28 October 2013 - UNMISS and the National DDR Commission handed over a new health centre and school today to the Tirrangore community in Eastern Equatoria State.

The facilities, worth more than $250,000, were funded by UNMISS through its Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration section projects.

The Chairman of the National DDR Commission, William Deng Deng, described the project as first of its kind. He said it was a significant boost to a community that had been shattered by war.

“One way we can pay back the communities is to give them facilities like these -- schools, health centres and … police stations,” the DDR chairman said.

Acting head of UNMISS DDR section Mustpaha Tejan-Kellah said the two buildings would enhance service delivery to the community. The project was also a way of encouraging the community to embrace and welcome ex-combatants back into society.

“We’re … looking at providing … services to the communities that these ex-combatants will be reintegrated into, so that there’ll be no resentment between the communities and the ex-combatants,” he said.

Tirrangore Boma (area) chief Faisal Alphonse said he was delighted his community could now boast a furnished school and health facilities. The new services would go a long way in dealing with problems related to education and healthcare in his community.