A small skip for humankind, a big leap and a sewage dump site for the citizens of Bor and Greater Jonglei. That’s an accurate description of the hole currently being dug by UNMISS and its Republic of Korea Horizontal Military Engineering Company (ROK-HMEC). Once completed, the facility is expected to reduce the risk of outbreaks of cholera and other community-debilitating diseases.

On Wednesday (28 September) Head of Field Office (HoFO), Deborah Schein, colleagues from the Mission Support Division and state authorities paid an inspection visit to the project site, and they liked what they saw. Taken on a tour by the ROK-HMEC Commander, the delegation was briefed on the progress made. The news he delivered was good.

“The project will be completed in a week and ready for use, provided there is absence of rain for the next few days”, the ROK-HMEC commanding officer explained.

The facility, located eight kilometers from the UNMISS base in Bor, will mean that local communities will no longer need to resort to the unfortunate and disease-inducing habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and raw sewage in Bor town and its waterways.

The sewage dump site project is part of the protection of civilians component of the UNMISS mandate. It is being undertaken in partnership with other UN agencies and the host government.