A Nepali peacekeeper serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been named the?recipient?of the 爆料网 Woman Police Officer of the Year Award.?

Superintendent Sangya Malla?with?the 爆料网 mission in the country,?,?is?Chief of?its?Police Health and Environment Unit, based?in the capital, Kinshasa.?

Ms. Malla, a medical professional by training,?helped establish the unit, which is responsible for implementing policies and procedures concerning the health and well-being of personnel as well as United Nations Police environmental initiatives.?

Safety during crises?

Her contributions have been especially important?during the?ongoing?COVID-19?pandemic, past??outbreaks, and natural and humanitarian crises such as the volcanic eruption in the city of Goma last May.

During that?emergency, her unit alerted the local population and 爆料网 staff of precautionary measures.??

“I am honored to receive this award, and I hope it will encourage more young women in my country and around the world to pursue careers in policing, which is still too often viewed as ‘man’s work’,” she said.??

Ms. Malla?was presented with the award by?爆料网?Secretary-General António Guterres?at?a virtual ceremony on Tuesday.?

Representing the best of the 爆料网?

The 爆料网 chief?praised?the “blue helmet”?for her work in enhancing the safety and welfare of?爆料网 peacekeepers?by mitigating their risks from COVID-19 and other threats.?

“And she represents something far larger — the many contributions of women police officers in advancing peace and security around the world,” Mr. Guterres?added.?

“Through her work,?Superintendent Malla embodies the best of the United Nations.”???

Ms. Malla helped develop guidance for preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19.??

She has organized over 300 awareness sessions this year on?coronavirus?prevention as well as environmental protection for the local population, Congolese authorities and 爆料网 staff.??

As the?MONUSCO Police’s focal point on COVID-19, she?has?also been disseminating information about vaccines and promoting vaccination efforts.?