Arop Jonchol
Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reiterated that ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to affected populations remains a cornerstone of peacebuilding efforts in the country. However, the Mission acknowledged that this critical task often faces major field challenges, particularly related to security and poor infrastructure.
In a recent post on its official Facebook page, published under the awareness campaign #PeaceBegins, UNMISS emphasized the need to facilitate humanitarian access to remote and underserved areas suffering from dire conditions.
“Ensuring humanitarian access to affected areas is a top priority of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and forms an essential part of our mandate. However, peacekeepers on the ground know all too well that this task is often easier said than done.” The post read
To illustrate the logistical challenges, the Mission cited the road between Bor and Pibor. While the two towns are only 186 kilometers apart as the crow flies, traveling between them during the rainy season becomes a daunting journey due to mud, flooding, and poor road conditions.
In this context, Indian peacekeepers serving under the UN flag undertook a demanding field operation, escorting a humanitarian convoy carrying vital supplies along the treacherous route. The trip took over 30 hours due to the harsh terrain and severe weather conditions.
UNMISS shared photos of trucks stuck in deep mud, showing the intervention of engineering teams from South Korea who used heavy machinery to rescue the vehicles and ensure the convoy’s continued movement.
“Peace doesn’t begin with a ceasefire alone — it begins with making sure that food, medicine, and essential services can reach those who need them, no matter how difficult the journey may be.” The Mission concluded its post by stating
