The United Nations Mission works with the people of South Sudan to protect civilians and build durable peace.

More than 14,000 peacekeepers, police, security and civilian personnel from at least 60 different countries work to deter violence against civilians by providing a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people who have fled violence and sought sanctuary at Protection of Civilian sites across the country. Peacekeeping patrols are also carried out, where possible, to provide a protective presence in communities across the country.

UNMISS peacekeepers also work to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, such as food, clean water, shelter and healthcare, to the millions of displaced people. The aim is to provide a safe and supported environment so that these people can return to their former homes and communities to live safely and with dignity.

The Mission protects, monitors, investigates, and reports on human rights violations and abuses with a strong focus on the most vulnerable, such as women and children and those who are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence.

The Mission is committed to helping build durable peace in South Sudan. It does this by working as an impartial partner at a national and sub-national level with political, religious, traditional and community leaders as well as at grassroots with communities and individuals across the country. The priorities are to advance reconciliation efforts, to strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and build national cohesion as well as to engage in regional and international peace initiatives.

UNMISS believes that the path to peace for South Sudan is political rather than through violence. The guns must be silenced so that genuine dialogue and reconciliation can take place and enduring peace be achieved for the people of this country.