31 October 2012 – As part of an ongoing community outreach programme in Unity State, UNMISS military liaison officers recently donated books and toys to children admitted to Bentiu Hospital's paediatric ward.

"UNMISS is cooperating with us in the health sector and we appreciate this initiative," said the health facility's Director for Administration, Dr. Giel Thuok.

In September, Mongolian peacekeepers deployed in Unity State repaired out-of-service ambulances that had been grounded for two years at the border state's only referral hospital.

Dr. Thuok called upon UNMISS to keep working with the hospital administration to improve health facilities in the state.

The health situation in Bentiu and surrounding areas has been reported to be alarming of late, as heavy flooding affected host communities and thousands of refugees entered Unity State after fleeing fighting in Sudan's Southern Kordofan State.

The donation to the children's ward earlier this month was a personal gesture made by the mother of one military liaison officer from Canada, Maj. Cole Mackay.

Intended to encourage the children and enable them to play, even as patients in the hospital, Maj. Mackay's mother sent the gifts after her son described to her the critical health situation in Unity State.