POSSIBLE FUNDING IMPLICATIONS OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES PLAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000481 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C, S/USSES, AND PRM/AFR USAID FOR OFDA KHARTOUM FOR OFDA NSC FOR GAVIN LONDON FOR POL - LORD PARIS FOR POL - KANEDA ADDIS ABABA FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM SU CD SUBJECT: POSSIBLE FUNDING IMPLICATIONS OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES PLAN TO RELOCATE PROGRAMTIC FUNCTIONS FROM ABECHE ¶1. (U) This is an USAID/OFDA reporting cable drafted by OFDA/Khartoum TDY Oumar M'Bareck and OFDA/Washington TDY George Siasoco. Post thanks OFDA for their close collaboration during this visit. - - - - SUMMARY - - - - ¶2. (SBU) OFDA discussions in N'Djamena and Abeche with humanitarian international organizations (IOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) indicates a broad intention of many organizations to relocate programmatic functions out of Abeche -- long the hub of humanitarian activities in Eastern Chad -- and into the capital, N'Djamena. The relocation is motivated by (a) the joint USG-ECHO donor mission to Chad in early 2009, which recommended that IOs (particularly UNHCR) reorganize to improve field capabilities and coordination from headquarters; (b) the increasing burden placed on Abeche and its population of a growing mass of humanitarian and MINURCAT functionaries; and (c) the growing threat of increased criminality that this community and its activities seems to catalyze. Although the planned moves of several large organizations that receive significant USG financing may have funding and program implications, most entities report that they do not yet have a clear plan for operations, and preparations remain ongoing. END SUMMARY. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ABECHE: THE END OF A STORY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) In a mid-October meeting with USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA),UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) representatives confirmed that humanitarian agencies intend to relocate from Abeche, Ouaddai Region in eastern Chad, to the Chadian capital N'Djamena to support increased humanitarian coordination. Although the planned move may have funding and program implications, OCHA reported that planning remains ongoing. ¶4. (SBU) In a separate meeting on October 18, a representative from non-governmental organization (NGO) Solidarites told USAID/OFDA staff that NGOs in eastern Chad have decided to relocate from Abeche to N'Djamena in early 2010. Solidarites noted active UN advocacy supporting the move and hopes that a single coordination mechanism based in N'Djamena would make humanitarian meetings more fruitful and streamline humanitarian response operations. Solidarites staff noted that several organizations are under-represented or not represented at decision-making levels in Abeche, which complicates attempts to finalize and implement action plans during Abeche humanitarian meetings. ¶5. (SBU) In addition, USAID implementing partner Action Contre la Faim (ACF) reported that only two NGOs have active programs around Abeche area, and most agencies are using the town as logistic hub rather than a programmatic center. Although ACF plans to maintain its presence in Abeche, the organization appreciates that other humanitarian aid agencies will move operations elsewhere. ACF reported that humanitarian staff can access key project areas including Goz Beida, Guereda, Iriba, and Bahai directly from N'Djamena, aircraft availability permitting. ¶6. (SBU) Following a recent increase in banditry and attacks on humanitarian staff and facilities in Abeche town, NGO and UN staff are seeking ways to minimize incidents with relocation to the capital, where they evidently believe international and local protection mechanisms are superior. Abeche relief staff also note, however, that the shift of humanitarian operations from Abeche may have additional impacts, particularly because the city population had doubled in the past few years due to job opportunities that the humanitarian presence created. With the pending relocation of programmatic humanitarian operations and staff, local support staff and businesses will suffer heavily. Despite the current robust humanitarian presence in Abeche, ACF and other NGOs commented that the organizations have provided little support to the Abeche host communities, in part because the majority of humanitarian efforts focused on refugees and IDPs located in the volatile border region. Despite a lack of direct humanitarian assistance, the local population of Abeche has benefited significantly from a robust market and local commerce supported by the aid agencies, and the NDJAMENA 00000481 002 OF 002 move will leave a large gap in the local economy and markets. ¶7. (SBU) At recent meetings, staff from several UN agencies reported that the decision for a wide-scale humanitarian relocation from Abeche to N'Djamena has already been taken and relocation is imminent. In a meeting with USAID/OFDA staff, an OCHA representative downplayed the move's potential consequences on local populations, and confirmed that OCHA and other UN cluster lead agencies plan to reinforce their field presence as a supplement to the move (NOTE: OCHA currently has sub-offices in Abeche, Goz Beida, Koukou, and Farchana. END NOTE). In addition, the OCHA representative viewed the move as an opportunity for humanitarian agencies to utilize one holistic country team coordination mechanism and better visibility on the country-wide needs in Chad. - - - - COMMENT - - - - ¶8. (SBU) USAID/OFDA officers note that although many NGOs and UN staff confirmed their intentions to relocate staff from Abeche, the humanitarian community appears to have undertaken very little planning for the operation. Although staff anticipate a complete relocation by mid-2010, humanitarian actors currently remain unable to provide financial implications or information for donors, or projections of the overall consequences on the livelihoods, population, and security of Abeche area. ¶9. (SBU) In addition, USAID/OFDA staff note the importance of programmatic considerations and subsequent changes that the move will require. For example, current UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations include two daily flights to Abeche from N'Djamena, moving cargo and humanitarian aid workers. Any significant move or future changes should involve wide-scale planning coordination with the host government, as well as consensus from the international donor community and implementing partners regarding new destinations, needs, and programs. NIGRO