To celebrate the 49th anniversary of National Reunification Day and the 138th anniversary of International Labor Day, Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 (BVDC 2.5) has many meaningful activities. The first was a volunteer trip to Bentiu Girls Primary School in Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is an organization led by the United Nations carrying out a security and humanitarian mission in South Sudan, established by the United Nations Security Council on July 8, 2011 under Resolution 1996.

Vietnamese blue beret doctors with children at primary school. Photo: Field Hospital 2.5

Bentiu - the location of Field Hospital 2.5 is one of the most volatile and unstable places in South Sudan. The lives of the people here are extremely difficult, almost dependent on the United Nations' aid. The place where Field Hospital 2.5 comes to do volunteer work is a primary school for girls - children of local people. The school is being rebuilt by UNICEF from houses destroyed by war. The support of Field Hospital 2.5 Vietnam is highly appreciated by the local government and United Nations organizations operating here.

Doctors at BVDC 2.5 instruct children on how to use eye hygiene medicine. Photo: BVDC 2.5

Instructions on how to wash your hands properly. Photo: BVDC 2.5

Doctor Nguyen Ha Ngoc, Director of Field Hospital 2.5, said that organizing charity programs on the occasion of April 30 is not only a series of activities to remember the contributions of our army and people in the cause of national reunification, but also an opportunity for Field Hospital 2.5 staff to approach local people, promote and build the image of the country and Vietnamese people to international friends. From there, each staff member of Field Hospital 2.5 will see and appreciate more the value of freedom and independence, and understand and be more proud of their duties and activities when participating in the peacekeeping force. 50 gifts including notebooks, colored pencils, drawing books, pencils, sandals, and clothes were sent to 50 children in difficult circumstances but with high academic achievements. Field Hospital 2.5 also presented 20 gifts to teachers, as well as provided stationery support to the school's Board of Directors to overcome difficulties in teaching.

Children receive milk tea and cakes - foods they rarely get to enjoy. Photo: BVDC 2.5

The children were also given special gift bags printed with the Vietnamese flag, containing school supplies. Photo: BVDC 2.5

In particular, BVDC 2.5 has turned the charity program into a big festival in the school with games such as tug of war, jumping rope. The children also enjoyed the balloon creations of Captain Nguyen Manh Hiep, who created many impressive products such as clowns, hats, swords, cats, flowers... The class on hand washing and personal hygiene was also a new highlight, many teachers of the school later asked Vietnamese doctors to return to instruct the children in the future. The women's group of BVDC 2.5 has prepared 40 liters of milk tea and cakes for the children to enjoy after the game... "Looking at the innocent and pure eyes and smiles of the children, the handshakes of gratitude from the teachers in the school... makes them even more proud to have contributed a small part to building the image of Vietnam in this faraway African land", shared Dr. Nguyen Ha Ngoc.
Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 will depart for South Sudan to carry out peacekeeping missions from July 2023. The hospital has 63 members (including 11 women). The hospital is performing its mission at UNMISS - the largest peacekeeping mission of the United Nations, located in South Sudan with nearly 18,000 staff. Bentiu is the most difficult and unstable land in South Sudan. Many ethnic minority groups are isolated due to ethnic, religious and political conflicts. Among them, girls, the elderly and women are the most vulnerable. To date, Vietnam has sent 799 officers and staff of the Army and Police to deploy individually and as units at 3 missions and the United Nations headquarters. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Vietnam deploying its forces to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission.