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Vietnamese engineering troops carrying out their duties at the United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei. (Photo courtesy of the team) |
In just under eight months of deployment to the United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei, Vietnam's Engineering Team No. 4 has received three letters of commendation from the local authorities. This is a recognition of the outstanding efforts of the Vietnamese engineering force through meaningful projects and activities in Abyei.
The 4th Engineering Team consists of 184 officers and personnel, drawn from various agencies and units. After rigorous training courses, meeting the high requirements of the United Nations, they joined the ranks of the Vietnamese Engineering Team, performing duties at the Mission in various positions within the construction, bridge and road building, logistics and support, and security units. They are the bridges of peace connecting Vietnam with the remote Abyei region.
In the midst of Africa's "hotbed"
Sharing about the task of ensuring the safety of the 4th Engineering Team when participating in missions outside the unit such as road construction, school construction, ditch digging, and housing construction, Captain Dam Van Dat, a professional soldier, said: The members of the security team must wear body armor, helmets, and be fully equipped with weapons in the scorching weather of 45-50 degrees Celsius.
However, as a former special forces soldier who had been trained, educated, and served in the field for 12 years, Captain Dam Van Dat, like his teammates in the team, had a clear mindset when joining the Green Beret force.
During his time serving with the Engineering Corps in Abyei, Captain Dam Van Dat was deeply concerned about the harsh living conditions of the local people. The thatched roofs, mud-plastered houses, lack of electricity, water, and even the most basic living conditions made the Vietnamese soldier in his green beret even more acutely aware of the value of peace.
Therefore, every completed road and every school built is not simply an engineering project, but also an act of sharing with those who are still in need.
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Captain Dam Van Dat, a professional soldier, is performing his duties at the Mission. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) |
The early days of interacting with the local people were also full of difficulties. Not everyone could communicate in English. When there was a language barrier, the Vietnamese soldiers chose to communicate through eye contact, gestures, and sincere actions. It was this closeness that made the people of Abyei feel great affection for "Uncle Ho's soldiers."
After hours of guard duty in harsh weather conditions, Captain Dam Van Dat takes time to rest and contact his family. He considers this a source of joy and motivation, giving him strength to carry out his duties. Being away from his family for months, calls via Zalo or WhatsApp become the connecting link between Abyei and his homeland, Vietnam.
Taking care of the health of colleagues and the public.
While members of construction and road building teams directly participate in fieldwork, members of the Level 1 Field Hospital of the 4th Engineering Brigade contribute in a different way – the task of examining, treating, and caring for patients.
Sharing about her work, Major Hứa Thị Dược, a professional military officer, said that she starts her day with the alarm clock and morning exercises. After a quick meal, she and her colleagues begin their work at the hospital, with the main task being examining, treating, and caring for patients. After working hours, she and her colleagues engage in agricultural production to improve the unit's living conditions.
One of her most memorable experiences was treating a patient suffering from anaphylactic shock due to bee stings. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was experiencing difficulty breathing, facial swelling, and nearly 40 bee stings on their body. The on-duty team immediately implemented emergency measures, administering oxygen and treating the shock according to protocol.
Just about 20 minutes later, the patient's condition gradually stabilized. Contributing to ensuring the health of the entire Engineering Team, as well as international colleagues at the Mission and local people, brought simple but meaningful joys to her and the doctors and nurses at the field hospital.
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Major Hứa Thị Dược, a professional military officer, and the children in Abyei. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) |
After completing her international mission, Ms. Duoc felt even more strongly the affection that international friends have for Vietnamese soldiers. For her, the image of a Vietnamese soldier in peacekeeping forces is the image of a friendly, compassionate, and peace-loving nation.
Regarding life in Abyei, Ms. Duoc said that the biggest difficulty for her was not only the harsh African weather but also the feeling of being away from her family for a long period of time for the first time. But what helped her overcome it was the affection of her teammates and the encouragement from home.
To ensure peace of mind while working far away, she always has strong support from her family. Her husband, also a soldier, understands and shares her responsibilities. Back home, he takes care of the children and manages the household. Both sets of parents also constantly encourage and support her, allowing her to confidently fulfill her international duties.
A warm hearth far from the homeland.
At the barracks of the 4th Engineering Regiment, where hundreds of officers and soldiers work intensely every day, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy, a professional military officer, is one of the members of the logistics team who takes care of her comrades' health by providing them with hot meals.
As a member of the Security Team and logistics staff member, Thuy's job is not only to ensure daily meals for the unit but also to prepare meals for forces on duty outside the front lines, organize logistics for cultural and culinary exchange events, and welcome international delegations visiting the unit.
In Abyei, working in logistics has never been easy. Harsh weather, inadequate facilities, and intense work schedules from early morning until late at night create constant pressure.
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Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy, a professional military officer and member of the logistics team of Engineering Unit No. 4. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) |
As a female soldier, she also had to adapt to a multinational environment, maintaining strict military discipline while ensuring flexibility and thoughtfulness in communication and service.
However, despite all the difficulties, what makes her happiest is something very simple: seeing her teammates enjoy their meals after a hard day's work. "When my teammates come home from work and enjoy their meal, I feel that my work has more meaning," she shared.
She said that before accepting her peacekeeping mission, she had also hesitated and thought about it. Her husband is a soldier, often on duty at his unit; her second child was preparing for the entrance exam to high school. But it was her children who gave her the motivation. "Mom, just go ahead and participate, we'll always be proud of you," those simple words of encouragement helped her to confidently set off.
Despite being thousands of kilometers away, she still maintains regular calls home to encourage her husband, children, and parents on both sides. Living in a land still plagued by hardship and conflict, she deeply appreciates the value of peaceful life in her homeland.
She often tells her children that in Abyei, many people still lack food, clean water, and electricity, and live in constant fear of conflict. From this, she hopes her children will better understand the peace they have, appreciate it, and strive harder in life.
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Members of the logistics team take care of their comrades' health by providing them with hot meals. (Photo courtesy of the team) |
From muddy roads and bridges in need of repair to emergency cases in field hospitals and hearty meals in barracks, the image of the Vietnamese blue beret soldiers in Abyei emerges as simple yet noble. They not only possess the skills, courage, and discipline of the Vietnamese army, but also the compassion, international responsibility, and aspiration for peace of the Vietnamese people.
Letters of appreciation from the Abyei authorities and the South Sudanese government are a recognition of the capabilities and dedication of the Vietnamese peacekeeping forces. But above all, the greatest reward for these blue-beret soldiers is the trust and affection of the local people and the positive image of Vietnam that is spread in this distant land.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nhung-nguoi-noi-nhip-cau-hoa-binh-o-abyei-397929.html
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