Kinshasa, 18 september 2009 - Work is advancing rapidly on a joint project to construct army barracks at camp Saio in Bukavu, eastern Congo, to house some 3,500 FARDC troops and their dependents.

Camp Saio is the first of three construction projects, which when completed are expected to house up to 12,000 FARDC soldiers and families. The work, budgeted at US$10.7 million, is being supported by MONUC, and the IOM with funding from the Government of the Netherlands. Work on the camp Saio site started on 2 August and will be followed by similar siteworks at Nyamunyunyi and Nyangezi for a total population of at least 12,000 people.
"This project is a vital contribution to the future of the FARDC," UN Special Representative Alan Doss, said during a visit to camp Saio this week. "It is essential that we improve the conditions in which the troops and their dependents are living."

Camp Saio, will provide improved housing and facilities for some 1,500 FARDC troops and dependents currently living under canvas tents. The construction of foundations and the erection of steel support frames for new barracks is currently providing jobs for 300 Congolese workers. Framing has been completed for 20 barracks so far and the workforce could rise to about 1,000 as engineers from MONUC's Chinese engineering unit expand the worksite.

"I hope that this project will be followed by others as part of a longer term programme of support for the strengthening and reform of the FARDC" Mr. Doss said.