Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ACCRA1271
2004-06-16 12:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH UNHCR AND

Tags:  GH PREF 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 001271 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PRM/A, GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2014
TAGS: GH PREF
SUBJECT: PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH UNHCR AND
AMBASSADOR ON REGIONAL AND LOCAL RESETTLEMENT ISSUES


Classified By: Refugee Coordinator Carla T. Nadeau for Reasons 1.5 b

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ACCRA 001271

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PRM/A, GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2014
TAGS: GH PREF
SUBJECT: PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH UNHCR AND
AMBASSADOR ON REGIONAL AND LOCAL RESETTLEMENT ISSUES


Classified By: Refugee Coordinator Carla T. Nadeau for Reasons 1.5 b


1. Summary: PRM A/S Gene Dewey met with UNHCR branch office
and regional resettlement personnel while in Ghana on a
mission to review resettlement operations. Duly impressed by
the efforts of the Accra branch office as illustrated through
two camp visits, Dewey came away with a sound appreciation
for the commitment and successes of staff to address both the
assistance and resettlement needs of the thousands of
refugees in Ghana. On regional resettlement issues, Dewey
learned of the slippage in policy agreement between the UNHCR
Africa Bureau and Resettlement Bureau. The removal of Thomas
Albrecht from the helm of the regional resettlement hub has
resulted in lost momentum with region-wide efforts as the
knowledge and charisma necessary to keep BOs invested in
resettlement as a tool of protection. Noting that the USRP
could ill afford letting slippage by UNHCR stand in the way
of a successful resettlement program, Dewey came away
energized that an intervention by PRM might prove helpful in
setting UNHCR back on track. In an out-brief discussion with
Ambassador Yates, the Assistant Secretary and PRM were hailed
for the good choice of setting up the Refcoord position at
post and mutual appreciation for support of refcoord regional
responsibilities were provided. End summary.

KRISAN REFUGEE SETTLEMENT -- A MIXED GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTIC
REFUGEES


2. Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
Assistant Secretary Gene Dewey completed a mission to Ghana
to review resettlement efforts as they related to specific
resettlement from Ghana through the branch office (BO) and
broader, regional efforts as spearheaded by the Accra
regional resettlement hub. Dewey began his review with a
visit to Krisan Refugee Settlement in the East of Ghana some
60 kilometers from the Ivoirian border. The settlement of
some 2,000 refugees hosts a myriad of nationalities including
Liberians, Togolese, Sierra Leoneans, and Congolese. The
settlement, far more remote than Budumburam houses a
population that is more reliant on formal assistance programs
including food distribution. Met by BO Representative Thomas
Albrecht and escorted by the refugee-based Neighborhood Watch

Patrol, Dewey was provided a tour of the facilities including
a wood working shop, the Right to Play compound, the medical
unit, library, child care center and the women's organization
tye and dye shop. At each stop the Assistant Secretary
greeted refugees and asked thoughtful questions about their
efforts in each project. Dewey repeatedly commented at the
level of enthusiasm and sense of ownership among the refugees
participating in the numerous operations. The tour concluded
with a brief question and answer session with a few hundred
refugees. A/S Dewey provided remarks outlining his interest
and concern for the refugees of Krisan. Noting that he was
greatly impressed with the efforts of refugees in the various
projects, Dewey went on to note that their plight received
the highest attention in Washington as he debriefed the
Secretary of State regularly on refugee issues in West

SIPDIS
Africa. Emphasizing that Secretary Powell would hear about
the positive aspects of the refugees at Krisan, Dewey's
comments were greeted with rousing cheers and applause. Most
questions posed by refugees were prefaced with broad thanks
for the A/S's visit and then turned to concern over their
situation, including their long presence in Krisan and their
need to be resettled.

BUDUMBURAM REFUGEE SETTLEMENT -- A MODEL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY


3. The Assistant Secretary also reviewed operations at the
Budumburam Refugee Settlement 50 kilometers outside of Accra.
The settlement of some 43,000 refugees is comprised
primarily of Liberian refugees who began arriving in Ghana in

1990. The population was initially estimated to be about
12,000 by the former UNHCR BO rep, however the registration
exercise conducted last year by Albrecht illustrates that the
number is nearly quadruple the estimated figure. Unlike
Krisan, the settlement does not receive significant
assistance from UNHCR but does benefit from smaller, more
targeted responses to vulnerable sectors. Albrecht has
routinely pointed out that the large discrepancy in census
accounting has damaged efforts to provide appropriate levels
of assistance to the population. A/S Dewey toured Budumburam
stopping at points of interest along the way including
classrooms funded by a special appropriation through PRM, a
day care center and the newly expanded health clinic. Also
escorted by Neighborhood Watch staff, Dewey witnessed
first-hand the ingenuity of the population which has had to
exploit its own resources in order to survive. Completing
the tour with a press meeting, A/S Dewey answered a few
questions from refugees concerned about the USG's delay in
responding to Liberia's needs and what plans were in place to
avoid future conflict in the region. A/S Dewey, focused on
themes of good governance and anti-corruption efforts when
responding to concerns. Numerous local media provided
detailed stories of the event the following day.

UNHCR W. AFRICAN RESETTLEMENT POLICY -- A NEED TO COMMUNICATE


4. In separate conversations with Representative Albrecht,
A/S Dewey explored the policy direction of UNHCR's
Resettlement and Africa bureaus. Drawing from past,
extensive experience as the Deputy High Commissioner for
UNHCR, Dewey had an interactive and fruitful discussion with
Albrecht on how to ensure resettlement efforts move forward
within the sometimes bureaucratic entanglement of UNHCR.
Looking at the policy issues from three points, Albrecht and
the Assistant Secretary discussed 1) the core policy issues,
2) the timing and approach for addressing concerns, and 3)
the linked issues inherent in the policy concerns.


5. The Core Policy Issues: Voluntary Repatriation vs.
Resettlement. Albrecht noted that a policy shift was
underfoot at UNHCR as the concept of a comprehensive approach
to durable solutions had been replaced with a competition
between repatriation and resettlement. Quoting numerous
papers previously outlining how voluntary repatriation,
reintegration and resettlement could work simultaneously to
address the complex needs of refugees, Albrecht was saddened
that the approach by UNHCR has moved to an "either/or"
situation. As evidenced by the recent Targeted Response Team
(TRT) mission to Nzerekore, Guinea, there appears to be a
schism between the Africa Bureau's policy on repatriation and
the Resettlement Bureau's policy on resettlement. (Note.
Under the gun to get the Guinea group referral approved by
the Africa Bureau, the resettlement section pushed PRM to
commit to begin processing the group of some 2,500 Liberians
prior to the onset of repatriation exercises slated to begin
in October. End Note.) Despite the High Commissioner's
commitment to redouble efforts on resettlement, the current
UNHCR policy for West Africa is once voluntary repatriation
begins for Liberians in October, only exceptional individual
cases will be referred for resettlement. (Note: UNHCR's 2005
Resettlement Needs Paper indicates some groups of Liberian
may be referred for resettlement after the October deadline
for repatriation. When refcoord brought this up to Albrecht,
he noted that it was unclear whether the paper, generated by
the Resettlement Section had received clearance/endorsement
from the Africa Bureau. End Note.)


6. Timing and Approach to Address Schism. Albrecht and the
Assistant Secretary discussed possible approaches to address
the policy concern and contemplated using the Annual
Tripartite Consultation on Resettlement (ATC) in Geneva as a
venue for discussion. Having reviewed the agenda, both felt
it was an opportune time to insert a series of discussions to
address the concerns with the Department of International
Protection (DIP),the Africa Bureau and the High
Commissioner. Noting that October was not far away, it was
explored as to whether a workshop and/or further discussions
with resettlement countries and NGOs would be fruitful if
done this summer. (Note. It was later decided after
consultations with PRM/Admissions that the better venue for
this discussion would be with Refcoord consulting directly
with UNHCR staff in Geneva at the end of July. End Note.)


7. Linked Issues -- Perceived UNHCR Effectiveness and
Funding. The Assistant Secretary emphasized the difficulty
in defending UNHCR efforts to Congress when resettlement
numbers remain so low. A/S Dewey specifically outlined PRM's
concerns over six positions in the region that were funded
since January but still not completely filled. Cognizant of
the impression the situation gives, Albrecht acknowledged
that poor performance and/or ineffectiveness of UNHCR has
been an ongoing problem. Because of this, Albrecht pressed
that getting policy back on track immediately was imperative
for the bigger funding picture.


8. Turning to the role of the resettlement hub, Refcoord
underscored the role Albrecht had played in energizing BOs in
the region. Seeing a marked change from just two years ago,
Refcoord viewed first-hand, his efforts to get reluctant
representatives on board to consider resettlement for needy
populations. As evidenced by successful resettlement
training conferences and enhanced missions to offices by hub
staff, the recalcitrance of some West African offices finally
seemed to be abating. Unfortunately, earlier this year,
UNHCR reorganized the resettlement structure worldwide
forcing Albrecht to relinquish his role. While the remaining
hub staff currently working resettlement issues are competent
and knowledgeable, they lack the institutional memory and
necessary charisma of Albrecht who, respected by many,
managed to diplomatically move efforts in the region forward.
In a politically pressured environment to move numbers and
meet ceilings, Albrecht's removal, was a strong blow to the
efforts to keep the regional hub relevant and provide
consistency to a complicated program.

MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR YATES -- MUTUAL APPRECIATION


9. In a meeting/debrief with Ambassador Mary Yates, A/S
Dewey outlined the findings of his visit, emphasizing his
clear appreciation for the efforts of resettlement partners
in Accra. Focusing on UNHCR, Dewey informed Ambassador that
an intervention by PRM on regional resettlement policy
concerns was in order. The Assistant Secretary noted that the
USG could not afford to allow internal bureaucracy to derail
our resettlement efforts. Lamenting the setback of removing
Albrecht from his regional responsibilities, A/S Dewey
queried the Ambassador on her views of his performance.
Ambassador Yates emphatically described the impressive
strides made by Albrecht and his team, agreeing that keeping
the momentum alive was of paramount importance to the
continuity of the program. Voicing appreciation for PRM's
decision to establish the Refcoord Office in Accra,
Ambassador Yates thanked the Assistant Secretary for his
visit and all the support PRM had provided to refugee
resettlement operations in the region. A/S Dewey in turn,
thanked the Ambassador for her unwavering support of the
Refcoord and her efforts in West Africa.

Yates