Aiming to assess security and the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Upper Nile, a high-level United Kingdom (UK) delegation visited the state today.

Led by UK DFiD Minister of State in Charge of Africa Grant Shapps, the delegation was accompanied by UNMISS Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Eugene Owusu, who also serves as Humanitarian Coordinator.

Minister Shapps said the visit to Malakal as well as Kodok and Fashoda counties aimed to determine how the UK could support IDPs.

“We are here to see for ourselves the situation the IDPs are in and ultimately determine the extent to which we could support the delivery of humanitarian assistance to them,” said Mr. Shapps.

He urged authorities to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian agencies so they could deliver humanitarian services to communities on the west bank of the River Nile.

While in Malakal, the delegation met with Sudan People’s Liberation Army Division II Commander Major General Butrus Bol Bol and toured the protection of civilians (POC) site.

Women at the PoC site expressed their appreciation to the United Nations and its partners for their endless support to IDPs.

“We appreciate your support -- both the UN and international community -- and we urge you to continue improving our living conditions in the PoC,” said Rebecca Achol Chemi.

Another IDP, Veronica Ajak, called on the international community to support implementation of the peace agreement. “We want peace to come so that we can go back to our homes.”

Mr. Shapps assured the women that his country fully supported the peace agreement and would continue providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs. 

“We urged authorities to sustain the IGAD-Plus brokered peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Marchar,” he said.