DARFUR - HAC RANKS LOCAL NGOS, USAID PARTNERS "DISMISSED"

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000529 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH 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 UN SU SUBJECT: DARFUR - HAC RANKS LOCAL NGOS, USAID PARTNERS "DISMISSED" -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On March 20, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) Office in Nyala, South Darfur, publicly posted the results of an evaluation report ranking local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the Nyala HAC office. According to U.N. Civil Affairs, a total of 109 NGOs were singled out for further evaluation, restructuring, or dismissal, including 19 USAID partners. USAID and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) along with affected NGOs are seeking greater clarification of the impact and ramification of the HAC categorizations on humanitarian programs in the region. End Summary. -------------- HAC RANKS and DISMISSES LOCAL NGOS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On March 20, the HAC office in Nyala publicly posted a report titled, "Final Evaluation of the Committee," in which local organizations were ranked as 'perfect, middle, weak, or dismissed,' according to the HAC's evaluation of the quality of NGO activities provided to internally displaced persons (IDPs),civilians, and voluntary returns. In total, 58 NGOs were 'dismissed' and an additional 48 NGOs were singled out for further evaluation or restructuring, including 19 current or past USAID partners. ¶3. (SBU) The list identified two USAID partners as 'dismissed.' The only explanation of 'dismissed' provided in the report was the following: "The committee decided to dismiss those who are abusing the humanitarian field..." While the implications of the designation remain unclear, both organizations suspended operations following the announcement. One of the USAID partners dismissed is among the strongest organizations addressing the human rights situation and providing legal aid directly to victims. The NGO is home to international awarding-winning human rights activists and receives funding support from USAID, the U.N. Development Program (UNDP),and other U.N. agencies. ¶4. (SBU) Other key USAID partners with proven records of effectiveness in violence against women awareness advocacy, income-generation programs, and civil society skills training were placed at the 'middle' and 'weak' rankings. One such organization, now under HAC review for the next six months, was recently visited by a high-level United States Government delegation in recognition of its role in organizing women and youth leadership trainings in support of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue Consultation. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) It is not yet clear what the ramifications of the HAC rankings will be in practice. Although the posting stated that Sudanese government officials, local police, and judiciary authorities would be informed of these decisions, USAID partners have not yet received written notification from the HAC. ¶6. (SBU) OCHA Nyala informed USAID that it had recently asked HAC to assist OCHA and the general humanitarian community in determining the validity of numerous new local NGOs whose numbers have significantly increased over the last year. Many organizations exist in name only or are one-person operations. One local NGO, although rejecting the HAC's rankings, acknowledged the need for the prevalence of poorly managed NGOs to be addressed. It appears that HAC may have utilized the NGO review as a mechanism to obstruct the delivery of critical services, including legal aid and skills training to human rights victims and struggling civil society members. The ranking seems to award groups that provide traditional relief services and punish groups who are implementing other activities, perhaps deemed 'political' by HAC or not perceived as a current humanitarian priority. End comment. HUME