VZCZCXRO1485
PP RUEHBC RUEHBZ RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHKUK RUEHMA
RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNJ #0526/01 3131612
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091612Z NOV 09 ZDK ZUI RUEHMK 2802 SVC. VOL ALL OTHERS
FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7426
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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.
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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.
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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.
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CALENDAR
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NDJAMENA 00000526 002.6 OF 002
11-18 NOV: RefCoord's Embassy Duty Officer Week
NIGRO