Building hospitals, bridges and roads: The British Army in South Sudan

After four years, the UK Task Force in South Sudan returned home this spring from the British Army’s UN Peacekeeping mission there.

After winning its independence through years of conflict, South Sudan‘s supposed fresh start was thwarted by continued violence from within. For years since the country has been ravaged by civil war and criminality resulting in many thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

Established nearly ten years ago, the UN Mission in South Sudan works across the nation at all levels to establish peace and stability. In 2016 the British Army deployed a task-force of engineers in support.

Their mission would be to help build hospitals, bridges and roads, but their time in the sub-saharan country would take them from advising in the sweltering streets of Juba to combating sexual violence in the desolate refugee camps alongside the river Nile in the north.

Here’s their mission in pictures:

The UK Task Force was deployed forward to a remote village called Kodok to repair a key bridge. Once the bridge was completed it enabled Indian troops deployed with the UN to improve security and allow humanitarian organisations to provide aid to a higher number of local people.

A British soldier stands watch over their camp in the northern town of Malakal as the sun sets.

An engineer from the UK Task Force constructing drainage systems at the hospital in Malakal.

Engineers from the UK Task Force conducting engineering work on the camp in Malakal.

Engineers from the UK Task Force based in Malakal visited troops over in Bentiu. Whilst visiting, they were taken around the refugee camp to see where the engineering tasks are taking place.

British soldiers from the UK Task Force take a break in the back of a UN van.

Engineers from the UK Task Force visited Kodok, where they upgraded a bridge to improve security in the region.

The UK Task Force completed engineering tasks in the Bangladesh Force Marine Unit camp located in Malakal. After two weeks of hard work, the concrete pads and wastewater treatment plant was complete and handed over.

The UK Task Force deployed to Kodok to support the build of a new operating base. During the deployment the engineers, force protection and medic lived in tented accommodation that they built themselves.

Engineers from the UK Task Force helped build improvements on the Ghanian Temporary Operating Base. A British soldier smiles as he walks around the camp.

20 Jun 19, members from the UK Task Force were awarded UN medals to recognise their hard work and service on the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

A British soldier from the UK Task Force teaches the South Sudanese civilian’s carpentry skills.

Two teams from the UK Task Force in Malakal tought the South Sudanese civilian’s vocational skills such as carpentry. Here a British soldier plays basketball with the local children.

Two teams from the UK Task Force in Malakal tought the South Sudanese civilian's vocational skills such as carpentry. Here a British soldier entertains a local child.

The 12th Feb 2019 marked the International Day Against Child Soldiers. This was celebrated with a football match. Malakal Town Youth against the Protection of Civilians Camp Youth. Before the match, there was a march that took place which saw Uk troops march alongside other Troop Contributing Countries, UN Police, South Sudanese Police and many civilians of Malakal Town.

The 12th Feb 2019 marked the International Day Against Child Soldiers. This was celebrated with a football match. Malakal Town Youth against the Protection of Civilians Camp Youth. Before the match, there was a march that took place which saw Uk troops march alongside other Troop Contributing Countries, UN Police, South Sudanese Police and many civilians of Malakal Town.

The 12th Feb 2019 marked the International Day Against Child Soldiers. This was celebrated with a football match. Malakal Town Youth against the Protection of Civilians Camp Youth. Before the match, there was a march that took place which saw Uk troops march alongside other Troop Contributing Countries, UN Police, South Sudanese Police and many civilians of Malakal Town.

The 12th Feb 2019 marked the International Day Against Child Soldiers. This was celebrated with a football match. Malakal Town Youth against the Protection of Civilians Camp Youth. Before the match, there was a march that took place which saw Uk troops march alongside other Troop Contributing Countries, UN Police, South Sudanese Police and many civilians of Malakal Town.

A British soldier from the UK Task Force shows the local children a magic trick.

A British soldier from the UK Task Force shows the local children a magic trick.

In South Sudan, vulnerable groups, such as women, are subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In partnership with the Human Rights Division and with the support from other departments working as part of the UN the UK Engineers have successfully lead empowerment-based self-defence workshops.

In South Sudan, vulnerable groups, such as women, are subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In partnership with the Human Rights Division and with the support from other departments working as part of the UN the UK Engineers have successfully lead empowerment-based self-defence workshops.

In South Sudan, vulnerable groups, such as women, are subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In partnership with the Human Rights Division and with the support from other departments working as part of the UN the UK Engineers have successfully lead empowerment-based self-defence workshops.

In South Sudan, vulnerable groups, such as women, are subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In partnership with the Human Rights Division and with the support from other departments working as part of the UN the UK Engineers have successfully lead empowerment-based self-defence workshops.

The Royal Engineers were joined by the Head of Field Office and Sector North Commander for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new level 2 hospital, before they hand it over to the Indian Army.

A British soldier from the UK Task Force looks over the camp.

A British soldier from the UK Task Force stands watch over the camp at night.

Find out where the UK Armed Forces are deployed here: