21 September 2014 - The crisis in South Sudan was denying people their rights to peace, education and healthy living conditions, UNMISS State Coordinator Mary Cummins told displaced persons today in the Unity State capital Bentiu.

“We need your help as a community to keep the peace in our PoC (Protection of Civilians) site,” Ms. Cummins said, speaking at celebrations to mark International Day of Peace.

“Peace is a long road that we must travel together step by step. We will start today” she said at the event, which was organized by UNMISS under the global theme “The right of people to peace”.

Over 700 people from schools, drama groups and the UN participated in the ceremony. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) were represented by community leaders.

Community leader James Lei Chan expressed his gratitude for the role UNMISS was playing to protect civilians in South Sudan. “We need UNMISS to continue helping us.”

Zinab Nyng, a displaced mother of three, noted that people remembered the old days when they lived in peace. “Now we are living with fear and pain.”

James Garkoth, a child studying in the PoC emergency school, said, “I danced today with my friend for peace. I hope every day we dance for peace.”

UNMISS Bentiu is harbouring more than 40,000 people living in six POC sites.