10 March 2000

Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) has recruited and deployed more than 60 volunteer specialists to take up a range of assignments providing services to the recently established United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). The entire contingent of 72 UN Volunteers from 30 countries will be in place by late March. Volunteers are working as field engineers, camp managers, construction supervisors, communications and transport technicians and warehouse managers. Others serve as water and sewage specialists, inventory managers and computer specialists.

UNAMSIL was established last October to cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to a July 1999 peace agreement after nine years of civil war. The mission is assisting the Government in implementing its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration plan for some 45,000 combatants. To reach these objectives, a UN peacekeeping force has been deployed throughout the country. The UN mission will also help delivery of humanitarian aid, support the operations of United Nations civilian human rights and civil affairs officials as well as provide support, as requested, to future democratic elections.