Democratic Republic of Congo -- FY 2009 Disaster

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000881 AIDAC AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA- KLUU, ACONVERY, KCHANNELL, MSHIRLEY AID/W FOR DCHA/FFP- TANDERSON, NCOX, TMCRAE AID/W FOR DCHA/OTI- RJENKINS, KHUBER AID/W FOR AFR- KALMQUIST, JWOOD, CTHOMPSON NAIROBI FOR USAID/OFDA/ARO- JMYER, ADWYER NAIROBI FOR USAID/FFP- DSUTHER ROME FOR USUN FODAG- RNEWBERG GENEVA FOR NYKLOH NSC FOR PMARCHAM BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER NEW YORK FOR TMALY USMISSION UN ROME FOR RNEWBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF CG SUBJECT: Democratic Republic of Congo -- FY 2009 Disaster Declaration ¶1. (U) Summary: Fighting between government forces and armed groups controlling territory in rural areas in Orientale, North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces resulted in additional population displacements in FY 2008, with most of those displaced expected to be unable to return to their homes for much of FY 2009. The government of the country has helped establish commissions to work to restore peace and provide assistance to displaced populations, but humanitarian needs greatly exceed its capacity to respond and may well increase. The Charge d'Affaires has determined that the ongoing emergency is of sufficient magnitude to warrant continued U.S. Government (USG) emergency response assistance in FY 2009. The Government of the DRC (GDRC) appreciates USG humanitarian assistance and will continue to welcome USG contributions. As it continues to be in the interests of the USG to provide such assistance, the Charge d'Affaires re-declares a disaster in the DRC for FY 2009 and requests continued funding from USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). End summary. ¶2. (U) Though much of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remained calm in FY 2008, ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces of Orientale, North Kivu and South Kivu resulted in an increase in population displacement and a significant worsening of the humanitarian situation in some areas. In the southern part of North Kivu alone, fighting between government forces and troops loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda caused the displacement of over 500,000 additional persons, few of whom have yet been able to return to their homes. The conflict has directly affected the northernmost parts of South Kivu and may be fueling a smaller but similar insurrection in South Kivu's High Plateau area. In Ituri, the one remaining active militia group grew stronger rather than weaker and, profiting from the need by the government and MONUC to shift considerable numbers of troops from Ituri to North Kivu to respond to the more acute crisis there, began expanding the territory it controls, causing renewed instability. ¶3. (U) As a consequence of the increased turmoil in North Kivu, USAID/OFDA was obliged in FY 2008 to reverse an earlier decision to complete its withdrawal from the financing of primary health care services and to instead begin funding new health projects targeting displaced populations and host communities in that province. To the extent possible given the degree of insecurity, USAID/OFDA also financed several International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to implement projects designed to increase the level of food security for affected populations and to ensure their access to safe water and acceptable sanitation facilities. Finally, USAID/OFDA facilitated the overall humanitarian response by continuing its subsidy of air transportation for humanitarian goods and personnel. ¶4. (U) As FY 2009 begins, few observers are optimistic with regards to the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the various disputes anytime in the immediate future. Peace agreements signed in January 2008 have been flagrantly violated, and political discourse is increasingly belligerent. While even current humanitarian assistance requirements far exceed the GDRC response capacity, most humanitarian workers are predicting an increase in instability and a corresponding substantial increase in humanitarian needs in the coming months. The possibility that instability will reach densely populated areas such as Rutshuru, and rapidly doubling or tripling response requirements, remains high. ¶5. (U) In January 2008, the GDRC sponsored a large peace conference in Goma to try to bring about an end to the conflict and to organize the facilitation of return of IDPs to their home communities. During the year, it jointly worked with MONUC and rebel representatives to establish commissions tasked with implementing decisions of the conference. Though these efforts have yet to produce much improvement in the humanitarian situation, the GDRC continues to support the commissions and continues to invite contributions and participation from the international community. ¶6. (U) Disaster assistance funding is needed to respond to the immediate needs of newly displaced persons, returnees, and other war-affected and vulnerable individuals in FY 2009. A continuation of humanitarian assistance is in the USG's interest as a means of supporting DRC's transition to peace and democracy and promoting greater regional stability. A withdrawal of USG humanitarian assistance would signal a decline in support to national and regional peace and transition processes, and would leave critical gaps in life-saving humanitarian activities. ¶7. (U) The Charge d'Affaires has determined that the complex humanitarian emergency in the DRC brought about by the 1998-2003 conflict and its aftermath continues to be of significant magnitude to warrant USG assistance. A disaster for 2009 is thus formally re-declared and a request made for a continuation of USAID/OFDA emergency response assistance. Post will make more specific recommendations in future communications. Brock