Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ROME2629
2002-05-31 07:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
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 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE BOARD SESSION TOOK PLACE AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF EVER-
INCREASING EMERGENCY NEEDS AND HOW BEST TO PROVIDE THE
NECESSARY LEVEL OF RESOURCES TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF
EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR WFP. ON PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ABUSES OF POWER BY UN PERSONNEL IN
HUMANITARIAN CRISES, THE BOARD FELT THAT THE UN IN GENERAL
AND ITS AGENCIES IN PARTICULAR MUST PROMPTLY IMPLEMENT
MEASURES TO PREVENT ABUSES AND EXPLOITATION, HOLD VIOLATORS
ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF UN OPERATIONS. ON
INDIRECT SUPPORT (ISC) COSTS, THE BOARD DECIDED TO KEEP THE
CURRENT 7.8 PERCENT ISC RATE IN PLACE FOR 2002 PENDING
REVIEW AND DECISION BY THE BOARD AT ITS NEXT SESSION IN
OCTOBER 2002. A PLEDGING TARGET OF USD 2.67 BILLION WAS
APPROVED FOR THE 2002-2003 BIENNIUM. FINALLY, THIS MARKED
THE FIRST ANNUAL BOARD FOR THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM
MORRIS WHO RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FOR HIS "HANDS-ON" APPROACH
AND DEEP SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
POOR, ESPECIALLY POOR CHILDREN. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR 2001
-------------- ---
2. THE BOARD APPROVED WFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS'
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2001, FAVORABLY ACKNOWLEDGING WFP
ASSISTANCE TO 77 MILLION PEOPLE IN 82 COUNTRIES.
EXPENDITURES TOTALED USD (U.S. DOLLARS) 1.9 BILLION
(SHIPMENT OF 4.2 MILLION TONS),OF WHICH EMERGENCY AND
RELIEF RELATED OPERATIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 86 PERCENT OF THE
BUDGET. DONOR SUPPORT IN 2001 WAS THE HIGHEST IN WFP'S
HISTORY. THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGED WFP'S KEY ROLE IN AVERTING A
CATASTROPHIC FOOD CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN THIS PAST WINTER.
NOTE: SINCE SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH END APRIL 2002, WFP
DELIVERED NEARLY 350,000 TONS OF FOOD WITHIN AFGHANISTAN, AT
AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE AVERAGING NEARLY 1,500 TONS PER DAY TO
ASSIST SOME 6.6 MILLION PEOPLE. END NOTE.
--------------
SECURITY FOR HUMANITARIAN WORKERS
--------------
3. THE BOARD NOTED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTION 56/255, SECTION VIII, APPROVING THE COST-SHARING
ARRANGEMENT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM, INCLUDING WFP'S FUNDING OF ITS SHARE OF THE OFFICE
OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY (UNSECOORD) COORDINATOR. IT
REQUESTED WFP TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE GOVERNANCE MECHANISM FOR SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN THE UN
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
SYSTEM. NOTE: USDEL LEARNED THAT THE NEW HEAD (ASSISTANT
SECRETARY-GENERAL) OF UNSECOORD WILL BE TUN MYAT, A CAREER
SIPDIS
WFP-OFFICER PRESENTLY UN HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR IN IRAQ.
END NOTE.
-------------- --------------
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE INDIRECT SUPPORT COST (ISC) RATE
-------------- --------------
4. IN 1998, THE BOARD APPROVED THE USE OF A SINGLE INDIRECT
SUPPORT COST (ISC) RATE OF 7.8 PERCENT APPLICABLE FOR ALL
MULTILATERAL AND DIRECTED MULTILATERAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR
WFP'S FOUR PROGRAM CATEGORIES: DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS,
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS (EMOPS),PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY
OPERATIONS (PRROS),AND SPECIAL (SO) OPERATIONS. THIS
PRELIMINARY WFP REVIEW (SUBJECT TO A MORE COMPLETE
ANALYSIS/SCRUTINY BY ITS EXTERNAL AUDITOR BY OCTOBER 2002)
INDICATED AN ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF USD 238.8 MILLION AGAINST
AN ADJUSTED PSA (PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATION) BUDGET
OF USD 239.7 MILLION DURING THE BIENNIUM 2000-2001.
5. THE BOARD DECIDED TO KEEP THE CURRENT 7.8 PERCENT ISC
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2418
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B04 310723Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3980
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2152
USEU BRUSSELS 2668
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
RATE IN PLACE FOR 2002 PENDING REVIEW AND DECISION BY THE
BOARD AT ITS NEXT SESSION IN OCTOBER 2002. IN GENERAL, THE
BOARD FELT THAT A REVIEW OF THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF PSA
COSTS, INCLUDING FIXED AND VARIABLE COSTS AND A COMPARATIVE
LOOK AT ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT BUDGETS OF COMPARABLE UN
ORGANIZATIONS TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE - NEEDS TO BE PURSUED.
NOTE: THE INSISTENCE BY SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS ON THE EXPRESS
NEED FOR A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUPPORT COSTS IN OTHER UN
AGENCIES DIMS THE PROSPECT FOR CONCLUDING THIS ISSUE AT THIS
OCTOBER'S BOARD. END NOTE.
6. WFP WAS TASKED WITH DOING THE NECESSARY ANALYSIS,
INCLUDING FUNDING OPTIONS, AND PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION TO
ITS EXTERNAL AUDITOR (THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S COUR DES
COMPTES) IN ORDER TO OBTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
EXTERNAL AUDITOR AT THE OCTOBER 2002 BOARD MEETING. THE
SECRETARIAT WILL CIRCULATE TO THE BOARD BY THE FIRST WEEK IN
SIPDIS
JUNE AN ANNOTATED OUTLINE OF THE DOCUMENT(S) TO BE SUBMITTED
FOR CONSIDERATION IN OCTOBER 2002. MOREOVER, AN INFORMAL
CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD ON ISC/PSA IS SCHEDULED FOR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
SEPTEMBER.
7. THE ISC DISCUSSION DEMONSTRATED THAT THE MODE OF
CALCULATING INDIRECT SUPPORT COSTS REQUIRES FURTHER
REFINEMENT. THE U.S. POSITION REMAINS THAT WFP'S INDIRECT
SUPPORT COSTS REFLECT A REASONABLE MEASURE OF COSTS WHICH
WOULD USUALLY ACCOMPANY AN ACTIVITY. MOREOVER, THE U.S.
FAVORS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DECLINING MARGINAL COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH DONATIONS I.E., AS THE QUANTITY OF DONATIONS
INCREASE, THERE WOULD BE A DECREASE IN OVERHEAD COSTS ON A
PER UNIT BASIS. ON THE MARGINS OF THE ISC DISCUSSION, IT WAS
APPARENT TO USDEL THAT: (A) THE PRESENT WFP ACCOUNTING
SYSTEM (WINGS) IS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT CAPABLE OF GENERATING
THE DATA TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE RATES; AND (B) THE NEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF MICHAEL
STAYTON ARE SEIZED WITH THE PROBLEM AND COMMITTED TO
SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVING IT. MORRIS RELATED THAT WFP WAS NOW
PRODUCING (AS OF APRIL, 2002 A MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT)
AND THAT HE IS PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO "MINIMIZING OUR FIXED
COSTS" AND KEEPING "CASH BALANCES AT REASONABLE LEVELS."
MORRIS REITERATED THAT: "WE NOW HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO
BETTER IDENTIFY UNUSED PROGRAM FUNDS TO EITHER RETURN TO OR
ASK TO HAVE THEM REPROGRAMMED BY OUR DONORS."
-------------- --------------
CONSOLIDATED FRAMEWORK OF WFP POLICIES: ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING A GOVERNANCE TOOL
-------------- --------------
8. WFP PRESENTED A CONSOLIDATED FRAMEWORK (COMPENDIUM) OF
APPROVED WFP POLICIES WHICH THE BOARD WELCOMED. THE BOARD
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
ASKED THE SECRETARIAT TO MAINTAIN AN UPDATED VERSION OF IT
ON THE WFP WEBSITE, INCORPORATING NEW POLICY DECISIONS AFTER
EACH BOARD SESSION AS APPROPRIATE.
--------------
URBAN FOOD INSECURITY
--------------
9. THE BOARD AGREED THAT WFP FOOD ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY
AND DEVELOPING SETTINGS SHOULD ADDRESS URBAN FOOD SECURITY
WHEN APPROPRIATE. THE BOARD SUGGESTED A SET OF WFP
GUIDELINES TO ASSIST COUNTRY OFFICES IN PROGRAMMING MORE
EFFECTIVELY IN URBAN SETTINGS.
10. THE LARGER PROBLEM FOR WFP IS THAT ITS DEVELOPMENT
PORTFOLIO HAS FALLEN FROM ALMOST USD 1 BILLION A DECADE AGO
TO USD 273 MILLION IN 2001. GERMANY, A SUPPORTER OF
DEVELOPMENT FOOD AID, SUGGESTED FOR 2003, AN INDEPENDENT
EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF WFP'S DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO (WHICH IT
IS WILLING TO PARTIALLY FUND). THE NETHERLANDS VOICED
SUPPORT FOR SUCH A STUDY.
-------------- ---
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2419
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B13 310723Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3981
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2153
USEU BRUSSELS 2669
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION IN
HUMANITARIAN CRISES
-------------- ---
11. A LARGE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTED THAT THE
PROBLEM OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
SITUATIONS NEEDS TO BE DIRECTLY FOCUSED ON BY THE UN IN
GENERAL AND UN AGENCIES IN PARTICULAR. A NUMBER OF DONORS
(LED BY USDEL) INSISTED THAT THE UN HIRE MORE WOMEN
EMPLOYEES FOR UN-LOCAL HIRE JOBS, DEPLOY MORE WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL STAFF AND MAINSTREAM WOMEN'S CONCERNS INTO UN
OPERATIONS. SPECIFICALLY IN WEST AFRICA, IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED
THAT THE INVESTIGATION (PRESENTLY BEING CONDUCTED BY THE
UN'S OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES (OIOS)) NEEDED TO
BE QUICK, OPEN AND THOROUGH IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT THE
PROBLEM HAD BEEN ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED AND JUSTICE DONE.
12. STEPS TAKEN TO DATE BY WFP ARE AS FOLLOWS:
-ALL STAFF, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF
UN RULES AND WFP'S "ZERO-TOLERANCE" POLICY WITH REGARD TO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
SUCH ABUSES OF POWER;
-IN WEST AFRICA, WFP IS RE-DEPLOYING AND RECRUITING STAFF TO
INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN MONITORS;
-WFP IS ASSIGNING MORE INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO MONITOR
ACTIVITIES AND WILL EMPLOY 10 EX-PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS IN
GUINEA;
-MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH NGOS ARE BEING REVISED TO
SET CLEARER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT TO PREVENT ABUSES;
-ALBEIT NO WFP INTERNATIONAL STAFF WERE MENTIONED IN THE
INITIAL REPORT PREPARED BY CONSULTANTS FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN
AND THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, WFP IS
COMMITTED TO "FOLLOWING UP VIGOROUSLY ON ALL ACCUSATIONS."
--------------
WFP PLEDGING TARGET 2003-2004
--------------
13. THE BOARD APPROVED A PLEDGING TARGET OF USD 2.67 BILLION
FOR THE BIENNIUM 2003-2004 (DEVELOPMENT, EMERGENCIES (EMOPS)
AND PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS (PRROS). THE
AMOUNT CORRESPONDS ROUGHLY TO THE 2001-2002 TARGET OF USD
2.6 BILLION AND IS ALREADY CONTAINED IN THE PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED 2002-2005 STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL PLAN. THE UNITED
STATES AGREED WITH THE POSITION ADOPTED BY THE BOARD THAT,
IN GENERAL, "PLEDGING CONFERENCES (INCLUDING THIS ONE
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2002) HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR
USEFULNESS." THE BOARD URGED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO
DECIDE IN FAVOR OF CEASING TO CONVENE PLEDGING CONFERENCES
OF THIS NATURE AT UN HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
--------------
HOUSING ALLOWANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
--------------
14. THE BOARD REVIEWED THE LEVEL OF ALLOWANCES OF THE WFP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DECIDED THAT THE HOUSING ALLOWANCE
SHOULD CONSTITUTE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ACTUAL COSTS OF A
SUITABLE PROPERTY, CURRENTLY SET AT USD 127,000 PER ANNUM,
INCLUSIVE OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES. FURTHER, COSTS SHOULD
BE INDEXED AGAINST THE ITALIAN RETAIL PRICE INDEX AND
REVIEWED AT FIVE-YEAR INTERVALS BY THE BUREAU AND THE BOARD,
BEGINNING WITH THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD IN 2006. THE REVIEW WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MARKET
RATES AND THE ALLOWANCES PAID TO THE OTHER AGENCY HEADS
(FAO, IFAD) IN ROME.
-------------- --------------
OCHA REPORTS ON THE CONSOLIDATED APPEALS (CAP) PROCESS
-------------- --------------
15. THE UN'S OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2420
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B1D 310724Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3982
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2154
USEU BRUSSELS 2670
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, R
OME, MAY 20-23, 2002
AFFAIRS (OCHA) REPRESENTATIVE ROSS MOUNTAIN PROVIDED TO THE
BOARD AN UPDATE ON THE UN'S CAP PROCESS OVER THE PERIOD 1992-
2001. HIS MAIN CONCLUSIONS:
-COHERENCE WITHIN THE HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY IS STRAINED BY
THE NUMBER OF "ACTORS," E.G., THE NUMBER OF NGOS PROVIDING
RELIEF HAS GROWN FROM 938 IN 1972 TO 26,881 IN 1999;
-CRISIS OFTEN MOVE FASTER THAN ORGANIZATIONS' CAPACITY TO
RESPOND;
-ALTHOUGH THE UN HAS RAISED USD 17 BILLION THROUGH CAP
APPEALS OVER THE PAST DECADE, ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IS CHANNELED THROUGH THE UN. IN
2001, 27.8 PERCENT OF OVERALL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WENT
THROUGH THE CAP, WHICH MOUNTAIN CATEGORIZED AS PART OF A
"FALL IN UN MARKET SHARE;"
-THERE IS AN INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES BETWEEN
DIFFERENT CAP COUNTRIES;
-FINALLY, THAT DONORS ARE GENERALLY MORE SUPPORTIVE OF FOOD
ASSISTANCE THAN FUNDING THE NON-FOOD ELEMENTS OF THE CAPS.
NOTE: MOUNTAIN WAS RETICENT TO COMMENT ON THE QUALITATIVE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
ASPECTS OF THE CAP PROCESS AND WHY DONORS IN GENERAL WERE
NOT MORE SUPPORTIVE OF USING UN AGENCIES AS THEIR MAJOR
CONDUIT FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. END NOTE.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
16. THE U.S. CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A HIGH SHARE OF WFP'S
BUDGET (SOME 63 PERCENT IN 2001) AND WFP IS HEAVILY RELIANT
ON THE U.S. TO MEET THE EVER GROWING NUMBER OF HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS WORLDWIDE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT MOST OTHER DONORS ARE
EITHER SATISFIED OR RESIGNED TO MAINTAINING THEIR PRESENT
LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTIONS. FOR 2002, WFP'S SECOND LARGEST
DONOR, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, WILL MODESTLY RAISE ITS
"CORE" SUPPORT TO WFP FROM 90 MILLION EURO (USD 79.2
MILLION) TO 100 MILLION EURO (USD 88 MILLION); CANADA AND
JAPAN HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY SLASHED SUPPORT. THE MAJOR
CHALLENGE OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS, WHO
RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FOR HIS "HANDS-ON" APPROACH AND DEEP
SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY POOR
(ESPECIALLY POOR CHILDREN),IS GOING TO BE GETTING WFP'S
OTHER DONORS TO DO A LOT MORE. THE FIRST "LITMUS" FUNDING
TEST FOR EXPANDED DONOR SUPPORT WILL BE THE FOOD CRISIS IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA, WHICH RECEIVED, ALONG WITH NORTH KOREA,
AFGHANISTAN, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY AND ANGOLA, MAJOR
RESOURCE "BILLING" DURING THE ANNUAL BOARD SESSION.
HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME02629 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE BOARD SESSION TOOK PLACE AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF EVER-
INCREASING EMERGENCY NEEDS AND HOW BEST TO PROVIDE THE
NECESSARY LEVEL OF RESOURCES TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF
EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR WFP. ON PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND OTHER ABUSES OF POWER BY UN PERSONNEL IN
HUMANITARIAN CRISES, THE BOARD FELT THAT THE UN IN GENERAL
AND ITS AGENCIES IN PARTICULAR MUST PROMPTLY IMPLEMENT
MEASURES TO PREVENT ABUSES AND EXPLOITATION, HOLD VIOLATORS
ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF UN OPERATIONS. ON
INDIRECT SUPPORT (ISC) COSTS, THE BOARD DECIDED TO KEEP THE
CURRENT 7.8 PERCENT ISC RATE IN PLACE FOR 2002 PENDING
REVIEW AND DECISION BY THE BOARD AT ITS NEXT SESSION IN
OCTOBER 2002. A PLEDGING TARGET OF USD 2.67 BILLION WAS
APPROVED FOR THE 2002-2003 BIENNIUM. FINALLY, THIS MARKED
THE FIRST ANNUAL BOARD FOR THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM
MORRIS WHO RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FOR HIS "HANDS-ON" APPROACH
AND DEEP SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
POOR, ESPECIALLY POOR CHILDREN. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR 2001
-------------- ---
2. THE BOARD APPROVED WFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS'
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2001, FAVORABLY ACKNOWLEDGING WFP
ASSISTANCE TO 77 MILLION PEOPLE IN 82 COUNTRIES.
EXPENDITURES TOTALED USD (U.S. DOLLARS) 1.9 BILLION
(SHIPMENT OF 4.2 MILLION TONS),OF WHICH EMERGENCY AND
RELIEF RELATED OPERATIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 86 PERCENT OF THE
BUDGET. DONOR SUPPORT IN 2001 WAS THE HIGHEST IN WFP'S
HISTORY. THE BOARD ACKNOWLEDGED WFP'S KEY ROLE IN AVERTING A
CATASTROPHIC FOOD CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN THIS PAST WINTER.
NOTE: SINCE SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH END APRIL 2002, WFP
DELIVERED NEARLY 350,000 TONS OF FOOD WITHIN AFGHANISTAN, AT
AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE AVERAGING NEARLY 1,500 TONS PER DAY TO
ASSIST SOME 6.6 MILLION PEOPLE. END NOTE.
--------------
SECURITY FOR HUMANITARIAN WORKERS
--------------
3. THE BOARD NOTED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTION 56/255, SECTION VIII, APPROVING THE COST-SHARING
ARRANGEMENT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM, INCLUDING WFP'S FUNDING OF ITS SHARE OF THE OFFICE
OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY (UNSECOORD) COORDINATOR. IT
REQUESTED WFP TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THE GOVERNANCE MECHANISM FOR SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN THE UN
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 01 OF 04 310722Z
SYSTEM. NOTE: USDEL LEARNED THAT THE NEW HEAD (ASSISTANT
SECRETARY-GENERAL) OF UNSECOORD WILL BE TUN MYAT, A CAREER
SIPDIS
WFP-OFFICER PRESENTLY UN HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR IN IRAQ.
END NOTE.
-------------- --------------
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE INDIRECT SUPPORT COST (ISC) RATE
-------------- --------------
4. IN 1998, THE BOARD APPROVED THE USE OF A SINGLE INDIRECT
SUPPORT COST (ISC) RATE OF 7.8 PERCENT APPLICABLE FOR ALL
MULTILATERAL AND DIRECTED MULTILATERAL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR
WFP'S FOUR PROGRAM CATEGORIES: DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS,
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS (EMOPS),PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY
OPERATIONS (PRROS),AND SPECIAL (SO) OPERATIONS. THIS
PRELIMINARY WFP REVIEW (SUBJECT TO A MORE COMPLETE
ANALYSIS/SCRUTINY BY ITS EXTERNAL AUDITOR BY OCTOBER 2002)
INDICATED AN ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF USD 238.8 MILLION AGAINST
AN ADJUSTED PSA (PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATION) BUDGET
OF USD 239.7 MILLION DURING THE BIENNIUM 2000-2001.
5. THE BOARD DECIDED TO KEEP THE CURRENT 7.8 PERCENT ISC
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2418
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B04 310723Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3980
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2152
USEU BRUSSELS 2668
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
RATE IN PLACE FOR 2002 PENDING REVIEW AND DECISION BY THE
BOARD AT ITS NEXT SESSION IN OCTOBER 2002. IN GENERAL, THE
BOARD FELT THAT A REVIEW OF THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF PSA
COSTS, INCLUDING FIXED AND VARIABLE COSTS AND A COMPARATIVE
LOOK AT ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT BUDGETS OF COMPARABLE UN
ORGANIZATIONS TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE - NEEDS TO BE PURSUED.
NOTE: THE INSISTENCE BY SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS ON THE EXPRESS
NEED FOR A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SUPPORT COSTS IN OTHER UN
AGENCIES DIMS THE PROSPECT FOR CONCLUDING THIS ISSUE AT THIS
OCTOBER'S BOARD. END NOTE.
6. WFP WAS TASKED WITH DOING THE NECESSARY ANALYSIS,
INCLUDING FUNDING OPTIONS, AND PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION TO
ITS EXTERNAL AUDITOR (THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S COUR DES
COMPTES) IN ORDER TO OBTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
EXTERNAL AUDITOR AT THE OCTOBER 2002 BOARD MEETING. THE
SECRETARIAT WILL CIRCULATE TO THE BOARD BY THE FIRST WEEK IN
SIPDIS
JUNE AN ANNOTATED OUTLINE OF THE DOCUMENT(S) TO BE SUBMITTED
FOR CONSIDERATION IN OCTOBER 2002. MOREOVER, AN INFORMAL
CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD ON ISC/PSA IS SCHEDULED FOR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
SEPTEMBER.
7. THE ISC DISCUSSION DEMONSTRATED THAT THE MODE OF
CALCULATING INDIRECT SUPPORT COSTS REQUIRES FURTHER
REFINEMENT. THE U.S. POSITION REMAINS THAT WFP'S INDIRECT
SUPPORT COSTS REFLECT A REASONABLE MEASURE OF COSTS WHICH
WOULD USUALLY ACCOMPANY AN ACTIVITY. MOREOVER, THE U.S.
FAVORS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DECLINING MARGINAL COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH DONATIONS I.E., AS THE QUANTITY OF DONATIONS
INCREASE, THERE WOULD BE A DECREASE IN OVERHEAD COSTS ON A
PER UNIT BASIS. ON THE MARGINS OF THE ISC DISCUSSION, IT WAS
APPARENT TO USDEL THAT: (A) THE PRESENT WFP ACCOUNTING
SYSTEM (WINGS) IS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT CAPABLE OF GENERATING
THE DATA TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE RATES; AND (B) THE NEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF MICHAEL
STAYTON ARE SEIZED WITH THE PROBLEM AND COMMITTED TO
SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVING IT. MORRIS RELATED THAT WFP WAS NOW
PRODUCING (AS OF APRIL, 2002 A MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT)
AND THAT HE IS PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO "MINIMIZING OUR FIXED
COSTS" AND KEEPING "CASH BALANCES AT REASONABLE LEVELS."
MORRIS REITERATED THAT: "WE NOW HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO
BETTER IDENTIFY UNUSED PROGRAM FUNDS TO EITHER RETURN TO OR
ASK TO HAVE THEM REPROGRAMMED BY OUR DONORS."
-------------- --------------
CONSOLIDATED FRAMEWORK OF WFP POLICIES: ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING A GOVERNANCE TOOL
-------------- --------------
8. WFP PRESENTED A CONSOLIDATED FRAMEWORK (COMPENDIUM) OF
APPROVED WFP POLICIES WHICH THE BOARD WELCOMED. THE BOARD
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 02 OF 04 310722Z
ASKED THE SECRETARIAT TO MAINTAIN AN UPDATED VERSION OF IT
ON THE WFP WEBSITE, INCORPORATING NEW POLICY DECISIONS AFTER
EACH BOARD SESSION AS APPROPRIATE.
--------------
URBAN FOOD INSECURITY
--------------
9. THE BOARD AGREED THAT WFP FOOD ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY
AND DEVELOPING SETTINGS SHOULD ADDRESS URBAN FOOD SECURITY
WHEN APPROPRIATE. THE BOARD SUGGESTED A SET OF WFP
GUIDELINES TO ASSIST COUNTRY OFFICES IN PROGRAMMING MORE
EFFECTIVELY IN URBAN SETTINGS.
10. THE LARGER PROBLEM FOR WFP IS THAT ITS DEVELOPMENT
PORTFOLIO HAS FALLEN FROM ALMOST USD 1 BILLION A DECADE AGO
TO USD 273 MILLION IN 2001. GERMANY, A SUPPORTER OF
DEVELOPMENT FOOD AID, SUGGESTED FOR 2003, AN INDEPENDENT
EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF WFP'S DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO (WHICH IT
IS WILLING TO PARTIALLY FUND). THE NETHERLANDS VOICED
SUPPORT FOR SUCH A STUDY.
-------------- ---
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2419
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B13 310723Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3981
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2153
USEU BRUSSELS 2669
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, ROME, MAY 20-23, 2002
PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION IN
HUMANITARIAN CRISES
-------------- ---
11. A LARGE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTED THAT THE
PROBLEM OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
SITUATIONS NEEDS TO BE DIRECTLY FOCUSED ON BY THE UN IN
GENERAL AND UN AGENCIES IN PARTICULAR. A NUMBER OF DONORS
(LED BY USDEL) INSISTED THAT THE UN HIRE MORE WOMEN
EMPLOYEES FOR UN-LOCAL HIRE JOBS, DEPLOY MORE WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL STAFF AND MAINSTREAM WOMEN'S CONCERNS INTO UN
OPERATIONS. SPECIFICALLY IN WEST AFRICA, IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED
THAT THE INVESTIGATION (PRESENTLY BEING CONDUCTED BY THE
UN'S OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES (OIOS)) NEEDED TO
BE QUICK, OPEN AND THOROUGH IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT THE
PROBLEM HAD BEEN ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED AND JUSTICE DONE.
12. STEPS TAKEN TO DATE BY WFP ARE AS FOLLOWS:
-ALL STAFF, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF
UN RULES AND WFP'S "ZERO-TOLERANCE" POLICY WITH REGARD TO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
SUCH ABUSES OF POWER;
-IN WEST AFRICA, WFP IS RE-DEPLOYING AND RECRUITING STAFF TO
INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN MONITORS;
-WFP IS ASSIGNING MORE INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO MONITOR
ACTIVITIES AND WILL EMPLOY 10 EX-PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS IN
GUINEA;
-MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH NGOS ARE BEING REVISED TO
SET CLEARER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT TO PREVENT ABUSES;
-ALBEIT NO WFP INTERNATIONAL STAFF WERE MENTIONED IN THE
INITIAL REPORT PREPARED BY CONSULTANTS FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN
AND THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, WFP IS
COMMITTED TO "FOLLOWING UP VIGOROUSLY ON ALL ACCUSATIONS."
--------------
WFP PLEDGING TARGET 2003-2004
--------------
13. THE BOARD APPROVED A PLEDGING TARGET OF USD 2.67 BILLION
FOR THE BIENNIUM 2003-2004 (DEVELOPMENT, EMERGENCIES (EMOPS)
AND PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS (PRROS). THE
AMOUNT CORRESPONDS ROUGHLY TO THE 2001-2002 TARGET OF USD
2.6 BILLION AND IS ALREADY CONTAINED IN THE PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED 2002-2005 STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL PLAN. THE UNITED
STATES AGREED WITH THE POSITION ADOPTED BY THE BOARD THAT,
IN GENERAL, "PLEDGING CONFERENCES (INCLUDING THIS ONE
SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2002) HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR
USEFULNESS." THE BOARD URGED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO
DECIDE IN FAVOR OF CEASING TO CONVENE PLEDGING CONFERENCES
OF THIS NATURE AT UN HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 02629 03 OF 04 310723Z
--------------
HOUSING ALLOWANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
--------------
14. THE BOARD REVIEWED THE LEVEL OF ALLOWANCES OF THE WFP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DECIDED THAT THE HOUSING ALLOWANCE
SHOULD CONSTITUTE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ACTUAL COSTS OF A
SUITABLE PROPERTY, CURRENTLY SET AT USD 127,000 PER ANNUM,
INCLUSIVE OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES. FURTHER, COSTS SHOULD
BE INDEXED AGAINST THE ITALIAN RETAIL PRICE INDEX AND
REVIEWED AT FIVE-YEAR INTERVALS BY THE BUREAU AND THE BOARD,
BEGINNING WITH THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD IN 2006. THE REVIEW WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MARKET
RATES AND THE ALLOWANCES PAID TO THE OTHER AGENCY HEADS
(FAO, IFAD) IN ROME.
-------------- --------------
OCHA REPORTS ON THE CONSOLIDATED APPEALS (CAP) PROCESS
-------------- --------------
15. THE UN'S OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ2420
PAGE 01 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-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 OMB-01 TEST-00 SAS-00
/004W
-------------- B61B1D 310724Z /38
P 310754Z MAY 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3982
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2154
USEU BRUSSELS 2670
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 002629
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR AS/PRM, PRM/P, EUR/WE, EUR/NE AND IO/D
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, BHR/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC
USDA/FAS/FOR CHAMBLISS/TILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
BRUSSELS FOR KFULLER
USUN FOR LSHESTACK
NSC FOR JDWOKEN
OMB FOR TSTOLL
PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: ANNUAL SESSION OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE
BOARD, R
OME, MAY 20-23, 2002
AFFAIRS (OCHA) REPRESENTATIVE ROSS MOUNTAIN PROVIDED TO THE
BOARD AN UPDATE ON THE UN'S CAP PROCESS OVER THE PERIOD 1992-
2001. HIS MAIN CONCLUSIONS:
-COHERENCE WITHIN THE HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY IS STRAINED BY
THE NUMBER OF "ACTORS," E.G., THE NUMBER OF NGOS PROVIDING
RELIEF HAS GROWN FROM 938 IN 1972 TO 26,881 IN 1999;
-CRISIS OFTEN MOVE FASTER THAN ORGANIZATIONS' CAPACITY TO
RESPOND;
-ALTHOUGH THE UN HAS RAISED USD 17 BILLION THROUGH CAP
APPEALS OVER THE PAST DECADE, ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IS CHANNELED THROUGH THE UN. IN
2001, 27.8 PERCENT OF OVERALL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE WENT
THROUGH THE CAP, WHICH MOUNTAIN CATEGORIZED AS PART OF A
"FALL IN UN MARKET SHARE;"
-THERE IS AN INEQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES BETWEEN
DIFFERENT CAP COUNTRIES;
-FINALLY, THAT DONORS ARE GENERALLY MORE SUPPORTIVE OF FOOD
ASSISTANCE THAN FUNDING THE NON-FOOD ELEMENTS OF THE CAPS.
NOTE: MOUNTAIN WAS RETICENT TO COMMENT ON THE QUALITATIVE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 02629 04 OF 04 310723Z
ASPECTS OF THE CAP PROCESS AND WHY DONORS IN GENERAL WERE
NOT MORE SUPPORTIVE OF USING UN AGENCIES AS THEIR MAJOR
CONDUIT FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. END NOTE.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
16. THE U.S. CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A HIGH SHARE OF WFP'S
BUDGET (SOME 63 PERCENT IN 2001) AND WFP IS HEAVILY RELIANT
ON THE U.S. TO MEET THE EVER GROWING NUMBER OF HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS WORLDWIDE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT MOST OTHER DONORS ARE
EITHER SATISFIED OR RESIGNED TO MAINTAINING THEIR PRESENT
LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTIONS. FOR 2002, WFP'S SECOND LARGEST
DONOR, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, WILL MODESTLY RAISE ITS
"CORE" SUPPORT TO WFP FROM 90 MILLION EURO (USD 79.2
MILLION) TO 100 MILLION EURO (USD 88 MILLION); CANADA AND
JAPAN HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY SLASHED SUPPORT. THE MAJOR
CHALLENGE OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM MORRIS, WHO
RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FOR HIS "HANDS-ON" APPROACH AND DEEP
SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY POOR
(ESPECIALLY POOR CHILDREN),IS GOING TO BE GETTING WFP'S
OTHER DONORS TO DO A LOT MORE. THE FIRST "LITMUS" FUNDING
TEST FOR EXPANDED DONOR SUPPORT WILL BE THE FOOD CRISIS IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA, WHICH RECEIVED, ALONG WITH NORTH KOREA,
AFGHANISTAN, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY AND ANGOLA, MAJOR
RESOURCE "BILLING" DURING THE ANNUAL BOARD SESSION.
HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME02629 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED