CHAD HUMANITARIAN UPDATE 02-06 NOV, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000526 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C STATE ALSO FOR S/USSES STATE ALSO FOR PRM/AFR NSC FOR GAVIN LONDON FOR POL - LORD PARIS FOR POL - BAIN AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF ASEC PREL PHUM SU CD SUBJECT: CHAD HUMANITARIAN UPDATE 02-06 NOV, 2009 REF: N'DJAMENA 520 NDJAMENA 00000526 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) The following is an update of N'Djamena RefCoord's activities for the period of 02-06 NOV, 2009. -------------- EASTERN CHAD SECURITY CONCERNS DOMINATE MULTILATERAL MEETINGS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) RefCoord attended the meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee (IASC) and the monthly meeting of the SRSG with the Diplomatic Corps, both on November 4. The UN Chief of Security, Bertrand Bourgain, briefed the IASC (as reported Reftel) on his assessment of the security environment, especially in the area around Farchana and Hadjer Hadid. Bourgain stressed that (a) in his opinion, this area cannot be accessed without armed escort unless one is prepared to take on unacceptable risks, and (b) there are insufficient escort assets to provide for all humanitarian operations in the area. Bourgain stated that despite this lack, it was UNDSS policy that all UN Agencies plan all movements around the provision of armed escorts, either from MINURCAT troops or DIS officers. He reported on the withdrawal of the NGO Premihres Urgences staff and assets from the region, noting that the NGO's leadership had determined they could not maintain operations along the lines of their commitment to humanitarian principles in such an environment, having acknowledged that armed escort was both unavoidable and unacceptable. RefCoord suggested that donors should make explicit to partners their policies toward reduction or suspension of activities should partners determine this to be required under such security conditions. Country Representative Stefano Severes reported that some 35 UNHCR-owned or -seconded vehicles had been stolen in the course of the year. He acknowledged that issues such as attendance at UNHCR-convened meetings and the location of fuel access points had put partners on the road and at unacceptable risk, and committed to mitigate these problems. He stated he would ask for partners to do their utmost to minimize their need for road movements to only those strictly called for by their professional requirements. -------------- OXFAM UK ON FUTURE COLLABORATION POSSIBILITIES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) RefCoord met with Oxfam UK Country Director Pauline Ballaman, and newly arrived Funding Coordinator, Daphne Callies, to discuss possibilities for 2010 and potential PRM funding. Oxfam UK has been working on water and sanitation projects in the Kounoungou and Mile camps. Motorized pumps were installed in the early years of project, and until recently Oxfam UK has been keeping systems maintained and functioning. Responding to UNHCR requests that systems be shifted toward hand and foot pumps, Oxfam began the retooling work with funding from the Canadian international Development Agency (CIDA). That funding will be lost end-December. Since CIDA was funding these activities for both refugee and IDP populations, Oxfam UK must determine how best to seek new donor support, and is exploring OFDA backing a well. -------------- END OF ACCRA REFCOORD'S N'DJAMENA TDY -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Accra RefCoord Emily Mestetsky ended her three-week TDY in N'Djamena by accompanying IOM Chief of Movement and Management Division, Michel Tonneau, to Abch November 5-6. Accra RefCoord joined Tonneau for meetings with the Governor, Deputy Governor, and CNAR Delegate for Ouaddai region, and with the Deputy SRSG of MINURCAT, to discuss IOM's establishment of offices and staff residences, as well as a new and larger transit center. Post thanks Emily for bringing to bear in N'Djamena her expertise and energy on resettlement and admissions issues, and congratulates her on the significant strides made in encouraging a more realistic IOM approach to operations in Chad. We look forward to her next TDY. -------------- CALENDAR -------------- NDJAMENA 00000526 002.6 OF 002 11-18 NOV: RefCoord's Embassy Duty Officer Week NIGRO