STORY: UN official praises Chinese peacekeepers for DRC humanitarian mission
DATELINE: July 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:52
LOCATION: Kinshasa
CATEGORY: MILITARY/SOCIETY
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of inauguration ceremony in Kalehe, DR Congo
2. various of a humanitarian project carried out by Chinese peacekeepers in Kalehe, DR Congo
3. SOUNDBITE (English): MAX DESIR, Head of local civil engineering service of MONUSCO
 
STORYLINE:
 
A United Nations official on Tuesday praised the "unity" shown by Chinese peacekeepers in a humanitarian mission in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
 
Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of a temporary bridge.
 
The bridge spans the Luzira River in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province.
 
The area was stricken by heavy rains and flooding in May, causing serious casualties.
 
The bridge was built by the engineers of the 26th Chinese contingent under the order of a UN mission in the DRC.
 
The bridge is essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the locals.
 
SOUNDBITE (English): MAX DESIR, Head of local civil engineering service of MONUSCO
"I would like to express or to convey my high appreciation to the Chinese engineering unit CEC because you have been an efficient company in this project, which plays a significant role in the humanitarian relief to the Kalehe territory and else. I am deeply impressed by their professionalism and dedication. Thank you."
 
Official figures show at least 438 bodies have been found in areas hit by rain-triggered floods in the Kalehe territory.
 
Local authorities estimate that more than 5,000 people are still missing.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kinshasa.
(XHTV)