Cablegate: Sudan - Joint Plan for Idp Returns in 2007

VZCZCXRO7650
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2864/01 3521226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181226Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5582
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002864

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP
NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
NAIROBI FOR SFO
NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
USUN FOR TMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU
SUBJECT: SUDAN - JOINT PLAN FOR IDP RETURNS IN 2007

KHARTOUM 00002864 001.2 OF 002

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Summary
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1. The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General
and Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) held a Donor
Coordination Meeting on December 3 to introduce the joint UN,
Government of National Unity (GNU), and Government of Southern Sudan
(GOSS) plan to return 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in
Khartoum and other northern states to the south and the Three Areas
in 2007. An additional 48,000 persons are expected to return to
these locations from areas of displacement elsewhere in Sudan. The
joint plan estimates that in 2007, a total of 625,000 IDPs and
refugees will return to Southern Sudan either on their own or
through return programs. The UN Common Humanitarian Fund will
target reintegration assistance in areas where returns are expected
to have the greatest impact, rather than in areas expected to
receive the largest number of returnees. Additionally, the GNU
cleared the 2007 UN Work Plan for Sudan and agreed to launch the
plan on December 19 in Khartoum. End summary.

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Joint UN and Government Planning and Funding
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2. The GNU, GOSS, and UN have completed planning for the return of
150,000 IDPs in Khartoum and other northern states to southern
states and the Three Areas. An additional 48,000 people are
expected to relocate from other areas of displacement to their
places of origin: 15,000 to Blue Nile; 13,000 from South Darfur to
Northern Bahr el Ghazal; 10,000 from Jonglei to Western Equatoria;
and 10,000 from Western Bahr el Ghazal to Warab.

3. The GOSS allocated USD 24 million for the return operation,
including the purchase of 134 trucks. The GOSS will transfer the
trucks to a private company to operate, and will lease the trucks
for the return program. GOSS operational costs are estimated to be
USD 6 million to 8 million.

4. The GNU and the GOSS will contribute to the cost of the return
program, including transportation for 115,000 IDPs from Khartoum and
other northern states to Southern Sudan and Southern Kordofan. The
GNU also announced plans for rehabilitation of the railway and river
transport system, as well as a comprehensive assessment of IDPs in
northern states. The GNU reaffirmed its commitments to support way
stations, surveys, registrations, and efforts to improve the
conditions in the areas of return. The UN and its partners have
committed to transportation assistance for 82,000 IDPs and 102,000
refugees, in addition to support for the return process from
departure to arrival. Registration in Khartoum started on November
19, 2006. USAID representatives have noted long queues on some of
the 35 registration stations in IDP camps around Khartoum.

5. Based on current return statistics and findings of the
International Organization for Migration's (IOM) "Survey of
Intentions", undertaken from July to September 2006 in northern
Sudan, planning assumptions include an estimated 325,000 spontaneous
returns - meaning people who return on their own without
participating in formal programs. Overall, the joint plan for
returns includes a total of 625,000 persons for 2007.

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Security Threats Demand Flexibility
-----------------------------------

6. Recent events in Malakal temporarily interrupted IDP return
travel on the Nile. Current insecurity in and around Ed Daein,
South Darfur, halted return travel from Nyala to Northern Bahr el
Ghazal. The DSRSG/RC/HC stressed that these events and the overall
fragility of the peace demand that donors grant maximum flexibility
in the implementation of the return program, including changing
return routes and means of transportation.

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Return Tracking System
----------------------

7. The DSRSG/RC/HC described the current IOM return tracking system
as reasonably accurate for spontaneous returns on the river, but not
on the road. He assured the audience that the joint return plan
includes increased monitoring by the 13 field teams comprising 75

KHARTOUM 00002864 002.2 OF 002

staff now being deployed in arrival areas. Overall field staff
presence will increase four-fold compared to 2005 levels. Seventeen
way stations are functioning; the return plan calls for a total of
25 way stations. Statistics for planned returns are expected to be
accurate and spontaneous return tracking through IOM and partners
will improve. All returnees will receive the same assistance
package, which includes food, supplies, seeds, and tools.
Participants in return programs will receive the package at the
beginning of their journey, while spontaneous returns will receive
the package upon arrival.

8. USAID/Sudan staff in Khartoum and Juba will monitor and report on
improvements in the process for spontaneous returns and the
implementation of this ambitious planned return program.

HUME

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