Cambodian “blue helmets” are being trained by the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC) to administer vaccines to other peacekeepers and nationals in countries they are stationed.

NPMEC spokeswoman Kosal Malinda told The Post on June 29 that the peacekeepers had participated in vaccination programmes in Cambodia and were trained in vaccination procedures. These skills can be applied when on UN peacekeeping missions.

“The UN requires that peacekeepers increase their knowledge and skills of Covid-19 vaccines. When we participate in missions, we will have the vaccinations procedures on hand to help people, make observations and manage changing conditions,” Malinda said.

She said that according to a primary notice from the UN, Cambodia will send another group of blue helmets to Mali in September on regular rotation. All peacekeepers need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before going on a mission.

“For Mali, there are two groups of peacekeepers made up of 298 personnel,” she said.

NPMEC director-general Sem Sovanny said on June 29 that military medics who have volunteered to vaccinate people in Cambodia could be called upon to join UN peacekeeping missions to vaccinate blue helmets and people when on mission overseas.

He would request Minister of National Defence Tea Banh to prepare medics for participation in humanitarian vaccination missions abroad.

According to Malinda, there are 787 Cambodian blue helmets on missions in five countries – Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, the Central African Republic and Mali.