The UN family celebrated its 70th anniversary today with the community of Rejaf East, south of Juba.

“I am very lucky today that the UN is celebrating their 70^th anniversary here in Rejaf”, said Rejaf Payam (district) Head Chief Lodu Bureng during the opening ceremony. “I ask the UN to assist, sit down with us and see to our problems.”

Juba County Commissioner Stephan Wani Michael praised the UN for its continued assistance. "The UN has been supporting the people of South Sudan without hesitation. They were the first to recognize South Sudan as a nation."

The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Sudan, Heli Uusikyla, looked back on the history of South Sudan. "This occasion serves as a reminder of the South Sudanese dream. The UN shares this dream. We [UN] united our strength to serve the people."

Children from the local kindergarten and primary school as well as the UNMISS Nepalese Battalion sang songs and performed cultural shows. “We need peace, unity, unity, peace and cooperation,” sang the kindergarten children at the beginning of the ceremony.

After the ceremony the guests took a tour of stalls that UN agencies had set up to display their work. 

UNMISS (military) Sector South and the Food and Agriculture Organization showed a farming project that was begun several months ago in Rejaf by the Ethiopian, Nepalese, Chinese and Rwandan battalions. The project aims to demonstrate the merits of agriculture and teach practical skills to the community.

"We want to handover everything here to the local community," said Sector South Commander Senior Col Ning Ma. 

The UN Refugee Agency demonstrated the registration process, as refugees sold handicraft items. The World Food Programme displayed food they distribute and organized nutrition screenings. Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS was carried out by the UN Population Fund and UNAIDS.

Other activities included distribution of mosquito nets by UNICEF, immunization of children under five years by the World Health Organization and a demonstration by the UN Mine Action Service with demining dogs.

The events took place next to Rejaf’s All Saints Church, which was built in 1936.