MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 005132 SIPDIS FROM FODAG USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID WFP WFP WFP WFP WFP UN SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS REF: (A) ANTANANARIVO 01553 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. FODAG PROJECT BUDGET SPECIALIST VISITED MADAGASCAR SEPTEMBER 17-27 AND TRAVELED TO DROUGHT- AND CYCLONE- AFFECTED AREAS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE COUNTRY. ASSESSMENTS OF THESE AREAS, AND MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF MADAGASCAR (GOM),THE DONOR COMMUNITY, THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) AND NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS),REVEAL BOTH PROGRESS IN THE EFFORTS TO AVERT AN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND CHALLENGES TO COMBAT POCKETS OF FOOD INSECURITY AROUND THE COUNTRY. WEAK INFRASTRUCTURE AND SCARCE RESOURCES RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THE GOM, UN AGENCIES, DONORS AND NGOS TO DELIVER FOOD AID AND TO PROVIDE MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS TRAINING TO DISASTER-PRONE COMMUNITIES. -------------- OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. FODAG PROJECT BUDGET SPECIALIST JOHN BROOKS TRAVELED TO MADAGASCAR SEPTEMBER 17-27, 2002, TO REVIEW WFP'S FIELD OPERATIONS AND ASSESS THE EFFORTS OF THE U.N. TOWARDS STRENGTHENING THE GOM'S MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS STRATEGY UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 05132 01 OF 05 220709Z FOR DEALING WITH RECURRING NATURAL DISASTERS. ¶3. BROOKS VISITED DROUGHT- AND CYCLONE-AFFECTED REGIONS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE COUNTRY ALONG WITH USAID MADAGASCAR'S DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM SPECIALIST MONIQUE SEE AND WFP MADAGASCAR'S DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR MICHEL LAGUESSE. BROOKS ALSO MET WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR OF TOAMASINA, EMILE TSIZARAINA, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U.N. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP),THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP), EUROPEAN UNION (EU),THE NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE (CNS),THE WORLD BANK'S FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM (SEECALINE), THE WORLD BANK, CARE INTERNATIONAL, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS),AND THE ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT RELIEF AGENCY (ADRA). -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶4. MADAGASCAR IS THE WORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST ISLAND AND ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. THREE OUT OF FOUR MALAGASY HOUSEHOLDS FALL BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. THE COUNTRY IS DIVIDED INTO SIX REGIONAL PROVINCES, WHICH ARE FURTHER DIVIDED INTO ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN DISTRICTS. EACH PROVINCE IS LEAD BY A REGIONAL GOVERNOR APPOINTED BY THE PRIME MINISTER. MADAGASCAR REGULARLY EXPERIENCES NATURAL DISASTERS, SPECIFICALLY DROUGHTS, CYCLONES AND LOCUSTS. DROUGHTS ARE A HAZARD OF THE SOUTH, WHERE THEY LEAD TO THE STRUGGLE TO HARVEST WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, CROPS AND LIVESTOCK. CYCLONES CAN STRIKE THE ISLAND FROM ANY COAST, BUT PRIMARILY INFLICT DAMAGE ALONG THE COUNTRY'S EAST COAST, UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 05132 01 OF 05 220709Z WHERE THEY DESTROY HOMES AND CROPS AND FURTHER ERODE THE COUNTRY'S ALREADY CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE. LOCUSTS TRADITIONALLY ATTACK CROPS IN THE SOUTH BEFORE SPREADING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAND, PARTICULARLY THE WEST AND CENTRAL REGIONS. ¶5. MADAGASCAR HAS 9KM OF PAVED ROAD AND 60KM OF DIRT ROADS FOR EVERY 100 SQUARE KM. DURING THE RAINY SEASON, ENTIRE REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY BECOME INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE OF POOR ROAD CONDITIONS. MADAGASCAR IS EMERGING FROM A POLITICAL CRISIS THAT LEFT ROADS AND PORTS BLOCKED AND NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS PARALYZED (REFTEL). TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, CYCLONE KESINY STRUCK THE ISLAND DURING THE MIDST OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS, MAKING AN ALREADY TENUOUS SITUATION - IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTING FOOD AID - WORSE. ¶6. WFP MADAGASCAR TARGETS SOME 1,519,972 BENEFICIARIES. OF THIS AMOUNT, 815,397 ARE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT RECIPIENTS, 555,000 ARE DISASTER PRONE, AND 149,575 ARE CHILDREN INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM. ¶7. WFP MADAGASCAR'S FOOD REQUIREMENTS TOTAL OVER 33,000 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1009 PAGE 01 ROME 05132 02 OF 05 220709Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 COME-00 CTME-00 USNW-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 TEDE-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 ACE-00 IRM-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /009W -------------- FC0992 220709Z /38 P 220623Z OCT 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC 6452 INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA USEU BRUSSELS 2856 EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 005132 SIPDIS FROM FODAG USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID WFP WFP WFP WFP WFP UN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 05132 02 OF 05 220709Z SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS METRIC TONS (MT). FROM THIS AMOUNT, 18,820 MT TARGET NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT RECIPIENTS, 8,700 MT BENEFIT THE DISASTER-PRONE POPULATION AND 3,450 MT SUPPORT CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL FEELING PROGRAM. ¶8. WFP MADAGASCAR EMPLOYS NEARLY 20 UNITED NATION'S VOLUNTEERS (UNVS)AND FIELD MONITORS TO OVERSEE ITS OPERATIONS. -------------- WFP WAREHOUSING -------------- ¶9. MISSION VISITED WFP WAREHOUSES AND TRANSITIONAL STORAGE SPACES IN THE AREA AROUND FORT-DAUPHIN IN THE SOUTHEAST AND IN TAMATAVE IN EAST CENTRAL MADAGASCAR. ROUGH TERRAIN AND TIME CONSTRAINTS PREVENTED A VISIT TO TULEAR. ¶10. WFP RECEIVES COMMODITIES FROM TWO PRIMARY PORTS: TAMATAVE IN EAST CENTRAL MADAGASCAR; AND TULEAR IN THE SOUTHWEST. THE PORT AT TAMATAVE IS THE LARGEST AND MOST ACTIVE. DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS, FACTIONS LOYAL TO THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION CONTROLLED THIS PORT AND EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED THE RECEIPT AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHIPPED COMMODITIES (REFTEL). ¶11. AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, WFP'S FACILITIES WERE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 05132 02 OF 05 220709Z STOCKED WITH RICE, CORN SOY BLEND, AND BEANS FROM VARIOUS DONORS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (USG),THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN (GOJ) AND GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK (GOD). ¶12. COMMENT: IN ADDITION TO USAID/MADAGASCAR AND WFP/MADAGASCAR STAFF, MISSION WAS ACCOMPANIED ON A TOUR OF THE TAMATIVE WAREHOUSE BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM CARE AND ADRA. THE ADRA REPRESENTATIVE EXPRESSED GREAT SURPRISE AT THE AMOUNT OF WFP COMMODITIES CURRENTLY WAREHOUSED. HE UNDERSTOOD THAT WFP WAS AWAITING THE DELIVERY OF COMMODITIES RELATED TO AN UPCOMING EMERGENCY APPEAL (EMOP) AND THAT HE COULD NOT REQUEST COMMODITIES UNTIL THAT TIME BECAUSE NONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THIS POINTS TO A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF WFP'S OPERATIONAL METHODS AND POOR INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN WFP AND AN IMPLEMENTING PARTNER. ¶13. MISSION OBSERVED THE THEFT OF WFP COMMODITIES WHILE TOURING THE TAMATAVE PORT STORAGE FACILITY. WFP LOGISTICS STAFF WAS PRESENT AND CONFIRMED THAT THEFT IS A PROBLEM AT THE FACILITY AND CONFIRMED WFP'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THE WAREHOUSE MANAGER. MISSION LATER LEARNED FROM ANOTHER WFP LOGISTICS OFFICER THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF WFP COMMODITIES ARE CONTAINERIZED, AND ARE THEREFORE THEFT RESISTANT. APPARENTLY, IT WAS JUST THIS MOST RECENT SHIPMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN THAT WAS NOT CONTAINERIZED. ¶14. MINOR COMMODITY LOSS DUE TO RODENT INFESTATION AND WATER DAMAGE WERE OBSERVED. THE ROOF ON ONE WFP-UTILIZED WAREHOUSE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED DURING MISSION'S VISIT. END COMMENT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 05132 02 OF 05 220709Z -------------- WFP AND FOOD FOR WORK -------------- ¶15. MISSION VISITED WFP-SUPPORTED FOOD FOR WORK (FFW) PROJECTS INVOLVING WATER HARVESTING (I.E., WATER COLLECTING SITES AND WELLS),ROAD REHABILITATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION. ¶16. WFP COMMODITIES WERE SUPPORTING TWO DISTINCTIVE WATER- HARVESTING SITES. THE FIRST SITE PROVIDES COMMODITIES TO WORKERS WHO HAVE DUG A WELL SOME FIFTY FEET INTO THE EARTH. HARVESTERS RETRIEVED WATER FROM THIS WELL BY EITHER DESCENDING A SERIES OF STEPS CARVED OUT OF THE EARTH OR THROUGH A PATH CUT THROUGH THE EARTH AND LEADING DOWN INTO THE WELL. EITHER ENTRY POINT REPRESENTED AN IMPROVEMENT OVER PREVIOUS WELLS DUG WITHOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OF WFP. IN THE OLDER WELLS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FACED STEEP AND OFTEN PERILOUS INCLINES LEADING TO THE WATER BELOW. ¶17. THE SECOND WATER-HARVESTING SITE MISSION VISITED REQUIRED HARVESTERS TO CARVE POCKETS OR CAVITIES INTO THE ROCKY COUNTRYSIDE. EACH CAVITY MEASURED ABOUT A FOOT OR TWO UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1011 PAGE 01 ROME 05132 03 OF 05 220709Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 COME-00 CTME-00 USNW-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 TEDE-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 ACE-00 IRM-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /009W -------------- FC099A 220709Z /38 P 220623Z OCT 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC 6453 INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA USEU BRUSSELS 2857 EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 005132 SIPDIS FROM FODAG USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID WFP WFP WFP WFP WFP UN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 05132 03 OF 05 220709Z SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS DEEP AND ONE FOOT ACROSS. INTO THESE CAVITIES RAINWATER WOULD COLLECT. UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS WELL THAT WAS VISITED, THE COMMUNITY MAINTAINED CONTROLLED-ACCESS OVER THIS WATER- HARVESTING POINT AS A WAY OF BOTH ENSURING THE CAVITIES WOULD COLLECT ENOUGH WATER AND INSTILLING WATER-USAGE DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ¶18. MISSION ALSO WITNESSED FFW ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORTED ROAD REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION. ALONG THE EAST COAST, THESE ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THE CLEARING OF TREES AND OTHER FALLEN DEBRIS LEFT IN THE CYCLONE'S WAKE. THEY ALSO INVOLVE REMOVING TONS OF EARTH THAT RENDER NATIONAL, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS IMPASSABLE AS A RESULT THE MUDSLIDES CAUSED BY THE HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH A CYCLONE. ¶19. IN THE SOUTH, WFP'S FFW PROJECTS ARE USED TO CARVE ROADS THOUGH THE OTHERWISE FORBIDDING BUSH. THESE ROADS HELP TO LINK COMMUNITIES, WHOSE INHABITANTS PARTICIPATE IN WFP SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS, OR PROVIDE EASIER ACCESS TO WATER-HARVESTING POINTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. -------------- DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS -------------- ¶20. THE UNITED NATION'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP) TOOK THE LEAD IN WORKING WITH THE GOM TOWARDS DEVELOPING A NATIONAL UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 05132 03 OF 05 220709Z STRATEGY TO ASSIST THE COUNTRY IN MITIGATING AND PREPARING FOR DISASTERS, BOTH MAN-MADE AND NATURAL. THIS PLAN, KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT, WAS DEVELOPED IN 2000 AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PASSED INTO LAW WHEN THE POLITICAL CRISIS BEGAN. ¶21. THE GOM'S STRATEGY IS COORDINATED THROUGH THE NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE OR CNS. THE STRATEGY RECOGNIZES THAT MADAGASCAR IS BOTH DISASTER PRONE AND RESOURCE POOR AND SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A WORKABLE FRAMEWORK ON THE NATIONAL, PROVINCIAL, LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS. ¶22. THE STRATEGY IDENTIFIES A GOVERNMENTAL LEAD AGENCY AS WELL AS SUPPORT AGENCIES SPECIFIC TO A PARTICULAR EMERGENCY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR TAKES THE LEAD WITH RESPECT TO CYCLONES AND DROUGHT, WHILE THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE IS THE LEAD AGENCY IN RELATION TO LOCUSTS. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING EACH OTHER, THESE AGENCIES RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM OTHER GOM MINISTRIES, PARTICULARLY TRANSPORTATION. ¶23. ON THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS, THE STRATEGY WORKS WITH UN VOLUNTEERS TOWARDS SENSITIZING THE POPULATION AND HELPING THEM PREPARE FOR DISASTERS. THE STRATEGY ALSO EMPLOYS A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CURRICULUM THAT HAS BEEN USED IN SCHOOLS. -------------- LOCUSTS -------------- UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 05132 03 OF 05 220709Z ¶24. LOCUSTS ARE A SPECIALIZED TYPE OF GRASSHOPPER. THEY OCCUR EVERY YEAR IN THE SOUTH OF MADAGASCAR, PRINCIPALLY ON THE HOROMBE PLATEAU, WHERE THEY ARE INDIGENOUS. THE TWO MOST COMMON SPECIES, RED LOCUSTS AND THE MADAGASCAR MIGRATORY LOCUSTS ARE TYPICALLY IN THE SOLITARY, NON- MIGRATORY FORM, AND SELDOM CAUSE ECONOMICALLY SIGNIFICANT CROP DAMAGE WHEN IN THIS RECESSIONAL PHASE. ¶25. HOWEVER, WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS BECOME OPTIMAL, THESE LOCUSTS MULTIPLY RAPIDLY AND DEVELOP INTO A MORE ROBUST MIGRATORY FORM. IN THIS PHASE, BOTH SPECIES CAN MIGRATE GREAT DISTANCES, AND SO BECOME A MAJOR THREAT TO CROPS, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGIONS WHERE RICE IS A MAJOR CROP. LOCUSTS PLAGUES CAN AND HAVE IN THE PAST UNDERMINED THE FOOD SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY. ¶26. BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES LIKE THE SPRAYING OF PESTICIDES COULD NOT BE TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE COUNTRY'S LOCUST PROBLEM (REF TEL). HAD IT BEEN POSSIBLE TO SPRAY CROPS BETWEEN JANUARY AND JUNE, THE LOCUSTS COULD HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED. AS IT TURNS OUT, THEY CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN THE LOCUSTS - IF SPRAYING CAN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTO6954 PAGE 01 ROME 05132 04 OF 05 220710Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 COME-00 CTME-00 USNW-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 TEDE-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 ACE-00 IRM-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /009W -------------- FC09A1 220710Z /38 P 220623Z OCT 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC 6454 INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA USEU BRUSSELS 2858 EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 005132 SIPDIS FROM FODAG USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID WFP WFP WFP WFP WFP UN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 05132 04 OF 05 220710Z SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. ¶27. THE WORLD BANK ANTICIPATES CONTRIBUTING BETWEEN USD 1 AND 1.5 MILLION TOWARDS LOCUSTS CONTROL. HOWEVER, THIS FUNDING IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE RESULTS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY OF THE WOULD-BE PESTICIDE, FIPRONIL. ¶28. THE WORLD BANK HIGHLIGHTED THE FOLLOWING THREE OPTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE LOCUSTS PROBLEM: - DON'T SPRAY AT ALL GIVEN THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. - REDUCE THE LEVEL OF THE PESTICIDE FIPRONIL AND USE AN ALTERNATIVE PESTICIDE. THIS OPTION WOULD REQUIRE TARGETING LOCUSTS DURING THEIR PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES. IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE GREATER LOGISTICAL CONTROL, WHICH IS EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC GIVEN THE COUNTRY'S WEAK INFRASTRUCTURE. - SPRAY FIPRONIL WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENT WOULD NEED TO BE CONDUCTED. ¶29. THESE DECISIONS ARE FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE REALITY THAT LOCUSTS ARE USED AS A FOOD COMMODITY FOR CERTAIN TRIBES OF MALAGASY. ¶30. THE WORLD BANK INDICATED IT WOULD COST BETWEEN USD 4-5 UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 05132 04 OF 05 220710Z MILLION USD TO CONTAIN THE LOCUSTS USING A PESTICIDE. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THE CROPS ARE NOT TREATED WITH THE PESTICIDE, THE COST COULD BE AS MUCH AS 10 TIMES HIGHER IN TERMS OF DECIMATED CROPS AND INCREASED FOOD INSECURITY. ¶31. THE EU HAS PLEDGED TO COMMIT 1 MILLION EURO THROUGH ITS EMERGENCY FUND OR ECHO TOWARDS LOCUSTS CONTAINMENT. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT THE EU WILL NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS PLEDGE UNTIL THE WORLD BANK HAS MADE ITS DECISION SPECIFIC TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. -------------- DROUGHT -------------- ¶32. THE EU HAS DEVELOPED AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM OR SAP (SYSTEME D'ALERTE PRECOCE) TO ALERT THE GOM, OTHER DONORS, WFP AND ITS IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS TO AN EMERGING DROUGHT. EACH MONTH, SAP STAFF ANALYZES CHANGES RELATIVE TO THREE FACTORS: SOCIOECONOMIC, MARKETS AND AGRICULTURE. ¶33. BASED ON THIS ANALYSIS, SAP PRODUCES A FORECAST TWICE ANNUALLY (APRIL AND JULY) WHICH CAN BE USED FOR DROUGHT PREPARATION AND MITIGATION. ¶34. WFP USES ANALYSIS FROM SAP TO ASSIST ITS EFFORTS TO PREPOSITION COMMODITIES TO AREAS OF GREATEST NEED. -------------- UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 05132 04 OF 05 220710Z INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶35. MADAGASCAR'S POOR INFRASTRUCTURE RENDERS POCKETS OF THE POPULATION SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOOD SHORTAGES. ¶36. ONE KEY UTILITY OF USG TITLE II COMMODITIES HAS BEEN ITS SUPPORT OF FFW INITIATIVES THAT WORK TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS. ¶37. WORLD BANK'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROJECT WORKS TO ASSIST LOCAL FARMER ASSOCIATIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE. SUCH PROJECTS INCLUDE WORK ON ROADS AND IRRIGATION. ¶38. THE EU HAS PLEDGED 100 MILLION EURO OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TOWARDS SUPPORTING MADAGASCAR'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY NEEDS. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR IRRIGATION, RURAL ROAD DEVELOPMENT AND WATER-HARVESTING PROJECTS. -------------- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1016 PAGE 01 ROME 05132 05 OF 05 220710Z ACTION IO-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 COME-00 CTME-00 USNW-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 E-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 TEDE-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 ACE-00 IRM-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 ECA-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /009W -------------- FC09AF 220710Z /38 P 220623Z OCT 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC 6455 INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA USEU BRUSSELS 2859 EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 005132 SIPDIS FROM FODAG USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID WFP WFP WFP WFP WFP UN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 05132 05 OF 05 220710Z SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS: AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS -------------- ¶39. MADAGASCAR'S POOR INFRASTRUCTURE RENDERS POCKETS OF THE POPULATION SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOOD INSECURITY, PARTICULARLY IN ISOLATED, REMOTE AREAS. FURTHER, EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRY'S WEAK INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED. ¶40. GIVEN THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG WFP'S IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ORGANIZATION'S REQUEST FOR COMMODITY AND NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE, IN-COUNTRY NGOS SHOULD BE TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND HOW WFP'S ASSISTANCE- REQUEST PROCESS WORKS. WFP/MADAGASCAR SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN THIS TRAINING. ¶41. WFP SHOULD IMPROVE INFORMATION SHARING WITH ITS IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS RELATIVE TO THE LEVEL OF AVAILABLE COMMODITIES IN-COUNTRY AND IN-WAREHOUSE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS WOULD BETTER FACILITATE THE COMMODITY REQUEST PROCESS BETWEEN WFP AND ITS IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS. ¶42. GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR WFP COMMODITY THEFT FROM PORT, EFFORTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN TO FACILITATE FASTER REMOVAL OF DONATED COMMODITIES FROM PORT TO WFP-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSES. ¶43. PERIODICALLY, WFP SHOULD INFORM USAID/MADAGASCAR OF ITS ONGOING USG-DONATED COMMODITY RECEIPT TO COMMODITY LOSS RATIO. UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 05132 05 OF 05 220710Z ¶44. DESPITE THE FACT THAT A NATIONAL PLAN EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS, MISSION FOUND LOCAL NGOS TO BE SOMEWHAT UNAWARE OF HOW SUCH A SYSTEM ACTUALLY WORKED ON THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS. THIS INDICATES POOR COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOM AND IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS. ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. ¶45. MISSION UNDERSTOOD THAT MEETINGS BETWEEN GOM REPRESENTATIVES, THE UN AND IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS WERE SOMEWHAT ERRATIC BEFORE CYCLONE KESINY. EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO BUILD UPON THE TYPE OF COLLABORATION BROUGHT ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE NEED TO RESPOND TO CYCLONE KESINY. ¶46. ALTHOUGH WFP IS DOING AN ADMIRABLE JOB WITH THE TOOLS CURRENTLY AT ITS DISPOSAL, REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL FOOD AND NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, INCLUDING: - SUPPORT FOR WFP'S SOON-TO-BE-RELEASED EMERGENCY APPEAL (EMOP),WHICH WILL TARGET 394,250 BENEFICIARIES (216,837 OF WHOM ARE WOMEN) WITH 18,398 MT OF FOOD. THIS 6-MONTH EMOP REPRESENTS 8,430,629 USD IN TOTAL COSTS TO WFP, WHICH INCLUDES 5,042,940 OF FOOD COSTS; - NON-FOOD ITEMS, SUCH AS: WHEELBARROWS, SHOVELS, ROAD- BUILDING AND SUPPORT MATERIALS (WFP REPORTS THAT A STANDARD TOOK KIT, DEVELOPED BY CARE, WOULD SUPPORT 1,000 WORKERS AND CAN BE USED FOR ROAD REHABILITATION, CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL DAMS AND FIELD DRAINAGE. ONE SUCH KIT IS ESTIMATED TO COST USD 6500. WFP PLACES ITS NEED AT 40 KITS); HEAVY, EARTH UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 05132 05 OF 05 220710Z MOVING EQUIPMENT LIKE BULLDOZERS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST IN BUILD AND ROAD RECONSTRUCTION (WFP ESTIMATES THAT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR 6 MONTHS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY USD 22,500 FOR THREE ENGINEERS); UP-TO-DATE MAPS OF THE COUNTRY (WFP'S COST ESTIMATE IS USD 2,000); AND COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LIKE RADIOS (WFP ESTIMATES THAT RADIO CODAN WITH MODEM, POWER SUPPLY AND ANTENNA WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY USD 7,000 PER UNIT. WFP PLACES ITS ACTUAL NEED AT 7 UNITS. AND TO LINK WFP'S FORT DAUPHIN FIELD OFFICE VIA VSAT WITH IP ADDRESS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY USD 24,400 PER YEAR.); - FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL UN VOLUNTEERS THAT CAN BE ASSIGNED TO STRATEGIC, REMOTE, AND ISOLATED COMMUNITIES; - RE-FORESTATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE MOST CYCLONE-PRONE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. HALL UNCLASSIFIED > 2002ROME05132 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED