Shortley and van de Geer discuss eastern Congo programs

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000534 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL EAID CG UN EUN SUBJECT: Shortley and van de Geer discuss eastern Congo programs with UN agencies and donor representatives ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Representatives of UN agencies briefed AF Senior Adviser Tim Shortley and EU Special Envoy Roeland van de Geer on their programs in eastern Congo June 2 in Kinshasa. UN programs include opening strategic road axes, extension of state authority, refugee return and agricultural development. These are hampered by funding gaps and security and humanitarian problems. Shortley and van de Geer called for additional donor funding to support the Goma and Nairobi processes. Shortley noted a lack of coordination by donors, and said many of their activities in the east do not necessarily meet the needs of stabilization. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) A/S Frazer's Senior Adviser Tim Shortley and EU Great Lakes Special Envoy Roeland van de Geer met with the heads of UN agencies and representatives of major donors June 2 in Kinshasa. The UN agencies provided a briefing on their activities in eastern Congo. Shortley and van de Geer stressed to donors the need for additional funding and coordination to support the Goma and Nairobi processes. Meeting with UN agencies -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is taking the lead on opening six priority road axes in the east. The total estimated cost for this project is $70 million; however, with only $33 million available at the moment, UNOPS can only begin work to open three of the six axes. In order of priority, these are: Sake-Masisi; Bukavu-Hombo; and Bunia-Boga. UNOPS has the capacity to restore full access along the Sake-Masisi and Bukavu-Hombo axes by the end of the year if no major security constraint is encountered. Aside from funding problems, a key challenge is the difficulty of drawing on overtaxed MONUC engineering assets. ¶4. (SBU) The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working on projects related to community development and reconciliation and extension of state authority. They are planning to target donors which may have money available in the short-term. ¶5. (SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is working on tripartite agreements between DRC and Uganda and DRC and Burundi. The largest problems continue to relate to the UNHRC tripartite for Congolese refugees in Rwanda, of which there are approximately 45,000, and how to work out their return. There is also a need to clarify the status of FDLR members. ¶6. (SBU) The World Food Program (WFP) stressed the problem of the food pipeline break of 89,000 metric tons in the east. People will be on half rations until October. The problem has been compounded by the fact that Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have all blocked food exports. ¶7. (SBU) The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has the task of rehabilitating major agricultural production centers in the east, particularly in North Kivu. Key challenges include access to markets and seed and the need to increase household income, which will free up more money for production. ¶8. (SBU) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted their work in assisting returnees get back on their feet. However, they are faced with significant problems, particularly food security and the lack of infrastructure and legitimate state authority. The UNICEF representative also noted that they are screening for child soldiers within the ranks of armed groups. Meeting with donors -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Shortley and van de Geer stressed the need for additional financing to support the Goma and Nairobi processes in their meeting with major donors. Shortley cited a lack of coordination between donors funding the processes, and noted that there is a very narrow timeframe to ensure that both are fully successful. ¶10. (SBU) A key issue is to determine which projects need immediate implementation and those that are more long-term. MONUC D/SRSG Mountain's chief of staff presented an overview of the UN stabilization plan for Eastern Congo, highlighting key items including brassage and transit centers. USAID Mission Director noted that the donor group meets regularly and can work out a coordination plan to support the Goma and Nairobi processes. Many donors highlighted their development and stabilization activities in the east. Shortley pointed out that these activities do not necessarily meet the needs of stabilization. ¶11. (SBU) Shortley and van de Geer also discussed with the group KINSHASA 00000534 002 OF 002 the capacity of NGOs to increase their activities in the east, ensuring that people in North Kivu are involved in designing these projects, and the ability of donor countries to ensure additional funding in the short term. ¶12. (SBU) This message was cleared by Senior Advisor Shortley. GARVELINK