Female soldiers of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Mission in Africa visited and donated colostrum to local childbearing women to help improve the health conditions of newborns this week.

Female staff of a sapper unit under the Vietnamese force at the UNISFA Mission distributed colostrum to expectant women at Abyei Hospital at noon on Thursday, said Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, commander of the force and also head of the sapper unit.  

Such gifts are essential to strengthening newborns’ immune and digestive systems, for Abyei is an area where almost all children suffer from malnutrition as a result of an underdeveloped health system, challenging natural conditions, and difficult living circumstances, the official said.

The donation was made following a meeting earlier organized by the force for its female soldiers and their counterparts from different agencies of the UNISFA Mission as well as women representatives in Abyei – a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, covering about 10,000 square kilometers. 

Participants in the meeting discussed plans to offer health and education support to local women in the coming time.     

Colonel Hung extended his best wishes to all female staff of the mission and other women in Abyei on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8).

Aluel Achuel Kiir, who represented local women, expressed her thanks to the Vietnamese soldiers for supporting indigenous people, especially women and children, through many volunteer activities.

Vietnamese 'blue beret' soldiers have made substantial contributions to enhancing the lives of the local population in Abyei through various initiatives, Kiir said.

These include free medical examinations and treatment, agricultural guidance, clean water supply, repairs and construction of classrooms, provision of cartoons for children, as well as donations of food and stationery.

The leadership of Abyei Hospital expressed profound appreciation for the voluntary efforts of the Vietnamese peacekeeping force in supporting the local community.

This support includes activities like road repairs leading to the hospital, donations of antibiotics, and most recently, the provision of colostrum to expectant women.

The Vietnamese sapper unit plans to organize a gathering for all Vietnamese female soldiers at the UNISFA Mission by Friday.

During the event, they will receive gifts in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!