DanChurchAid
Humanitarian Mine Action
Capacity Building in DR Congo
Introduction
I am Peter Ramazani, DCA National Chief of Operations in training. I have worked respectively with the United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) as Field Humanitarian Assistant in Moba from June to the end October 2006 and, in Kabalo from August 2005 to April 2006. Before that, I worked for UNICEF as Consultant in social mobilization (MOSO) for the national days of vaccination and in other multi-sectorial areas in the District of the Tanganyika from 2001 to May 2005. I also served as Consultant for the International Federation for Education and Self Help (IFESH) for child soldiers’ reinsertion activities (DDR). I worked for the Congolese National Radio and Television in Kalemie and Kisangani from 1995 to July 2001. I was a secondary school professor from 1989 to 1997. I am the only boy of a family of 7 children. I am married and father of 6 children.
How did you start working with DCA?
Right after I left OCHA at the end of November 2006, I was appealed to join DCA by the Head of Program and the Chief of Operations in order to fill the position of National Operation Manager and it required prior demining training.
Did you know DCA before?
I have the privilege to know DCA from the time of its arrival in Kalemie, its establishment, its activities and its extension in and out of Kalemie to date because I had already worked in the humanitarian area for UNICEF and OCHA as mentioned above. I had advocated in favor of DCA for its intervention in the Kabalo territory and in Mwanza, in the Territory of Moba.
Why did you accept to work in demining? What does your family think about it?
I accepted to work in demining because it is a humanitarian and noble job: to warn civilian populations on death risks caused by mines and UXOs worth as much as distributing food supplies to populations in disaster. Whatever the danger and risks of this job, I accepted because it is necessary to save the life of my compatriots. At first my family considered me as being crazy when I accepted this kind of job but they ended up understanding after my explanations.
How did you spend your first months as chief ops?
The first months as national Ops in training were a bit hard for me because the training on the ground was not easy. I needed a lot of efforts, courage, determination, and abnegation to bear camp life, demining training, and work (the entrance) in actual mine fields, as well as the collection and the demolition of unexploded engines.
What do you find the most interesting?
The most interesting things are the demining techniques, the methodology of cleaning booby-trap and the bulk destruction of large stocks of Mines, UXOs and ammunitions.
What do you find the most difficult?
To wear the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and the visor in the middle of the day when it is hot and bugs are flying around.
How is the atmosphere with other members of the team?
The atmosphere and the mood with the other members of the team were very friendly. On this point, I really want to thank all my deminer’s colleagues, the deputy team leaders, the team leaders and the Technical Advisor as well as the other support staff for their assistance during all the time of my training as deminer.
According to you what are the main qualities to be a good chief of operations?
According to me, the main qualities to be a Chief of Operations are knowledge, good behavior and know-how. It implies expertise, integrity, and professionalism, but also respect of the diversity, initiative spirit, negotiation capacities, analysis skills and communication.
What are your plans for the future?
Lead DCA to clean all dangerous zones already identified and to pursue investigations in other zones not yet accessible in Northern Katanga and to go even further in other Provinces of the country where needs arise.
By Camille Aubourg, cau@dca.dk
