Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MAPUTO467
2005-04-13 11:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maputo
Cable title:  

SECURITY SURVEY OF MARRATANE REFUGEE CAMP -

Tags:  ASEC GV IT KE MO PREF 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 000467 

SIPDIS
ROME FOR DHS/BCIS
STATE FOR PRM/A, DS/IP/AF
NAIROBI FOR REFCOORD AND RSO
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR DHS/BCIS/IAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC GV IT KE MO PREF
SUBJECT: SECURITY SURVEY OF MARRATANE REFUGEE CAMP -
MOZAMBIQUE

REF: STATE 00135

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 000467

SIPDIS
ROME FOR DHS/BCIS
STATE FOR PRM/A, DS/IP/AF
NAIROBI FOR REFCOORD AND RSO
HOMELAND SECURITY FOR DHS/BCIS/IAO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC GV IT KE MO PREF
SUBJECT: SECURITY SURVEY OF MARRATANE REFUGEE CAMP -
MOZAMBIQUE

REF: STATE 00135


1. As requested per reftel, a site security survey of the
Marratane Refugee Camp in Mozambique was conducted on 12
April 2005. The following information outlines the findings
of the survey.

A. Interview Site
The Marratane Refugee Camp is located approximately 15 km
outside of Nampula city. Travel to the site is primarily on
unimproved dirt roads where speeds are often limited to 30 km
per hour or less, requiring approximately 45 minutes from the
UNHCR office in Nampula. 4x4 vehicles are recommended but not
required during the dry season. Public transportation is
limited to an informal and unregulated taxi service. American
personnel are highly discouraged from using public
transportation and visitors should arrange to hire a vehicle
and driver for transportation to and from the camp and around
Nampula. The camp consists of one primary dirt road
surrounded by administrative buildings, dwellings, schools,
and agricultural areas.
Only registered vehicles are permitted to enter the camp and
refugees must seek special permission to leave the camp.
Control of entry and exit is managed by the Policia da
Republica de Mocambique (PRM). There is no physical
screening of vehicles or pedestrians entering or exiting the
camp, and pedestrians are also capable of entering or exiting
the camp via other paths through the bush. However, camp
administration and the refugee community is well aware of who
enters and exits the camp, and all refugees are supposed to
be registered with the camp administration.
Only one entry/exit point exists for the camp, which is
controlled by the local police. This is likely the largest
threat vulnerability of the camp. If rioting or strife were
to occur, exit from the camp could be easily blocked in the
event that an emergency evacuation of the interview team was
required. There are no suitable safe havens within the camp.
The closest safe haven would be the UNHCR office in Nampula
or the police station in Nampula. Security at the camp is
provided by ten police officers, four locally hired security
guards, and ten refugee security guards. In an emergency,
reinforcement security forces would be provided by the police
from Nampula, and response time would be in excess of 45

minutes, if a vehicle were available. The closest USG
facility is the American Embassy in Maputo, which is two
hours by commercial air from Nampula International Airport.
There are no known terrorist groups active in Mozambique and
no current indications that U.S. citizens are being targeted
by terrorist organizations. Camp residents are primarily from
neighboring countries currently or recently experiencing
ethnic or political violence. Residents at the camp often
include both sides of the conflicts from which they escaped.
Thus, the potential for violence does exist, however,
incidents of such violence have been sporadic at most. Camp
administration officials stated that camp residents are
peaceful and for the most part and are not seeking to
continue the conflicts from their home nations.
Two interview sites were surveyed. The interview site at the
camp would be divided between the INAR administrative
building and the UNHCR building. Each of these buildings
contains two to three office spaces suitable for interviews
while maintaining the confidentiality of each refugee. There
is limited running water and no electricity in either
building, although there are suitable bathroom facilities.
Requests to UNCHR should be made for use of portable
generators, or other arrangements should be made if
electricity is required. All visitors must/must exit the camp
by 1600 hours. The other interview location is at the UNHCR
headquarters in Nampula. This location consists of one main
building of approximately 1200 square feet, plus an
additional back building of approximately 600 square feet.
This location offers two to three possible offices for
interviews, electricity, and running water. The UNHCR office
is guarded by one local guard and is within close proximity
to the police station. Police response time would be 5-10
minutes if a vehicle were available. Although there is a back
exit out of this facility, this exit leads to the front
entrance of the facility.
In the event of a medical emergency, patients would be taken
to the Central Hospital in Nampula. The hospital would be
able to offer basic care, although a thorough assessment of
their capabilities, expertise, and level of competence was
not possible during the assessment visit. First aid kits are
supposed to be located in each UNHCR vehicle and at the UNHCR
office in Nampula, but none were available for review during
the assessment. There is a medical clinic at the camp with
basic medical supplies and first aid equipment. UNHCR has
also recently purchased a Land Rover Ambulance which will be
in operation soon. The plan is for this ambulance to be
located at the camp, however it is currently parked at the
UNCHR office in Nampula.

B. Communication
UNHCR workers utilize fixed and handheld simplex VHF radios
for communications. A base station is located at the office
in Nampula and at the camp, and vehicles are equipped with
high power radios. Communication is possible between Nampula
and the camp. Cell phone communication is clear in Nampula
city but very spotty at the camp. Cell calls from the camp
were not possible during the assessment visit. UNCHR does not
have any satellite phones in Nampula.
The PRM provincial commandant is Mr. Fernando Pedro Saiete,
fixed line 258-06-213290. The PRM director of public order is
Mr. Julio Denja who can be contacted at the fixed number
258-06-212273, or cell 258-82-629-0110. Mr. Denja should be
the first point of contact in the event of an emergency and
should only be contacted in the event of an emergency. Any
other communication with the local police will be made
through the RSO office at post. The PRM camp commandant is
Mr. Mareriche Chicope who should be contacted in person while
at the camp in the event of an emergency. The PRM forces at
the camp communicate with headquarters in Nampula by the use
of messengers or by utilizing the UNHCR radio to contact the
UNHCR office in Nampula.

C. Country Conditions
The official State Department web site should be consulted
about information regarding country conditions, travel
warnings, and threat assessment. Anti-American sentiment is
fairly low in Mozambique and especially in the camp. The
biggest threat facing U.S. citizens visiting Mozambique is
crime. The State Department has designated Mozambique a
critical-threat post for crime. Street crime and vehicle
hijackings are common and can be violent. Visitors must be
vigilant when out in public areas and should not display
jewelry or other items of high value. Visitors should avoid
carrying backpacks or purses, as these can draw unwanted
attention of would-be muggers.

D. Hotel and Transportation
Three hotels were evaluated during the site assessment.
Transportation concerns were addressed in Section A of this
communication.
(1) Hotel Residencial Recol: This is a four-story structure
with one entry/exit point. There are no fire alarms and fire
suppression is limited to a few fire extinguishers throughout
the building. The hotel is protected by one unarmed and one
armed guard. The reception area is manned 24 hours. Rooms are
of acceptable condition as compared to other local hotels.
(2) Hotel Residencial Expresso: This is a two-story structure
with one entry/exit point and one back ladder from the second
story that could be used as an emergency exit. There are no
fire alarms and fire suppression is limited to a several fire
extinguishers on each floor and a fire hose on each floor.
The hotel is protected by two unarmed guards. The reception
area is manned 24 hours. Rooms are of acceptable condition as
compared to other local hotels.
(3) Hotel Brasilia: This is a three-story structure with one
entry/exit point. There are no fire alarms and fire
suppression is limited to a few fire extinguishers throughout
the building. Close inspection showed these extinguishers to
be old and in poor condition. The hotel is protected by three
unarmed guards. The reception area is manned 24 hours. Rooms
are of less than acceptable condition as compared to other
local hotels.


2. A limited number of photographs were taken during the site
security assessment and will be furnished upon request via
official channels. Official visitors to Mozambique are
requested to provide a country clearance request with
sufficient notice with a detailed overview of the nature,
scope, location, and duration of the visit.
LALIME