South Kivu, 28 August 2009 - Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, who is also UN humanitarian coordinator for the country, visited Shabunda in South Kivu province yesterday. His aim was to evaluate the humanitarian situation in this territory, and he also took the opportunity to visit some reconstruction projects undertaken by the international community, within the framework of the stabilization plan for the Kivu provinces.
These projects aim to rebuild the road between Shabunda and Bukavu, construct a peace court and other administrative buildings in this isolated territory that is cut off from all road links with Bukavu, the provincial capital.
For the inhabitants and the territorial administrator alike, the rehabilitation of roads is one of the big priorities for breaking the isolation of the region. The 285 kilometre long Burahale-Shabunda road is one of the main concerns.
In fact, between Bukavu and the locality of Burhale in the territory of Walungu, the road is suitable for motor vehicles. But the Burahle-Shabunda segment of the road is so deteriorated it needs thorough repair.
An official of UNDP/UNOPS, who are funding the project, explained to Mr. Mountain that the ongoing rehabilitation work will likely take 12 months, for completion by the end of 2010.
The population and local authorities of Shabunda warmly welcomed these projects and voiced their appreciation to the Deputy Special Representative.
“Once this road is completed, we will no longer be isolated because it will be possible for us to communicate with Bukavu. Given the high cost of air travel, we can only welcome this opportunity to use the road,” one Shabunda resident said.
In response, Mr. Mountain said these projects are already underway and sure to be completed as the necessary financing is available.
Another reason for Mr. Mountain’s Shabunda visit is the presence in this territory of thousands of displaced families who have fled the exactions of the FDLR armed group as a result of Kimia 2 military operations. There are 8,840 displaced households living with host families in different localities of the territory.
Mr. Mountain, who met with a representative of the displaced, praised the solidarity shown by local families in hosting those displaced.
“This constitutes the first component of the assistance for these vulnerable people,” he said, adding that “the most important thing is for the security situation to continue to be stable, and be regarded as such by these populations who want to return to their homes. That’s the most import thing and that is their most cherished wish,” he said.
On this visit, the Deputy Special Representative was accompanied by several MONUC civilian and military officials, as well as officials from the humanitarian community of South Kivu.