The rapid deployment of engineering capability to UN peacekeeping missions, part...
The rapid deployment of engineering capability to UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, is a very urgent challenge, and timely response is strongly required. To support this rapid deployment, there have been numerous attempts
to accelerate the missions’ start-up
or respond to changes in mandate, including the provision of Military Engineering Contingents (MEC’s)
from Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) for facilities and infrastructure work, including camp construction/commissioning.
A number of countries have offered support to address this gap, most
significantly the Government of Japan which plans to donate initial
funding for heavy equipment and training to enable faster
start-up or mission
redevelopment. In support
of this strategy a detailed assessment was carried out and the International Peace Training Center
chosen as the training site, with the support of the Japanese
Government. The project objective
is to deliver fast start-up
operation of trial training, logistics
and support for project implementation in east Africa. In 2018, the training will be undertaken in
Kenya.
UNOPS engagement in the
project has two main aspects scheduled for 2018:
- Support the 2018 training activities
- Support Training Needs Assessments of regional military
engineering units.
The first activity is likely to begin in March or April 2018 and end in October
2018. The second
activity is on demand throughout
the year.