Pakistani military engineers serving the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have deployed heavy equipment and water pumps to help hundreds of thousands of people in Unity state whose lives have been disrupted by the worst flooding in 60 years, according to a report in The Express Tribune. 

A fresh deluge on the weekend cut off the main road linking Bentiu town, the airport, and the UNMISS base, making it impossible for community members and peacekeepers working in Africa's newest country to move.

“We are working hard to pump the water out on both sides of the road as well as securing and rebuilding the dykes to secure access to the town and airport and to try and prevent further damage to nearby homes,” Lt Col Hameed Akbar, the commanding officer of the Pakistan military engineering unit in Bentiu was quoted as saying.

“The same situation happened last month near the dumpsite. The water level was higher than this, but we managed to pump it out and control the flow along the road and airfield. I’m confident we can do it again,” he added.

Residents are grateful for the help during this difficult time, a report said. “UNMISS and the humanitarians are doing all they can to help us. They are working day and night to protect important areas from the flooding,” said Peter Gatjuat Kuol, a resident.

“For us, as peacekeepers, we are trying to help the local community as much as possible. We will make sure the road is usable again so that people can move between their homes and town and so that UNMISS and humanitarian agencies can continue to support those in need,” Akbar maintained.

On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the newest country in the world. On 8 July 2011, the UN Security Council determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region and established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security and to help establish conditions for development.

(SAM)