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Ghanaian peacekeepers on United Nations Mission, have received commendation for saving the lives of some people who would have suffered death and injuries in two fire outbreaks that engulfed 117 shelters in South Sudan.

The disaster, which occurred during the weekend at Bentiu Protection of Civilians Site in South Sudan, was controlled by the swift, well-coordinated actions executed by different components of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a press statement issued by the Mission and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday stated.

It also said the success in controlling the fire was made possible because the group responded early and at the appropriate time.

“As soon as the fire was reported, an integrated team consisting of members of the Ghanaian military troops and Formed Police Unit, UN Police, Mongolian troops and UN Security personnel responded swiftly, it stated.

The release indicated that the achievement was more commendable considering the geographical environment of the area.

According to the statement, Ms Anastasie Nyirigira, the Acting Head of the UNMISS at the Bentiu Field Office, lauded the group for responding efficiently to the development.

“The coordination between different components of UNMISS was really commendable and that was what made a timely and effective response possible,” she said.

Meanwhile, humanitarian actors are assisting more than 1,700 affected internally displaced persons with temporary shelter, replacement registration and food coupons as well as the distribution of needed non-food items.

According to the statement the UNMISS has launched an investigation into the development to determine the cause of the fire outbreaks.