United Nations Day and the organization’s 70^th anniversary were marked today across South Sudan with parades, speeches, singing, dancing and dramas.

In Wau, Western Bahr El-Ghazal, celebrations began with a parade from Peace Square to Wau Stadium.

At the stadium, UNMISS State Coordinator Winnie Babihuga read out Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message highlighting UN achievements around the world.

“Every day the United Nations feeds the hungry, shelters those driven from their homes,” Mr. Ban said. “It vaccinates children who would otherwise die from a preventable disease and defends human rights for all regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender and any other orientation.”

State Deputy Governor Zachariah Joseph Garang praised the UN’s efforts to bring lasting peace to South Sudan. “We are celebrating the 70^th anniversary of the United Nations … this time in the state with much harmony and peace.”

The Day was celebrated in Bentiu, Unity State, with a military parade made up of peacekeepers from Mongolia, Ghana, Nepal and  India.

UNMISS Unity State Coordinator Mary Cummins noted that the UN continued to push for peace in South Sudan and was supporting the country in implementing its peace agreement. “We will be here as long as it takes for peace to take root and grow.”

She cited UN achievements in the state, including construction and management of the protection of civilians (PoC) site, patrolling across the state and feeding as well as sheltering displaced persons.

Ms Cummins also emphasized  UNMISS’ role in monitoring and reporting human rights abuses, assisting with humanitarian assistance and supporting implementation of the (ceasefire) Monitoring and Verification Mechanism.

During the event, Mongolian peacekeepers gave a performance in martial arts and provided a band to promote UN Day around the POC site.

Speaking at celebrations in Malakal, Upper Nile, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the state, Kenneth Rogers, paid tribute to countries which sacrificed resources and personnel to serve humanity around the world.

He urged warring parties in South Sudan to allow humanitarians access to needy communities. “We are urging the parties to conflict to allow access to affected communities who are suffering by this ongoing crisis in the country in terms of service delivery.”

The event was also marked by traditional dances, a youth drama on peacekeeping and a knitting competition for displaced women focusing on the 70^th anniversary logo.

The previous day, volleyball and football games were held between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and UN staff. A village debate was also organized on how the UN and IDPs could work together to improve security and living conditions in the POC as well as a “tug of peace” between displaced persons and UN women.

Celebrations were held on 23 October in Torit, Eastern Equatoria, where UNMISS State Coordinator Hiroko Hirahara read the Secretary-General’s message.

Representing the governor of Eastern Equatoria, Minister of Information Mark Akio Ukinbul said South Sudan must be part and parcel of the UN. “If we are to list what the United Nations has done for us, I think we will have a long list of achievements.”

The Day’s celebrations began with a friendly football match in Kiyala Payam between UNMISS and Kiyala youth.