Vietnamese soldiers build water filtration systems for people in Africa

The water filtration system of the Vietnamese Engineer Corps meets United Nations standards and can provide up to 8 m3 per day for the people of Abyei.

Major Vu Tri Xuyen, Deputy Chief of Engineer Team 2 at the UNISFA Mission, said life in Abyei (a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan, Africa) is very difficult during the dry season. Well water runs out, and people have to use stagnant water for daily activities.

The Vietnamese Engineering Team surveyed and installed a clean water supply point outside the barracks for the use of nearby residents. The water source is treated through a UN standard filtration system, and the pipeline is completely buried underground to prevent damage. Water supply time is divided into two times a day, morning 9-11am, afternoon 15-17pm with an average flow of 6-8 m3/day.

Vietnam's engineering team guides people on how to use the water supply system. Photo: Engineering team — Vietnam's engineering team guides people on how to use the water supply system. Photo: *Engineering team*

Initially, the 2nd Engineering Team will send officers and staff to support and guide people on how to use and get water from the tank as well as the time and method of getting water. In the near future, the Team will upgrade the system to be able to provide a maximum of 12 m3 of water per day, enough clean water for the central area of Abyei.

Major Vu Tri Xuyen said that after the clean water supply point was put into operation, not only people living near the barracks but also many people from far away came to get water. "They were very happy not to have to use unsanitary water sources and also not have to travel dozens of kilometers to get water from rivers and lakes," said Mr. Xuyen.

In addition, the Engineering Team also provides water using RO filters to Abyei Church every Friday so that people who come to pray and children at Abyei Church Kindergarten can drink clean water.

In addition to many diseases in the rainy season, people in Abyei also face some diseases in the dry season when there is no clean water to use. During the term of the 1st Engineering Team, Vietnamese soldiers supported many times in drilling and repairing wells. However, due to the rocky terrain and lack of tools and equipment, this work was not successful.

By the end of 2023, thanks to the pump transferred from Vietnam, the Team completed the pumping system to help Abyei High School have clean water. The Team also regularly repairs and replaces old and broken parts to ensure water supply for churches and schools in this area.

Vietnam sent its first Engineering Team to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission at the UNISFA Mission in May 2022. Engineering Team No. 1 with a staff of 184 people is tasked with surveying, maintaining, repairing and upgrading main and backup transport routes; repairing and restoring field runways; preparing and maintaining routes connecting bases, building helipads, and troubleshooting traffic incidents... Engineering Team No. 2 arrived in Abyei to take over the tasks of Team No. 1 from August 2023.

Son Ha

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