The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has officially handed over Bor Youth Resource Centre to the Bor County authorities and the Youth Leadership on Friday 19 February 2016.

The Bor Youth Resource Centre was built using Quick Impacts Project (QIP) funds and implemented by the National Action for Relief and Development (NARD), a National NGO based in Bor, for a total of 50,000 USD. The center will contribute to peace building and engaging youths with communities as it directly support UNMISSS mandate in South Sudan.

During the handover ceremony held in Bor, the Head of UNMISS Field Office (HoFO), Ms. Hazel De Wet said the objective of the facility is to create an enabling environment towards the government of South Sudan and to promote development. “As a peacekeeping mission, we generally do not engage in development projects because there are other partners within the United Nations system that deal with that. But UNMISS do provide funds for activities which promote peace consolidation among the communities,” De Wet told Bor Youth on Friday.

The Bor HoFO further appealed to the Youth community in Jonglei to use the facility in order to consolidate peace and dialogue among themselves. “You are the future of this country despite challenges that currently exist in South Sudan,” she said.

In a related development, Ms. De Wet and Bor County Commissioner Isaac Mamer Ruk toured the fish market at Bor Port where UNMISS is constructing a fish market, another QIP. UNMISS officials were received by a group of women fish traders who are the direct beneficiaries of the project.

Mr. Mamer Ruk said he recognizes UNMISS solidarity with the people of Jonglei and South Sudan in general with regards to peacebuilding and protection of civilians. The Commissioner urged the Youth in Jonglei to wake up and take responsibility in nation building, stressing the need to be a productive youth which does not depend on foreign donations. “Let us wake up and take responsibility of our country, let’s take the lead in the development of our nation and avoid depending on donors alone,” he said. The Commissioner contributed 10,000 SSP for leveling the grounds and other construction works at the Youth Resource Centre while urging the youths to contribute for the development of the centre.

At the same Ceremony, Bor County Youth Chairman, Anyang Ajith described the construction of the Youth Centre as a vital contribution by UNMISS in addition to the mandate of protection of civilians since the conflict erupted in 2013. “We also need UNMISS to support us with the construction of a wrestling stadium which we want to turn it as a socio-economic activity,” Anyang appealed to Bor HoFO.