28 February 2014 - UNMISS handed over two multi-purpose community resource centers today to local authorities in Maridi and Ezo Counties of Western Equatoria State.

Speaking at the Maridi ceremony, UNMISS Recovery Reintegration and Peace building (RRP) chief Derk Segaar said the centres were aimed at enhancing conmmunity relations with the government and income-generating activities.

He urged residents to use the resource centre for meetings, workshops and activities which could foster peace and unity among people. “Please, see it as a resource for you. Do the meetings, do the peace building activities to keep the centre alive.”

The centres consist of three offices and a hall, which the UN Development Programme (UNDP) will equip with computers for youth and community works.

At a cost of $300,000 each, the centres are part of a larger $750,000 Quick Impact Project (QIP) UNMISS carried out in partnership with the UNDP.

As part of the same project, the UN partners are building a bridge worth $25,000 connecting Modubai Boma (town area) to Maridi, which is almost completed. Another $25,00 was used to construct sanitation facilities in Maridi prison for men and women.

Sam Umure, UNDP Programme Manager in South Sudan, said his department would bring more development activities to the state, which the UN had declared a “green state” due to its peacefulness.

UNMISS Western Equatoria State Coordinator Ataklti Hailu said the community should not wait for partners to play critical roles. It should take the lead and support them by showing ownership and providing labour as well as local resources.

Acting Governor Daniel Zingifuaboro requested UNMISS and other partners to come to Western Equatoria to support the local community in development activities.

In Ezo County, the UN/UNDP QIP is also funding the construction of a school with three classrooms and a teachers’ office worth $100,000. The school is located in Degere Boma, seven kilometres from town so that pupils currently studying under trees can access it.

Most schools in Ezo County face difficulties during the rainy season due to poot shelter and facilities. Some schools are closed due to the lack of accessible water.

During the resource centre handover in Ezo, Commissioner Moudie Albert emphasized the importance of his county, as it bordered the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic He also noted that it had been badly affected by Lord’s Resistance Army atrocities.

UNMISS contracted a local community based organization to implement the project, aiming at strengthen their capacity and instill ownership in the community.

Western Equatoria has remained peaceful since conflict broke out in Juba on 15 December 2013 between pro- and anti-government forces, which rapidly spread to several other states.