Rwanda Donates Medical Kits to United Nations Mission in South Sudan

As part of its response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic crisis around the world, the Government of Rwanda on 13th June donated testing medical kits to the peacekeeping United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is part of the earlier promised 200 test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE’s) to the mission in support of international efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

Brig Gen Eugene Nkubito, who represented Rwanda said:” The medical kits will contribute to mass testing and sampling for Coronavirus COVID-19 within peacekeepers in UNMISS. He said, “COVID-19 is a common enemy to mankind, and cooperation is the way to defeat the pandemic”.

The donation of medical kits to the UNMISS comes after Rwanda took measures to test and sample COVID-19 among its peacekeepers under UNMISS including military, Police and Collection Service.

Over 100 test kits that were airlifted by RwandAir to Juba International Airport, were handed over to UNMISS officials in Juba. It is aimed at increasing the mission’s capacity to test and treat staff, and the remaining testing kits will be soon delivered. Brig Gen Eugene Nkubito, Rwanda’s Senior Representative in UNMISS and Juba Sector Commander, handed over the medical kits to John Sengui Barber and Lt Col Su KHAN on behalf of UNMISS.

Nkubito said the medical kits will contribute to mass testing and sampling for COVID-19 within peacekeepers in UNMISS. He said, “Covid-19 is a common enemy to mankind, and cooperation is the way to defeat the pandemic”. Barber, the medical representative of UNMISS thanked the Government of Rwanda for the support saying that it will significantly improve UNMISS capacity to fight against Covid-19. “These kits are definitely augmenting our speed in testing staff,” said Barber.

The donation comes after Rwanda took measures to test and sample Covid-19 to Rwandan peacekeepers under UNMISS including military, Police and Correction Service. 1400 peacekeepers have been tested this past week. This activity will continue in other missions where Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed.

Rwanda is among the top five UN troop and police-contributing countries in international peacekeeping missions. The Rwandan army maintains 5,860 personnel including troops, staff officers, military observers and liaison officers in peacekeeping missions. The Rwanda National Police (RNP) – which started peacekeeping deployments in 2005 – has about 1,200 officers serving as peacekeepers in different countries.