    |
 |
|
The map was made by personnel of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 2 of Vietnam. |
The map, solemnly hung at the hospital entrance, has attracted the attention of foreign guests, including Colonel Imran Safdar, Deputy Commander of Sector Unity of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The officer was impressed when he learned that the unique map was made from bottle caps that were collected in the mission. Welcoming the practical deed of the Vietnamese peacekeepers, he affirmed that the idea would contribute to raising UNMISS staff’s awareness of environmental protection and harmful effects of plastic waste.
He hoped that the initiative will be multiplied not only in Unity, but also UNMISS’s headquarters in Juba. “It would be great if Vietnamese peacekeepers could make a map of Unity,” said Colonel Imran Safdar.
|
|
 |
|
Non-commission Lieutenant Vu Anh Duc making toys for local children |
Non-commission Lieutenant Le Trong Nghia, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Organization of the hospital, said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic it took two months for the hospital’s personnel to complete the map. After they were collected, bottle caps were cleaned and wrapped to increase their durability.
According to the hospital’s Director Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Hien, protecting the environment and reducing plastic waste is one of the initiatives of the Vietnamese peacekeepers in Bentiu, South Sudan, so as to build the level-2 field hospital into an environmentally-friendly one.
|
|
 |
|
Decorations made from used products |
Colonel Hien recalled that having settled down, along with other regular tasks, the hospital’s military medical personnel have had different feasible initiatives to realize General Vinh’s assignment to turn the hospital into the first plastic-free one in the mission.
In addition, the hospital’s personnel have actively participated in the 3R (Reduce - Reuse - Recycle) movement. Instead of using plastic products, most of them have utilized baskets and boxes made from environmentally-friendly materials, including rattan and bamboo. Medical and daily waste is classified and properly processed. Those actions are expected to inspire other foreign units and local people to be environmentally responsible.
|
|
 |
|
Non-commission Lieutenant Vu Anh Duc cutting letters for children in a nearby refugee camp |
The Vietnamese peacekeepers have also made useful utensils for daily use. To decorate the base, pharmacist Non-commission Lieutenant Vu Anh Duc created eye-catching decorations from plastic bottles and beer cans. Thanks to his creativeness and enthusiasm, Vietnamese personnel in South Sudan have lovely hand-made crafts, such as pen cases and vases. His beautiful and useful products have inspired his co-workers to reduce their plastic use and collect plastic waste.
Lieutenant Duc also made toys for South Sudanese children from a refugee camp near the hospital. After a recent visit to an underdeveloped local school, he plans to take advantage of some unused wooden boxes by building tables for children.
|
|
 |
|
The map hung at the entrance attracting the attention of foreign guests |
Environmental initiatives of the level-2 field hospital of Vietnam are significant as plastic waste is a big problem in Bentiu. The actions of the Vietnamese peacekeepers have received the attention and support of other foreign units in the mission.
Translated by Tran Hoai