In Abyei, where the sound of ethnic clashes can shatter the silence of the night at any moment, Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers have proven that the noblest peacekeeping mission begins with a spirit of dedication and a willingness to face danger to safeguard human lives at the very edge of life and death.
A sleepless night to protect civilians
For Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 4, rest at the UNISFA Mission base is a fragile concept, especially following the tragic events of March 1.
Local authorities reported that armed militants from Mayom County crossed into South Sudan’s Abiemnom area and opened fire. The three-hour ethnic conflict between the Dinka and Nuer communities left 169 dead, including women, children, and the elderly.
The aftermath placed immense humanitarian pressure on local authorities and the UN Mission. Approximately 1,000 civilians fled to a nearby United Nations base, while over 50 seriously injured victims were evacuated to Abyei and Warrap State.
On the evening of March 2, 2026, Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 4 received urgent UNISFA orders to support the Protection of Civilians (POC) mandate. The unit’s rapid response team immediately donned body armor and deployed overnight to the hotspot.
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Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers move into the hotspot to assist civilians. |
Their initial mission occurred near the unit’s Highway base: rapidly erecting emergency tents at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital. Amidst the chaos, Vietnamese peacekeepers worked at full capacity. By 1:30 a.m. on March 3, sturdy military tents filled the hospital courtyard, sheltering over 60 victims.
Simultaneously, another team transported heavy equipment into the conflict’s epicenter. Under the cover of night, Vietnamese engineers coordinated with partner units to receive a trailer and excavator from Mission headquarters, immediately advancing toward the Rumamier–Abiemnhom frontline.
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Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 4 urgently erects tents to provide emergency shelter at the MSF hospital. |
Overcoming risky routes under strict escort from the Chinese Quick Reaction Force (CHN QRF) and the Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT), the Vietnamese convoy successfully unloaded the excavator at around 2:30 a.m., enabling the Mission to promptly implement emergency response measures.
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Vietnamese peacekeepers stand ready to respond to any hotspot whenever requested by the Mission. |
“Lifeline convoys” in refugee areas
Following intense emergency operations, the Vietnamese blue berets continued their efforts to help Abyei residents reclaim their lives. Many who lost everything now reside in temporary shelters under U.N. protection, facing severe water shortages during the harsh dry season. Once again, Engineering Company Rotation 4 has taken on the responsibility of delivering the "lifeblood" of clean water to the community.
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“Lifeline convoys” of Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers deliver clean water to people at UN shelter sites. |
Vietnamese water tankers, carrying the compassion of blue-beret soldiers, continue reaching U.N. safe areas. Each drop of clean water quenches physical thirst while easing the fear of those who have witnessed devastating violence. Such dedication has made the Vietnamese engineer-soldiers a symbol of absolute safety.
Orders from the heart of a soldier
The extraordinary efforts of the Engineering Company Rotation 4, undeterred by danger, have far exceeded technical expectations.
Explaining this devotion, Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Cuong, Commanding Officer of Engineering Company Rotation 4, stated, “We have made it clear to every officer and soldier that each meter of road repaired, each container of clean water delivered, and every medical evacuation carried out is an order from the heart. It is the most practical way for the Vietnam People’s Army to contribute to building and safeguarding peace from afar.”
This proactive spirit has left a profound impression. After the unit completed urgent overnight tasks, UNISFA Force Commander Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha personally commended the Vietnamese peacekeepers' outstanding contributions.
Beyond infrastructure in disputed areas, Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers are constructing a "fortress" in the hearts of local people. Peace is built here not only with sweat on construction sites but through silent sacrifice during the most dangerous moments.
Translated by Trung Thanh