20 June 2014 - Different states in South Sudan today commemorated World Refugee Day through activities involving refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups.

To assist vulnerable youth groups and IDPs, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) field office in Warrap State donated various items in the state capital Kuajok.

The items, which were donated during a ceremony to commemorate World Refugee Day, included 20 sewing machines, rolls of cloth, scissors, sewing machine oil, zippers, cutting papers and training aid manuals.

“This is a good way of helping IDPs in the camps and vulnerable youth reintegrate into the society,” said Amoussou Eliane Valerie, UNHCR Warrap State Head of Office.

She described the donation as “a contribution to the social development of youth and IDPs in the state”.

Victor Makueh, Director General at the Ministry of Social Development, received the items and hailed the donation as a step in the right direction. “These are things that will greatly help our vulnerable people (who) need help.”

Noting that over 5,000 IDPs need assistance in the state, Mr. Makueh said that the local government and county authorities were doing everything possible to meet people’s needs, but assistance from partners like UNHCR was still vital.

“We have received support from the UN and other partners but we need more,” he said, pledging to ensure that the items would reach the target beneficiaries and be used for the right purpose.

In the Upper Nile State capital Malakal, IDPs seeking shelter at the UNMISS base celebrated with songs and drama about peace.

“UNMISS and humanitarian partners will continue to provide physical protection for you and your families,” said UNMISS Recovery, Reintegration and Peacebuilding Officer Caroline Opok.

She called on community leaders to work together and ensure harmony in communities.

Mildred Ouma, head of the UNHCR field office, appreciated the role played by host communities the world over and in the state.

“I pay particular tribute to host communities… especially in Upper Nile State, who have shared the little they have with the strangers who found themselves in their land,” she said. “That is the spirit of World Refugee Day.”