UN Volunteers celebrate International Volunteer Day in the DRC

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Kinshasa, 7 December 2009 - International Volunteer Day was celebrated in Kinshasa and in many other parts of the country on Saturday 5 December last by the United Nations volunteers in the DRC that work for both MONUC and UN agencies. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Volunteering for our Planet.”

In Kinshasa on Saturday morning, the UNV Programme, represented by the UNV Programme Officer Richard Grieco from the UNDP, participated in the launching of an ambitious anti malaria initiative for the city of Kinshasa.

The UNV Programme itself contributed to this effort with donations, and as an initial contribution, 200 mosquito nets were donated, and further support activities will be initiated in the future, as the plan of action is elaborated and approved by the various stakeholders.

A group of UN volunteers based in Kinshasa also visited the “Eve et Eden” orphanage to deliver foodstuffs to the children there. On Saturday 12 December next, a Christmas party for the orphans is also planned in Kinshasa.

Roundup of other activities around the country

In Goma, colleagues held a tree planting ceremony, involving MONUC Volunteers and civilian staff; in Mbandaka, colleagues aimed to raise awareness through a clean up around water points in the town, involving MONUC Volunteers and civilian staff.

In Bukavu, colleagues held a tree planting activity as well as awareness raising regarding the use of wood burning stoves (UNVs and national staff working with UNDP); in Bunia reforestation activities were initiated (volunteers working with UN agencies and civilian staff in UNDP).

In Matadi, colleagues have organized several activities such as: awareness-raising for environmental issues, tree planting, clean-up activities in the urban centre, and a friendly football game - organized by MONUC volunteers and civilian personnel.

In total 637 UN volunteers from over 100 different countries currently work for MONUC, in areas as diverse as logistics, communications, mission support, human rights and electoral support. They are a vital cog in the biggest UN peacekeeping mission in the world, which is seeking to bring peace and development to the DRC.