Mr. Mountain was greeted on arrival by officials from MONUC’s Uvira office. He was later briefed by Head of office Mr. Bernard Leloup on the political and security situation in Uvira and Fizi territories.

The MONUC briefing was followed by a meeting with the humanitarian community and civil society representatives from Uvira town and territory, where Mr. Mountain explained MONUC’s protection mandate, and the mission’s role in bringing about sustainable peace.

OCHA representative Mr. Samuel Zoungrana made a presentation on the humanitarian community’s response to the security, food and health situation caused by armed conflict, epidemics and natural disasters.

The agency also highlighted the activities carried out in the fields of education, shelter and road rehabilitation, to provide access to vulnerable and internally displaced people.

Mr. Zoungrana also explained the humanitarian community’s plans to assist populations that would be affected by the planned Kimia II operations. The stabilization officer Ms. Ilaria Carpen explained the aims of the stabilization programme and the activities that were planned for the Fizi-Minembwe axis.

In a military security briefing, the MONUC Pakistani commander outlined his battalion’s responsibilities, deployment levels, tasks and security activities since their deployment to Uvira one month ago.

The commander listed the activities of MONUC military in the area, including the provision of military training for the DRC Armed Forces for the upcoming Kimia II operations, as well as providing security for Luberizi regroupment centre, which is currently hosting 516 ex-combatants that are waiting to be retrained.

Finally Mr. Mountain attended a town hall meeting with MONUC and UN agency staff, where he responded to their questions and concerns.