Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KHARTOUM250
2007-02-19 15:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

DARFUR - VISIT OF THE USAID/DCHA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

Tags:  EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU AU 
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VZCZCXRO1343
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #0250/01 0501551
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191551Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6170
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 000250 

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP
NAIROBI FOR SFO
NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
USUN FOR TMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU AU
SUBJECT: DARFUR - VISIT OF THE USAID/DCHA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR


KHARTOUM 00000250 001.2 OF 003


-------
Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 000250

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP
NAIROBI FOR SFO
NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
USUN FOR TMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU AU
SUBJECT: DARFUR - VISIT OF THE USAID/DCHA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR


KHARTOUM 00000250 001.2 OF 003


--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (U) From January 20 to 25, USAID Democracy, Conflict, and
Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/DCHA) Assistant Administrator Michael

E. Hess visited Sudan. Hess and six USAID/Sudan staff members
traveled to North and South Darfur to gain a better understanding of
the current humanitarian, political, and security situation. In
both states, Hess visited program sites where beneficiaries receive
US food aid and access USAID-funded programs that provide economic
opportunities, conflict-management training, veterinary services,
shelter materials, and other forms of emergency assistance.


2. (U) USAID partners and other humanitarian organizations expressed
concern over the deteriorating security situation in Darfur, the
rising violence against humanitarian workers, and the ever-shrinking
humanitarian space. In North Darfur, agencies report that
humanitarian access to some areas briefly improved in January,
although many rural areas continued to remain off-limits due to
insecurity. In South Darfur, the deteriorating security situation
is significantly hindering the provision of services to
beneficiaries. The December 18 attacks on humanitarian agencies in
Gereida and the January 19 arrest and assault on humanitarian staff
in Nyala have left many agencies questioning the viability of
maintaining a humanitarian presence in South Darfur. In addition,
the lack of basic services for the 128,000 internally displaced
persons (IDPs) in Gereida remains of particularly concern. End
summary.

--------------
Windows of Opportunity in North Darfur
--------------


3. (U) On January 22, the USAID team visited El Fasher, North
Darfur, and met with representatives of the UN Mission in Sudan
(UNMIS),the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS),the UN Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),and other UN

agencies. Each organization highlighted the increasing
fragmentation of opposition groups and the resulting inability of
the humanitarian community to gain security guarantees previously
granted to agencies operating in opposition-held areas.


4. (U) According to humanitarian agencies, security in North Darfur
briefly improved in January, although many rural areas such as Kutum
and areas north of Birmaza remain off-limits to humanitarian staff.
However, agencies report increased access to Birmaza and northeast
Jebel Marra, which had been inaccessible previously. Humanitarian
organizations are currently working to obtain security guarantees
from opposition leaders before returning to Kutum, following a
December 8 attack on the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) residence there. The UN World Health Organization (WHO)
reported that insecurity has limited the WHO-supported early warning
system, although the health situation in North Darfur has remained
relatively stable. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) noted that the
period of relative security has allowed the agency to work on water
services in southern and central North Darfur. UNICEF plans to
resume a polio vaccination campaign with other NGO and UN partners.
In addition, in January USAID partner Relief International returned
to Tawila IDP camp, where the organization provided health services
to 34,000 IDPs. (Note: In early February Relief International
temporarily withdrew from Tawila due to insecurity, indicating that
the security situation remains precarious. End note.)


5. (U) Despite these improvements, insecurity still limits the
provision of assistance in rural areas. Some organizations, such as
the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and GOAL, are now running
rural programs with local staff; however, this approach reduces an
agency's ability to effectively monitor and support projects. Due
to insecurity, IRC international staff members have not been able to
access clinics in rural North Darfur since June 2005. NGOs stated
that an increased UN presence in rural areas and UN-negotiated
security guarantees would improve humanitarian access in North
Darfur.


6. (U) During the visit to El Fasher, the USAID team met with AMIS
representatives, who stated that a lack of resources constrains
their ability to conduct patrols. The current AMIS protection force
consists of 5,207 personnel to cover a 53,000-square-kilometer area.
AMIS is also attempting to undertake "quick-impact" humanitarian
assistance projects, but currently lacks adequate funds. Hess
stressed to the AMIS representatives that the careful coordination

KHARTOUM 00000250 002.2 OF 003


of these projects with NGOs and donors is necessary.

--------------
Enough is Enough
--------------


7. (U) In Nyala, the USAID team met with representatives of UNMIS,
OCHA, the UN Country Team, and partner NGOs. Agencies reported
that security and humanitarian access in South Darfur since the end
of the rainy season has deteriorated to unacceptable levels, placing
significant limits on the provision of humanitarian services.
Increased conflict between Arab ethnic groups in South Darfur has
also resulted in decreased humanitarian access in southern South
Darfur and increased displacement. Since September 2006,
approximately 50,000 new IDPs have arrived in Otash camp near Nyala
due to fighting south of Buram, and OCHA believes that approximately
50,000 IDPs may still remain near the area of conflict. However,
OCHA reports that even with heightened insecurity in South Darfur,
the humanitarian situation remains relatively stable, with no known
health crises.


8. (U) In South Darfur, NGO staff members feel a deepening
disrespect for humanitarian space by both opposition leaders and the
Sudanese government. Direct violence against staff members has
dramatically raised the threat level. NGOs are highly concerned
about the January 19 incident in which government security officials
arrested and severely beat 20 international and Sudanese staff
members attending a social gathering at an NGO compound in Nyala.
Although NGOs are increasing coordination with substantial support
from OCHA, many NGOs are unsure of how to continue assistance in the
current security environment and are questioning whether they will
be able to maintain humanitarian programs in the state. On January
29, Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) announced the
discontinuation of their operation in Darfur, due to the mounting
level of violence against humanitarian workers.


9. (U) Due to its population size, Gereida IDP camp remains a
particular challenge for aid agencies. Following the December
incident, more than 70 aid workers relocated and most humanitarian
organizations suspended their programs. ICRC is currently the only
organization maintaining normal operations in Gereida. USAID
partner American Refugee Committee (ARC) continues to operate its
clinic in Gereida camp with local staff. Of the 170,000 people in
South Darfur who did not receive food assistance in January,
approximately 123,000 individuals were in Gereida, according to WFP.
WFP reports that 70 metric tons of food remains in the Gereida
warehouses of its partner Action Contre la Faim. WFP is currently
seeking Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) security assurances and
strong follow-up action in response to the December attacks before
resuming operations in the camp; however, no such SLA actions have
occurred to date. ICRC has agreed to assume responsibility for food
distribution in the camp as of February 2007.


10. (U) The USAID team met separately with the walis of North and
South Darfur, who expressed appreciation for USAID's assistance to
the people of Darfur. The North Darfur Wali expressed his interest
in working on reconstruction and rehabilitation, towards
development, as well as support for the eventual returns of IDPs.
The South Darfur Wali solicited support in rural areas to encourage
the return of IDPs, particularly seed and tool distributions.

--------------
Khartoum Perspectives
--------------


11. (SBU) In Khartoum, the USAID team met with the NGO and UN
leadership, including the head of OCHA and the NGO Steering
Committee. NGO representatives echoed the security concerns of
their field colleagues, adding that insecurity resulting from the
Chadian conflict has significantly affected humanitarian operations
in West Darfur. NGOs report frequent Chadian and Sudanese military
flyovers in West Darfur, as well as a steady flow of IDPs into the
Zalingei area of West Darfur as a result of the conflict. NGO
leaders are concerned over a perceived Sudanese government attempt
to assert greater control over IDP camps, indicated by the Norwegian
Refugee Council's departure from Kalma IDP camp. NGO
representatives also reported an escalating Government of Sudan "war
of attrition" against NGOs in the form of mounting bureaucratic
impediments selectively applied to NGO operations. Such impediments
include burdensome visa and registration requirements as well as
labor regulations.


KHARTOUM 00000250 003.2 OF 003



12. (U) OCHA is working to expand the UN's presence beyond the
major towns in Darfur to work more closely with NGOs and increase
the protection of civilians. The UN also noted that land issues
remain a concern, estimating that approximately 30 to 40 percent of
the population may not return to rural areas due to the loss of
their land.

--------------
Comment
--------------


13. OCHA has done an excellent job of providing leadership for NGOs
and coordinating NGO activities at the country and state level in
Darfur. USAID should encourage OCHA's continued coordination with
NGOs, particularly as these organizations face increasing security
challenges in Darfur. In addition, USAID offices working in Darfur
should expand strategic communication efforts to manage
beneficiaries' expectations and increase visibility for USAID
programs. End comment.

HUME