by Amina Said

12 April 2007

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: More than 2000 UNV volunteers serve in areas of crisis and post-crisis humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and support to post-conflict electoral processes.  In these so-called “special operations”, many live and work in increasingly dangerous environments. 

When fighting broke out in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) late last month, UNV Programme Manager Jan Snoeks was responsible for ensuring the continuity of the administration of over 600 volunteers, monitoring their safety and maintaining the flow of information.  His emails to the volunteers both in and outside Kinshasa illustrated events as they unfolded:

“Just to let you know that the fighting continues and has spread to parts outside of the city centre.  The UNICEF building there has apparently received mortar fire.  Darkness has fallen now, so it looks like we're going to have to spend the night in the office.  Will keep you informed … so let's please continue to be cautious, keep ourselves informed, and observe all broadcasted UN security instructions …”

“Equally important as the physical damage that has been done by the fighting, is the morale damage amongst many of us.  Quite a few of you have spent some very frightening hours (days...) in your residences or other places where you got stuck …”

When extremely tense situations reach boiling point, volunteers can experience situations that most of us could never imagine.  UNV volunteer Salamatu Tamba, an IT Technician reports, “On my way home after two nights in the office, I got a call telling me my apartment had been hit during the fighting and looted afterwards.  When I arrived, I saw broken glass all over the place from the staircase windows.  I reached the apartment floor and there was no door … the main entrance door was gone, even the living room door was blasted off its hinges and everything was rubble.  I was shaking and trembling all over.  I encouraged myself by thanking God I was still safe and alive.  Fortunately, the room where my belongings were was intact and nothing was stolen except some food from the freezer. I stayed with a colleague for about a week whilst searching for a new apartment, and am now settling in again.” 

Volunteers like Salamatu Tamba had left their families, friends and other responsibilities at home in order to contribute to the democratic process in the DRC.  It is by no means an easy job, yet Salamatu asserts, “I will continue the work I came here to do when I joined the UN Volunteer family, which is helping people who are in need.  I have a wonderful feeling being part of a team bringing stability back to this great country.”

Working integrally through the UN system of guidance and support in such situations, including the UN Department of Safety and Security, UNV provides volunteers in special operations with pre-assignment briefing kits, training on advanced security in the field, and safety and security induction briefings upon arrival in their duty station.  In addition, field management, UNV Support Units and country office teams provide UNV volunteers with regular advice, guidance, and communications.  A staff counselor also provides volunteers with concrete advice on reducing stress and coping with trauma.

Kevin Gilroy, Special Operations Chief at UNV Headquarters says, “While these measures and support collectively cover the minimum of support one should expect, it is the maturity, professionalism and endurance of our UNV volunteers themselves which get them through each day – and which ultimately gets the important work done amidst otherwise tense, uncertain, and at times, very dangerous situations.  We salute our UNV volunteers and staff working in these troubled and dangerous environments.”

The DRC is rebuilding following the end of a six-year civil war (1998-2003), widely considered the most lethal conflict in the world since World War II, which cost 4 million lives in fighting, hunger and disease.  A transitional government ruled from 2003 until democratic elections were held in 2006.  The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) estimates that hundreds were killed and many more wounded in the violence which broke out on 22 March between Government forces and guards of former Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was defeated last year by current President Joseph Kabila in the run-off round of landmark presidential elections.

MONUC is the largest UN peacekeeping operation worldwide and comprises 17,000 troops.  600 United Nations Volunteers serve with MONUC.

More about: MONUC mandate