The efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian aid, security, and support for the peace process in the troubled Jonglei region have been praised by local authorities during UN Day celebrations.

UN personnel came together with local authorities and the community in Bor to celebrate the 72^nd anniversary of the UN during a ceremony that included traditional dancing by internally displaced people who have sought sanctuary at the Protection of Civilian site. There were also  performances by the church-based group Youth Mama and peacekeeping contingents from Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and South Korea.

Speaking at the event, the Jonglei Governor, Philip Aguer Panyang, expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and all UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in the area.

UN humanitarian agencies provide relief to hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the region while the peacekeeping mission facilitates the delivery of aid and protects civilians through air and road patrols. Infrastructural development is also carried out, such as the maintenance of Bor airport and rehabilitation of the Juba-Bor road.

The Mission has engaged with, and supported, the two communities of Murle in Boma and the Bor Dinka of Jonglei  as they work to end cattle raiding, child abduction and widespread killing and looting.

Philip Aguer Panyang urged the agencies to increase their efforts to enable people to return to their homes by providing much-needed support services in communities such as health care and education as well as rehabilitation of agricultural and roading projects.

Consecutive civil wars have created widespread displacement, eroded the traditional economies of the country, destroyed vital infrastructure and severely restricted the ability of people to earn a living and support their families in the greater Jonglei region.

The Governor appealed to the international community to increase aid funding for South Sudan.

“Our problems within states and more domestically demand more attention,” he said. “I appreciate the presence of UMMISS in Jonglei in support of peace and reconciliation within and among the communities.”

UNMISS head of field office Deborah Schein said while the UN was established 72 years ago, its founding principles of promoting peace and security, human rights and development remained the same and were core to the UN’s work in South Sudan.

“Our job is to work with people of South Sudan to protect civilians and build durable peace so that families can enjoy a prosperous future,” she said.