UN Volunteers: Catalysts of Change and Peace Across the DRC and Beyond

Vimukthi Caldera, Coordination Officer, UNV Support Office

In the vast and complex landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), United Nations Volunteers (UNV) play a pivotal role in supporting the UN’s efforts within MONUSCO.

The Programme is a beacon of positive change in a region that has faced immense challenges over the years. Their impact extends beyond the borders of the DRC, resonating strongly at the Entebbe Support Base and the UN Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE).

The UNV Programme is a unique and vital initiative, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, committed to contributing their skills, expertise, and unwavering passion to support the UN’s peace and development endeavors through volunteerism, worldwide. UN volunteers serve on the frontlines of some of the world’s most complex humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, working tirelessly to bring about meaningful change. At MONUSCO, the UNV Field Unit operates across three main Duty Stations - Kinshasa, Goma, and Entebbe, reporting to the UNV Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROWCA).

UNVs perform an indispensable role in the pursuit of sustainable and lasting peace and stability, which is one of MONUSCO’s key objectives. Their contributions span various sectors, including air operations, warehouse and logistics support, communications, welfare, and procurement.

As Ingemar Bjöernfot, Chief of Centralized Warehouse Section for the Entebbe Support Base, aptly notes, “The UNV Programme and our UNVs are the heart and soul of the support we provide to people and communities in need.”

These volunteers build bridges between diverse communities, fostering an environment conducive to lasting peace. At the RSCE, they form an integral part of the support structure for all missions such as MONUSCO as well as many others.

The strength of the UNV Programme lies in its diversity. UN volunteers hail from all walks of life, representing a multitude of cultures, languages, and professions. This diversity enriches the UN with fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions. Currently, the UNV Field Unit boasts a nearly equal gender balance of 49.5% females and aims to surpass this figure by year-end, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Further emphasizing the unique experiences and growth opportunities that UN volunteers encounter, Nusrat Shaheen, an Environmental Engineer in Goma, shares her perspective. She highlights how her UNV journey provided her with a unique insight into the operations of a large peacekeeping mission in highly volatile locations like the DRC.

It equipped her professionally and personally to tackle challenges, implement diverse projects, and celebrate diversity and pluralism.

To ensure sustained support for UN Volunteers serving on the ground, the UNV Field Unit recently conducted a planning workshop in Bukavu, DRC. This was complemented by a Townhall meeting with UNVs based in Bukavu, facilitating in-person interactions. The workshop also offered an opportunity to engage with partners on the ground, address ongoing challenges, and strengthen volunteer management efforts. One aspect is clear, UNVs of MONUSCO and RSCE exemplify the incredible impact that dedicated individuals can create when they come together to make a positive change in the world.