Manawatū man in South Sudan enjoying the challenge

SUPPLIED

Second from the left is Major Dale Pyle who is serving as a United Nations Military Observer in Yambio, a city in southwestern South Sudan.

A Manawatū man serving in South Sudan says he is enjoying the challenge, despite the tenuous security situation in the country.

Major Dale Pyle is serving as a United Nations peacekeeper in South Sudan as a UN Military Observer based in Yambio, a city in the southwest close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pyle works with personnel from 14 other countries, including Bangladesh, Germany, the Philippines and Thailand. 

He said his role meant he worked as a liaison between United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the South Sudanese Defence Force and opposition forces.

READ MORE:* Mothers tell their survival stories* Largest humanitarian crisis since 1945* David Shearer formally appointed * David Shearer: The man who could've been PM^[1][2][3][4]

"We also observe and report on the current security situation and alleged violations of human rights and the status of forces agreement, and support the implementation of the new peace agreement signed last September."

However, ongoing violence had tempered hopes for the new peace deal, which was meant to end a civil war that began in 2013.

The UN estimates almost 400,000 people have died since the start of the conflict.

The fighting and atrocities had forced more than four million South Sudanese to flee their homes and half the country's population face severe hunger.

"Without the UN presence here, the devastation and humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict could have been worse," Pyle said.

The local people were welcoming and hospitable despite the immense challenges they faced as a result of the vicious five-year civil war, he said.

During patrols around Yambio, villagers often offered him and fellow UN peacekeepers fried bread and steaming cups of coffee.

"My interactions with the South Sudanese have been positive. They are happy and welcoming, and the children wave and smile wherever we go."

Working in a multinational environment has exposed Pyle to a range of other cultures and exotic food.

So far I've tasted Ethiopian coffee, palm wine, Mongolian dumplings, Indian curries and barbecued goat, which was prepared by our Kenyan colleague for Christmas lunch."

Dust and mosquitoes are among the day-to-day challenges he has to deal with.

"There is a lot of dust and this can affect everything from visibility to breathing and vehicles' air filters," he said.

"Mosquitoes also abound. This means we need to be extremely vigilant about the risk of transmitting mosquito-borne diseases, which can be difficult when you are meeting and interacting with numerous people every day."

Born in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, Major Pyle migrated to New Zealand with his family when he was 16 and settled in Palmerston North, joining the army in 2007.

"A lot of my family served in the military. As such, I grew up hearing stories and felt drawn to the spirit of service, comradeship and challenges that life in the military offers."

References

1. ^{^} Mothers tell their survival stories (www.stuff.co.nz)
2. ^{^} Largest humanitarian crisis since 1945 (www.stuff.co.nz)
3. ^{^} David Shearer formally appointed (www.stuff.co.nz)
4. ^{^} David Shearer: The man who could've been PM (www.stuff.co.nz)