Demining Brings Economic Growth Near Mozambique-Tanzania

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001048 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHDP PGOV PREL ECON MZ SUBJECT: Demining Brings Economic Growth Near Mozambique-Tanzania Border (U) SUMMARY: Sites in MozambiqueQs northernmost province Cabo Delgado that have undergone humanitarian demining with USG and other donor funding have rapidly been incorporated into the local economy including as small farms, stores, and homes. This has resulted in an improved local economy with new employment opportunities. While access to basic services in Cabo Delgado remains limited, USG and other donor efforts in humanitarian demining have had concrete and positive impacts on the local economy setting the stage for future development. End Summary. -------------- Demined Areas Rapidly Flourish -------------- ¶2. (U) PM/WRA Program Manager and Poloff visited numerous demined sites in the northern province of Cabo Delgado Mozambique during the week of July 31-August 2, 2007. Demined sites have been rapidly reincorporated into the local economy for housing, farming and access roads. The bridge across the Lurio River on the boundary between Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces is a perfect example. Commercial demining carried out by AFROVITA, a commercial contractor, and the nonprofit HALO Trust (funded by the USG and other donor nations) had an immediate impact on use of the access areas around the bridge. On one side of the river, the newly cleared land is being used for walking paths to access water for drinking, bathing and laundry. On the other side, the cleared land is used to grow maize, cabbage, and other vegetables. -------------- - Positive Economic Impacts Abound from Demining -------------- - ¶3. (U) Roadside stores in Impiri, a large village on the road from the Lurio River, highlight the positive economic impacts. Many now carry produce grown near the bridge. The income generated by sales of the produce pays for cloth imported from Tanzania for re-sale. ¶4. (U) The roadside itself was also mechanically demined. Along with small stores, the demined area is now filled with new homes for the residents of Impiri. Contractors cleared five kilometers of a secondary road from Impiri to a local rock quarry. The reopening of the secondary road allowed a local construction company to haul rock quarried at the mine back to Impiri to build roads and buildings. As business has picked up--generating new jobs for local residents--the company has made new capital investments, including a new crane, heavy duty truck, and loader for the quarry. -------------- Basic Services Still Nonexistent -------------- ¶5. (U) Poloff spoke with a woman in Impiri who lost a leg to a land mine several years ago as she was walking along a well-trodden path. The woman reported that there is no medical care available in the vicinity. She does not wear prosthesis and said there are none available through any government or NGO programs. Poloff also noted that there was no television and only limited access to electricity in the village. The elder who escorted Poloff carried a battery powered radio but said he had no batteries for that radio. -------------- -------------- Comment: Much Yet to Overcome, but Demining a Success -------------- -------------- ¶6. Cabo Delgado province was one of the most heavily mined in the countryQs civil war. The efforts by the USG and other donors towards making the area free from the impact of mines have immediately contributed to the improved well-being of the local population. While this region continues to suffer from grinding poverty and only the most minimal access to basic services, our demining program is a success and is helping open the way for provision of these services.