Indian peacekeepers reopen vital road in flood-hit South Sudan

Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan have successfully reopened a key section of a vital supply route, rendered near-impassable by last year's floods — improving mobility for isolated communities and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Floods displaced communities and cut off a lifeline

Severe flooding in Upper Nile State displaced many people, with residents fleeing to higher ground and competing over increasingly scarce resources with host communities already living there. At the same time, rising water levels submerged the vital supply route between Malakal and Renk, obstructing access to basic services and impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid.  “There used to be many houses in this area, but they have all been lost after five years of flooding. People are deeply unhappy and struggling to rebuild their lives,” explains fisherman, Daniel Deng.

UNMISS engineers from India rehabilitate the road

UNMISS peacekeepers continuously repair and improve roads to better protect civilians and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid. Peacekeeping engineers from India have spent months toiling in the searing hot sun to open a 154-kilometer route linking Malakal to Renk in the far north, close to the border with neighboring Sudan, and other remote locations, such as Akoka, Bunj, Paloch, and Melut.

Safer access, better mobility, humanitarian aid flowing again

The newly opened road is enabling communities to travel safely, boosting trade and economic growth, and supporting peacebuilding efforts. For residents of Upper Nile State who have lived through displacement and cut-off conditions, the reopening of this route is a step towards stability.

“The new upper road is shorter compared to the waterway road, that one had many corner turns compared to this southern road, which is good, and if white soil is placed on top, vehicles will move freely without obstacles,” says community member, Joseph Peter.

The damaged roads were also impeding the access of peacekeepers to remote, conflict and flood-affected locations with the mission relying on All-Terrain-Vehicles provided by India to traverse the rough landscape. The improvements will help overcome this challenge so that a protective presence can be provided to reassure communities, build confidence and peace.

These connections may seem simple and expected in developed countries. But, in South Sudan, where infrastructure has been decimated by decades of conflict and under-investment, the work of these peacekeeping engineers is helping to save and change lives for the better.

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