R 141355Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8602
INFO RWANDA COLLECTIVE
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION UN ROME
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
NSC WASHDC
SECDEF WASHDC
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000881 
 
 
AIDAC 
 
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA- KLUU, ACONVERY, KCHANNELL, MSHIRLEY 
AID/W FOR DCHA/FFP- TANDERSON, NCOX, TMCRAE 
AID/W FOR DCHA/OTI- RJENKINS, KHUBER 
AID/W FOR AFR- KALMQUIST, JWOOD, CTHOMPSON 
NAIROBI FOR USAID/OFDA/ARO- JMYER, ADWYER 
NAIROBI FOR USAID/FFP- DSUTHER 
ROME FOR USUN FODAG- RNEWBERG 
GENEVA FOR NYKLOH 
NSC FOR PMARCHAM 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER 
NEW YORK FOR TMALY 
USMISSION UN ROME FOR RNEWBERG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREF CG
SUBJECT: Democratic Republic of Congo -- FY 2009 Disaster 
Declaration 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  Fighting between government forces and armed groups 
controlling territory in rural areas in Orientale, North Kivu and 
South Kivu Provinces resulted in additional population displacements 
in FY 2008, with most of those displaced expected to be unable to 
return to their homes for much of FY 2009.  The government of the 
country has helped establish commissions to work to restore peace 
and provide assistance to displaced populations, but humanitarian 
needs greatly exceed its capacity to respond and may well increase. 
The Charge d'Affaires has determined that the ongoing emergency is 
of sufficient magnitude to warrant continued U.S. Government (USG) 
emergency response assistance in FY 2009.  The Government of the DRC 
(GDRC) appreciates USG humanitarian assistance and will continue to 
welcome USG contributions.  As it continues to be in the interests 
of the USG to provide such assistance, the Charge d'Affaires 
re-declares a disaster in the DRC for FY 2009 and requests continued 
funding from USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). 
End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Though much of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 
remained calm in FY 2008, ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces 
of Orientale, North Kivu and South Kivu resulted in an increase in 
population displacement and a significant worsening of the 
humanitarian situation in some areas.  In the southern part of North 
Kivu alone, fighting between government forces and troops loyal to 
renegade General Laurent Nkunda caused the displacement of over 
500,000 additional persons, few of whom have yet been able to return 
to their homes.  The conflict has directly affected the northernmost 
parts of South Kivu and may be fueling a smaller but similar 
insurrection in South Kivu's High Plateau area.  In Ituri, the one 
remaining active militia group grew stronger rather than weaker and, 
profiting from the need by the government and MONUC to shift 
considerable numbers of troops from Ituri to North Kivu to respond 
to the more acute crisis there, began expanding the territory it 
controls, causing renewed instability. 
 
¶3. (U) As a consequence of the increased turmoil in North Kivu, 
USAID/OFDA was obliged in FY 2008 to reverse an earlier decision to 
complete its withdrawal from the financing of primary health care 
services and to instead begin funding new health projects targeting 
displaced populations and host communities in that province.  To the 
extent possible given the degree of insecurity, USAID/OFDA also 
financed several International Non-Governmental Organizations 
(INGOs) to implement projects designed to increase the level of food 
security for affected populations and to ensure their access to safe 
water and acceptable sanitation facilities.  Finally, USAID/OFDA 
facilitated the overall humanitarian response by continuing its 
subsidy of air transportation for humanitarian goods and personnel. 
 
¶4. (U) As FY 2009 begins, few observers are optimistic with regards 
to the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the various disputes 
anytime in the immediate future.  Peace agreements signed in January 
2008 have been flagrantly violated, and political discourse is 
increasingly belligerent.  While even current humanitarian 
assistance requirements far exceed the GDRC response capacity, most 
humanitarian workers are predicting an increase in instability and a 
corresponding substantial increase in humanitarian needs in the 
coming months.  The possibility that instability will reach densely 
populated areas such as Rutshuru, and rapidly doubling or tripling 
response requirements, remains high. 
 
¶5. (U) In January 2008, the GDRC sponsored a large peace conference 
in Goma to try to bring about an end to the conflict and to organize 
the facilitation of return of IDPs to their home communities. 
During the year, it jointly worked with MONUC and rebel 
representatives to establish commissions tasked with implementing 
decisions of the conference.  Though these efforts have yet to 
produce much improvement in the humanitarian situation, the GDRC 
continues to support the commissions and continues to invite 
contributions and participation from the international community. 
 
¶6. (U) Disaster assistance funding is needed to respond to the 
immediate needs of newly displaced persons, returnees, and other 
war-affected and vulnerable individuals in FY 2009.  A continuation 
of humanitarian assistance is in the USG's interest as a means of 
supporting DRC's transition to peace and democracy and promoting 
greater regional stability.  A withdrawal of USG humanitarian 
assistance would signal a decline in support to national and 
regional peace and transition processes, and would leave critical 
gaps in life-saving humanitarian activities. 
 
¶7. (U) The Charge d'Affaires has determined that the complex 
humanitarian emergency in the DRC brought about by the 1998-2003 
conflict and its aftermath continues to be of significant magnitude 
to warrant USG assistance.  A disaster for 2009 is thus formally 
re-declared and a request made for a continuation of USAID/OFDA 
emergency response assistance. Post will make more specific 
recommendations in future communications. 
 
Brock