26 March 2014 - To assist UNMISS troops and displaced people on its bases ahead of the rainy season, Japan donated shelter materials to the mission today in Juba.

The 200 tents and 4,000 plastic sheets, worth about $470,000, were handed over during a handover ceremony attended by Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan Takeshi Akamatsu and UNMISS Chief of Staff Paul Egunsola.

“These materials … are destined to be used by the increasing number of UNMISS contingents as well as displaced persons taking refuge in UNMISS camps,” Ambassador Akamatsu said. “We are grateful … (they) have arrived here in time for the rainy season.”

Mr. Egunsola noted that the UNMISS Japanese engineering contingent’s work had greatly benefited the mission as well as South Sudanese people. “Thanks to their efforts, conditions (in the displaced persons camps) have improved, including water and sanitation. This work has continued until today.”

He said the UN Security Council had approved additional troops for UNNMISS, so it would need more accommodation and logistical support. “Once we have received the items, we will send some straight to Malakal to help some of the troops in our surge capacity there.”

Conflict broke out in the country on 15 December 2013 between government and opposition forces in Juba and rapidly spread to several other states. UNMISS is currently sheltering about 68,000 displaced civilians on eight bases across the country.