NEW YORK: Pakistani peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been honored with UN medals for their exceptional service in protecting approximately 300,000 residents of Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, from devastating floods, a statement said on Wednesday.
According to the press statement, the Pakistani Blue Helmets worked tirelessly to build and maintain dikes that prevented 5,600 square kilometers of floodwaters from inundating the Bentiu Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp, which shelters hundreds of thousands of people, as well as the surrounding infrastructure and service providers.
As their mission comes to an end, the Pakistani unit received a citation for outstanding performance, and 23 Blue Helmets were awarded the prestigious Force Commander Commendation Card.
Major Saad Sultan, the operation officer and a recipient of the Force Commander’s Commendation, expressed gratitude for the recognition of their services. “We worked day and night, often at personal risk,” he said. “Being recognized with the UN Peace Medals and the Force Commander Commendation Card is a great honor that will always remind me of our service to humanity in South Sudan.”
The current unit, building on the work and learnings of previous Pakistani Blue Helmets, has ensured there have been no breaches in the dike system since October 2022.
Major Hina Naseer, the contingent doctor, expressed pride in the legacy left by Pakistani peacekeepers in Bentiu. “We saved thousands of lives from floods, leaving our mark on Bentiu forever,” she said.
UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian, who attended the ceremony, commended the men and women of Pakistani unit. “Working in one of the most challenging environments, their endeavors have yielded significant contributions through the efficient, cost-effective, and punctual execution of vital engineering tasks. These selfless actions underscore their unwavering dedication to duty,” remarked Gen. Subramanian.
Pakistani peacekeepers tireless efforts have offered a semblance of normalcy and hope to the residents of Bentiu, highlighting the crucial role of UN peacekeeping missions in addressing environmental and humanitarian crises. As this unit gears up to receive the incoming Pakistani Army engineers, they leave behind a legacy of fostering safety and resilience in Bentiu.
