Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ROME1982
2002-04-23 06:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 001982
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR A/S/PRM, PRM/P, AF/S AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN AND MCHAMBLISS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND DCHA/OFDA
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER AND KDEBLAW
PRETORIA FOR USDA/FAS HELM
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF PHUM EAGR AORC PREF PHUM WFP UN UNSC EAID WFP UN UNSC
SUBJECT: UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION
REF: (A) ROME 1895
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 001982
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR A/S/PRM, PRM/P, AF/S AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN AND MCHAMBLISS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND DCHA/OFDA
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER AND KDEBLAW
PRETORIA FOR USDA/FAS HELM
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF PHUM EAGR AORC PREF PHUM WFP UN UNSC EAID WFP UN UNSC
SUBJECT: UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION
REF: (A) ROME 1895
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE UN'S INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE (IASC),WHICH
MET IN ROME APRIL 9-10, EXPRESSED ITS CONCERN THAT A NUMBER
OF COUNTRIES WITHIN SOUTHERN AFRICA WILL REQUIRE A
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN 2002. THE
PRESENT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE REGION IS ADJUDGED
THE WORST SINCE 1992. THE IASC EXPRESSED ITS COMMITMENT TO
WORK WITH AFFECTED GOVERNMENTS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS ON
MULTI-SECTORAL ASSESSMENTS OF NEEDS, THE DESIGN OF
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE STRATEGIES AND IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE
COORDINATION OF ALL INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING LOGISTICS
RELATED TO THE DELIVERY OF URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF CARGO. THE
COMMITTEE ALSO CALLED UPON THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR COMMUNITY
TO HELP PREVENT THE CURRENT CRISIS FROM BECOMING A
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
HUMANITARIAN DISASTER AND EMPHASIZED THAT, WITH A PROMPT AND
VIGOROUS RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THIS
CRISIS CAN BE AVERTED. END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. THE UN'S INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE (IASC) IS
COMPRISED OF UN MEMBER AGENCIES: FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (FAO); UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF
HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA); UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP);
UN POPULATION FUND (UNFPA); UN CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF); UN
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR); WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
(WFP); AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). STANDING
INVITEES INCLUDE: INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
(ICRC); INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
(ICVA); INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE RED CROSS AND RED
CRESCENT (IFRC); INTER-ACTION; INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
FOR MIGRATION (IOM); STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMANITARIAN
RESPONSE (SCHR); UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
(UNHCHR); AND THE WORLD BANK).
3. WHILE MEETING IN ROME APRIL 9-10, THE IASC FOCUSED INTER
ALIA ON THE EMERGING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
IT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THIS
REGION WILL REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE IN 2002. THE PRESENT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN
THE REGION IS ADJUDGED THE WORST SINCE 1992. FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO THE PRESENT CRISIS ARE NUMEROUS AND VARY
FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY. THEY INCLUDE: DROUGHT, FLOODS,
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
DISRUPTIONS TO COMMERCIAL FARMING, DEPLETION OF STRATEGIC
GRAIN RESERVES, POOR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, FOREIGN EXCHANGE
SHORTAGES AND DELAYS IN THE TIMELY IMPORTATION OF MAIZE.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE PRICE OF MAIZE HAVE UNDERMINED
ACCESS TO FOOD FOR LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION WITHIN
THE REGION.
4. THE EMERGING CRISIS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE HIGH PREVALENCE
OF HIV/AIDS. INADEQUATE FOOD AVAILABILITY AND CONSUMPTION
PLACES AN EVEN GREATER STRAIN ON THOSE AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS
AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS STRUGGLING TO CARE FOR THEM. HIV/AIDS
INCREASES HOUSEHOLD VULNERABILITY TO FOOD INSECURITY BY
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING WORKING AGE PEOPLE. IT REDUCES
THE AMOUNT AND QUALITY OF LAND CULTIVATED AS WELL AS INCOMES
AND PURCHASING POWER FOR THOSE EMPLOYED IN OTHER SECTORS. IT
ALSO ADDS TO THE DISEASE BURDEN (TUBERCULOSIS, MALARIA AND
OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES) THAT THE POPULATION FACES ALONG
WITH THE FOOD INSECURITY.
-------------- --------------
FAO/WFP JOINT CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSIONS
-------------- --------------
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8410
PAGE 01 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 TEST-00 DRL-02
SAS-00 /005W
-------------- 8A2930 230749Z /38
P 230641Z APR 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3379
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2103
USEU BRUSSELS 2634
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 001982
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR A/S/PRM, PRM/P, AF/S AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN AND MCHAMBLISS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND DCHA/OFDA
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER AND KDEBLAW
PRETORIA FOR USDA/FAS HELM
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF PHUM EAGR AORC PREF PHUM WFP UN UNSC EAID WFP UN UNSC
SUBJECT: UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION
5. ALTHOUGH THE APPROACHING HARVEST SEASON (APRIL-JUNE)
SHOULD PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RELIEF FOR SOME OF THE 2.7 MILLION
PERSONS CURRENTLY AFFECTED, MANY VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS WILL
CONTINUE TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. FOR MANY
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, ASSETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEPLETED
AND COPING STRATEGIES EXHAUSTED. THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION
IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2002 AND INTO EARLY 2003 IS EXPECTED
TO SIGNIFICANTLY WORSEN IN MALAWI, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE.
HOUSEHOLDS IN POCKETS OF LESOTHO, MOZAMBIQUE AND SWAZILAND
ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGES. AMONG THOSE
AFFECTED ARE 125,000 REFUGEES IN MALAWI AND ZAMBIA WHO
DEPEND UPON FOOD AID FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. NOTE: AS PER THE
IASC, THE 117,000 REFUGEES IN ZAMBIA HAVE ONLY RECEIVED HALF
RATIONS DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR DUE TO GAPS IN
RESOURCING. END NOTE.
6. JOINT FAO/WFP ASSESSMENT MISSIONS FOCUSING ON CROP
PRODUCTION, ACCESS TO FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS, SUCH
AS NUTRITION AND HEALTH, ARE PRESENTLY UNDERWAY (APRIL-MAY)
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
IN LESOTHO, MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE, SWAZILAND, ZAMBIA,
MOZAMBIQUE, ANGOLA AND ZIMBABWE - TO QUANTIFY THE DIMENSIONS
OF THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS BOTH WITHIN INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES
AND REGIONALLY. IASC STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING
EARLY WARNING INFORMATION RELATED TO A POSSIBLE EL NINO
"EVENT." IF ANOTHER MAJOR WEATHER PHENOMENON WERE TO OCCUR,
ERRATIC RAINFALL AND OTHER CLIMATIC SHOCKS COULD FURTHER
UNDERMINE CROP PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY.
7. WFP HAS BEEN GIVEN THE LEAD IN CONSULTING WITH AGENCIES
IN THE REGION REGARDING THE CRISIS. FURTHER, IASC DECIDED
THAT THERE WOULD BE A UNITED NATIONS-ORGANIZED MEETING IN
THE REGION IN LATE MAY TO REVIEW THE FINDINGS OF THE FAO/WFP
CROP ASSESSMENT MISSIONS AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE
ISSUANCE OF A UN CONSOLIDATED APPEAL (CAP) FOR THE REGION IS
WARRANTED.
8. FINALLY, IASC REPEATED ITS COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH
AFFECTED GOVERNMENTS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS ON MULTI-SECTORAL
ASSESSMENTS OF NEEDS, THE DESIGN OF APPROPRIATE RESPONSE
STRATEGIES AND IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF ALL
INTERVENTIONS, INCLUDING LOGISTICS, RELATED TO THE DELIVERY
OF URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF CARGO. THE COMMITTEE ALSO CALLED
UPON THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR COMMUNITY TO HELP PREVENT THE
CURRENT CRISIS FROM BECOMING A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. THE
IASC EMPHASIZED THAT, WITH PROMPT RESPONSE FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THIS CRISIS CAN BE AVERTED.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
9. THERE WAS GENERAL IASC-CONSENSUS THAT SOUTHERN AFRICA WAS
BEING IMPACTED BY A MULTI-SECTORAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND
NOT JUST A PROBLEM OF FOOD SHORTAGES. IN ADDITION TO TIMELY
PROVISION OF FOOD, NON-FOOD REQUIREMENTS ALSO NEEDED TO BE
FOCUSED ON. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE UN AGENCIES ARE NOW
SERIOUSLY ENGAGED IN ASSESSING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM,
COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL APPROPRIATE PARTNERS, AND
IMBUED WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY. HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME01982 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR A/S/PRM, PRM/P, AF/S AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN AND MCHAMBLISS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND DCHA/OFDA
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER AND KDEBLAW
PRETORIA FOR USDA/FAS HELM
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF PHUM EAGR AORC PREF PHUM WFP UN UNSC EAID WFP UN UNSC
SUBJECT: UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION
REF: (A) ROME 1895
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE UN'S INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE (IASC),WHICH
MET IN ROME APRIL 9-10, EXPRESSED ITS CONCERN THAT A NUMBER
OF COUNTRIES WITHIN SOUTHERN AFRICA WILL REQUIRE A
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN 2002. THE
PRESENT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN THE REGION IS ADJUDGED
THE WORST SINCE 1992. THE IASC EXPRESSED ITS COMMITMENT TO
WORK WITH AFFECTED GOVERNMENTS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS ON
MULTI-SECTORAL ASSESSMENTS OF NEEDS, THE DESIGN OF
APPROPRIATE RESPONSE STRATEGIES AND IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE
COORDINATION OF ALL INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING LOGISTICS
RELATED TO THE DELIVERY OF URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF CARGO. THE
COMMITTEE ALSO CALLED UPON THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR COMMUNITY
TO HELP PREVENT THE CURRENT CRISIS FROM BECOMING A
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
HUMANITARIAN DISASTER AND EMPHASIZED THAT, WITH A PROMPT AND
VIGOROUS RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THIS
CRISIS CAN BE AVERTED. END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. THE UN'S INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE (IASC) IS
COMPRISED OF UN MEMBER AGENCIES: FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (FAO); UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF
HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA); UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP);
UN POPULATION FUND (UNFPA); UN CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF); UN
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR); WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
(WFP); AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). STANDING
INVITEES INCLUDE: INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
(ICRC); INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
(ICVA); INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE RED CROSS AND RED
CRESCENT (IFRC); INTER-ACTION; INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
FOR MIGRATION (IOM); STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMANITARIAN
RESPONSE (SCHR); UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
(UNHCHR); AND THE WORLD BANK).
3. WHILE MEETING IN ROME APRIL 9-10, THE IASC FOCUSED INTER
ALIA ON THE EMERGING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
IT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THIS
REGION WILL REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE IN 2002. THE PRESENT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION IN
THE REGION IS ADJUDGED THE WORST SINCE 1992. FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO THE PRESENT CRISIS ARE NUMEROUS AND VARY
FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY. THEY INCLUDE: DROUGHT, FLOODS,
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01982 01 OF 02 230747Z
DISRUPTIONS TO COMMERCIAL FARMING, DEPLETION OF STRATEGIC
GRAIN RESERVES, POOR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, FOREIGN EXCHANGE
SHORTAGES AND DELAYS IN THE TIMELY IMPORTATION OF MAIZE.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE PRICE OF MAIZE HAVE UNDERMINED
ACCESS TO FOOD FOR LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION WITHIN
THE REGION.
4. THE EMERGING CRISIS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE HIGH PREVALENCE
OF HIV/AIDS. INADEQUATE FOOD AVAILABILITY AND CONSUMPTION
PLACES AN EVEN GREATER STRAIN ON THOSE AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS
AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS STRUGGLING TO CARE FOR THEM. HIV/AIDS
INCREASES HOUSEHOLD VULNERABILITY TO FOOD INSECURITY BY
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING WORKING AGE PEOPLE. IT REDUCES
THE AMOUNT AND QUALITY OF LAND CULTIVATED AS WELL AS INCOMES
AND PURCHASING POWER FOR THOSE EMPLOYED IN OTHER SECTORS. IT
ALSO ADDS TO THE DISEASE BURDEN (TUBERCULOSIS, MALARIA AND
OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES) THAT THE POPULATION FACES ALONG
WITH THE FOOD INSECURITY.
-------------- --------------
FAO/WFP JOINT CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSIONS
-------------- --------------
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ8410
PAGE 01 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 TEST-00 DRL-02
SAS-00 /005W
-------------- 8A2930 230749Z /38
P 230641Z APR 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3379
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2103
USEU BRUSSELS 2634
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 001982
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR A/S/PRM, PRM/P, AF/S AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN AND MCHAMBLISS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND DCHA/OFDA
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER AND KDEBLAW
PRETORIA FOR USDA/FAS HELM
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF PHUM EAGR AORC PREF PHUM WFP UN UNSC EAID WFP UN UNSC
SUBJECT: UN INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON
GROWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION
5. ALTHOUGH THE APPROACHING HARVEST SEASON (APRIL-JUNE)
SHOULD PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RELIEF FOR SOME OF THE 2.7 MILLION
PERSONS CURRENTLY AFFECTED, MANY VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS WILL
CONTINUE TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. FOR MANY
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, ASSETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEPLETED
AND COPING STRATEGIES EXHAUSTED. THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION
IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2002 AND INTO EARLY 2003 IS EXPECTED
TO SIGNIFICANTLY WORSEN IN MALAWI, ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE.
HOUSEHOLDS IN POCKETS OF LESOTHO, MOZAMBIQUE AND SWAZILAND
ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGES. AMONG THOSE
AFFECTED ARE 125,000 REFUGEES IN MALAWI AND ZAMBIA WHO
DEPEND UPON FOOD AID FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. NOTE: AS PER THE
IASC, THE 117,000 REFUGEES IN ZAMBIA HAVE ONLY RECEIVED HALF
RATIONS DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR DUE TO GAPS IN
RESOURCING. END NOTE.
6. JOINT FAO/WFP ASSESSMENT MISSIONS FOCUSING ON CROP
PRODUCTION, ACCESS TO FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS, SUCH
AS NUTRITION AND HEALTH, ARE PRESENTLY UNDERWAY (APRIL-MAY)
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
IN LESOTHO, MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE, SWAZILAND, ZAMBIA,
MOZAMBIQUE, ANGOLA AND ZIMBABWE - TO QUANTIFY THE DIMENSIONS
OF THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS BOTH WITHIN INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES
AND REGIONALLY. IASC STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING
EARLY WARNING INFORMATION RELATED TO A POSSIBLE EL NINO
"EVENT." IF ANOTHER MAJOR WEATHER PHENOMENON WERE TO OCCUR,
ERRATIC RAINFALL AND OTHER CLIMATIC SHOCKS COULD FURTHER
UNDERMINE CROP PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY.
7. WFP HAS BEEN GIVEN THE LEAD IN CONSULTING WITH AGENCIES
IN THE REGION REGARDING THE CRISIS. FURTHER, IASC DECIDED
THAT THERE WOULD BE A UNITED NATIONS-ORGANIZED MEETING IN
THE REGION IN LATE MAY TO REVIEW THE FINDINGS OF THE FAO/WFP
CROP ASSESSMENT MISSIONS AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE
ISSUANCE OF A UN CONSOLIDATED APPEAL (CAP) FOR THE REGION IS
WARRANTED.
8. FINALLY, IASC REPEATED ITS COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH
AFFECTED GOVERNMENTS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS ON MULTI-SECTORAL
ASSESSMENTS OF NEEDS, THE DESIGN OF APPROPRIATE RESPONSE
STRATEGIES AND IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE COORDINATION OF ALL
INTERVENTIONS, INCLUDING LOGISTICS, RELATED TO THE DELIVERY
OF URGENTLY NEEDED RELIEF CARGO. THE COMMITTEE ALSO CALLED
UPON THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR COMMUNITY TO HELP PREVENT THE
CURRENT CRISIS FROM BECOMING A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. THE
IASC EMPHASIZED THAT, WITH PROMPT RESPONSE FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THIS CRISIS CAN BE AVERTED.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01982 02 OF 02 230747Z
9. THERE WAS GENERAL IASC-CONSENSUS THAT SOUTHERN AFRICA WAS
BEING IMPACTED BY A MULTI-SECTORAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND
NOT JUST A PROBLEM OF FOOD SHORTAGES. IN ADDITION TO TIMELY
PROVISION OF FOOD, NON-FOOD REQUIREMENTS ALSO NEEDED TO BE
FOCUSED ON. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE UN AGENCIES ARE NOW
SERIOUSLY ENGAGED IN ASSESSING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM,
COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH ALL APPROPRIATE PARTNERS, AND
IMBUED WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY. HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME01982 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED