Geneva, 6 November 2021 (TDI): The Nepalese Superintendent Sangya Malla received the UN Women Award for Police Officer of the Year; on 5 November. Malla is the Chief of the Police Health and Environment Unit; at the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Malla helped to establish the unit, with her medical training. Her unit is responsible for the implementation of procedures, and policies regarding the health and well-being of the staff. Malla’s office is also in charge of the implementation of UN Police environmental initiatives.
Malla’s contributions have been important. First during Ebola outbreaks, then with COVID-19, and also in natural crisis. During the volcanic eruption in the city of Goma, in May, Malla and her colleagues alerted the population and staff. Her unit also promoted precautionary measures during the volcanic eruption.
SECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENTS
The Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres will present the award to Malla at a virtual ceremony, next Tuesday. Malla expressed how honored she is to receive the award. She then added that she hoped to encourage young women to get a policing career, even though they are still seen as man’s work.
Guterres praised the Superintendent Malla for her work with the UN peacekeepers. He mentioned that Malla’s work as a blue helmet is to enhance the safety and also welfare of the peacekeepers. Guterres remarked that Malla does this by mitigating the possibility of COVID-19 infection among the blue helmets.
He then stated that Malla represents the contributions of women police officers in peace and also security. Guterres mentioned that those contributions were to advance peace and security. According to Guterres, Malla through her work embodies the best of the UN.
COVID-19 EFFORTS
Superintendent Malla helped to develop guidance in the prevention against COVID-19. This is because she has organized over 300 sessions on COVID prevention. Those sessions were also regarding environmental protection for the citizens, Congolese authorities, and also UN staff.
At MONUSCO, Malla has also shared information regarding COVID vaccines, and she has also promoted vaccination efforts at the DRC.
