Photo: VNA

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on February 21 thanked Vietnam for its strong support for UN peacekeeping operations, and Vietnam's contribution in personnel to the United Nations.

Lacroix said Vietnam has engaged in the United Nations peacekeeping operations since 2014.

Currently, Vietnamese soldiers are on duty at the United Nations missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Vietnam also pledged to soon send soldiers to join the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei, a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan.

UN Under-Secretary-General Lacroix said that Vietnam's level 2 field hospital in South Sudan has played an important role in the overall success of the UN mission in this African country. It ensures the health and medical conditions for UN peacekeepers and officers, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photo: VNA

Besides medical examination and treatment, Vietnam's military doctors and nurses also organize awareness-raising seminars on major issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence in the area.

Lacroix appreciated the professionalism, dedication, efforts, and sacrifices of Vietnamese soldiers when performing tasks in harsh environments. He also expressed his condolences to Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh, who died earlier this year while on duty at the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General Lacroix gave his assessment of Vietnam on the occasion of the United Nations launching an international communication program with the theme "United Nations Peacekeeping - Service and Sacrifice". The program honors and pays tribute to countries that have sent soldiers to join the United Nations peacekeeping force over the years.

Soldiers from Level 2 Field Hospital No. 1 set off to join the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan. Photo: VNN

Vietnam is also a country that has endorsed the UN Secretary-General's Initiative on Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) with the goal of focusing peacekeeping operations on targeted tasks, implementing stronger operation but still ensure the safety of soldiers. It also advocates for political solutions and better-trained and equipped forces in the countries.

Since 1948, more than a million soldiers from many countries have joined the United Nations Peacekeeping Force to assist people around the world.

UN peacekeepers come from many different cultures and speak different languages. However, they share a common goal: to protect vulnerable communities and to support countries in transition from war to peace.

More than 3,500 soldiers from many different countries have died while on duty at United Nations peacekeeping missions.

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