Protective measures

Liao only took enough personal and medical supplies to last three months to Juba, because she anticipated returning to China for her holidays to restock. But travel restrictions forced by the pandemic stymied her plan.

At the beginning of the pandemic, South Sudanese and most UN officers didn't take it seriously and refused to wear masks or socially distance. However, Liao kept her guard up and reminded people around her to take protective measures. In the first few months of the pandemic, some UN officers were infected with COVID-19, and there was a shortage of protective gear, Liao said.

She collected information on pandemic prevention and control measures that had worked well in China and helped establish a prevention system in the task area.

"First of all, I am a UN police officer and I am also here to represent China," she said, adding Chinese people are modest, but must speak up when necessary.

"Some things can only be accomplished if we take the initiative to do them," she said.

Liao said a UN officer from Egypt, after witnessing what she had done, told her China's national flag represented professionalism.

"My outgoing personality has also affected him, which makes me feel encouraged," Liao said.