Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA446
2009-12-31 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES SHUTS DOWN

Tags:  EAID PREL PGOV ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHAE #0446 3651338
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 311338Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0656
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000446 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
GEORGIANNA PLATT FOR USAID
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2019
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES SHUTS DOWN

REF: ASMARA 437

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000446

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
GEORGIANNA PLATT FOR USAID
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2019
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES SHUTS DOWN

REF: ASMARA 437

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will close its doors by
February 2010, reducing to three the total number of
international NGOs in Eritrea. The Ministry of Labor and
Human Welfare (MLHW),which oversees NGO operations, recently
mandated CRS to end its operations because it could not "meet
the standards of the NGO proclamation," according to Mr.
Aynalem, who has been working at CRS for seven years and is
one of three staff members left at the office. The standard
in question is the minimum operating budget of two million
USD (reftel). (Note: Although Lutheran World Federation is
also believed to be in danger of closing for the same reason,
the office has not admitted to receiving a letter mandating
them to do so. End Note).


2. (C) The CRS attempted to intervene with the MLHW decision
on several occasions, Mr. Aynalem told Poloff. The CRS
Regional VP of Overseas Operations sent a letter to the MLHW
that went unresponded. The president of CRS sent a request
to the Eritrean government (GSE) as well, requesting the
office not be forced to shut down. The efforts proved
fruitless, however, and CRS is simply biding its time.


3. (C) The staff has been reduced to a program officer (Mr.
Aynalem),the finance manager, and a driver. The MLHW is in
the process of collecting CRS's remaining property: vehicles,
furniture, computers, and other office equipment. Aynalem
told Poloff the office is awaiting the arrival of a
representative from the regional office who will assist with
procedures for the final paperwork. He expects this process
to be completed by February 2010. Aynalem, who has been with
CRS for seven years, told Poloff he is unsure why the GSE
chases out the NGOs, since it is the people who suffer as a
result. Mr. Aynalem mused, however, that CRS could return if
the office could meet the budget requirements. However, this
would require the MLHW to specifically allow the NGO to start
up operations once more.


4. (C) COMMENT: It is unlikely the MLHW will grant permission
for CRS to open its doors once more, even if the budget
requirement is met. The CRS regional office must be aware of
this fact, hence the numerous attempts it made to keep the
office from closing down. Nonetheless, without international
donors to fund its operations, future prospects for CRS are
bleak.
McMullen