The United Nations says it is seeking ways for displaced people sheltering in its bases in South Sudan to return to their homes due to threats against UN personnel from these displaced people.

About 180,000 internally displaced people (IDPS) are sheltering inside UN bases in South Sudan seeking protection from amed conflict and targeted killings. The UN is mandated to protect civilians in South Sudan and has done so by allowing many to enter a handful of its bases around the country.

But UN deputy police commissioner Charles Bent said staff of the South Sudan mission (UNMISS) face "constant, daily threats" from the displaced people so the mission is looking into a "pilot project of safe return" for the IDPs.

"Situations can quickly escalate to where staff members are surrounded by 10's or even 100's of aggressive and threatening IDPs. Serious physical injury to UN personnel has happened on several occassions," he said, speaking to the UN security council.

Bent said UNMISS is working to sensitize a select group of South Sudanese police officers about human rights as well as to support the 777 police responders. He said these moves aim to improve the image of the national police so displaced people feel safe to leave the UN's protection and live at home.

The mission began training national police in human rights sensitization earlier this year for the same purpose. UNMISS also worked to build capacity of South Sudan's police force and other government institutions in the two and a half years before the ongoing civil war broke out.

Many South Sudanese citizens in Juba sought UN protection after targeted killings of Nuer by state security forces, including at least one massacre at a police station, according to an African Union report.