Peace Begins with Water is more than a slogan for the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. With their iconic blue helmets, a Chinese infantry battalion teamed up with CGTN correspondents to deliver fresh water to the remote Nakitum village near Juba.
In a region where reliable clean water can be scarce, the operation transformed basic necessity into a symbol of hope. As sunrise bathed the dusty compounds, locals lined up with jerrycans, witnessing the rare moment when truck after truck rolled in, brimful of life-saving water.
Journalists from CGTN embedded with the unit captured every detail: the careful coordination at each stop, the relief on the faces of elders, and the childrenâs laughter as they splashed the cool stream. For many families, this shipment marked their first access to treated water in weeks.
While the mission took place in a single village, it speaks to a larger story: how frontline peacekeepers can deliver more than securityâthey can build trust, restore dignity, and carve new pathways to stability. By breaking down barriers and crossing borders, "Blue Helmets, No Borders" showcases that sometimes, the simplest resource can sow the seeds of lasting peace.
Behind every barrel of water, there is commitment: from the village elder who coordinated community volunteers to the peacekeepers who braved rough roads, all united by a shared goal. As the Chinese infantry battalion heads back to base, the water tanks may empty, but the impact ripples far beyond Nakitum's wells, inspiring hope across South Sudan.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
