On the afternoon of February 16, the Vietnam Engineering Team No. 2, which is on a peacekeeping mission at the United Nations Mission in Abyei (UNISFA), said that it is expected that the Team will complete the remaining items in the first half of 2024. These are 3 housing modules, water treatment system, solid waste treatment system; repair station; generator area; solar power station; lighting; security surveillance and environmental landscape construction.

The Smart Camp project is divided into 3 phases with 30 buildings and utilities and auxiliary items. The team has completed phases 1, 2 and 60% of the work volume of phase 3. Many prefabricated house systems (modules) have been put into use, including offices; housing, dining room; kitchen; gym; toilet.

The Smart Barracks project at the base of the Vietnam Engineering Team in Abyei will be implemented from April 2023, during the term of operation of the Engineering Team No. 1. Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Captain of the Engineering Team No. 1, said that this is the newest and most modern barracks model of the United Nations today.

The base has a helipad and flight safety system. The electricity, water, communication, and Internet management systems can be controlled automatically. The infrastructure prioritizes female soldiers, separate from the male area; the toilets are assembled with new materials. From the control room, the commander can monitor the use and consumption of electricity, water quality, and adjust the air conditioning temperature and lighting. A security camera system is also integrated to control activities inside and outside the base.

Building Smart Camp for peacekeeping forces of various countries in Abyei

Currently, the 2nd Engineer Team is constructing a smart barracks for the Nepalese unit at the UNISFA Mission headquarters. The first module out of 18 modules has been completed. In the second half of 2024, the Team plans to start the smart barracks project for the Chinese Rapid Response Unit.

The 2nd Engineer Team will also level the ground to build Smart Camp for the Pakistani infantry barracks in the northern Abyei sector. The main tasks are to dig canals, build barriers, and build protective fences. The team will also take advantage of the dry season to open new branch lines and patrol roads to ensure smooth traffic flow, serving the regular and ad hoc tasks of the Mission.

Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries signed an agreement on June 20, 2011, pledging to withdraw troops from the demilitarized zone in Abyei and establish a joint mechanism to resolve the issue, but so far there has been little substantive progress.

The United Nations Interim Security Mission in Abyei (UNISFA) was established to maintain, ensure security and safety and prevent conflicts and disputes between the two countries.

In May 2022, Vietnam sent its first Engineering Team to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission at the UNISFA Mission. Engineering Team No. 1 with a staff of 184 people is tasked with surveying, maintaining, repairing and upgrading main and backup transport routes; repairing and restoring field runways; preparing and maintaining routes connecting bases, building helipads, inspecting and troubleshooting traffic incidents... Engineering Team No. 2 arrived in Abyei to take over the tasks of Team No. 1 from August 2023.

Son Ha