3 December 2014 - Aiming to help internally displaced people (IDPs) better understand the UNMISS mandate, mission officials today conducted a one-day workshop at a protection site in Melut, Upper Nile State.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer Nino Gerardo Lasin said it was important for IDPs to understand the mission’s role in South Sudan, particularly after changes in the mandate following crisis in the country.

“The presence of the international community has increased due to the crisis that broke out in December 2013,” he said. “We are having this workshop to explain the new UNMISS mandate.”

In addition to the general mandate, mission officials also explained the work of different UNMISS sections like Public Information, Civil Affairs, Human Rights and UN Police.

Participants appreciated the role of UNMISS in protecting the civilians as well as investigating human rights violations and abuses.

“I did know that the UNMISS mandate had changed due to current crisis,” said Peter Kor, a participant. “Today I have understood the new UNMISS mandate, which is to protect civilians as well as investigate human rights violations.”

There are about 913 IDPs living in the UNMISS Protection site in Melut.