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


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Summary
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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.

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Consultative Committee Convenes After Dormancy
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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