Twenty years in Sudan

Since 2005, the New Zealand Defence Force has been supporting the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan, both before and after the country's independence.

Prior to South Sudan's independence, the NZDF contributed personnel to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from 2005 to 2011. UNMIS was established following a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

Following South Sudan's independence in 2011, New Zealand has supported the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

COL Mel Childs served in South Sudan between March and October 2016. Initially as Senior National Officer and the Deputy Chief Plans (U5) in the Force HQ. During the Juba crisis in July 2016, she took over the role of Chief Plans Officer in response to the security situation.

The rotation to South Sudan was the first time the NZDF had permitted females to deploy to South Sudan since the initial deployments to UNMIS in 2005. COL Childs was joined on this deployment by Major Wendy Wright and Major Fraser Winskill.

She describes the situation in South Sudan as having ebbs and flows between famine, flooding and fighting, mixed in with a challenging security, economic and humanitarian environment.

The Juba crisis of 2016 was a series of clashes in South Sudan capital, Juba between rival factions of the Sudan People's Liberation Army.

Hundreds of South Sudanese were killed during this crisis. It included torture and abuse by government troops and the use of mortars, artillery fire, attack helicopters, tanks and rocket propelled grenades from both sides.

Caught in the crossfire were thousands of displaced civilian refugees living in camps around the United Nations Headquarters.

Two UN Peacekeepers were killed inside the compound during the fighting.

For her actions during the Juba crisis COL Childs received the Defence Meritorious Service Medal.

According to witness reports, COL Childs kept her cool and showed considerable courage and leadership directing infantry and police units that were in disarray. She remained with the civilian refugees and eventually leading them to areas that o greater protection. Her conduct during this period also received high praise from the Head of the Special Investigation Team sent by the UN Secretary-General to investigate the incident.

Despite the living the conditions and political environment, COL Childs said she was constantly struck by the resilience of the South Sudanese people, particularly the children.

“As a mother it would amaze me how the South Sudanese children found joy in the smallest of things”.