5 December 2012 - UNMISS was boosting its staff and offices at state and county levels to better work with state structures at all levels, the head of UNMISS said yesterday during a two-day visit to Eastern Equatoria state.

"We need to work closer to the community," said Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson, addressing UNMISS staff at Kapoeta County Support Base. "You need to sit with the staff in the County Commissioner's office and transfer your knowledge to them through co-location."

Accompanied by State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, Ms. Johnson also visited Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron. Founded by Bishop Paride Taban, the Village is a community centre promoting peaceful co-existence among different tribes in the state.

The centre runs demonstration farms to encourage improved agriculture, and has schools to make formal education accessible for children in pastoral communities.

Meeting with the state governor and cabinet ministers in the state capital Torit, Ms. Johnson spoke about UNMISS' achievements during its first year and the mission's focus for the second. She also met with the state civil society network and Sudan People's Liberation Army military commanders.