South Sudan - In their Own Words: Ken Payumo's Story
3,504 views · Published 23 November 2015 · 6:02 · Indexed 22 September 2026
Channel: United Nations · 2015 · News & Politics
United Nations - UN staffer Ken Payumo has received the 2015 Humanitarian Award from from the MY HERO International Film Festival. In early 2104, Payumo, an unarmed civilian, was in charge of the UN compound in Bor, South Sudan. 12,000 civilians had fled there to shelter from heavy fighting. Payumo found himself facing an official accompanied by 80 armed soldiers insisting on entering the compound. He feared that they would round up and kill many inside. Despite being threatened, he refused to let them in - and the civilians inside remained unharmed. A short film about the incident, made for UNTV, has won 1st Place in the festival's Human Rights category and also the Ron Kovic Peace Prize. The film - in various versions called "Defying Death in South Sudan" and "South Sudan - In Their Own Words: Ken Payumo's story", was featured on UNTV's flagship programme 21st Century.
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