SUDAN - LAUNCH OF SUDAN HUMANITARIAN POLICY 2007

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000328 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS 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: SUDAN - LAUNCH OF SUDAN HUMANITARIAN POLICY 2007 KHARTOUM 00000328 001.2 OF 002 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. On February 1, the USAID Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA) and two USAID/Sudan officials attended the launch of the Sudan Humanitarian Policy 2007 by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Khartoum. The policy document disseminated to attendees included general goals of improving coordination, bureaucratic processes, and security for humanitarians, but did not propose concrete actions to achieve those goals. During the launch event, Sudanese government representatives announced the extension of the moratorium on bureaucratic impediments until January 31, 2008, and outlined their vision of the role of the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Sudan's recovery. The UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) and Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator (HC/RC) acknowledged the excellent collaboration between the government and the UN and appealed for the security of humanitarian workers. End summary. -------------- Highlights from the Addresses -------------- ¶2. On February 1, three USAID officials attended an event to introduce the Sudan Humanitarian Policy 2007. Speakers included the Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Khartoum State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and the GNU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner. DSRSG and HC/RC Manuel da Silva represented the UN, and Paul Barker, CARE Country Director, represented international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). ¶3. Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Kosti Manibe stated that the new policy has three purposes: to set national priorities for humanitarian aid in Sudan in 2007; to better coordinate humanitarian work and organize roles and responsibilities, duties, and tasks of all partners; and to ensure that all actors work together in conformity with the government's five-year plan for 2007 through ¶2011. (Note: The plan for 2007 reportedly will be posted on the same website as the government's five-year plan. End note.) Additionally, Manibe emphasized that the GNU has extended the moratorium on bureaucratic impediments to January 31, 2008, rather than December 2007 as agencies previously believed. Manibe also pledged to bring the security concerns of the humanitarian community to the attention of the appropriate agencies. ¶4. Manibe stressed the need for fast-track government procedures to approve the work and travel of NGOs; the accelerated voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees according to the joint GNU, UN, and Government of Southern Sudan returns program; humanitarian assistance free of any political motivation; and wider inclusion and capacity-building of national NGOs. In this context, he noted the need to shift the majority of humanitarian procurement to Sudan, particularly for food items. He further stressed the need for NGOs to establish technical agreements with the government to outline where and in what sector an NGO can work, as well as the strict adherence to these agreements. He warned the NGOs not to work outside of an assigned area or sector without first requesting a modification of the technical agreement. (Comment: These statements caused concern among humanitarians in the audience because of the potential for involuntary returns of displaced persons and the reference to the assigned area and sector of NGO involvement. Manibe likely made the latter statement to put on notice NGOs that couch protection work in ambiguous language. End comment). The minister closed his remarks with an appeal for NGOs to observe and respect local customs and sensitivities. ¶5. The DSRSG stressed that the excellent collaboration among the government, the UN, and UN partners in developing the UN Work Plan 2007 was reflected in the Sudan Humanitarian Policy 2007. He added that it remained UN policy to attempt to purchase goods locally or regionally to the extent possible. The DSRSG joined Manibe in calling for continued strong collaboration between the Sudanese government and the UN, and added that security was a necessary condition to achieve development. He stated that while there were three separate peace agreements in place, they were a long way from implementation. He noted significant progress made in Southern Sudan and the Three Areas, adding that now recovery should be the focus. He further emphasized the need to broaden the Darfur Peace Agreement and acknowledged the efforts underway to do so. ¶6. DSRSG da Silva ended his address with a strong appeal for the government to restore the lost humanitarian space and improve security for civilians and humanitarian workers. He noted that many KHARTOUM 00000328 002.2 OF 002 humanitarian workers were killed in 2006. He stressed the excellent collaboration in preparing for the return of IDPs and refugees to the Three Areas and Southern Sudan and noted the outstanding work of the International Organization of Migration in registering more than 500,000 persons. He closed his remarks by thanking the international community for extremely generous pledges and commitments, noting that Sudan received 25 percent of worldwide humanitarian assistance in 2006. ¶7. Aldo Adjo Deng, chairman of the Humanitarian Committee of the National Assembly, emphasized that poverty was pervasive throughout Sudan and assistance is needed everywhere. Deng also noted that only a limited amount of food aid was necessary, and only during a certain period of the year. Deng proposed small model towns in which the government would provide water, sanitation, health care, and education. Deng expressed concern that many displaced people who had not been farming during their displacement are no longer accustomed to the rural way of life. He also noted that there were areas in the country where the returnees could become tenant farmers. In his closing remarks, Deng assured the audience that the National Assembly was fully aware of the need for security in order for displaced persons to return to their areas of origin and that the National Assembly fully supported the return program. ¶8. Dr. Amna Abdelrahman, Secretary General of the Association to Combat Harmful Traditional Practices, asked to take the floor and passionately appealed for gender equality. She noted that not one of the speakers was female and that agencies did not adequately consult women in the design and implementation of assistance programs. She appealed for the greater participation of national NGOs and stated that the Sudanese should be taking the lead in humanitarian assistance and recovery. In addition, she proposed the integration of beneficiaries so that they will have true ownership of the programs. She closed her remarks by stating that the beneficiaries "will bring the peace themselves." HUME