Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda Protection Support Unit (PSU) contingent serving under the United Nations Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) launched a water distribution campaign on Tuesday to promote sanitation and hygiene.

The peacekeepers distributed clean water to communities in Saint Paul I village of District 7 of the capital Bangui. The dry period affected some parts of Bangui, which forces residents to either use unsafe water or walk long distances to the nearest clean water source.

It is said that women and girls face hurdles walking long distances to fetch water having to deal with the increasing cases of defilement and rape.

The launch of the clean water distribution exercise was witness top MINUSCA officials including Lt. Col. Farid Bouka and Lt. Col. Okogho Scholastique, both from the civic military cooperation, a section under the Joint Task Force Bangui (JTFB), as well as local authorities and residents.

Patrice Mbalapo, the chairman of Saint Paul I Village, said that the support by the Rwandan peacekeepers defines the good relations with the people.

’’We thank MINUSCA, especially the PSU Rwanda for this support. Our water centres and tanks are dry. We don’t have clean water… we fetch from wells and ponds, which poses health risks,” Mbalapo said.

“We wish to recommit our support… these human security activities also strengthened the cooperation and solidarity with the peacekeepers,” Mbalapo added.

The PSU-Rwanda contingent commander, Chief Supt. Emmanuel Kabanda said the clean water distribution exercise aims at improving the living conditions and wellbeing of the citizens.

“Sustainable security cannot be achieved if there is no partnership with the beneficiaries and when the wellbeing of the people is improved, and such activities are meant to go just beyond peacekeeping to address conditions that affect public safety and solving problems affecting communities.” Kabanda said.

The PSU is one of the three Rwandan Police contingents deployed in MINUSCA with combined 480 Police officers.

The PSU contingent in particular protects high-profile officials including the Prime Minister of CAR, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General among other government and UN staff, and special tasks.