Staff of the second Level-2 Field Hospital take a photo before leaving for South Sudan. — VNA/VNS Photos Duong Giang

The staff will participate in the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in the war-ravaged South Sudan that is now five years deep into recurring conflicts that have displaced nearly 2 million people in the country and resulted in 4 million refugees.

Brigadier Hoang Kim Phung, director of Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said the welcoming of the second Level-2 Field Hospital was well prepared by both host country and UN.

Brigadier Hoang Kim Phung, director of Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, gives soldiers handshakes and best wishes for their mission in South Sudan.

He also recalled achievements of the first Level-2 Field Hospital including treating more than 2,000 patients and receiving the UN peace medal.

“Normally, a level-2 field hospital can only receive 200 patients a year,” said Phung.

“The performance of Vietnam’s first Level-2 Field Hospital proved our capacity in treating and we have gained the trust of local people, further creating motivation for the second Level-2 Hospital.”

A soldier and his son exchange a goodbye kiss.

Earlier on November 19, 29 members of the Vietnamese hospital’s staff safely arrived at UN Protection of Civilians Site Bentiu.

According to deputy director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, members of the Level-2 Field Hospital No 2 were trained in line with UN standards in the UK, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, France and other ASEAN states.

Members of the field hospital head to the aircraft to UN Camp in Bentiu, South Sudan.   Vietnamese female peacekeepers talk to a military officer from Australian Air Force. In addition to providing airlift, Australia has also been active in helping Vietnamese military officers with English language and Subject Matter Expert training.

Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said sending military medics to join UN peacekeeping operations showecases Vietnam’s active contributions to maintaining regional and global peace and security.

Vietnamese peacekeepers sent off to UN mission

The Ministry of Defence on November 19 held a ceremony to send 29 staff of Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital No. 2 to South Sudan to join UN peacekeeping mission.

Vietnamese peacekeepers in South Sudan honoured with UN peacekeeping medals

Staff under the Vietnam’s Level-2 field Hospital No. 1 in South Sudan have been honoured with the United Nations Peacekeeping medals for their dedication to the career.  

Vietnam enhances cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations

Vietnam will step up defence cooperation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the coming time, stated Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.  

VNS