The United Nations has successfully returned 2,500 Congolese staff members and their families to Kinshasa. They had been temporarily moved to Uganda due to intense fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Paulin Djomo, head of the UN Regional Service Center in Entebbe, praised the seamless collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We’ve ensured the safe return of all Congolese national staff and their dependents,” Djomo said. This operation shows the UN’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its personnel.
The emergency relocation was triggered by escalating violence in Goma, a key city in eastern DRC. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels seized the city. In response, the UN’s stabilization mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, swiftly moved non-essential staff to Kampala last month to ensure their safety.
Currently, the transit camp in Uganda only houses rotating military and police personnel. All Congolese national staff and their families have already been safely transported back to Kinshasa. Djomo confirmed, “Our transit camp now only hosts rotational military and police. All Congolese national staff are already back in Kinshasa.”
The potential return to Goma will be reassessed once security conditions improve. The UN mission will rely on advice from security advisers to determine when it will be safe for staff to return. This cautious approach shows the UN’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of its personnel in conflict zones.
This successful repatriation effort is a testament to the UN’s dedication to humanitarian work and the well-being of its staff. As the situation in Goma evolves, the international community remains vigilant, ensuring that humanitarian workers can continue their critical mission while staying safe.