US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1179

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001179 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PRM/AFR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, CG 
SUBJECT: 2004 AMBASSADOR'S FUND FOR REFUGEES 
 
REF: STATE 04483 
 
1. (U) Embassy Kinshasa nominates the following two programs 
for inclusion in the Ambassador's Fund for Refugees: 
 
 
COOPI (Cooperazione Internazionale) 
 
COOPI is a well-established Italian NGO which has been 
providing humanitarian assistance in the DRC since the 
1970's. COOPI's proposal consists of buying medicines 
necessary to provide health care to Congolese refugees 
returning to Equateur Province from The Republic of Congo 
(ROC). The project seeks funding for the area of Libenge, in 
the district of South Ubangi. UNHCR estimates that many of 
the 80,000 Congolese refugees that remain in ROC will start 
repatriation later in 2004. However, there is almost no 
infrastructure in place to receive them. In this context, 
COOPI's project will serve to prepare urgently needed medical 
assistance for returning refugees in a region that has been 
largely ignored by international NGO's. Specific information 
on this project: 
 
- COOPI estimates that this project will benefit up to 4,000 
refugees in the Libenge health area, including 2000 returning 
from the Molange Camp. 
- COOPI is requesting $20,000.00 of which $16,820 will be 
used to buy medicines and other medical supplies. The 
remaining $3,180 will be used for the transport of these 
medical supplies. 
- COOPI already has the health centers and medical personnel 
to provide health care to returning refugees. 
- COOPI estimates that it will take two months to accomplish 
this project. 
 
Doctors in Catastrophe (DOC) 
 
DOC is an international NGO which has provided health care 
assistance to refugees and local Congolese in North/South 
Kivu for many years. DOC's proposal consists of 
rehabilitating the Kalungu Health Center (physical 
infrastructure as well as medical equipment and supplies) 
located 55 Kms from Goma, on the road to Bukavu. The Kivus 
have a substantial number of Rwandan refugees as well as 
internally displaced people in serious need of medical 
assistance. Recent fighting in Bukavu has only aggravated the 
already dire humanitarian situation. This project will seek 
to assist Rwandan refugees that come from the forest prior to 
repatriation to Rwanda. This refugee population is typically 
afflicted by illnesses that reflect their displacement, 
respiratory infections, gastro-enteritis, malaria and 
HIV/AIDS. By providing health care prior to repatriation, 
this project will allow refugees to return to their country 
in a more dignified and stable situation. Specific 
information on this project: 
 
- DOC estimates that up to 18,500 people in the Kalungu 
health area will benefit from this project. 
- DOC is requesting $19,965.00 of which $5,600.00 will be 
used for construction costs, $ 5,400.00 for transport of 
logistics and medical equipment, $2,650.00 for supplies and 
medical equipment, $1,800.00 for an incinerator, $1,800.00 
for diesel for vehicles and a boat and $ 900.00 for other 
miscellaneous costs. 
- DOC will be contributing $25,500.00 to this project and WFP 
will be contributing food. 
- This project is expected to last three months. 
 
HOOKS