Children Organization for Peace Outreach and Development (COPOD), a non-profit organization in South Sudan, has trained over 30 internally displaced persons sheltering in the UN camp in Juba on human rights, community cohesion and transitional justice.

The 3-day training brought together participants from all the blocks within the UN camp in Juba.

Speaking during the closing of the training on Friday, James Koang Nhial Gai, a representative of the participants during the training, said: “The training was a very good program, what we learned is how to live in peace with one another and respect the rights of everyone. We also learned how to respect the rights of every human being including women and children.”

Meanwhile, James Nhial Chinien, the Executive Director for COPOD thanked the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for funding the training program.

“I thank UNMISS for the funding. This is what you gave us, and this is how we have been struggling. We are here with them to make sure the society lives in a peaceful and harmonious situation.” Nhial said.

Nhial urged the United Nations to continue supporting his organization. “We are here to also mobilize others on how we can help them. I would like to thank UNMISS for what they have done for this three-day training. We would request them to continue supporting COPOD and other NGOs because we are not the only local NGO in this POC compound,” he added.

For his part, Bessong Ndip, the UNMISS Representative for Human Rights Division commended COPOD for organizing the training.

“I really want to thank COPOD for this initiative of spreading knowledge which is wonderful. And what I can say is that what you have gathered here should not end here. You must not call the whole community or the whole neighbourhood to come here for the training, even talking to one person can be of great help,” Bessong said.