Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA235
2008-04-29 12:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ANOTHER NGO CONTEMPLATING LEAVING ERITREA
how-toVZCZCXRO0660 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0235 1201220 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 291220Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9631 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000235
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E - PLEASE PASS USAID
NAIROBI FOR USAID - GPLATT
KAMPALA FOR USAID - DSUTHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID ER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NGO CONTEMPLATING LEAVING ERITREA
Classified By: AMB Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000235
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E - PLEASE PASS USAID
NAIROBI FOR USAID - GPLATT
KAMPALA FOR USAID - DSUTHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID ER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NGO CONTEMPLATING LEAVING ERITREA
Classified By: AMB Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) The Lutheran World Foundation (LWF),one of the few
remaining non-governmental organizations operating in
Eritrea, may close its doors in the upcoming year if the
operating environment worsens, stated representative Jan
Schutte on April 10. Schutte commented on the extreme
difficulties in implementing the LWF's developmental
programs, and cited as an example a recently abandoned water
project in the Hamadei district (northwest of Keren). The
Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) had insisted that
the regional administration (zoba) take control of the
project, preventing the LWF from adequately overseeing and
monitoring the project in line with donor requirements, he
explained. Schutte added that LWF has also lost a
micro-credit program due to similar GSE bureaucratic
requirements. Schutte stated that funding from one of LWF's
primary donors, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA),had dried up, except to support emergency relief aid,
"due to the political situation in Eritrea." LWF still
receives funding from sources in Holland and Norway for
development assistance. Schutte noted that LWF has been
barred by the Eritreans from doing any "capacity building"
projects, and therefore is limited to overseeing only
infrastructure-related programs (i.e., building schools,
wells, water pumps). Given these two factors (the lack of
ELCA funding and the host government bureaucratic hurdles),
Schutte says that LWF is considering closing if it encounters
further GSE restrictions.
2. (C) Difficult times for the LWF is not a new phenomenon.
According to Schutte, in November of 2007, the GSE detained
the LWF's senior local staff member, whose current wherabouts
remain unknown. The LWF has also received no fuel rations
since December of last year. Though Schutte did not refer to
these early impedements as contributing to their current
consideration to leave country, he did cite them as
compounding difficulties to the current situation.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DEPT FOR AF/E - PLEASE PASS USAID
NAIROBI FOR USAID - GPLATT
KAMPALA FOR USAID - DSUTHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID ER
SUBJECT: ANOTHER NGO CONTEMPLATING LEAVING ERITREA
Classified By: AMB Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) The Lutheran World Foundation (LWF),one of the few
remaining non-governmental organizations operating in
Eritrea, may close its doors in the upcoming year if the
operating environment worsens, stated representative Jan
Schutte on April 10. Schutte commented on the extreme
difficulties in implementing the LWF's developmental
programs, and cited as an example a recently abandoned water
project in the Hamadei district (northwest of Keren). The
Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) had insisted that
the regional administration (zoba) take control of the
project, preventing the LWF from adequately overseeing and
monitoring the project in line with donor requirements, he
explained. Schutte added that LWF has also lost a
micro-credit program due to similar GSE bureaucratic
requirements. Schutte stated that funding from one of LWF's
primary donors, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA),had dried up, except to support emergency relief aid,
"due to the political situation in Eritrea." LWF still
receives funding from sources in Holland and Norway for
development assistance. Schutte noted that LWF has been
barred by the Eritreans from doing any "capacity building"
projects, and therefore is limited to overseeing only
infrastructure-related programs (i.e., building schools,
wells, water pumps). Given these two factors (the lack of
ELCA funding and the host government bureaucratic hurdles),
Schutte says that LWF is considering closing if it encounters
further GSE restrictions.
2. (C) Difficult times for the LWF is not a new phenomenon.
According to Schutte, in November of 2007, the GSE detained
the LWF's senior local staff member, whose current wherabouts
remain unknown. The LWF has also received no fuel rations
since December of last year. Though Schutte did not refer to
these early impedements as contributing to their current
consideration to leave country, he did cite them as
compounding difficulties to the current situation.
MCMULLEN