DAY OF CELEBRATION: AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES MOBA HOSPITAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000472

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV CG
SUBJECT: DAY OF CELEBRATION: AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES MOBA HOSPITAL
REHABILITATED BY TAFT REFUGEE FUND


1. Summary: Ambassador inaugurated a hospital May 6 in Moba,
Katanga, which was rehabilitated by the FY2008 Julia Taft Refugee
Fund. Local officials and several hundred villagers from Moba
welcomed the Ambassador with much fanfare. Following the
inauguration ceremony, the delegation reviewed the rehabilitation
work performed by NGO Africa Humanitarian Action. The delegation
also visited local radio station RCMO and the newly refurbished
Alfadjiri School. Providing essential services such as public
health and education are vital to the successful reintegration of
returning refugees. The hospital will have a significant impact on
health services and improving the quality of life for those in the
territory. End Summary.

2. Kalemie's District Administrator, Moba's Territorial
Administrator, UNHCR's Head of Office in Moba, local dignitaries,
and a huge crowd (estimated at 500 people) welcomed the arrival of
Ambassador and PolOff to Moba on May 6 for the inauguration of the
local hospital rehabilitated with FY2008 Taft Refugee Funds.
Included in the crowd, a dancing group, singing choirs and a host of
local officials greeted the delegation upon their arrival by MONUC
helicopter in Moba, Katanga. A military review, receiving line, and
an escorted tour of Moba followed the initial welcome.

3. After a short briefing at UNHCR's sub-office in Moba, the
delegation proceeded to Moba Hospital for the inauguration ceremony.
In front of a crowd of 250 people, the Ambassador officially
inaugurated the rehabilitated hospital. The local population
enthusiastically received his speech, which spoke of the importance
of the only hospital in a region of 400,000 people and the need for
the community to hold the local government responsible for
maintaining the facilities in future years.

4. Following the ceremony, the delegation reviewed the
rehabilitation work, which was performed by Africa Humanitarian
Action with oversight by UNHCR's Moba sub-office. The delegation
was impressed with the work that rehabilitated three buildings on
the hospital compound. New ceilings, windows, doors, lights and
sinks in the interior accompanied fresh paint and repaired roofs on
the exterior.

5. After visiting the hospital, the delegation visited the local
RCMO radio station with its new transmission equipment and new
antennae provided by the NGO Search for Common Ground. The station
can now broadcast messages within a 150 kilometer radius. In
addition, the delegation visited the recently refurbished Alfadjiri
School.

6. Comment: The arrival of the Ambassador and the inauguration of
Moba Hospital was the biggest political and social event of the year
in the territory and helped to send a powerful message to Congolese
refugees that it is a good time to return. UNHCR is planning for
the repatriation of several thousand Congolese refugees in Tanzania
and Zambia to the area this year. Providing essential services such
as public health and education are vital to the successful
reintegration of returning refugees. The Julia Taft Refugee Fund
played an integral part in helping to revitalize Moba and to provide
a stable environment for refugee return. The hospital will have a
significant impact on health services and improving the quality of
life for those in the territory. End Comment.

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