HRDF Grants: Proposal for removal of

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000736 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, DRL/HRDF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KSEP EAID CE LTTE SUBJECT: HRDF Grants: Proposal for removal of unexploded ordnance from urban areas Ref: State 79965 ¶1. Per Reftel, Mission is submitting a proposal to remove unexploded ordinance (UXO) from urban areas in the north of Sri Lanka. Background for and description of the UXO proposal follow. ¶2. BACKGROUND: In support of the USG's pro-peace process and humanitarian agenda in Sri Lanka, Mission is currently overseeing the second deployment of a Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) to Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. The Jaffna Peninsula was extensively mined and experienced intense warfare during the past twenty years of conflict. Since the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) peace process began in December 2001, over 300,000 displaced persons have returned to their home communities. The majority of those returning have points of origin in the Jaffna district. ¶3. In response to this influx of displaced persons, the international community, including the United States, is donating extensively to landmine clearing operations. During the past few months, however, Mission has heard that individual unexploded ordinance (UXO) pieces spread throughout Jaffna Peninsula are not being destroyed. Evidence indicates that the UXOs are now injuring and killing more people than are mines. The GSL and UNDP are collecting reports on where the UXOs are, but they have no mechanism to dispose of them. ¶4. PROPOSAL: Mission recommends using elements of the current demining capacity in Sri Lanka to focus on the UXOs that are in the populated areas of Jaffna Peninsula. A team will be deployed to go to the various identified locations to remove and destroy UXOs. The team will be led by one demining expert and will have a minimum of two locally trained staff. One vehicle will be rented or purchased locally. Safety equipment that is currently being used for demining operations will also be used for this program. Oversight of the project will be through one of the organizations currently conducting demining operations in Jaffna. ¶5. (((Note: Mission notes that Para 5 of the Reftel states that funds "should not be awarded to U.S. or third-country NGOs for administration." Sri Lanka does not have a domestic demining capacity outside of its military. The only NGOs involved with demining, such as "OneSriLanka," administer funds through international demining organizations. Mission is prepared to use local NGOs to oversee the application of the funds, but for cost effectiveness recommends working with the demining organizations directly.))) ¶6. LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY: The greatest cost in the program is the start up of the project. After the U.S.- sponsored USD 50,000 program is started, the cost of maintaining the team drops dramatically. Demining organizations and NGOs in the Jaffna area have expressed confidence that they will be able to maintain funding for the program after its 3-4 month window concludes. ¶7. Minimize considered. WILLS