23 June 2014 - Seeking to boost protection of civilians in the Jonglei State capital Bor, the UNMISS Korean Engineering Company are building an embankment along the River Nile.

The 17-kilometre construction, which should be completed in less than seven weeks, is aimed at protecting civilians from flooding, which regularly occurs during the rainy season from April to November.

With a width of four to six metres and height of two to four metres, the embankment will be a metre higher than the anticipated river overflow at the rainy season’s peak. It will also be installed with drain pumps and river improvement facilities to ensure it serves its intended purpose.

“We will give our best to the embankment of the River Nile to ensure the safety of Bor civilians,” said the contingent’s Commanding Officer Colonel Park Won Dae at the ground breaking ceremony on 19 June. “We have been trained for any contingency and daily safety education has been conducted.”

Speaking at the same ceremony, Deputy Governor Baba Medan Konyi expressed gratitude to UNMISS and the South Korean contingent for the various activities aimed at protecting civilians.

UNMISS Acting State Coordinator Yusef Abueljedian commended the engineers for previous work in road construction and other support to civilians seeking shelter at the mission’s base.

During the ceremony, the contingent’s medical unit also offered free health care services to local residents.