Over the past ten years, Vietnamese peacekeepers have matured, and made practical and effective contributions to preserving global peace.
More than 800 military officials and professional personnel of the Vietnamese army and police have been sent to the UN peacekeeping operations such as the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) as individuals and units.
Vietnam now ranks 45th among 120 countries sending military and police officers to UN peacekeeping missions, with the number of personnel regularly deployed to the field missions reaching 274, including 36 females. To be more specific, 27 individual officers, one level-2 field hospital with 63 staff members and one engineering team with 184 people are on missions at the UNMISS, MINUSCA and UNISFA. Besides, three military and one police officer are working at the UN headquarters, engaging in plan and policy building for UN peacekeeping activities.
The UN Secretary General, the UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations and the UN Military Advisor have repeatedly praised Vietnamese peacekeeping forces and sent letters of thanks to the Government of Vietnam for the contributions of the forces. Many UN leaders also highlighted Vietnam's contributions to promoting gender equality by sending a large number of women officers to UN peacekeeping missions, meeting and exceeding the criteria set by the UN.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix spoke highly of the effective engagement of Vietnam in UN peacekeeping activities as well as the country’s commitments to realising UN targets and criteria. The official said he was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese engineering unit’s performance in the UNISFA despite difficulties.
Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare for Operational Support expressed his admiration for Vietnam's efforts and contributions, especially through the deployment of level-2 field hospitals to UN peacekeeping missions since 2018. This shows Vietnam’s strong commitments and efforts, and was a wonderful thing in the partnership between Vietnam and the UN, he commented.
Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations turns 10 years old
Established on May 27, 2014, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations has turned itself into an elite force which has affirmed its professionalism and capacity in the international working environment. All units and officers have well performed their duties, helping improve the position and prestige of the Vietnam People’s Army and the country as a whole, as well as popularise the images of affectionate, hospitable and peace-loving Vietnamese people in the international arena.
Regardless of severe weather and a lack of equipment and materials, the Vietnamese peacekeepers at the UNISFA have worked tirelessly to give a facelift to the Abyei area, with construction of anti-flood facilities, roads and schools, and organisation of medical checkups and healthcare advice, to name just a few accomplishments.
According to Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the department, local residents are grateful for the Vietnam People’s Army for sending peacekeepers to conflict-hit Abyei. Head of the UNISFA, local authorities and residents said the Vietnamese engineering teams were the first UN’s units with constant care and close connection with the locals.
In his writing in the Vietnamese Engineering Contingent’s Golden Book, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, UNISFA Force Commander, hailed the team’s community approach, and expressed his belief that it will continue with effective operation at the UNISFA, maintain an excellent working attitude so that the national flag of Vietnam and UN flag always fly high at the UN mission.
Meanwhile, the blue-beret Vietnamese doctors in South Sudan, with their extensive expertise that is highly appreciated by the UN, have become a reliable source of spiritual support for foreign peacekeepers and local people. Dedicated doctors of the level-2 field hospital have taken good care of their patients, and stood ready to assist local hospitals and level-1 field clinics to successfully complete their tasks. Mission members have spread humanitarian virtues of the blue-beret officers through gifting students with desks, planting trees and providing free medical examinations and medicines for local residents.
With the successful completion of the international missions, the blue-beret soldiers and police officers take pride in their work, joining global peacekeeping efforts to bring a better life for people battered by poverty and conflicts.
