JUBA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has appealed for calm in Upper Nile State in South Sudan following a violent incident Sunday between communities over a water point at the Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site.
The incident led to the death of one person and injuries of several others.
"UNMISS has increased the peacekeepers' strength at the PoC site and is conducting overnight patrols, in addition to working with authorities and communities to decongest the site and reduce tensions," the mission said in a statement in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The UN mission urged local leaders to encourage their communities to embrace dialogue and refrain from any violence and also commended the Governor of Upper Nile State for meeting with local communities and deployment of police and the South Sudan People's Defense Forces around the PoC site to strengthen security measures to de-escalate the situation.
UNMISS said it has intensified patrol around the PoC in collaboration with the authorities to strengthen security at the PoC, adding that humanitarian organizations have been providing services to internally displaced people (IDPs), along with providing packages, including vouchers that enable families to return to their areas of origin.
UNMISS assured of continuing to support the government and respective communities to reduce tensions and embrace dialogue and the use of justice institutions to resolve grievances.
"While the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the government, the Mission is proactively deploying available resources and making every effort to help ensure the safety and security of vulnerable internally displaced communities as well as returnees," UNMISS reiterated. ■