MONUSCO notes with satisfaction the breakthrough made by IRF pilot project in Mambasa

26 aoû 2015

MONUSCO notes with satisfaction the breakthrough made by IRF pilot project in Mambasa

Bunia, 25 August 2015 - As part of the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS), MONUSCO’s Stabilization Support Unit, in collaboration with STAREC (Reconstruction and Stabilization Program for Areas emerging from Armed Conflicts) organized from 17 through 21 August 2015 an evaluation of the project named Immediate Response Facility (IRF) in Mambasa.

The evaluation was conducted during the mission aimed to engage with the local officials, civil society organizations, and the media and project partners – led by the Unit chief, Richard de la Falaise.

The mission took the opportunity to also meet the project stakeholders and beneficiaries, help the different partners to have common understanding and ensure cohesion among all the stakeholders.

”Some people argue that dialogue is good but does not bring anything con concrete but I personally saw tangible results during the evaluation as the different communities begin to understand their duties and rights. They are now vocal in demanding high quality services from the Government to meet their basic needs. We are witnessing a genuine dialogue between government officials and the communities’” noted Richard de la Falaise

This mission is a response to the need to engage with local officials and those who benefit from the project on the choices and breakthrough made identified during STAREC Joint Technical Committee meeting for the ex- Eastern Province organized in Kisangani in July 2015, under the sponsorship of the Provincial Governor and Minister of Planning.

The United Nations and their partners, as part of the STAREC, officially launched the project on Tuesday 10 February 2015, at Mambasa in the presence of the Governor of ex-Eastern Province; the cost of the project is roughly 5 million dollars. It is implemented by several United Nations agencies and two Congolese NGOs, namely Akina Amani network and APEC.

According to Jean Marc Mazio of STAREC, the objective of the project is, inter alia, to contribute to the efforts for the “stabilization of Mambasa territory, affected by armed and land related conflicts. The project focuses on several areas, including inter-communal dialogue to consolidate peace, restore state authority and rehabilitate road sections.”

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Laurent Sam OUSSOU