Nyala, 18 November 2008 -- UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR), Mr. Henry Anyidoho, and other senior officials, paid an official visit to Nyala, Sector South, to present service medals to the members of UNAMID Bangladesh Formed Police Unit (FPU, during a medal parade ceremony, held at UNAMID Nyala Super Camp.

Addressing the recipients, Mr. Henry Anyidoho declared, “These medals are awarded to you in recognition of your remarkable contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Darfur.” He further indicated that the Bangladesh FPU has faced many challenges since the Transfer Authority from the African Mission in Sudan, AMIS, to its successor, UNAMID, on 1 January 2008. Bangladesh police officers have participated in numerous activities, including convoy escort from Nyala to El Fasher, protection of equipments convoy from El Obeid to Darfur, providing security to UNAMID Nyala staff and facilities, in addition to their crucial role in the Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp, where they are providing round the clock protection.

Mr. Anyidoho also declared that, “UNAMID is here to help the people of Darfur to recover and restore peace, not to contribute to the conflict”. Mr. Anyidoho paid tribute to the Bangladesh FPU Commander for his commitment and the great achievements of his unit on the ground and called on all UNAMID staff to respect the local customs and culture of Darfur.

The DJSR also visited some of UNAMID troops based at the Super Camp, including the Nepalese FPU, the Bangladesh Multi-Role Logistic Company, the Egyptian Transport Company, the water points drilled by the Chinese Engineering Unit as well as the UNAMID new terminal project site at Nyala airport.

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