The month of May was once again marked by MONUSCO’s sustained commitment to peace and security for communities in the DRC. The Mission also supported efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak.
In Ituri and North Kivu, peacekeepers distinguished themselves in civil protection efforts, particularly in Goma, where firefighting teams brought three major fires under control, preventing human tragedies. The news was also marked by the commemoration of International Peacekeepers Day, which brought together national authorities, diplomats, and MONUSCO personnel for a ceremony at the Mission’s headquarters in Kinshasa.
In addition, the Acting Head of Mission, Vivian van de Perre, met in Kinshasa with the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense to discuss security coordination in the East. On the ground, UN operations were strengthened with the deployment of 160 Indian police officers in Beni, the opening of the first UNMAS demining training center, and crucial logistical support provided to the WHO—praised by its Regional Director for Africa, Professor Janabi—to address the Ebola emergency.
Discover all this and much more in this selection of content.
World Press Freedom Day
On this World Press Freedom Day, Ruth Alonga, a journalist based in #Goma, North Kivu, highlights the importance of balanced reporting and fact-checking, which also serve to promote peace and social cohesion.
Discover here her message on that day.
A Year of Devotion: 160 Indian Police Officers Awarded UN Medal in Beni
In recognition of their commitment to peace and the protection of civilians, 160 police officers from the Indian contingent #INDIANFPUII, including 25 women, were awarded the United Nations Medal during a ceremony held on May 8, following 12 months of service with #MONUSCO.
Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Acting Head of MONUSCO, met with the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense, H.E. Mr. Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, to discuss the security situation in eastern #DRC, coordination between the FARDC and MONUSCO, and support for the Washington and Doha peace processes.
3 Fires in Goma Brought Under Control by Peacekeepers
May 10:
MONUSCO firefighting teams responded on May 10 after a tanker truck caught fire at a gas station in the Kyeshero neighborhood of Goma. The fire was quickly brought under control, preventing it from spreading. Two people were injured, with no loss of life. Read here.
May 14:
Goma: About ten houses were destroyed in a fire on May 14 in Mabanga Sud. Thanks to the rapid response of MONUSCO firefighting teams and Civil Protection, the fire was brought under control. No loss of life was reported.
A second fire was reported in the evening in the Kyeshero neighborhood, where the MONUSCO firefighting team was once again deployed on an emergency basis. The fire was brought under control, allowing for the treatment of an injured student. No loss of life was reported.
Faced with the #Ebola emergency, #MONUSCO is providing logistical support to WHO and remains mobilized to protect affected populations and communities. It also recalls the importance of relying on official sources of information to counter disinformation. Read the press release here.
On May 17, in a tweet, the WHO emphasized that these supplies would support frontline teams who are protecting communities and saving lives. Regional Director @ProfJanabi welcomed the agreement with @MONUSCO to provide vital air and ground transport support, thereby facilitating the response to #Ebola.
MONUSCO had, following the official declaration of the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 16, rapidly deployed its air assets to support the Congolese government and United Nations agencies involved in combating the disease with personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory supplies, medicines and tents for patient care. In addition to that, various other supplies were handed over.
UNMAS has opened the first demining training center in the DRC in Beni (North Kivu), with the aim of training self-sufficient teams and reducing dependence on international support. Eight FARDC soldiers are the first graduates.
Over a three-week period, they underwent intensive training combining theory and practice, covering areas such as trauma care applied to demining operations, recognition and classification of ammunition, technical organization of operations, human rights principles, and marking techniques for unexploded ordnance.
To celebrate International #BlueHelmet Day, #UNPOL officers were deployed to major intersections in Kinshasa to support the PNC. This initiative highlights the partnership between #MONUSCO and national authorities to ensure security in the #DRC.
