military component in South Sudan, 266 Nepalese peacekeepers arrived in Juba today from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The contingent’s arrival followed an advance team of 25 Nepalese troops who arrived in the country in January from MINUSTAH to support the mission after an outbreak of violence on 15 December between pro- and anti-government forces.

The troops joined the mission in line with a Security Council resolution in December to increase the mission’s military component to make a total force of 12,500 troops.

“We are extremely grateful for the prompt response that Nepal has shown and has willingly accepted to provide UNMISS with an additional battalion at short notice,” said UNMISS Deputy Force Commander Asit Mistry.

He said the troops, who include 10 women, will originally be deployed at UN House in Juba, and deployment would then be adjusted “as per emerging situation”.

“I am confident that you will perform as well as the other Nepalese battalion … I wish all of you a safe and secure tenure here in South Sudan,” Brig. Gen. Mistry added.

Another 500 troops coming directly from the Nepal capital Kathmandu are also expected to join the team in coming weeks.

The resolution to boost UNMISS troops was made in support of a recommendation by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to temporarily increase the overall force levels to support the mission in protecting civilians and providing humanitarian assistance.

On 9 January, UN peacekeeping chief Hervé Ladsous said the 5,500-strong surge in UN peacekeepers and equipment for South Sudan could take up to eight weeks to be fully deployed on the ground.

On 4 February, a contingent of 266 additional peacekeepers arrived in South Sudan. The troops include 10 women, two of whom are doctors, and three nurses. They will be deployed in Juba at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) protection sites. The arrival of additional battalions is expected in the coming weeks.

The current deployment is pursuant to the 24 December 2013 UN Security Council resolution 2132 which reinforced UNMISS military and police components by an additional 5,500 troops and 423 police, to bring the total authorized numbers in South Sudan up to 12,500 peacekeepers and up to 1,323 police. The Security Council also encouraged “inter-mission cooperation” for needed troops and assets to be transferred from other UN missions to UNMISS. Additional troops are therefore coming from already existing peacekeeping operations

So far, all additional authorized police have arrived as Formed Police Units and been sent to Bentiu, Bor, Malakal and Juba in the course of January.

UNMISS is currently protecting approximately 75,000 civilians in 8 protection sites located on UNMISS compounds, including over 43,000 in Juba; 21,000 in Malakal; 6,000 in Bor and close to 3,000 in Bentiu.

For further information or media enquiries, Spokesperson: Ariane Quentier - quentier@un.org +211 912 177 770

6 February 2014 - The World Food Programme (WFP) this week distributed a one-week food ration to help displaced people in the Jonglei State capital Bor deal with food shortages.

Targeting more than 5,000 people seeking shelter at the UNMISS base in Bor, WFP distributed about 15,189 metric tons of food and non-food items from 3 to 4 February.

Yasuyuki Misawa, head of the WFP state office said this followed earlier distribution of 20, 043 metric tons of food and non-food items to 6,809 people at the same base during the third week of January.

Yesterday, humanitarian partners, including WFP, also started as assessment of Bor town aimed planning resettlement of civilians displaced from their homes during the conflict.

“So far we have not seen many people returning back to the town and this is one of the challenges for us to make a plan (for) the near future,” said Mr. Misawa. “We are still working on integrated assistance to resettle civilians.”

He noted that aid agencies would also assist displaced people in other parts of the state once peace and stability returned to the region.