NORWAY'S LIBERIA POVERTY REDUCTION PLANS AHEAD OF

UNCLAS OSLO 000337 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EEB/IFD/ODF KERRI DIZOGLIO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN LI NO SUBJECT: NORWAY'S LIBERIA POVERTY REDUCTION PLANS AHEAD OF BERLIN FORUM REF: STATE 62866 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: This cable details the composition of the Norwegian delegation to the June 26-27 Liberia Poverty Reduction Forum in Berlin, as well as Norway's expected and prospective aid to Liberia. Norway does not plan to make any announcements of new aid pledges at the Forum. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Norwegian delegation will consist of: Mr. Haakon ¶A. Gulbrandsen, State Secretary for International Development, MFA (Gulbrandsen is the head of delegation and will be there for day 1 only); Ms. Tove Stub, Assistant Director General, Section for Southern and Western Africa, MFA; Mr. Thorvald Boye, Counselor, Roy Norwegian Embassy Abidjan; Ms. Hilde R. Johansen, Senior Advisor, Section for Southern and Western Africa, MFA. ¶3. (SBU) Poloff met with Hilde Johansen and Thorvald Boye, who explained that Norway's aid to Liberia goes mainly to Pillar I, Security and Peace, and Pillar IV, Infrastructure and Basic Services, of the Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy. An overview of current and prospective Norwegian aid to Liberia follows: Aid Finalized and/or Completed: LBR-1003 LBR-06/002 Restructuring and Training of the Liberian National Police (Pillar I) Partner: UNDP Amount: approx $2 million for 2007/2008 Description: Establishment of 10 'Women and Children Protection Units' at police headquarters in 10 counties, related training of police, and rehabilitation of the Liberian Police Academy through building of dormitories for students. Disbursements: approx $1.21 million in 2006, $750,000 in 2007 LBR-1005 LBR-02/002 Emergency Electrification Monrovia, EPP II (Pillar IV) Partner: MLME Amount: approx $9.5 million (incl. Paynesville extension, LBR-07/010, $1.3 million) Description: Emergency assistance to Monrovia with 5-10 MW generation capacity Disbursements: approx $2.4 million in 2007, $121,000 in 2008 LBR-1006 LBR-07/006 Accelerated Learning Program (Pillar IV) Partner: NRC Amount: approx $1.9 million Description: School program for children and young people who missed schooling during the civil war. Primary school in half the normal time, vocational training, adult education (literacy),school buildings, teacher training, community mobilization. Disbursements: $1.9 million LBR-1007 LBR-07/008 Rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants (RREXCOM)(Pillar I) Partner: UNDP Liberia Amount: approx $7.5 million Description: Enable up to 8,789 ex-combatants to acquire sustainable livelihoods and improve their chance of employability. Disbursements: approx $7.5 million in 2007 LBR-1008 LBR-07/009 Information, Counseling and Legal Assistance (Pillar I) Partner: NRC Amount: approx $2.16 million for 2007/2008 Description: Legal counseling for settlement of land dispute in return areas (Ganta). Education on land laws, inheritance laws, and dispute resolution. Disbursements: approx $1.083 million in 2007, $1.083 million planned in 2008 LBR-1009 LBR-07/011 International Center for Transitional Justice, ICTJ (Pillar III) Partner: ICTJ Amount: approx $1 million over 2 years Description: Cooperation with TRC, police, legal system and civil society; support and strengthen capacity of truth and reconciliation; media training; transitional justice issues relating to women and children. Disbursements: approx $524,000 on 5/14/08, approx $548,000 planned for 2009 LBR-1010 LBR-07/013 The Clinton Foundation (CHAI) (Pillar IV) Partner: The Clinton Foundation Amount: approx $6.9 million over three years Description: To expand access to HIV care, treatment and support while strengthening the Liberian national health system. Disbursements: approx $1.7 million in 2007, and $2.3 million planned for each of 2008 and 2009 Aid Currently Being Considered by the GON: LBR-1005 LBR-08/007 EPP II gaps Monrovia (Pillar IV) Partner: MLME Amount: approx $8.2 million Description: additional power infrastructure for Monrovia. Status: Under consideration. LBR-1006 LBR-08/006 Accelerated Learning Program, ALP 2008-2010 (Pillar IV) Partner: NRC Amount: approx $5.57 million Description: Continuation of the accelerated learning program, ALP, for three more years, 2008-2010. Status: Agreement not yet finalized. LBR-1011 LBR-07/014 Millenium Development Villages (multi-sector, most Pillars) Partner: UNDP Amount: approx $5.71 million over five years, 2008-2013 (one village) Description: Support to establish one MDV village in Kokoya district, Bong county. Status: Agreement not yet finalized. LBR-1013 LBR-08/003 Advise Energy Sector (Pillar IV) Partner: MLME Amount: approx $9.5 million Description: Energy cooperation beyond EPP II. Energy advisors (NORAD) and consultants working closely with Liberia on this. Status: Under consideration. LBR-1014 LBR-08/004 Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) Liberia Program (Pillar III) Partner: NHRF Amount: approx $90,000 Description: Cooperation with Liberian Human Rights NGOs under consideration; national census. Status: Under consideration. WHITNEY