BENTIU - 24 May 2015

Loej in Bentiu to visit expanding 'protection site'

Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ellen Løj traveled to Bentiu on Saturday with the Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing to inspect the ongoing work to expand the Protection of Civilians (POC) site at UNMISS' Bentiu base.

The delegation visited the PoC extension site, which has not yet been completed. According to a press release today from UNMISS, the site will be open for new occupants “in the coming weeks.”

UNMISS described the extension site as “a multi-agency effort which has involved a number of activities, including extensive ground works to improve drainage before the rainy season, and the establishment of humanitarian services and shelter.”

Radio Tamazuj on Friday reported that administrative and policy issues have delayed the completion of the extension site and left the base perimeter vulnerable to incursions.

IOM is overseeing the renovation and expansion of the 1.5 million square meters PoC site, but UNMISS is also contributing to the effort. As quoted in the press release today, IOM chief Swing said, “The renovation of the site will not only mitigate the deplorable flooding conditions suffered by IDPs during the last rainy season, but will also greatly enhance overall protection at the site.”

Løj also met with the acting governor of Unity State and other officials in Bentiu. In the press release, she stated, “UNMISS is deeply troubled by reports of grave violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated during the fighting. We must be able to document these crimes by being given unimpeded access to areas where violence has occurred.”

“I want to reiterate how important it is to hold accountable all those who committed atrocities against civilians during the fighting,” said Løj.

Meanwhile, IOM separately reported on Friday that 120 Ghanaian soldiers will reinforce UNMISS' troops in Bentiu by the end of May.

The aid organization also disclosed that eight observation posts along the perimeter of the extension site have been complete. As of last week, these sites were not being manned by peacekeepers, according to an eyewitness.

File photo