Latest news with #Bentiu
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Dialogues strengthen Unity women's role in peace and security
In South Sudan, entrenched patriarchal norms and the effects of years of conflict continue to hinder women from participating in peacebuilding and governance. Early marriages, widespread gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making remain real hurdles for the implementation of their substantially increased and meaningful inclusion in matters that matter. The slow progress does not, however, deter women in Unity State from advocating for their rights and building informal networks of influence at the grassroots level. Some, like the young teacher Elizabeth Nyatab, are prepared to play the long game - if that is what it takes. 'I encourage parents to educate their daughters, because without schooling, it will be difficult also for future generations of women to play prominent roles in decision-making, We have no choice but to break the cultural norms that confine many of us to the domestic sphere,' she said. In fact, Ms. Nyatab made her point on behalf of a group of women leaders representing local authorities, state institutions and civil society groups. Together, they, and other similar small groups, were presenting their findings resulting from discussions on how to increase women's real participation in peace, security and other processes of public interest. Of much such interest are South Sudan's first post-independence elections, another subject that sparked lively debate during a week of civic engagement activities in Bentiu, Rubkona and Rotriak/Lalop. While many saw elections as a path to legitimacy and stability, others voiced concerns about prevailing insecurity and political divisions. 'If our country wants credible elections, political detainees must be released and the army united under one national command. Conditions for the free and fair participation for all are also essential for this dream to come true,' opined Angelina Nyawuora Turoal, former Chairperson of a network of civil society organizations in Rubkona. The dialogue sessions were conducted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and counted on the support of its Electoral Affairs Division. 'This week of conversations made it clear that women, on the rise and challenging norms in Unity State and elsewhere, must have their voices heard. And there is more, because their words need to be acted on as well,' concluded Alexandre Marie Rose Fernande Alexandre, a Civil Affairs Officer serving with the UN peacekeeping mission. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
03-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
South Sudan: Peace begins with connecting with the communities we serve
Peacekeeping is more than just a job for the Mongolian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. It's a mission to connect with the communities that they came to serve. So, it's no surprise to see the joyful cheering when the peacekeeping patrol is welcomed to a school in the camp for displaced families next to the mission's field office in Bentiu, Unity State. The school has long lacked government funding, which means its 60 teachers provide classes on a volunteer basis, doing their utmost to ensure the children get the best education possible and the chance to reach their full potential in life despite the many challenges they face. 'We need government support. Most of us are unpaid, and at times, we have to collect fees from the children's families just to keep the school running,' shares Head Teacher, Michael Tergiek. 'The children motivate us so much though with their urgent desire to learn.' What used to be a United Nations Protection of Civilians site requiring a constant peacekeeping presence transitioned into a conventional displacement camp under the responsibility of the government several years ago. But this change has not diminished the deep respect and connections between the local communities and UNMISS peacekeepers, particularly the Mongolian contingent, which has been stationed in the area for more than a decade. A perfect illustration of this deep connection is the fact that many of the South Sudanese children and even adults living in the camp can speak the Mongolian language. 'There are a lot of kids, teenagers and adults that speak Mongolian as we've been here since 2012. At that time, these kids were still small and now they have grown up to be teenagers or young adults. Some of them are absolutely fluent and completely understand what we're talking about,' shares the Deputy Commander of the Mongolian contingent, Altantulga Jargalan. As well as conducting robust patrols by day and night, the Mongolian contingent increased the number of women peacekeepers within their ranks to help foster mutual respect with women and girls and combat the root causes of gender-based violence through the provision of training in schools and local community gathering spots. 'By being present and showing they care, the Mongolians help us feel safe enough to dedicate ourselves to our education,' shares 17-year-old Hope, who had returned to Bentiu from Uganda to live with her mother a few years ago. Once she becomes a public speaker, which is her biggest dream, Hope wants to use her voice to empower others to become as strong and resilient as she is. Because she agrees that peace begins with me, with you, with all of us. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Peacekeepers conduct lifesaving flooding measures
'Every day is about survival.' This stark message captures the urgency of the dire situation as the heavy rains begin to fall in Bentiu where vast parts of the landscape are already submerged by catastrophic floods that devastated the area five years ago. Lieutenant Colonel Jamal Haroon is one of a team of engineering peacekeepers from Pakistan, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, who are responsible for maintaining a vast network of dykes protecting 300,000 people from the 4,500 square kilometers of stagnant waters that threaten their lives and livelihoods on a daily basis. 'We are constantly on alert to ensure that the dykes hold as well as working to strengthen them ahead of the rainy season when we know the waters will rise yet again,' he says. His colleague, Major Hilmi Munsif, Chief of Operations for the Pakistani Engineering Contingent, stresses the fragility of the situation. 'Bentiu and its surroundings are a very low-lying area. If we take the example of a bowl, you could consider Bentiu the bottom of the bowl. So, every rainfall that is coming from the Nile River or the south, ends up accumulating in this location.' Every week, the peacekeepers conduct extensive boat patrols to measure the water levels, which helps them with contingency planning. The data collected shows the 'bottom of the bowl' is under increasing threat. The 738mm of accumulated rainfall last year caused water levels to rise more than half a meter. This year, they expect accumulated rainfall will reach 1100mm, an increase of more than 50 percent. This prediction prompted the engineers to further raise the dyke levels by 1.5 meters to prevent a disastrous overflow. While measuring water levels might seem like a mundane activity for peacekeepers, it is the reason that residents in Bentiu, including the thousands of families living in a displacement camp, are safe. 'Life before the floods was better. When displaced families came here, they had the ability to go and collect firewood in the bush and forests. Now, things have changed,' shares camp leader, Solomon Yain. However, turning the threat of the floodwaters into an opportunity, these resilient residents have found new ways to survive, building canoes that allow them to go fishing and reach far into the flooded areas to find firewood to dry and sell at the local market. This can-do attitude is much needed in the dire conditions, as is the support of many partners. 'A collective effort by the State, communities, humanitarian agencies, UNMISS and other partners is vital to dealing with this unexpected and unfortunate situation. Our hope is that we will all continue to work together to mitigate and respond,' says UNMISS' Acting Head of the Bentiu Field Office, Denis Fuh Chenwi. Failure to do so may lead to another tragic escalation of the already urgent situation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief)-funded nutrition support reaches more than 6,000 vulnerable women and children in South Sudan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached more than 6,000 vulnerable mothers and children in flood-affected Bentiu, Unity State, with lifesaving nutrition assistance, thanks to generous funding from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). The US$400,000 contribution enabled WFP to procure and distribute specialized nutritious foods, including Super Cereal Plus - fortified blended food - and Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements – Plumpy Doz. These products are designed to prevent acute malnutrition in children aged six months and above, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Malnutrition levels in Bentiu remain alarmingly high following years of severe flooding that have submerged vast areas of land, displaced entire communities, and heightened exposure to waterborne diseases—factors that significantly increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children. 'As hunger and malnutrition continue to outpace available resources, support for nutrition programmes is more vital than ever,' said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. 'Getting the right nutrition to young children and mothers at the right time not only saves lives—it gives children a chance to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Our partnership with KSrelief is helping make that possible.' This intervention comes at a time when nearly 7.7 million people across South Sudan face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above)—a near record high – including an estimated 2.1 million children who are at-risk of malnutrition this year. WFP and KSrelief have been global partners for a decade, since KSrelief was established in 2015 in Riyadh. The two organisations have collaborated in South Sudan since 2018, with this latest contribution reinforcing their shared commitment to improving health and nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).
