Japanese engineers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) yesterday held a hand over ceremony of two newly constructed buildings to house returnees, the mission announced.

Built to accommodate approximately 100 persons in each, the buildings were constructed by a 30 manned engineering platoon from Japan. The construction took only four months, helped by the use of power shovels, bulldozers, and road.

The buildings will house groups of southerners who have returned from Sudan and remain in Juba for the time being before transfer to their final destinations in the states.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lt. Col. Matsuki Nobutaka of the Japanese Eingeering Platoon said, “the new building project was implemented as part of UNMISS Protection of Civilians mandate and UNHCR repatriation program”.

Since 2005, the way station has assisted more 32,000 returnees who stay at the camp for two months before moving on their final destination, according to the UN.