SOUTH SUDAN / NEPALESE BATTALION MEDAL PARADE

The Nepalese Force Reserve Battalion battalion received the prestigious United Nations Medal of Honour in recognition of their service to the people of South Sudan, as well as the Force Commander’s Commendation for exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty. UNMISS

• Video Length: 00:02:46
• Production Date: 8 November 2024
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN – UNMISS
• Subject Topical: PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS; PEACEKEEPERS
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH SUDAN
• MAMS Id: 3304262
• Parent Id: 3304262
• Alternate Title: unifeed241108g

Description

TITLE: SOUTH SUDAN/ NEPALESE BATTALION MEDAL PARADE
TRT : 2:46
SOURCE : UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS : NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH/NATS

DATELINE: 07 NOVEMBER 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Various Shots, Medal Parade
2. Soundbite: Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, UNMISS Force Commander:
“You are not just a last resort, you are the ones that we bank on to handle situations which sometimes, due to various factors, go beyond the capability of respective sectors to handle. In this regard, you have distinguished yourselves.”
3. Various Shots, Medal Parade
4. Soundbite: Captain Romit Sen, Nepal Force Reserve Battalion:
“I think the great takeaway is that I got the experience, as I am a military officer, I must know how to conduct the different operations as per the operational order and, so here, I got many chances to work as a military officer in different operations, so this experience will certainly help me back in my country and now I have a buildup of confidence to conduct many operations in future days.”
5. Various Shots, Medal Parade
6. Soundbite: Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, UNMISS Force Commander:
“While under attack, while responding to the attack with fire, immediately on sighting a possible child solider in the attacking ranks, the Nepalese FRB (Force Reserve Battalion) stopped firing. That shows that you are committed to the highest tenants of United Nations Peacekeeping - that a soldier cannot fire at a child even if the child has taken up weapons against us.”
7. Various Shots, Medal Parade
8. Soundbite: Dr. Jasmine Gurung, Nepalese Medical Officer:
“In our mission period here, meeting people from different cultures and different countries, it was truly a wonderful experience.”
9. Various Shots, Medal Parade

Storyline

The Nepalese Force Reserve Battalion is relied on to respond to the most volatile security situations in South Sudan. These peacekeepers, serving with the United Nations Mission in the conflict-affected country, are rapidly deployed to the most dangerous locations to protect civilians, deter violence, ensure peacekeeping engineers can safely build and repair key infrastructure, and that humanitarian aid reaches the most vulnerable.

Today, 850 battalion members received the prestigious United Nations Medal of Honour in recognition of their service to the people of South Sudan, as well as the Force Commander’s Commendation for exceptional professionalism and dedication to duty.

Soundbite: Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, UNMISS Force Commander:
“You are not just a last resort, you are the ones that we bank on to handle situations which sometimes, due to various factors, go beyond the capability of respective sectors to handle. In this regard, you have distinguished yourselves.”

Nepal is the world’s largest contributor of troops and police to United Nations Peacekeeping, with these personnel following in the footsteps of more than 151,000 Nepalese men and women who have served in missions since 1958. While making an important contribution to efforts to secure peace in South Sudan, these peacekeepers have also learned new skills that they will take home with them.

Soundbite: Captain Romit Sen, Nepal Force Reserve Battalion:
“I think the great takeaway is that I got the experience, as I am a military officer, I must know how to conduct the different operations as per the operational order and, so here, I got many chances to work as a military officer in different operations, so this experience will certainly help me back in my country and now I have a buildup of confidence to conduct many operations in future days.”

The UNMISS Force Commander highlighted a particular operation where the Nepalese peacekeepers were attacked by an armed group while protecting a humanitarian convoy travelling on highly insecure roads in Jonglei to deliver much-needed aid to thousands of people in need.

Soundbite: Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, UNMISS Force Commander:
“While under attack, while responding to the attack with fire, immediately on sighting a possible child solider in the attacking ranks, the Nepalese FRB (Force Reserve Battalion) stopped firing. That shows that you are committed to the highest tenants of United Nations Peacekeeping - that a soldier cannot fire at a child even if the child has taken up weapons against us.”

Among this battalion are 106 women, including Medical Officer, Dr Jasmine Gurung, who describes her tour of duty as the experience of a lifetime.

Soundbite: Dr. Jasmine Gurung, Nepalese Medical Officer: “In our mission period here, meeting people from different cultures and different countries, it was truly a wonderful experience.”

Outside of their official duties, these peacekeepers have built strong and enduring relationships with those they serve, including supporting and spending their off duty time with orphans, demonstrating their professional and personal commitment to securing a better future for current and future generations of South Sudan.