SOUTH SUDAN - In a fragile and volatile country like the world’s youngest nation, support and problem-solving initiatives must be flexible; capable of responding both to specific contexts and sudden changes.
Medical emergencies affecting humans or livestock, or a lack of essential supplies, qualified personnel or equal opportunities to education and vocational trainings, are all situations requiring diverse, agile and cost-effective approaches.
Just like the 14 years gone by since the country gained its independence, 2025 confronted peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with multiple challenges demanding practical and sometimes also creative solutions.
Where access to healthcare is scarce or unaffordable for most, deploying mobile medical camps is one of them. They can deliver medicines, check-ups, health advice and treatment to community members who need these services the most. In Malakal, Wau and other locations, medically trained peacekeepers were able to assist hundreds, if not thousands, of people.
With most existing hospitals and other health facilities experiencing a chronic, dire need of medications, equipment and sometimes also capacity building, such help was also offered in various towns of villages. Some of these efforts aimed to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases like cholera and malaria as well as to help treat patients already suffering from these maladies.
In the past year, a few UNMISS-provided medical interventions made the difference between life and likely death. That was the case with emergency caesarean sections and urgent surgical procedures saving the lives of both animal-bitten individuals and people having sustained serious injuries caused by violence, often resulting from conflict.
To thousands of South Sudanese, the wellbeing of their cattle and other farm animals is as important as their own, with their livelihoods often largely depending on the beasts staying healthy and productive. Over the course of the year, in several places and by vets hailing from a few different troop-contributing countries, thousands of them were treated, while their owners and local volunteers were frequently trained on basic veterinary skills, thus greatly increasing the sustainability of these outreach activities.
Lots of other and potentially income-generating skills were also taught to mostly young and idle women and men, hitherto deprived of educational opportunities and practical trainings. By means of a wide variety of vocational trainings, ranging from farming to painting houses, many citizens were given hope, prospects, and a chance to get a job or to start their own businesses.
By Jaella Brockmann
