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BINI, Democratic Republic of Congo – The courage of the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)and the peacekeepers who have died serving them were paid tribute to by the highest ranking official at the UN on Sunday.

The war-ravaged country is now dealing with a major Ebola outbreak, with over 3,000 cases reported over the past year, 2,000 of which have since died.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country operates under the name of MONUSCO.

“I hope that my presence here today reaffirms my full support for MONUSCO, in the fight against armed groups who spread fear and death. MONUSCO, and its partners the armed forces of RDC, and the Congolese national police continue to work together to bring peace and security to the region,” United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres on Sunday told a press conference in the town of Beni, which is at the epicentre of the Ebola epidemic.

The UN chief called on all armed groups to immediately end their attacks on the civil population, and the security forces charged with protecting the Congolese people.

“The blue helmets have paid a heavy price in the service of peace. But this only strengthens our determination. We will do all that we can to put an end to the scourge of insecurity in this region. It is important that the people of Beni knows that we hear the cries of distress,” he said.

Later the UN chief, on this the second day of his visit to DRC, laid a wreath for fallen peacekeepers in Mavivi town in the eastern part of the country.

“To fight Ebola, we need freedom of movement, we need access, we need security. And our solidarity must be expressed through increased cooperation between MONUSCO and the Armed Forces of the DRC, to do everything possible to demobilize local armed groups and to convince them to abandon the bush and to reintegrate into the society,” the Secretary-General said Mangina Ebola Treatment Centre which he visited on Sunday.

Guterres said many countries and organisations had pledged funds to assist the mission and help curb the Ebola outbreak, however only 15% of the pledges made had been honoured so far.

The UN chief called on those that have made financial commitments to support the Ebola response to honour their promises, “so that the response can continue, uninterrupted, in all affected areas.”

(Photo credit: Martine Perret | United Nations).