6 May 2014 - The United Nations was doing its best to improve living conditions for people seeking shelter at its bases, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told displaced people in Juba today.

Mr. Ban, who is on a one-day visit to South Sudan, visited the UNMISS base in Tomping where thousands of civilians are seeking shelter from fighting.

“Welcome Ban Ki-moon,” scores of civilians clapped and chanted, as the top UN official walked around the muddy protection site. “We need peace.”

“That’s why I am here,” he said. “I am sorry for your hardship. I know your lives are very difficult. We are doing our best. We are trying to build other locations.”

Mr. Ban, was shown around the site by his Special Representative and UNMISS Chief Hilde F. Johnson, as well as UN humanitarian coordinator Toby Lanzer.

After meeting civilians around the protection site, the Secretary-General met with community leaders representing the thousands of civilians in the base to hear their concerns first hand.