18 February 2015 - It was vital for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to share information with UNMISS and humanitarian partners, the mission’s officials said in the Unity State capital Bentiu today.

The officials, speaking at a half-day event aimed at highlighting the value of information-sharing, emphasized that messages should not only come from UNMISS and humanitarian agencies to IDPs.

Displaced community leaders as well as women and youth representatives attended the meeting, which encouraged them to share information whenever they detected any events that could endanger their safety, noting that early warning would help in devising response mechanisms.

“IDPs are part and parcel of a broader early warning system,” said UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer William Jial. “They have a responsibility to monitor situations and share information pertaining to security and other crimes with local and international institutions that are providing protection.”

He added that IDPs also must also be attentive to messages unfavourable to peace and reconciliation.

Guek Riak, a representative of the displaced people, said such meetings would help promote awareness of message management.

“The most important part of it is that the community has an obligation to promote peaceful messages as opposed to inflammatory messages that promote hate among the IDP population,” he said.

Mary Nyagah, a women’s representative, said it was important for youth and children to engage in constructive activities which would reduce incidents of misbehaving due to idleness.