 |
USAID/OTI DRC Field Report August 2004
Program Description
 |
The Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) promotes the revitalization of war-torn communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by: increasing the number of war-affected youth who are reintegrated into their host communities; and increasing local, provincial, and national awareness of issues key to the transition process. OTI’s primary mechanism for achieving these objectives is the Synergie d'Education Communautaire et d'Appui à la transition (SE*CA, pronounced “C’est ça!”) program implemented by Chemonics. SE*CA is a community reintegration and revitalization program that incorporates basic life skills and vocational training through its Youth Education and Skills (YES) program; community-driven small grant activities; and the Transition Awareness and Participation (TAP) media program. OTI also supports Fondation Hirondelle in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) to increase the impact of Radio Okapi and to strengthen the professional capacity of indigenous radio stations.
Country Situation
SECURITY
The security situation became more fragile and volatile in eastern DRC due to the most recent massacre in Gatumba, a Congolese refugee camp located in Burundi across the border from Bukavu. This massacre left 160 Congolese Tutsis dead. While the UN Security Council investigates those responsible, Rwanda and Burundi have each threatened to retaliate against the DRC for hiding the alleged attackers. Tensions have further escalated with the escape of 25 Hutu rebel prisoners, who had been implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In response, the DRC Unified National Army increased the number of soldiers deployed along the Ugandan border in Ituri and is awaiting additional reinforcements. In anticipation of likely confrontations between the militias and the Integrated National Army, more than 40,000 people have sought refuge away from Ituri and into Kisore district in Uganda.
DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION (DDR)
In early August, CONADER (Commission National de Dísarmament, Démobilisation et Réinsertion) finalized the implementation plan in support of the national strategy for the reintegration of the ex-combatants (DDR). The National DDR program is scheduled to be launched in the Ituri District on September 1.
ELECTIONS
Members of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) joined together with representatives of political parties to create a platform to facilitate information exchanges between political parties and the IEC. The IEC plans to carry out awareness campaigns on the new constitution and the electoral process in partnership with churches throughout the DRC.
TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
In August, the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie Goma (RCD-G) suspended its participation in the transitional government at the national level and demanded an evaluation of the progress of the transition, particularly regarding matters of defense and security. However, the effect of this decision was greatly diminished because RCD-G local and regional representation was allowed to continue participation and many spoke out against the move. After political pressure and the offer of South African President Thabo Mbeki to mediate if necessary, the RCD-G resumed full participation within the transitional government.
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
SE*CA’s first YES training cycle began this month. From August 16-20, master trainers began training approximately 90 local facilitators in selected communities around Kisangani. The training sessions focused on health and well-being, the first of an eight-module training curriculum. In Bunia and Kindu, teams are visiting sites to prepare communities for the first training. Additionally, after extensive field research using an independent consultant, Chemonics completed the program’s baseline study also putting in place monitoring and evaluation tools to measure program impact. Finally, under the SE*CA program, OTI approved four grants totaling $120,837 bringing the total number of grants approved to 21 and total funds committed in grants to $759,501.
Fondation Hirondelle had an active month which included the arrival of an audio/information technician and an economist to identify the technical and financial implications that will help to assure Radio Okapi’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, Foundation Hirondelle is completing the Listenership and Impact Study initiated in April 2004. The findings will help Radio Okapi improve its overall programming as well as provide reliable information concerning Okapi’s contribution to the DRC’s political and social development.
B. August 2004 Grants Activity Summary
| Increase the number of war-affected youth who are reintegrated into their host communities. |
2 |
$ 97,022 |
10 |
$489,699 |
| Increase local, provincial, and national awareness of issues key to the transition process. |
2 |
$ 23,815 |
11 |
$269,802 |
| Total |
4 |
$120,837 |
21 |
$759,501 |
- Support to PRN Evaluation Mission – The transitional government in the DRC is currently working toward democratic elections in 2005. One of the specific objectives of Radio Okapi is to increase the credibility of the government’s elections mandate by informing and educating the Congolese people on the electoral process. To help achieve this objective, Radio Okapi is working with community radio stations to increase radio transmission to areas currently not receiving Okapi transmission. In addition to the three stations previously identified by Fondation Hirondelle, an evaluation mission identified two additional stations to complete the five-station program. The following locations were identified by Radio Okapi and OTI as viable areas for community radio partnerships: Tshikapa, Ngandajika, Kasongo, Nyunzu and Bandundu. In order to evaluate these community radio stations, ARCO was funded to accompany the mission along with a journalist and a technician to provide Congolese specific information to assist with the final selection.
Dele School Rehabilitation (Ituri) – This grant will increase the linkages among communities living in the village of Dele through the rehabilitation of the primary and secondary school. The community will contribute materials and labor for the rehabilitation of the school. The Inspector for Public Education awarded the Dele school a state license to operate as a public school, entitling it to special services from the state once these services are available in the province. This is a follow on project to the school foundation work done under the CARE/Congo en Action pour la Paix (CAP) small grants program last year. Direct beneficiaries of this grant include 600 pupils and 22 teachers. Indirect beneficiaries include Dele's population of approximately 4,500 persons and neighboring villages comprising 50,000 persons. Workshop for Journalists in Conflict and Post-Conflict Environments – Journalists in the eastern provinces function in conflict-prone environments and regularly receive threats in response to their reporting on the transition. Some threats have actually been carried out as witnessed by the murder of the Director of Radio REHEMA’s brother as well as regular attacks against Radio Maria (both located in Bukavu). To cope with this difficult working environment and ensure that the population continues to have access to information on the political transition, the media in South Kivu requested a workshop to help journalists learn and share techniques for working in a conflict area. This project is a follow-on to the journalist workshop supported by OTI/Burundi earlier this year in which many Kivu journalists participated. Railway Rehabilitation between Kisangani and Ubundu – This project assists in the revitalization of the economic market between the areas of Kisangani and Ubundu. For years, the railway system has been a constraint on the movement of goods and services to and from Kisangani and surrounding areas. Communities along this rail line remained relatively isolated from the rest of the country due to the war, thus fostering further partition of the region between various rebel groups such as the Mayi-Mayi and RCD/Goma. The degradation of the roads and interruption of river traffic for nearly five years has also discouraged the local populations from developing viable trade within Oriental and Maniema provinces. The rehabilitation of the rail line will allow the physical reunification and revival of the socio-economic activities between Kinshasa, Kisangani, Ubundu, Kindu, and south to Lubumbashi. In June, the railroad between Kindu and Lubumbashi reopened after a similar rehabilitation financed by USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). This new project will complete the missing link between Kinshasa and Lubumbashi further reassuring the population that areas are becoming more stable. This project is being implemented in coordination with the National Railway Authority (SNEL), MONUC, World Food Programme (WFP), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA). - Sensitization Campaign on the Transition. Under this grant, Optimum, a Kinshasa-based organization, will disseminate positive messaging about peaceful transition, democratic elections, peaceful cohabitation, reconciliation, and the importance of free, transparent and democratic election. These messages will be translated into the four national languages and will be disseminated through pubic and private radio stations and billboards for a 30 days period. The commercials will target the cities of Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Beni, Bukavu, Mbuji-Mayi, Mbandaka, Kikwit, Moanda, Lubumbashi and Kindu.
- Aru Internet Center. Aru, a town in the north-eastern district of Ituri, has very little access to media and other sources of information. As a result, local knowledge of the political transition occurring in the DRC has been based on rumors and misinformation from many conflicting sources. The installation of an Internet center with support to the Association pour le Développement Communautaire (ADECO-Orientale ONGD/asbl) will allow the community of Aru and its environs access to objective and reliable information about the transitional government and other political developments. The internet center will also assist humanitarian workers and peacemakers to continue their work in the community.
- Le Souverain. The newspaper Le Souverain, produced by the Association pour la Promotion Sociale et Sanitaire (APROSSAN), has been in operation for the last 13 years and is an important source of information for the population of Southern Kivu. However, due to the lack of basic production materials and a lack of trained journalists, the publication of the newspaper is irregu-lar and has tended to result in the dissemination of misinformation. Assistance with additional material resources and training for the newspaper’s staff will increase the availability of reliable and credible information regarding the transitional government and the election processes.
C. Indicator of Success
To support the SE*CA program, the YES training activity embarked upon its second level of training with YES master trainers to prepare community-based local facilitators on the curriculum. This training of trainers’ activity is experiencing a high level of participation not only from the selected participants but also from other interested parties such as local leaders, YES Community Implementation Committee members, health officers from local medical centers and other local stakeholders. In Wanyarukulu, located 56 kilometers outside of Kisangani, the Territory Administrator, who officially opened the training, declared the training a historical event as it was no longer a gathering of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing plunder, rape and pillage, but men and women who volunteered their time to rebuild, reintegrate and catalyze fellow community members. In another community, 24 kilometers outside of Kisangani, the Chef Coutumier (traditional chief), pointed out that SE*CA aided in developing community forums where people could meet and discuss issues and problems without fear of victimization. He encouraged YES participants to protect this opportunity and to spearhead change in their communities. He then volunteered to be a reserve local facilitator in his community and challenged community opinion leaders to lead by example as well. The high participation by community leaders in the trainings was positive as it displayed the interest and importance the authorities and leadership viewed the SE*CA program activities.
D. Program Appraisal
OTI and Chemonics met in Kisangani to work through the detailed implementation plan for the YES training program. A key issue raised was ensuring the continued productive work and motivation of local facilitators. Recognizing this possible constraint in the SE*CA program early on provides us with the flexibility to make the necessary adjustments. Testing both the training curriculum and the corresponding monitoring and evaluation tools for the program is also allowing for necessary adjustments to be made to the program regularly. It is anticipated that any major obstacles will be identified and resolved during this first phase of training scheduled to conclude in January 2005. SE*CA Grants are also picking up momentum; however, delays in procurement remain a constraint. Chemonics is providing the necessary expertise to identify the procurement bottlenecks and finding solutions to ensure the advancement of the program. However, in the case of Kisangani where the extremely low-level of the Congo River is the culprit for its logistical woes, procurement will be made easier when the rainy season begins in mid-September.
Next Steps/Immediate Priorities
- USAID Administrator, Andrew Natsios, and OTI Director, David Taylor, will be visiting the DRC from September 5 to 8.
- OTI is planning various events in support of International Peace Day on September 21. September 21 will also mark the official launching of the Transition Awareness and Participation (TAP) program’s sensitization campaign activities.
- OTI/Washington, DC Program Manager will visit the OTI/DRC program from September 13 to October 2 to assist with office coverage and provide technical assistance.
- The SE*CA training program will begin in Bunia and Kindu next month. Approximately 210 local facilitators and 4,200 community participants will start YES training.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Bronwyn Bruton, OTI Program Manager, e-mail: bbruton@usaid.gov; telephone: (202) 712-0827
|
