VOA常速英语:联合国驻南苏丹军队在POC地区增加安全措施

It’s another hot day here in Juba.And an Ethiopia battalion has just begun its afternoon patrol of UN protection of civilians, or POC camp,housing about 39,000 internally displaced people, or IDPs.

“After the July crisis, the patrol…the patrol is…the accomplishment of the patrol is increased from day to day.So, there is no interruption.Night and day, there is no interruption.”

Increased patrols are among the new procedures put in place after investigation found the UN personnel fail to protect civilians and aid workers during the July violence in Juba.More than an estimated 300 people were killed.Rapes, looting and other attacks also took place.

An UNMISS spokeswoman says more watchtowers have been installed. And a weapons-free zone has been created on a periphery.Patrols now escort women to collect firewood in response to concerns about an increase in sexual violence against civilians around the POC site despite the presence of peacekeepers.

“These days, I’m able to go outside. But in those days, when there was conflict here, I was unable to go outside.”

But another IDP argues that life is still quite grim.

“We don’t have enough water, we don’t have enough food.Security is not very OK, and life is actually very terrible.Kids don’t go to school, elderly people are dying because there is no good medical services.”

The government argues that the United Nations has overstepped its mandate by establishing POC sites for what it calls “fundraising” purposes.

“And if there are people who are living on these people, if you remove them, then you have deprived them of their livelihood.This is how I understand it, this is not correct.We want all these people to be taken to their home areas.If they (U.N.) are unable to provide the protection,should they, OK, will they assemble all the people of South Sudan in the POCs so that they will protect them?

The United Nations says the protection of civilians sites were never intended to become permanent.It also says its force is limited by freedom of movement challenges around the country.There are 6 POC sites in South Sudan hosting about 224000 IDPs. The UNMISS force is comprised of about 12000 peacekeeping troops and police and is still waiting under the appointment of the additional 4000.

Jill Craig, VOA news, Juba.