UN blue helmets in South Sudan use Sustainable Development Goals to help build peace.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has concluded the week by harnessing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to support the nation, including by offering free medical services, encompassing SDG 3's target on health coverage.

By Friday, UNMISS Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Wau, a city located in the country's north-west, had treated more than 100 civil servants suffering from a variety of health issues.

'My problem is my kidney because it hurts too much,'' said 21-year-old Sodinia Edward, who went to a hospital in Juba where she was told that 'they did not have medicines'.

However, she left the UNMISS clinic with the prescribed drugs in her possession, just like many of the other patients suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments.

The commander of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers detailed that their work in Wau is not limited to providing force protection to UN facilities and aid convoys.

'Since our arrival, we have been engaged in humanitarian assistance, especially the medical and veterinary services but also some other social programmes,'' said Colonel Majhuri Heque.

Since the onset of the crisis in 2016, most of the city's health facilities have faced shortages of medication, leaving their clinics brimming with patients.

The local agriculture minister, who lives with diabetes and blood pressure issues said that the government would like UNMISS to extend their medical services to villages in the area.

'We have little chance of being able to afford the medicines needed,' Simon Akot explained, adding that many villagers resort to leaves and roots that may, or may not, have medicinal properties.

A new chapter of 'forgiveness'

UNMISS outreach does not exclusively focused on health, as illustrated by its recently concluded forum aimed at promoting harmonious relations between political actors, embracing SDG 16's focus on participatory democracy and governance.

As politicians in Aweil East, also located in the north-west, pondered how best to achieve durable peace, the UNMISS' Civil Affairs Division organized a two-day reconciliatory meeting in Wanyjok town, where 50 participants from four different political parties commitment to reconcile and work together in accordance with the revitalized peace agreement.

'For us to open a new chapter, forgiveness is needed,' said Abuor Gordon, a representative of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

From the Sudan African National Union Party, Achoul Garang Deng...