Since 1996, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by conflict, which has devastated the country and claimed the lives of an estimated five million civilians. People continue to live in crisis conditions in many parts of the country.

While the eastern provinces used to be the major food producers of the country, repeated looting of crops by armed groups and general insecurity over many years has hugely undermined production.

The United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) core project in the country is a relief operation which targets people caught up in the armed conflict and suffering from malnutrition, delivering food to about one million vulnerable people monthly.

UNOPS managed the construction of the new office in Kinshasa which provides larger working spaces, new facilities and up-to-date security measures. The new complex includes a four storey office block and a 300m2 underground storehouse, as well as a parking lot and a petrol station.

UNOPS also provided technical advice during procurement negotiations.

According to Abdou Dieng, the WFP Representative for DRC the move away from a shared office complex was vital.

The DSRSG Fidèle Sarassoro and WFP Country representative Abdou Dieng after cutting the ribbon

He said:  “This move was necessary for us to work in a more coherent way, with space entirely for WFP staff, proper meeting rooms and greater opportunities for social exchange. The good collaboration with UNOPS was key to achieve this.” The works, initially scheduled to last six months, began in October 2009 and were completed in February 2010 under the supervision of UNOPS DRC Operations Centre.

On March 2 2010, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and Humanitarian Coordinator Fidèle Sarassoro cut the ribbon and inaugurated the new office on Kinshasa’s main street. UNOPS Executive Director Jan Mattsson also attended the inauguration.