Joint FCO/MOD/DFID Press Release: UK provides airlift support to UN Mission in South Sudan

By United Kingdom - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Joint FCO/MOD/DFID Press Release: UK provides airlift support to UN Mission in South Sudan

LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- A RAF C-17 containing emergency blast wall protection for the UN Mission in South Sudan has today been deployed to Juba.


Her Majesty's Government today announced that the UK is providing airlift support to the UN Mission in South Sudan in order to transport much needed equipment. An RAF C17 departed from RAF Brize Norton carrying blast wall protection. The C17 flight follows the departure of three charter aircraft carrying similar equipment. The security equipment has been requested by the UN to improve the physical protection of their compounds, which are currently providing refuge to over 76,500 internally displaced persons across the country as a result of ongoing violence.


The airlift support is being funded by a joint Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development conflict pool fund, and delivered in partnership with Norway and Sweden.


Announcing the airlift, Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:


“I commend the huge efforts taken by the UN Mission to South Sudan to protect civilians affected by the conflict. I am pleased that, together with our Norwegian and Swedish partners, we have been able to provide support that will assist in the protection of those inside the UN bases who sought shelter from the violence. It is essential that both government and opposition forces put down their weapons to avoid further civilian deaths”


Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond said:


“I am pleased that we have been able to assist with RAF C-17 aircraft delivering blast protection structures. The UK is playing its part supporting the international mission to improve the security of UN bases in the country.”


The Secretary of State for Development Justine Greening said:


“The situation in South Sudan is causing huge suffering, with thousands of families forced from their home by the conflict. The UK effort is carefully coordinated so that MOD operations can help provide security to displaced people sheltering in UN bases where DFID is providing food, water and shelter.”