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.

7 February 2014 - The United Nations has extended relief operations in Malakal, Upper Nile State, scene of some of the fiercest fighting between government and opposition forces.

The mission has moved outside its base, where it is sheltering 28,000 civilians to reach 10,000 others driven from their homes.

“This is the first aid to reach the displaced people outside of the UN base in Malakal,” UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba told a news briefing in Geneva today.

“Insecurity as well as wide-spread looting of humanitarian assets meant that UNHCR and other agencies were unable to deliver aid to those displaced outside of the UN base in Malakal until now,” she said.

Since Tuesday, UNHCR has delivered plastic sheeting, jerry cans, buckets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats and blankets airlifted into Malakal from its regional stockpile in Nairobi, Kenya, to more than 3,000 people and hopes to reach the other 7,000 by the end of next week.

Thousands of people are believed to have been killed and more than 870,000 others have fled their homes since fighting broke out on 15 December between the forces of President Salva Kiir and former deputy president Riek Machar.

Some 75,000 of the displaced are seeking refuge on eight UN bases throughout the country. The two sides signed a ceasefire in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last month, leading to a relative lull.

“We are taking advantage of the relative calm following the signing of the cessation of hostilities agreement between the warring forces on 23 January 2014 to deliver aid to the most vulnerable,” Ms. Lejeune-Kaba said.

Malakal, some 600 kilometres north of the capital Juba, has some 153,000 displaced people, the second largest concentration after Unity State with more than 188,000.

Most of the displaced in Malakal outside the UN base have been staying in schools and other sites for weeks, while others continue arriving from Khorflus in neighboring Jonglei State or from nearby villages, citing fear and insecurity, despite the truce.

“Some of the displaced have told our emergency staff that the security situation in their villages continues to be tense and that they could not work or survive in that kind of environment,” Ms. Lejeune-Kaba said. “The city of Malakal itself remains largely deserted and civilians continue to flee to and from it.”

UNHCR is distributing relief items in close collaboration with other UN agencies and humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration and the Christian non-governmental organization World Vision.

10 February 2014 - To prevent people from bringing unpermitted items into civilian protection sites, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) last week brought eight “sniffer” dogs into South Sudan, a senior official said in Juba today.

“We have got the dogs here to be used as security on the gates and around the camp,” said UNMAS Chief of Operations Robert Thompson. “They are here to search and indicate people who bring in weapons, explosives or contraband and they will be used for random searches as needed in and around the (protection areas).”

The dogs, which were brought from Afghanistan, were supplied by UNMAS contractors Mine Tech International and will be used in South Sudan until the end of June.

“They are well trained and well used to the duties we have to do,” said Mr. Thompson, adding that the dogs would be working alongside the UN Department of Security and Safety and UN Police as they carry out daily searches.

“I think it is a good visual deterrent if anybody is thinking of bringing anything in,” he said. “They will know we have the capability to find things that are smuggled in the camp.”

Mr. Thompson said the dogs also have flying capability and can be flown to the Unity State capital Bentiu and Upper Nile State capital Malakal when needed in those places.

A UNMISS update issued last week noted that a mission team had observed many unexploded ordinances in Mayom County, Unity State, and local authorities there had requested support from UNMAS in clearing roads.

A recently revised humanitarian response plan also revealed that mine action was targeting 1.8 million people in the most high risk areas of the country.

“As of 30 December 2013, 320 suspected or confirmed minefields were recorded by the mine action sub-cluster,” said the statement. “While these minefields were created during the Sudan civil war and do not relate to the current conflict, they prevent the safe use of land for farming and food production.”

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has taken a series of steps to strengthen security in relation to the Protection of Civilians sites within the Mission's compounds. Security problems have continued to cause serious concerns at the gates and in the vicinity of the UNMISS compounds.

On Monday 10th February, the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) conducted an operation outside the compound in Tomping, Juba. The action took place next to the Western Gate at the entrance of the protection of civilians’ site in the UN base. The operation was aimed at increasing security through searching for weapons, taking care of vehicles that could be a security threat and dismantling sale stands and liquor bars involved in illegal activity.

The operation was led by the South Sudanese Police with the support of 50 UN Police officers. At no point did South Sudan government troops surround the UNMISS compound, and neither was the SPLA involved in the operation.

Major General Said Sahul and Major General Pauline were in charge of the operation, supported by 130 South Sudanese Police officers and in close coordination with the UN Police of UNMISS. The Mayor of Juba and the State Police Commissioner of Central Equatoria State were also involved. The Mayor of Juba had previously made public announcements through radio and TV to give the week-end (7 till 9 February) for civilians to be prepared for the operation that was to take place outside the UNMISS Western gate.

The operation started on Monday at 06:30 am and was completed by 11:00 am that same morning. The Western Gate has now been cleared and private vehicles taken by SSNPS Traffic Police for further verification. A number of military uniforms, some ammunition as well as knives and machetes have been seized by SSNPS. No UN vehicles were parked outside the Western gate and none were seized by the SSNPS.

Further operations are planned to address security related concerns. They will also be led by the SSNPS and coordinated with UN Police.

11 February 2014 - Local residents beginning to return to the Unity State capital Bentiu after recent fighting in the town today received rations of food to last 15 days for each family.

Working with UNMISS and other humanitarian partners, teams from the World Food Programme (WFP) and International Organization for Migration led the registration and distribution exercise, which WFP spokesperson George Fominyen said was targeting 20,000 people in two days.

The distribution was conducted simultaneously at Independence Stadium, Bentiu A Primary School and the UNMISS protection of civilians area, where civilians received sorghum, pulses, oil and salt.

“These people were displaced and have started returning now,” said WFP Spokesman George Fominyen. “They don’t have food (or) purchasing power … and not many goods are available in the market. We will soon assess the food needs and possibly organize another round of food distribution.”

Unity State Governor Joseph Manytuil Wejang, who inspected distribution sites, said the government also had plans to deliver assistance.

“We have the issue of logistics and (lack of) markets where we can buy items, but very soon the assistance from the government side will be delivered,” he said.

Civilians who gathered at distribution sites from nearby villages said it was an opportunity to see in town’s condition as well as receiver humanitarian support.

“I used to live in Bentiu before the crisis,” said George Mayong Sai, who used to sell charcoal and building materials. “Until recently I was in Phiu village but I came here because we didn’t have food in the village. I will not leave again.”

Mr. Sai said his tukul (hut) was looted, but it was not burnt down and he would continue to live there after the food distribution with his two wives and eight children.

Another beneficiary, Maimuna Aihad, said it was good to receive food, but requested continuous assistance. She said when the fighting started; she and her four children had run away to another village, where they sometimes had no food.

“In the bush it was too difficult (and) I don’t want to go back,” said Ms. Aihad. “It’s better to stay in Bentiu. (Even) if something happens … I’m not going back to the bush.”

12 February 2014 - Displaced people at an UNMISS base in the South Sudanese capital Juba were opting to remain there until the security situation outside became more predictable, their representatives said today.

Although life in the protection of civilian site came with some challenges, the UN was providing food, water and security, which made it a better option to their homes outside, according to James Gatluak.

The 30-year-old father of five, who is seeking shelter at UN House near Jebel, also said it was easier for women to move in and out of the protection area than for men who stayed in “for fear of the unknown”.

“Life is difficult in the camp here, but we are trying to survive,” said Mr. Gatluak, who is running a phone-charging business. “I lost everything during the crisis. Even if peace is restored, it will be difficult to start life again.”

He believed peace was still possible in the country, if the UN and the international community exerted adequate pressure on warring parties to end the conflict, he said.

“South Sudanese can unite and live as one people,” said James Kuth, a 43-year old father of ten. “But if there are people who do not want peace, what can we do?”

Both men requested UNMISS to resettle them outside the country should the government fail to secure a safe haven for them within South Sudan.

“I cannot stay where my life is in danger even if I call this country my motherland,” said Mr. Kuth.

Mr. Kuth, who is living in the protection site with two wives and children, said he would rather die of hunger inside the protection site than of gunshots outside it.

Although humanitarian agencies were providing food and other assistance, several IDPs felt they should start businesses to ensure their families had enough to survive on besides aid they received.

Nyayuel Chol, a 30-year-old woman who arrived at the site a month ago with her four children, said she had yet to receive a food ration, but was lucky her sister was sharing her ration with them.

In the meantime, Ms. Chol has opened a small tea-selling business along the walkway of the protection area to make ends meet.

12 February 2014 - The Youth Technology Development Organization launched a free wash project at Juba Military Hospital today to help wounded soldiers.

“We the youth volunteered to help the wounded soldiers to wash their cloths and bed sheets for peace and unity in this nation,” said Organization Chairperson Thomas Muto Samuel, adding that the project was especially aimed at soldiers without relatives.

Moses Mawel Majak, one of the patients, thanked the organization for its remarkable help to wounded soldiers and appealed to the youth organization to continue assisting victims of violence at hospitals.

The organization will also carry out activities such as sports, peace building and agriculture in Juba’s Munuki, Kator and Northern Bari payams as part of the six-month free wash project.

The project is funded through individual contributions by youth.

From this morning, there has been heavy fighting in and around Malakal between the SPLA in Opposition and the Government forces. Simultaneously, inter-communal clashes flared up within the Protection of Civilians site within the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound, which also came under cross fire. The latter situation was contained by UNMISS troops and Formed Police Units, but unfortunately, casualties were later sustained.

A total of ten persons died in the UNMISS Hospital from injuries received both outside the compound and from the clashes within the POC area. Firearms were not used in the latter clashes. A number of IDPs have also received medical treatment.

The Mission’s Malakal compound protects 21,568 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The fighting outside the compound compelled UNMISS troops to concentrate on protecting the perimeter of the camp from this external threat. Violence then re-erupted in the Protection of Civilians area within the UNMISS compound.

The situation was brought under control, and all UN staff stationed at the UNMISS Malakal compound are safe and accounted for, and none has required medical attention.

The Mission strongly condemns those who instigated the inter-communal violence inside the PoC area and reserves the right to take appropriate action against these individuals.

UNMISS further stresses that both parties to this conflict must respect the inviolability of the premises and facilities of the United Nations. It also reiterates UNMISS’ impartial role in the current crisis and its commitment to protect all civilians, whatever their background.

UNMISS is deeply concerned about the attack on Malakal town in Upper Nile State. Continued fighting between the parties over control of the state capital will only exacerbate an already dire situation for the civilian population and undermine the efforts to stabilize the situation in South Sudan.

It is imperative that both parties fully comply with the Cessation of Hostilities-agreement, signed under the auspices of IGAD. It falls upon both sides to ensure a swift establishment of the monitoring and verification mechanism, which is critical for progress in the negotiations and for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in South Sudan.

15 January 2014 – As civilians continue to face peril in South Sudan, the first group of 25 Nepalese military reinforcements arrived today in Juba from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The team of one officer and 24 soldiers is an advance party of the 350-member Nepalese UN reinforcement battalion from MINUSTAH, which is expected to be in South Sudan by the end of the month. Another 500 troops coming directly from the Nepal capital Kathmandu are also expected to join the team.

“Your deployment … emphasizes the commitment of the UN to protect civilians and maintain the mission’s integrity and ability to complete mandated tasks,” said UNMISS Force Commander Johnson Delali Sakyi, while welcoming the troops. “I will therefore charge you all to carry out your mission with professionalism, dedication and commitment.”

The team’s arrival follows a Security Council decision on 24 December 2013 to increase the mission’s component by an additional 5,500 troops for a total force of 12,500 troops. The resolution supported a recommendation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to temporarily increase UNMISS’ overall force to assist the mission in protecting civilians and providing humanitarian assistance.

Maj. Gen. Sakyi emphasized that protection of civilians was a priority mandated UNMISS task, and one upon the mission’s credibility was judged.

“As you deploy in your area of responsibility, read and understand all operational orders well … and let your operational actions be conducted in a manner that is consistent with military ethics and UN Rules of Engagement,” he said. “Remember to be impartial… be seen to be doing the right things always and every time.”

The Force Commander urged the peacekeeping troops to be professional “as the eyes of the world and of the whole UN System are fixed on UNMISS, of which you have become a part”.

Discussions are underway for additional troops from countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, India, Tanzania and Bangladesh to also join the UNMISS force up to the numbers recommended by the Council.

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.

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.