SOLDIERS at Catterick Garrison were visited by International Development Secretary Priti Patel as they prepare for a peacekeeping mission.
Ms Patel met members of 32 Engineer Regiment ahead of their deployment in support of the UN mission in South Sudan.
The deployment of 162 personnel from Catterick will will replace colleagues from 21 Engineer Regiment based in Ripon and increase the number of UK military in country to approximately 400.
These troops are primarily working in the north of South Sudan, where they are providing engineering and medical support at UN camps.
They are also helping to develop logistical routes to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid, a vital task in a country where movement by road is virtually impossible due to a lack of infrastructure.
Ms Patel said the “brave” Armed Forces were a credit to the country.
She added: “The situation on the ground in South Sudan is catastrophic and a man-made disaster.
“Conflict and instability has led to grotesque levels of violence and persecution, and Britain is leading the way in providing life-saving and emergency food, water and medicine to those in need.”
Ms Patel visited South Sudan in April to urge parties to end the conflict.
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