(Malakal) – More than 600 displaced persons living in a United Nations Protection of Civilians (PoC) site near Malakal in South Sudan have received free medical care and health education during a two day outreach programme by Rwandan peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The outreach led by six medical peacekeepers from Rwanda aimed to offer treatment and hope to some of the most vulnerable residents in the overcrowded camp, which currently hosts over 45,000 people displaced by conflict.
Among those helped was Chamisa John, a mother caring for her three year-old daughter who has been suffering from recurring pain.
“We have taken her to the hospital three times already, but she has not received proper treatment,” Chamisa said. “When I heard about the free medical camp, I came immediately.”
The PoC site, located adjacent to the UNMISS base in Malakal, faces daily challenges ranging from poor sanitation to limited access to healthcare. According to Capt Jacques Nishimwe, one of the Rwandan medical officers, the camp’s congestion exposes residents—especially children—to frequent infections, while chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are also common.
“Due to reduced humanitarian aid, health services have become even scarcer. That’s why we organised this outreach to help ease the burden,” Capt Nishimwe said.
Residents of the camp normally have to travel nearly six kilometres to Malakal town to reach the nearest medical facilities. But this journey becomes especially difficult during the rainy season when roads are impassable, further cutting them off from treatment.
“I’ve had stomach problems for a long time, and with no regular income, I couldn’t afford proper medical attention,” said Andrew Nykanig, another beneficiary. “Thanks to this camp, I got free medicine and advice on how to take care of myself afterwards.”
During the outreach, the Rwandan medical team provided basic health checks, treatment, medication, and health education to women, men, and children. While the intervention was short-term, it offered some hope to a population living in conditions where health support is often unreliable.
Capt Nishimwe highlighted that peacekeeping often requires going beyond traditional security roles.
“Peacekeeping is not only about patrols and preventing violence,” he said. “It’s about trust building and providing the support communities need to survive and recover.”
For many families in South Sudan’s PoC sites, such efforts are a rare but much needed lifeline.
