MONUSCO hands over a large batch of equipment to Bukavu central prison after its fire
In a commendable gesture, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) handed over a substantial batch of equipment to the central prison of Bukavu, in the province of South Kivu. This follows the fire that ravaged the establishment four months ago.
This MONUSCO donation includes office furniture, recreational equipment such as board games, safety equipment, agricultural kits and even a television set for the miners’ pavilion. This equipment is of great importance for the prison, as it enables certain infrastructures damaged by the fire to be repaired.
The Director of the prison, Konde Ilunga, expresses his gratitude to the UN mission for its valuable intervention. Thanks to this aid, the infirmary, the courtroom and other facilities have been renovated, thus ensuring better care for detainees. “We have more than 2,100 detainees who had difficulty accessing medical care. MONUSCO intervened in a timely manner,” he acknowledges.
For Berthe Chekanabo, head of prison production, these materials will not only make it possible to train prisoners, but also to occupy them and make them work in the surrounding prison fields, in order to prepare them for successful social reintegration after their detention.
Cecilia Piazza, Head of MONUSCO Office in South Kivu, says she is satisfied with the outcome of this project, which will help improve detention conditions in Bukavu prison.
This MONUSCO initiative demonstrates the importance of humanitarian aid and international solidarity to support prison establishments and guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of detainees. Let’s hope that other similar initiatives will multiply to improve prison conditions across the country