In the period 2021-2022, the nation of South Sudan is confronted with numerous difficulties and challenges. These include an unstable security situation, the complex evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, and notably, the largest flood disaster in the past 60 years. In addition, in South Sudan as a whole and specifically in Bentiu State, social welfare issues face considerable difficulties, and environmental concerns have not received adequate attention from the local government while participating countries have yet to take specific actions.

In March 2021, after taking over duties from the preceding unit in the Unity Sector, the Vietnamese Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 (FHD 2.3) stationed at the UNMISS Field Office in Bentiu, South Sudan, recognized the severity of environmental issues at the deployment site and the living environment of the local population. Immediately, FHD 2.3 set the task of taking prompt action to support the UN mission as well as the local community.

In addition to the challenges in political, economic, and social aspects, the multinational, multicultural, multilingual environment, limited financial resources, and personnel constraints also pose obstacles to the FHD 2.3 officers. Nevertheless, with a spirit of solidarity and compassion, FHD 2.3 remains determined to fulfill the set mission.

The project is implemented in the peacekeeping area of the United Nations in the country of South Sudan, specifically in:

• Unit premises, residential, and working areas of UN staff.
• Local communities.
• Local authorities, and schools in Bentiu State.
• International units, UN units in the sector, and other sectors within the UNMISS mission.

Key activities include:

• Planning and constructing clean and orderly unit areas; actively planting and caring for greenery and vegetables within and outside the unit premises.
• Collaborating with units from Pakistan, India, Mongolia, etc., to collect waste and plastic bottles in the working and resting areas of the Sector; conducting checks and guidance on waste sorting and treatment at six international units stationed within the base.
• Recycling daily waste into gift products, symbols, and toys for students and local children.
• Planting trees within the unit, in the sector, in agencies, and schools in the peacekeeping area; donating and planting trees in other sectors within the UNMISS mission.
• Conducting awareness campaigns and guidance for local people on epidemic prevention and environmental hygiene at schools, residential areas, hospitals, etc.
• Conserving clean water and energy resources, organizing digging, and using daily household water tanks for equipment cleaning as well as watering greenery and vegetables within the unit.
• Collaborating with the media agencies of various countries and the UNMISS mission to effectively disseminate information about the activities and models to UN officers and staff, and the local population through domestic and international media.

1. Implementing awareness campaigns and education on environmental hygiene; planning, cleaning, and rearranging living and working areas of the unit to ensure cleanliness, safety, sufficient green space, and a pleasant, well-ventilated environment. This includes planting and caring for shade trees and transforming vacant land into vegetable gardens.
2. Combining epidemic prevention checks within the sector with the promotion and mobilization of other international units to jointly protect the living and working environment:

• Collaborating with units from Pakistan, as well as other international units and UN staff, to protect the environment, and maintain hygiene in public areas, workplaces, and rest areas.
• Collaborating with Level 1 field hospitals from UN missions (such as those from Pakistan, Mongolia, Ghana, etc.) to segregate and safely handle medical waste. (BVDC 2.3 is the only unit operating a medical waste incinerator in Bentiu, ensuring continuous operation and preventing the accumulation of medical waste...)
• Coordinating with units from Pakistan, Mongolia, etc., to organize medical examinations, provide advice on preventing infectious diseases, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental and personal hygiene for health.

3. Collaborating with UN agencies, local authorities, and organizations to conduct medical examinations, consultations, gift distribution, tree planting, and hygiene activities.

4. Sharing inspiration and meaningful activities through exchanges with units located farther away, outside the stationed area, such as in Malakal, Juba.

5. Coordinating with domestic media agencies, the media of the UN GGHB mission, and the media of countries stationed in the area to propagate and spread the value of environmental protection efforts.