United Nations or UN Security Council endorsed a civilian protection resolution mandating its Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS to facilitate reconciliation among inter-communal conflicts in addition to protection of civilians.
UNMISS Civilians’ Protection Advisor Jeffrey Buenger told journalists on Thursday that the new mandate ensures civilians’ protection from any source of physical violence by all necessary means.
He added that the Council also mandated UNMISS to secure conducive environment for safe repatriation and re-integration of internally displaced persons or IDPs and refugees.
Mr Buenger said the Mission would also implement active and proactive patrols including early warning strategies and confidence building through strengthening public safety and security.
He said the Mission’s civil protection force is not a substitute, but supplement to government’s security forces.
UNMISS Peace Building Team Head Derk Segaar said there were already 95 thousand IDPs all over the country and that the number is expected to rise in coming days.
He cited continuous influx of IDPs in Bentiu of Unity State, saying civilians pouring into UNMISS compound are severely malnourished due to looming food insecurity.
Mr Segaar revealed that the Mission faces challenges of health crisis, insufficient water supply, congestion and food insecurity in managing civilians’ protection sites.
The official said IDPs’ return home remains voluntary based on personal safety and conscience.
Mr Segaar explained that the new mandate does not protect oil field installations, but civilians around the installations.