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Despite progress made in the peace processes of several of Africa's Great Lakes countries, calm continues to elude the region and humanitarian actors are now seeking US $102.32 million to fund their activities in 2005.
Launching the region's Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for 2005 on Thursday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the appeal focuses on the funding of activities that provide a cross-border dynamic and support country-level initiatives in recognition of the regional and complex nature of crises in the Great Lakes.
The CAP is an inter-organisational mechanism for UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and NGOs with a regional presence to identify issues of humanitarian concern and to develop a harmonised response.
On behalf of the agencies, OCHA reported that stakeholders to the Great Lakes Region CAP had identified the existing areas of concern and had planned for new eventualities, and identified strategic priorities in 2005.
"The CAP is not only a mechanism for fund-raising - it is also a strategic tool for the development of projects and programmes for humanitarian action," OCHA said. "As such, not all stakeholders have included project submissions in the appeal, but have, through their participation, committed to work together to meet the needs of affected populations in a coordinated manner."
OCHA said the optimism that characterised the humanitarian outlook for the region at the beginning of 2004 had been tempered by the events during this period.
"Issues of power, nationality and economic interest continue to destabilise peace processes and compound existing humanitarian crises," OCHA said.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
OCHA said despite advancements in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC’s) peace process, the capturing of the eastern town of Bukavu by rebel forces in May and two coup attempts in the capital, Kinshasa, had shown that renewed efforts were required to attain peace.
The CAP 2005 appeal for the DRC, which is separate from the Great Lakes regional appeal, seeks $185.39 million. Of the 18 UN agencies and NGOs seeking this money, the UN World Food Programme is asking for $68.76 million - which represents the largest portion.
The key to the success of humanitarian actions in 2005 would be the flexibility of all parties to respond to emergencies, taking into account the unpredictable environment in which the humanitarian actors operate.
OCHA said humanitarian workers could only work in the troubled zones if their humanitarian identity and their principals - which form the basis of their operations, in particular, independence, impartiality and neutrality - were re-affirmed and recognised by all.
It said the DRC crisis should not be forgotten. In 2005, humanitarian organisations and donors will be engaged in making strategies and innovating mechanisms to offer a more dignified life to the most vulnerable population.
Burundi, Central African Republic
In Burundi, the 13 August massacre of 169 Congolese-Tutsi refugees in a camp on the border with the DRC had dampened progress in the country's peace process, OCHA reported.
"The Gatumba massacre has also raised concern about the possible escalation of regional tensions," it said. "Nevertheless, security improvements and progress made in the peace process have prompted more than 80,000 Burundian refugees to return home as of mid-September 2004, bringing total refugee returns, since 2002, to more than 216,000."
Agencies are asking for $134.17 million for Burundi, $65 million of which (representing the largest chunk) is being sought for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Some $23.26 million is required for activities in the Central African Republic (CAR), the bulk of which will be used to ensure a cushion for the most vulnerable population - some 1.1 million people representing one-third of the population, a vital step in the health, nutritional and education spheres. Of this sum, the UN Children's Fund is seeking the largest amount, which comes to $6.52 million.
[On the Net: Appeals for 2005: www.reliefweb.int]
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