Kinshasa, 20 July 2009 - MONUC’s Joint Protection Teams (JPTs), comprising of civil affairs, human rights and child protection staff, have carried out 37 multidisciplinary field missions in the provinces of North and South Kivu since February 2009. By bringing MONUC military and civilian components together on the ground, the aim is to increase MONUC knowledge and capacity, thereby improving community relations and networks to better protect civilians in the Kivu provinces.
This has enhanced MONUC efficiency in responding to its mandate with regard to the protection of civilians in the DRC, as JPTs now work alongside MONUC military in the Kivu provinces.
The main goals of JPTs are to promote respect for International Humanitarian Law by all parties; assess and analyze the local political and social dynamics and their potential security implications for protection purposes; anticipate needs and ensure appropriate measures are taken, within the capacities of both civil and military components of MONUC, and set up networks to increase communication between MONUC military and local population.
The JPT experience has been positive, notably in helping to improve the working relationship between MONUC troops, the local population, civil society organisations and its representatives.
During the operations, access was established to areas which for long periods had been inaccessible to humanitarian actors and others, therefore allowing the collection of useful contextual information.
The focus on operational responses and the concerted development of protection contingency plans with local leaders and communities has also resulted in ground breaking initiatives, such as the negotiated evacuation of 5,000 persons from Kashebere to Nyabiondo (Nord Kivu Province, Masisi Territory, 15-18 February 2009).
Furthermore, JPTs negotiated the establishment of a zone of separation between Mai-Mai rebels of the Kifuafua faction and the DRC Armed Forces, with MONUC peacekeepers acting as a buffer (Nord Kivu Province, Walikale Territory, 12-13 July 2009).
Despite these successes, one of the main concerns is the insufficient logistical and administrative capacity to support the JPTs, which is putting an additional strain on military resources.
MONUC Civil Affairs section which coordinates all JPT activities is assessing the programme on a continual basis, in order to improve what is already a very successful initiative, which will continue as long as military operations continue within the framework of Kimia II.