KHARTOUM IDPS - CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000720 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AF/EA, DCHA NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS USMISSION UN ROME GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI KAWC SU SUBJECT: KHARTOUM IDPS - CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE RECONVENES AFTER LONG HIATUS -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. On March 14, the Consultative Committee on Khartoum internally displaced persons (IDPs) met with Khartoum State authorities to discuss the status of IDP relocations in Khartoum. The committee wished to gain assurances from Khartoum State authorities that agreed- upon procedures for relocating and rezoning IDP sites in the city would be respected. In addition, the committee sought feedback on the proposed U.N. Habitat plan to engage Khartoum authorities on a joint replanning exercise. The government responded positively and promised no relocations were planned for the time being. It was also noted that shortly the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) was expected to assume posts in the government responsible for addressing relocations. Charge Hume toured El Fateh 2 and Fateh 3 relocation sites on March 18. End summary. -------------- - Consultative Committee Convenes After Dormancy -------------- - ¶2. On March 14, the Consultative Committee met with Khartoum State authorities to discuss the status of relocations of Khartoum-area IDPs. This was the first meeting of the committee since July 2005. Since that time, a working-level technical committee has been collaborating with Khartoum authorities on practical aspects of IDP relocation. During a pre-meeting chaired by U.N. Resident Coordinator Manuel Aranda Da Silva, donors discussed points they wished to raise: continued collaboration between donors and Khartoum State to cover areas affected by demolitions; acceptance of a road map, including following the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and other international conventions and laws; and the Governor's support and endorsement of the concept paper drafted by U.N. Habitat in collaboration with the technical committee and stakeholders. ¶3. The meeting with the Governor lasted 45 minutes and included the U.N. Resident Coordinator and key donors. The British Ambassador and the U.S. Deputy Chief of 
Mission also attended. ¶4. The Governor expressed appreciation for the good work and collaboration of the technical committee, which involves representatives from his government. He indicated that no relocations of IDPs are planned in the near future; however, his office is receiving many people from squatter areas requesting rezoning. ¶5. According to the Governor, the new state cabinet was expected to be formed in the coming weeks and will include SPLM representatives. The SPLM is likely to take on the Ministry of Planning and Public Utilities. As such, the SPLM will assume responsibility for IDP-related issues, including relocations. ¶6. The Governor welcomed the U.N. Habitat concept paper. The joint program provides approximately USD 18 million over 5 years to work with state authorities in developing and implementing an urban development strategy for greater Khartoum, addressing issues of physical and socio- cultural urban space and food security. ¶7. The Governor also recommended that the Khartoum State Water Corporation be part of the planning process for any future projects addressing squatter areas. The Khartoum State Water Corporation has a USD 40 million budget for water networks for Khartoum State in 2006. He also announced the construction of 4 vocational training centers with a capacity of 1,000 students each. ¶8. On behalf of the international community, the Resident Coordinator expressed concern over some reports in the local media about Khartoum government intentions to demolish IDP areas, which would violate an agreement the Governor made. The Governor cautioned the group not KHARTOUM 00000720 002 OF 002 to believe any media reports and stated that media coverage had been unprofessional and political. The Resident Coordinator also expressed the international community's desire for the government to incorporate donor-funded development programs into government development plans and not view the programs as stand- alone donor or U.N. activities. ¶9. In conclusion, the Governor said that his administration has done much to support the residents of the squatter areas and suggested a tour to some areas in the coming weeks. The U.N. will follow up with the Governor's office to communicate on the dates of the tour visit. ¶10. On a related note, on March 18 Charge Hume toured El Fateh 2 and El Fateh 3 relocation sites north of Omdurman with staff from USAID, USAID partner CARE, and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The population of the area continues to grow, spurred by government promises to squatters that they will receive a plot of land. Water supplies have improved in recent months, with several towers supplying water that donkey carts sell throughout the area. Nevertheless, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partner the Office of Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) continue to supply free water from bladders and tap stands in the area, as water is still too expensive for many in the squatter areas. UNICEF and WES are also working on water and sanitation activities in collaboration with USAID partner Solidarites. NGOs provide free health care and food-for-work activities in the area. Evidence of government support for the population was lacking. Residents complained bitterly that they still had not received a plot of land on which to build, despite promises from the government. Moreover, the relocation area is so far from the city that residents must pay nearly USD 3 - more than a daily wage for many - in round- trip transportation costs, making them more vulnerable than when they lived in the city. STEINFELD