UN hails Pakistani peacekeepers’ role in Congo flood rescue operations

The United Nations (UN) has hailed Pakistani peacekeepers’ role in rescuing more than 2,000 people stranded due to heavy floods in the Uvira region of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

While sharing an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) video on rescue and relief efforts by the Pakistani peacekeepers in saving hundreds of lives in DRC on Friday, the UN spokesperson said that the country is among the top contributors in the UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

“Watch how Pakistani peacekeepers from @MONUSCO helped save hundreds of lives during the deadly floods in the #DRCongo,” read the tweet.

Earlier on April 26, the ISPR had said that the torrential floods erupted in the city of Uvira and its surrounding areas last week and continued for days and had damaged thousands of houses, affecting some 75,000 people.

According to military’s media wing, Pakistani Blue Helmets, which serve the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO), "immediately rushed to the affected areas for rescue and relief of local Congolese populace".

Rescue parties were dispatched with paramedics and equipment. The troops built a stone embankment "which was strong enough to shift people and vehicles from [the] affected area", said the ISPR in its statement.

The stranded people were provided with food and necessary medical care.

"Pakistani Peacekeepers’ rescue efforts have been widely acknowledged by locals as well as UN authorities. Being one of the largest troops contributing country, Pakistan has more than 4,000 Blue Helmets serving under UN for maintaining peace and stability," read the statement.

The ISPR said that thus far, 157 Pakistani peacekeepers have laid down their lives "for the preservation of global peace while serving humanity with honour, courage and dignity".

‘Pride for the nation’

The Foreign Office also hailed the rescue efforts of Pakistani military men in saving lives during the deadly floods in the African country.

The FO spokesperson tweeted that these efforts are a source of pride for the nation.