The residents of Kurmuk had only contaminated water to drink for several days after their purification plant broke down.

Facing the threat to water-born diseases striking his town, Acting Kurmuk Commissioner Mamoun Hamad El Amin asked UNMIS for help. The Pakistani engineers agreed to clean the plant, which had stopped working due to lack of maintenance and blockages.

The engineers brought the equipment they needed from Ed Damazine, including a water pump, to work on the three-level purifier, which holds up to 10 feet of stagnated water. Once the job was done, clean water began flowing again, to be stored in a 20 by 20 foot underground tank.

To express the gratitude of Kurmuk's residents, Commissioner El Amin presented the Pakistani contingent with a letter of appreciation (see below).