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INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0679
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3122
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000182 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR IO, PRM, AFR; USAID FOR DCHA; GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, 
ROME FOR HSPANOS, BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREF UNSC KE
SUBJECT: U.N. U/SYG HOLMES BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON 
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN KENYA 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY.  On February 25 Under Secretary General for 
Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes briefed the Security Council 
on his recent mission to Kenya and cautioned that the current 
situation is evolving into a  protracted humanitarian crisis. 
 Holmes stressed the need to address the root causes of the 
violence and deep-seated ethnic grievances.  Following 
Holmes' briefing, members met in closed session.  They 
thanked Holmes for his work and praised the ongoing mediation 
efforts led by Kofi Annan.  None disagreed with Holmes' 
analysis that the risk of a return to violence is increasing 
as the stalemate over the political negotiations continues. 
Council members also called upon both sides to put the 
interests of the country first.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--CURRENT SITUATION-- 
 
¶2.  Holmes' stated objectives of the mission were to reaffirm 
the U.N.'s support for the Kenyan people and to assess the 
humanitarian situation on the ground.  He summarized the 
humanitarian impact of the post-election violence: 1,000 
people dead, 12,000 Kenyan refugees in Uganda, at least 
300,000 displaced, and an estimated 500,000 in need of 
emergency assistance.  Holmes reported that most of the basic 
humanitarian needs in the displacement camps and sites are 
being met and commended the Kenyan Red Cross Society (KRCS), 
which has led the response.  Holmes stressed that 
international efforts have been supporting and complementing 
Kenya's national response capacity.  However, Holmes 
cautioned that the capacity of the KRCS to respond in the 
medium and longer-term is limited and may not be sustainable. 
 The KRCS will need international support to continue to meet 
humanitarian needs in a protracted crisis situation. 
 
¶3.  According to Holmes, heightened ethnic awareness and 
fears have permeated the country and are fueling 
polarization.  As a result, the current displacement crisis 
will remain even if a political agreement is reached.  Holmes 
referred to the post- election violence and resulting 
humanitarian emergency as an "unexpected crisis", but then 
asked whether it should have been anticipated.  He stated 
that long-standing grievances over land, poverty, and 
economic inequalities must be addressed, and that political 
manipulation of land and tribal issues must be prevented 
through constitutional and electoral reform.  Holmes 
repeatedly stressed the need to hold those responsible for 
the violence accountable. 
 
¶4.  Holmes also noted the regional implications of crisis due 
to Kenya's role as East Africa's main transport hub.  He 
underscored that more than 80 percent of Uganda's total 
imports for 2007, and all of Rwanda's exports, passed through 
Mombassa.  Countries throughout the region, as well as 
related humanitarian operations, are dependent on Kenya's 
ports. 
 
--NEXT STEPS-- 
 
¶5.  Holmes reported that the U.N's Emergency Humanitarian 
Response Plan is currently 60 percent funded, and will be 
revised in the coming weeks to respond to the protracted 
crisis.  The U.N. is planning a year ahead and working on 
action and contingency plans with KRCS.  Holmes stated that 
the U.N. will also consider reorienting development programs 
to address the country's underlying social and economic 
inequalities. 
 
¶6.  Holmes stressed that without a quick resolution to the 
political crisis, "the risk of a fresh surge in violence, 
more displacement and further polarization of society is very 
high. The humanitarian consequences of this could dwarf 
anything we have seen so far."  He urged continued support 
from the international community for solutions to both the 
short-term political problems and the long-term issues. 
 
--SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONSE-- 
 
¶7.  South Africa and Burkina Faso both stressed the threat to 
the region if  Kenya falls apart.  Burkina Faso cited the 
fundamental role of African Union countries in resolving the 
crisis.  Italy voiced support for the principle of African 
ownership in resolving the crisis.  The fragility of the 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000182  002 OF 002 
 
 
current situation and the  importance of holding those 
responsible for the violence accountable were echoed by 
several members.  France went further by suggesting that an 
international commission might be needed if accountability is 
not a priority. Costa Rica noted that peace cannot be built 
without first addressing the issues of justice, and cautioned 
against adding Kenya to the long list of countries  requiring 
international peacekeepers.  Belgium called on the Security 
Council to give a sign of encouragement to both parties in an 
effort to hasten a political  resolution.  Belgium also noted 
that in-depth reforms are needed.   Several members 
underscored the importance of the U.N. remaining active in 
supporting a political solution. 
 
¶8.  Applauding actions undertaken to address the needs of the 
displaced, USUN called upon the Kenyan Government to 
intensify cooperation in the  humanitarian response. 
Political Minister Counsellor reiterated the importance of 
real  power sharing, not just the illusion.  Reaffirming 
support for Annan's efforts,  he also commended the 
international humanitarian response as well as the work of 
the KRCS and the Kenyan people. 
KHALILZAD