Participants at the discussion pose for a photo. — Photos courtesy of Việt Nam Army Engineers

ABYEI — The Việt Nam Army Engineers have organised a discussion on the impact of water quality on people's health, environmental sanitation and pollution, and waste treatment measures in Abyei.

The discussion was held in response to World Clean Water Day 2024 on March 22, and attracted the participation of ministries and administrative departments in the Abyei Region, and different units of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The Abyei Region covers more than 10,000 sq.km of mainly desert and low-lying agricultural land, with distinct dry and rainy seasons.

There is no fixed water supply system in the area.

During the dry season, most natural ponds and lakes are gradually exhausted.

Ensuring clean water and domestic water sources has been an urgent problem, but is not the only problem for people here.

“The complex political security situation and the nomadic living habits of a large part of the population have all invisibly led to food, medicine shortage and other problems. Clean water crisis is further exacerbating the misery of the community," said Deng Arop De. Mading, Minister of Health of the Abyei Region.

An overview of the discussion.

At the discussion, representatives delved into the facts and causes of clean water crisis in Abyei.

In addition to professional tasks, humanitarian issues are always given top priority by UNISFA, including a series of activities to strengthen, support and improve the people’s lives in the locality.

Since the very first days taking on duty in Abyei, the Vietnamese Army Engineers have implemented many activities to serve the general community, such as supporting the people in building roads and schools, and repairing and constructing boats.

As for clean water and environmental sanitation, the team dredged drainage ditches before the rainy season.

The army engineers also dug wells, donated water pumps and provided clean water by tanker trucks twice a week.

They recently opened a clean water supply point next to the Highway Barrack.

These are very meaningful activities for local people, especially in the dry season, when people mainly rely on water from wells dug by the UNISFA or even from puddles.

Representatives attend the discussion.

Talking to local leaders and UNISFA representatives, Colonel Nguyễn Việt Hưng, Commander of Vietnamese forces participating in UN peacekeeping work at the UNISFA Mission and also Captain of the Việt Nam’s Army Engineers, said, "We will continue to coordinate with agencies and units of UNISFA and local authorities to help Abyei people better handle environmental sanitation, protect and exploit water sources to provide for the people."

The discussion is also an opportunity for the Mission to support the Abyei leaders on issues including environmental pollution, education and health, and solutions to deal with them.

This is not only a forum to connect local people with agencies and units of the Mission, but also a chance to share the Mission's difficulties so that the community can support it in implementing its duty in Abyei with the goal of bringing peace and stability to the region.

Expressing his thanks, Nyinkwany Aguer Bol, Minister of Education of the Abyei Region, said, “I am very happy and honoured to attend the wonderful discussion. I greatly appreciate the presentations’ practicality and hope you will turn this programme into an annual activity so that together we can find the best solutions for the people as well as the Mission in maintaining peace and stability in Abyei.”

Local children are happy with the new clean water supply point.

All delegates agreed to hold more similar forums and make them an annual activity.

The Vietnamese Army Engineers will coordinate with local authorities and community representatives to convey positive messages to each citizen.

At the same time, they will coordinate with the Mission's agencies to propose reasonable solutions, meeting the right aspirations of the people with specific actions to improve the environment and the lives of people. — VNS