New World Bank president approved

The World Bank board on Monday unanimously approved Robert Zoellick to serve as president, The Associated Press reported today. Zoellick will follow Paul Wolfowitz, who was forced to resign due to a conflict of interest concerning a promotion given to Shaha Riza, his girlfriend and a bank employee.

As World Bank president, Zoellick will serve a five-year term in an institution that is struggling to regain the trust of the international community. Zoellick has served under three Republican presidents and, most recently, was as an executive at Goldman Sachs.

“Zoellick must begin a series of reforms in his first 100 days to create a new deal between the bank and the world's poor. We can't continue with business as usual,” said Jeremy Hobbs, the executive director of Oxfam.

The World Bank was created in 1945 and disperses over $20 billion each year to aid in international development and poverty alleviation.

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Agent Orange cleanup a lingering issue for U.S. and Viet Nam

Although Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Washington last week was primarily based on facilitating a bolstered economic partnership with the U.S., the unresolved issue of Agent Orange was also a topic of discourse, Voice of America reported today.

According to a recent scientific study, the area around a former U.S. base in Viet Nam contains toxic levels of dioxin, the poisonous chemical found in Agent Orange. With an estimated three million Vietnamese citizens suffering from dioxin poisoning, Hanoi continues to advance the prospect of a U.S.-funded cleanup initiative.

While the U.S. had previously disregarded calls to provide help on the dioxin issue, recent appropriations have allowed for enhanced cleanup and treatment programs. Although $3 million has been allocated for such initiatives, the total cost of cleanup is thought to be in excess of $200 million.

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Jarai men granted bail in refugee assistance case

Three men accused of human trafficking for assisting Montagnard asylum seekers escape Viet Nam have been granted bail, The Cambodian Daily reported Thursday.

On Wednesday, a provincial judge granted the three Jarai villagers bail, which must now be approved by the prosecutor. The men have been detained since April 23 on allegations of aiding a group of Montagnards escape Viet Nam.

Ny Chandy, attorney for Legal Aid of Cambodia, fears that the accused will face an unjust extension of jail time if the bail ruling is appealed. The maximum sentence for human trafficking is six months in prison.

Extreme dioxin levels remain in Viet Nam

New reports have surfaced concerning high levels of dioxin, the poison found in Agent Orange, at the former U.S. air base in Danang, The Associated Press reported yesterday. According to independent soil testing this spring, the levels of dioxin are, the article says, “300 to 400 times higher than internationally accepted limits.”

Thomas Boivin, the independent scientist conducting the tests remarked, “They’re the highest levels I’ve ever seen in my life. If this site were in the U.S. or Canada, it would require significant studies and immediate cleanup.” Although the most highly contaminated areas are contained in the air base, blood tests of locals in the area have yielded high dioxin levels, especially those who fish or harvest lotus flowers from a nearby lake.

During the war in Viet Nam, the U.S. stored Agent Orange in containers that often leaked when preparing for operations. While the chemical is not absorbed by rice, it remains in animals, especially fish, and soil.

The U.S. Congress has recently set aside $3 million to aid in dioxin cleanup, however, such a package does little to address a full solution, which would cost an estimated $40 million.

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European Commission plans 160 million development package for Viet Nam

A pledge of 160 million Euro has been designated to aid in the implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Plan for Viet Nam, Vietnam Economic Times reported Wednesday.

Tuesday marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Vo Hong Phuc, the Minister of Planning and Investment, and Ambassador Markus Cornaro, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Viet Nam.

Part of a larger 304 million Euro plan, the funds seek to aid in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by 2010, with a key aspect being the continued development of health services for the poorest and most rural regions of Viet Nam.

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For more information on the European Commission Delegation in Viet Nam, click here.

U.S. pushing for poppy eradication by spraying despite potential health problems

As violence continues to escalate in Afghanistan, the United States is pushing for a plan to use an aerial chemical spray on country’s opium-producing poppy fields, IRIN reported last week. President Hamid Karzai is being asked to carry out plans that were previously rejected by his office in 2006.

In 2006, the U.S. posited a plan to spray poppy fields with chemicals. However, the plan was set aside by Karzai due to the likelihood that the chemicals would likely contaminate the water supply. “In rural areas people use stream water for drinking, washing and other purposes. The use of chemicals against poppy fields will contaminate water and that can cause grave consequences for many rural residents,” the Ministry of Public Health argued. “There are also risks of other useful plants being poisoned by the chemicals or farm animals being affected by them.”

Following the reinstitution of the strategy, the U.S. intends to submit new plans which include the use of a ‘safe spray’ that has no side effects. British diplomats are quite skeptical of the aerial spray plans, adding that the U.K. does not support the U.S. proposal.

According to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crimes, Afghanistan produced $3.1 billion in opium in 2006, although very little of that money finds its way back to Afghanistan. Previous projects aimed at stemming the production of opium have included a counter narcotics trust fund to encourage farmers to plant alternative crops.

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Afghan dam workers unable to gain security clearance

With repairs still needed at Kajaki Dam in southern Afghanistan, some 2 million people still have no electricity, RFE/RL reported today. As instability lingers, U.S.-led forces have not been able to secure the area to a level suitable for repair operations. In addition to continued fighting, a recent U.S. aid package limits the distribution of money to only those who show no empathy towards the Taliban.

The Sangin district of Helmand province has been designated to receive a large aid package, however, elders have recently been made aware that the workers will not be allowed to build hospitals and roads, or repair the dam, until locals condemn the objectives of the Taliban.

“In light of the military activities there, we have adjusted our schedules and we have moved forward with the project,” said Abdou Rahmaan, USAID mission director in Afghanistan. “We have identified those aspects of the project where we could begin and continue work, and we are moving forward with them. The schedule that we are working with now does not impact negatively on the overall schedule because we will be moving forward with putting in place routine capabilities to deliver materials and supplies to the campsite. We will be moving forward with the road construction. And the plan is to move forward with the transmission line.”

The goal was to have the dam repaired and producing electricity by early 2008, but with persistent fighting and conditional U.S. aid, such a timeline is not likely. To meet the projected deadline, the workers would have to start in the next two months. The dam is crucial, not only for electricity in Helmand, but also for irrigation and job creation.

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U.S. aid to Afghanistan marked with conditions

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to make the $6.4 billion aid package to Afghanistan conditional despite criticism from the White House, Reuters reported the same day. The aid package will focus on economic and development projects through fiscal year 2010.

The conditions include barring the distribution of aid to areas where Afghan officials are engaged with the drug trade or are sympathetic to the insurgency. The bill would also call for the Bush administration to report twice a year to Congress on the flow of Iranian arms into Afghanistan.

“We cannot allow a resurgence of the Taliban. If we do, al Qaeda will once again be able to use Afghanistan as a state-sponsored launching pad for terror,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (D-Calif.)

The White House responded to the bill, claiming that the conditions set an “unrealistically high bar” and would further harm vital areas in need of assistance.

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Attacks on food aid trucks continue in Afghanistan

Over the past few months, attacks on trucks carrying World Food Programme (WFP) food aid have continued amidst increasing fighting and instability in Afghanistan, IRIN reported last week. As of May 30, twenty attacks have occurred, resulting in the loss of 500 tons of food, which is valued at $350,000. WFP’s Afghanistan representative, Rick Corsino, remarked that “the increasing frequency of these attacks has become a huge concern for us.”

As Taliban insurgents continue to fight coalition forces, attacks on food trucks are increasing tension on existing food ration projects, such as the “Come to School and Take Home Rations” incentive program. In addition to food loss, the cost of food delivery has skyrocketed as a result of the armed attacks. Since last year, delivery costs have increased 25 percent and drivers are increasingly deterred from involvement in the food shipments.

“Insecurity restricts our access to first hand and reliable information needed to be sure of the motives for, and perpetrators of, these attacks,” Corsino said. In a statement concerning the food aid attacks, WFP added that “whatever their motives, they are contributing to the already considerable hardship of the poorest Afghans who need assistance more than ever.” WFP has continued to call on the Afghan government and local communities to discourage such attacks and to hold those responsible accountable.

For the full article, click here.

For information on World Food Programme operations in Afghanistan, click here.

UNICEF seeking increased support for Iraqi children

Forty-two million dollars has been requested by The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in order to aid Iraqi children affected by violence and displacement, UN News Service reported on May 23.

Since the beginning of Iraqi military operations, 15 percent of Iraq’s population have vacated their homes. Of those 4 million people, half are women and children. For the next six months, UNICEF hopes to provide critical relief for the 1.6 million displaced children living in Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

UNICEF put $10 million of its own money into the expansion of Iraqi child relief programs. The campaign is focused on protection, education and nutrition.

The call for donors to fund this endeavor was launched by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, who has recently taken the post of UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children. “For many Iraqi children, the long-term future may be unclear, but their present needs – for education, for health care, for clean water and proper sanitation – are clear and must be met – now.” Queen Rania noted that what the Iraqi children need, above all, is a resolution to the crisis. “That has to be our ultimate hope,” she said.

For the full article, click here.

For more information on UNICEF programs, click here.

Foreign Affairs Committee Approves additional Afghan funding

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs voted to provide development, economic and security funding to Afghanistan for the next three years. The Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act (H.R. 2446), sponsored by Chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), renews a 2002 authorization and will set aside $6.435 billion for 2008-2010.

The bill also includes a requirement that the President to outline a new strategy for reconstruction and security in addition to reporting on performance goals concerning political, economic, development, security and counter-narcotics operations in Afghanistan.

“Nearly five years since the 9-11 attacks, and the subsequent ouster of the Taliban and al-Qaeda from power, the country runs a real risk of falling into the hands of the Taliban again," Lantos said. "We cannot - and will not - let this happen. We have come too far in our efforts in Afghanistan simply to stop cold now. The United States has pledged its commitment to Afghanistan's long-term stability and security. This bill is essential, urgent, and - most importantly - represents a fulfillment of that promise.”

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IDP and refugee crsis in Iraq

The reality of the number of internally displaced people (IDP) in Iraq represents the largest crisis of such magnitude since 1948. The response of the international community, up to this point, has been insufficient to meet the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. There are a total of 2 million IDPs and 2 million Iraqi refugees in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iran. The majority of these refugees have sought refuge in Syria and Jordan despite increasing tension and lack of governmental interest in providing public services.

Despite rhetorical commitments to the refugee crisis, the 700,000-1 million Iraqi refugees in Jordan are refused access to public services on a practical level. While the Iraqi refugees in Syria have had access to public services up until this point, the 800,000 to 1.5 million refugees are starting to create tension within the Syrian government. The Syrians were previously very gracious with their support for the Iraqis as a sign of Arab solidarity, however, this is certain to change as the crisis in Iraq escalates and creates more refugees. The increasing poverty among Iraqi refugees also creates tension due to increased passport requirements by neighboring countries to ensure the ‘visitors’, as the Jordanian government refers to them, do not permanently relocate. Analysts also fear that the increased sectarian violence could, in fact, worsen if heavy arms make their way into factional conflicts. The likelihood of the sectarian violence spreading outside of Iraq is probable, especially if no additional actions are taken. As barriers for IDPs continue to increase and violence increases, the crisis is only exacerbated. Yielding an increase in IDPs and refugees would most likely cause Syria to halt access to public services by Iraqis.

For more information on the Iraqi refugee crisis, visit Refugee International here.

Information on UNHCR missions for Iraqi refugees, click here.

UNRWA Commissioner-General speaks at Wilson Center

Karen Koning AbuZayd, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), spoke at the Wilson Center today on the obstacles faced by refugees in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. UNRWA was created before the inception of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and its sole mandate is to provide for the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees as a result of the continued occupation and ongoing restrictions on movement.

AbuZayd advocated the closing of the gap between words and actions. She highlighted the ideals and values proclaimed by the international community but noted the lack of effective, practical actions taken on behalf of remedying the conditions brought on by 60 years of occupation. Although AbuZayd said there is still a lifetime of work to do, the educational programs in the region have had a significant impact as the Palestinian literacy rate is 92.4 percent, well beyond the Middle Eastern average of 64 percent. Regarding meeting the concerns of the 800,000-plus displaced Palestinians, as well as those living under occupation, she called for a focus on infrastructure development in order to create an environment that fosters peace and good governance.

The goal of UNWRA through its humanitarian assistance is to encourage the international community to change their strategy of isolation and exclusion as a means of creating and ensuring a sustainable peace process. As poverty rates have risen to 80 percent in Gaza, AbuZayd called for the international community to meet the obligations and promises of countless international agreements to ensure compliance with current, agreed upon, human rights conventions.

AbuZayd began her humanitarian career in Sudan in 1981. Since that time, she has served as the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and in various posts at UNHCR.

To view the video of the discussion, click here.

For more information on Mrs. AbuZayd and UNRWA, click here.

New U.N. initiatives to reduce drug trafficking, increase food distribution

Last week, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced a project that, according to the U.N., seeks to “reinforce the ability of the Afghan legal system to bring drug traffickers to justice,” the UN News Service reported on May 14. The completion of a justice support center in Jalalabad allows for all aspects of the anti-trafficking initiative – from processing those arrested to conducting the trials – to be handled under one roof. The need for the center stems from security concerns related to the booking and prosecuting of traffickers in the region.

Aleem Siddique, a spokesperson for the U.N. Assistance Mission (UNAMA), said the new justice support centers “will play a vital role in strengthening Afghanistan’s judicial system and will eventually help to bring to book some of Afghanistan’s biggest drug traffickers, aiming to end impunity and prevent the scourge of narcotics from undermining Afghanistan’s progress.”

UNAMA has also recently announced a food for work program in Kunar, Lahman and Nangarhar provinces which seeks to duplicate the success of school feeding programs in the region that benefited nearly 35,000 students and patients. The World Food Programme (WFP) plans to provide over 520,000 tons of food to over 5.4 million Afghans through the end of 2008.

For the full article, click here.

For more information on UNAMA projects, click here.

For insight into WFP projects in Afghanistan, click here.

Iraqi compromise needed in constitutional review process

As the deadline draws closer, a United Nations special envoy has reiterated its call for consensus among all political blocs in the Iraqi Constitutional Review process in order to prevent divisive coalitions and further deter progress.

“For a successful constitutional review process, all groups will have to come to the table to make compromises, and the process will need to be kept alive until it reaches a conclusion,” Ashraf Qazi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative, said in Baghdad.

One of the goals of the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is to ensure the successful implementation of a federal system within Iraq, creating an environment of collaboration across regional and ethnic divides to ensure that power and oil revenues are distributed fairly.

In a press release, the U.N. mission stated that, “UNAMI believes the constitutional review is an opportunity that should be seized to find an agreement that addresses the concerns and anxieties of all communities, and believes that such solutions exist and urges Iraqis to work together to find them.”

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