20 November, 2014 - To enable displaced people at the UN base in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal to understand of the UNMISS mandate, the mission today started a two-day workshop.

“Some of you might be wondering what UNMISS is doing here and what activities we are involved in (and) this is why we are here,” said UNMISS Acting State Coordinator Hastings Amurani Phiri in his opening remarks to the women, elders and youth who attended the workshop.

In addition to the overall mandate of the mission, UNMISS officials also briefed participants on the work done by different sections like Public Information, Civil Affairs, Human Rights, Gender and UN Police.

Simon Akol Kir, a participant, appreciated the role of UNMISS in protecting civilians and thanked officials for explaining the new mandate.

“I did not know that the UNMISS mandate had changed due to the current crisis, but today I have understood (it),” he said.