RNP peacekeepers unblock flooded road in Haitian town

Rwanda National Police (RNP) peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (Unstamih), on Tuesday, opened a major highway linking the town of Jeremie to the capital Port Au Prince and other major cities. The road had become impassable following heavy rains that hit the island nation on Monday and Tuesday. The Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU5) immediately intervened and opened the clogged trenches, and removed rocks and mud that had blocked the road along the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Rwandan peacekeepers were joined in the exercise by other UN officials and local leaders. “The road was successfully opened within a few hours and traffic began flowing normally,” said Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo, RWAFPU5 contingent commander. The local community commended the Rwandan peacekeepers for the humanitarian assistance and serving Haitians “with love, courage and commitment.” CP Munyambo argued Haitian residents to always engage in community development activities and work toward improving the drainage systems. The landscape of Jeremie is hilly and given the current rainy season in the Caribbean nation, more such disasters are anticipated. “The contingent is committed to supporting you in community work,” Munyambo told residents. Rwanda National Police maintains 145 peacekeepers in Haiti, 140 of them under RWAFPU5. Rwanda started its peacekeeping operations in Haiti in 2010 following a devastating earthquake that left over 300, 000 people dead and about 1.6 million others homeless. Since their deployment, Rwandan peacekeepers, who have since introduced the home-grown monthly community work (Umuganda) in the country, have cleaned streets, renovated prisons, and supported the vulnerable community, among others. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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RNP peacekeepers unblock flooded road in Haitian town