The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) officially opened its first base on the Western side of the Nile aimed at supporting peacebuilding effort and in hopes to “attract humanitarians into the area.”
Heavy downpours during the rainy season in Kodok create unpleasant, muddy conditions for residents and damage roads, causing logistical nightmares for farmers and tradespeople trying to access the area.
But the rain is also essential to farming in the area and feeds Nile River which provides a valuable alternative transport route for commuters and traders.
During the six years of civil war, Kodok was largely abandoned as thousands of residents fled violence in the area. But, in the wake of a new peace agreement, they are beginning to return.
To help create a safe environment for displaced families coming home, UNMISS deployed peacekeepers to the area last year. It has now officially opened a new base – the first to be located on the western side of the Nile. Approximately 85 peacekeepers have been deployed and civilian staff will arrive in the coming weeks. The aim is to help deter violence, support peace-building efforts, and provide a secure environment so humanitarian workers can safely return to the area to provide much-needed services.
UNMISS said the process of establishing the base was a huge challenge given its remote location, with poor roads and infrastructure. Almost 140 sorties had to be undertaken to fly in equipment and personnel. United Kingdom peacekeeping engineers worked with their Indian colleagues to come up with an innovative solution to fix the severely damaged bridge to ensure access between the base and the town.
UNMISS said the new base and improved roads were already paying dividends. Hundreds of families are returning to the area and barges ferrying food and other goods are now regularly travelling along the Nile and stopping off at Kodok.
In addition to their official duties, the peacekeepers are also helping the community develop the skills to rebuild their lives, including training veterinary health workers to treat livestock and providing vocational training to help young people secure jobs so they can support themselves~ UNMISS
