27 March 2014 - UNMISS, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Northern Bahr El-Gazal state government inaugurated a newly constructed County Support Base (CSB) today in Gok Machar of Aweil North County.

UNMISS acting State Coordinator Numa Shams said the CSB, which includes a 100-seat community development hall and offices, would support the mission’s task to strengthen the capacity of county government.

“Upon completion of the CSB accommodation, UNMISS will deploy international staff members from Civil Affairs, Human Rights and RRP (Return, Recovery and Peacebuilding), who will support the county authority and collocate with county officials,” he said.

Mr. Shams said the community hall would be available for non-governmental organization and UN agency activities as well as community consultations. UN Police, Corrections and Military Liaison Officers would also be based in the CSB.

“We hope that this facility will be particularly useful to our UNPOL colleagues, (who) have offered training to over 300 SSNPS (South Sudan National Police Service) officers in various policing skills,” Mr. Shams said.

UNDP Country Director Balazs Horvath said the facility, which was constructed by his agency with support from the Netherlands and Norway, was aimed at strengthening the government’s ability to provide basic services for the people.

“The county support base … we are handing over today (has) multipurpose buildings that have been requested by the people of this community,” he said. These CSBs … enable other developmental organizations to come and offer basic services to people living in remote areas of South Sudan.”

State Deputy Governor Major General Salva Chol Ayat expressed his appreciation to UNMISS, UNDP and donor countries. “We have achieved a lot of support from you in all aspects to do with capacity building … mobility and setting up systems and premises as well.”