Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ROME5584
2002-11-18 12:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
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 005584
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY FOR CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, WHA/CEN AND IO/D
USAID FOR AA/LAC, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS, PPC/DP,
PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR GSM KMILLER, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
USUN FOR CSERWER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - USD
56.62 MILLION
REF: (A) ROME 5308
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 005584
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY FOR CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, WHA/CEN AND IO/D
USAID FOR AA/LAC, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS, PPC/DP,
PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR GSM KMILLER, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
USUN FOR CSERWER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - USD
56.62 MILLION
REF: (A) ROME 5308
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. AT ITS THIRD REGULAR SESSION (OCTOBER 21-25),THE WORLD
FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVED A PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - THREE
YEARS (MARCH 2003-FEBRUARY 2006),VALUED AT USD 56.62
MILLION, TO ASSIST 690,000 BENEFICIARIES/ANNUM. SEVERE CORN
CROP LOSSES IN THE FIRST PLANTING CYCLE OF THIS YEAR WILL
LIKELY FURTHER AGGRAVATE AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION IN A
CHRONICALLY FOOD INSECURE REGION. USMISSION PLANS TO WORK
WITH WFP HEADQUARTERS IN ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE GOVERNMENT OF
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
MEXICO FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THIS PRRO. END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. THE WORSENING ECONOMIC SITUATION, PRECIPITATED BY A
REPORTED 70 PERCENT DROP IN COFFEE PRICES AFFECTING MILLIONS
OF COFFEE GROWERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, COUPLED WITH
RECURRING NATURAL DISASTERS HAVE CONTINUED TO TRIGGER
EXTREME POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY AMONG RURAL AND URBAN
POPULATIONS IN THE FOUR COUNTRIES (GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, EL
SALVADOR AND NICARAGUA). IN 2000, DROUGHTS, EARTHQUAKES,
FLOODS AND TROPICAL STORMS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED FOOD
PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AFFECTING SOME
2.4 MILLION PEOPLE. PEOPLE ARE STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS OF
THESE SHOCKS IN 2002, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY CONFRONTING A NEW
ROUND OF DROUGHT AND A CONTINUING CRISIS IN THE COFFEE
SECTOR. IN ADDITION, PREDICTIONS ARE THAT EL NINO WILL AGAIN
CAUSE CLIMATIC DISTURBANCES IN 2003.
3. LOCALIZED NUTRITIONAL SURVEYS CONFIRM THAT 5 YEARS OF
DROUGHT AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IS CAUSING DETERIORATION IN
MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AGED UNDER FIVE IN CENTRAL
AMERICA. ACCORDING TO THE UN'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (FAO),THERE ARE OVER 7.1 MILLION
UNDERNOURISHED CENTRAL AMERICANS (1998/2000) SHOWING AN
INCREASE OF 3 PERCENT SINCE 1990/1992. IN GUATEMALA, HUNGER
INCREASED FROM 14 PERCENT TO 25 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION,
WITH 69 PERCENT OF CHILDREN CHRONICALLY MALNOURISHED. IN
NICARAGUA, 33 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS AFFECTED BY FOOD
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
SHORTAGES AND MALNUTRITION. IN ONE DEPARTMENT ALONE,
MATAGALPA, EMERGENCY FOOD HAD TO BE PROVIDED TO 7,500
CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM EXTREME HUNGER.
-------------- --------------
WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF CENTRAL AMERICA PRRO
-------------- --------------
4. THE BOARD APPROVED THIS PRRO FOR THREE YEARS (MARCH 2003-
FEBRUARY 2006),VALUED AT USD 56.62 MILLION, TO ASSIST
690,000 BENEFICIARIES/ANNUM. THE BOARD AGREED THAT THIS
PROGRAMMING INSTRUMENT WILL PERMIT WFP TO RESPOND
EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO SHOCKS, IN ORDER TO PREVENT
ACUTE MALNUTRITION AMONG FOOD-INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
EXPOSED TO RECURRING CALAMITIES AND ASSIST IN REBUILDING AND
BUFFERING LIVELIHOODS ERODED BY EXPOSURE TO DISASTERS.
--------------
US DELEGATION INTERVENTION
--------------
5. THE US DELEGATION HIGHLIGHTED THE FOLLOWING:
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7327
PAGE 01 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 WHA-00
SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SSO-00
STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- 0A7CFC 181530Z /38
P 181213Z NOV 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6949
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2428
USEU BRUSSELS 2959
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 005584
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY FOR CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, WHA/CEN AND IO/D
USAID FOR AA/LAC, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS, PPC/DP,
PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR GSM KMILLER, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
USUN FOR CSERWER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - USD
56.62 MILLION
-WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH SPOKE DURING THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF CENTRAL AMERICA IN QUEBEC CITY ON
APRIL 20, 2001, HE STRESSED THE "NEED FOR US TO CONTINUE TO
THINK ABOUT HOW BEST TO HAVE IN PLACE MEASURES THAT WILL
HELP IN THE CASE OF FUTURE NATURAL DISASTERS;"
-USDEL NOTED THAT THE NEW PRRO PROVIDES WFP THE PROGRAMMATIC
FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO THE CHANGING DYNAMICS IN EACH OF
THE FOUR CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES COVERED AND THE
DIFFERING CHALLENGES THAT EACH PRESENTS;
-WFP WAS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN THE AFTERMATH OF
HURRICANE MITCH IN: A) ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STRENGTHENING
STAFF LEVELS BY TRANSFERRING ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF
TO THE REGION AS NEEDED; AND B) FORTIFYING TEAMS WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
EXPERTS IN LOGISTICS AND COMMUNICATIONS, VULNERABILITY
ANALYSIS AND MAPPING SPECIALISTS, AND UN VOLUNTEERS, ETC.
-USDEL URGED CLOSE COORDINATION ON NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS WITH THE RESPECTIVE USAID MISSIONS AND
USDA AGRICULTURAL ATTACHES IN THE REGION.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. USMISSION SEES A CONTINUING IMPORTANT ROLE FOR WFP AND
ITS UN SISTER AGENCIES IN RESPONDING TO THE FOOD CRISIS IN
CENTRAL AMERICA. SEVERE CORN CROP LOSSES IN THE FIRST
PLANTING CYCLE OF THIS YEAR WILL LIKELY FURTHER AGGRAVATE AN
ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION IN A CHRONICALLY FOOD INSECURE
REGION. FINALLY, USMISSION PLANS TO WORK WITH WFP
HEADQUARTERS IN ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THIS PRRO. MEXICO IS PRESENTLY NOT A
DONOR TO WFP. HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME05584 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY FOR CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, WHA/CEN AND IO/D
USAID FOR AA/LAC, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS, PPC/DP,
PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR GSM KMILLER, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
USUN FOR CSERWER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - USD
56.62 MILLION
REF: (A) ROME 5308
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. AT ITS THIRD REGULAR SESSION (OCTOBER 21-25),THE WORLD
FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVED A PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - THREE
YEARS (MARCH 2003-FEBRUARY 2006),VALUED AT USD 56.62
MILLION, TO ASSIST 690,000 BENEFICIARIES/ANNUM. SEVERE CORN
CROP LOSSES IN THE FIRST PLANTING CYCLE OF THIS YEAR WILL
LIKELY FURTHER AGGRAVATE AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION IN A
CHRONICALLY FOOD INSECURE REGION. USMISSION PLANS TO WORK
WITH WFP HEADQUARTERS IN ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE GOVERNMENT OF
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
MEXICO FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THIS PRRO. END SUMMARY.
--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------
2. THE WORSENING ECONOMIC SITUATION, PRECIPITATED BY A
REPORTED 70 PERCENT DROP IN COFFEE PRICES AFFECTING MILLIONS
OF COFFEE GROWERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, COUPLED WITH
RECURRING NATURAL DISASTERS HAVE CONTINUED TO TRIGGER
EXTREME POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY AMONG RURAL AND URBAN
POPULATIONS IN THE FOUR COUNTRIES (GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, EL
SALVADOR AND NICARAGUA). IN 2000, DROUGHTS, EARTHQUAKES,
FLOODS AND TROPICAL STORMS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED FOOD
PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AFFECTING SOME
2.4 MILLION PEOPLE. PEOPLE ARE STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS OF
THESE SHOCKS IN 2002, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY CONFRONTING A NEW
ROUND OF DROUGHT AND A CONTINUING CRISIS IN THE COFFEE
SECTOR. IN ADDITION, PREDICTIONS ARE THAT EL NINO WILL AGAIN
CAUSE CLIMATIC DISTURBANCES IN 2003.
3. LOCALIZED NUTRITIONAL SURVEYS CONFIRM THAT 5 YEARS OF
DROUGHT AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IS CAUSING DETERIORATION IN
MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AGED UNDER FIVE IN CENTRAL
AMERICA. ACCORDING TO THE UN'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
ORGANIZATION (FAO),THERE ARE OVER 7.1 MILLION
UNDERNOURISHED CENTRAL AMERICANS (1998/2000) SHOWING AN
INCREASE OF 3 PERCENT SINCE 1990/1992. IN GUATEMALA, HUNGER
INCREASED FROM 14 PERCENT TO 25 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION,
WITH 69 PERCENT OF CHILDREN CHRONICALLY MALNOURISHED. IN
NICARAGUA, 33 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS AFFECTED BY FOOD
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05584 01 OF 02 181330Z
SHORTAGES AND MALNUTRITION. IN ONE DEPARTMENT ALONE,
MATAGALPA, EMERGENCY FOOD HAD TO BE PROVIDED TO 7,500
CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM EXTREME HUNGER.
-------------- --------------
WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF CENTRAL AMERICA PRRO
-------------- --------------
4. THE BOARD APPROVED THIS PRRO FOR THREE YEARS (MARCH 2003-
FEBRUARY 2006),VALUED AT USD 56.62 MILLION, TO ASSIST
690,000 BENEFICIARIES/ANNUM. THE BOARD AGREED THAT THIS
PROGRAMMING INSTRUMENT WILL PERMIT WFP TO RESPOND
EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO SHOCKS, IN ORDER TO PREVENT
ACUTE MALNUTRITION AMONG FOOD-INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
EXPOSED TO RECURRING CALAMITIES AND ASSIST IN REBUILDING AND
BUFFERING LIVELIHOODS ERODED BY EXPOSURE TO DISASTERS.
--------------
US DELEGATION INTERVENTION
--------------
5. THE US DELEGATION HIGHLIGHTED THE FOLLOWING:
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7327
PAGE 01 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
ACTION PRM-00
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 WHA-00
SRPP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
IO-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SSO-00
STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- 0A7CFC 181530Z /38
P 181213Z NOV 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6949
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY BERN
USDA FAS WASHDC 2428
USEU BRUSSELS 2959
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 005584
SIPDIS
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY FOR CHARGE D'AFFAIRES
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, WHA/CEN AND IO/D
USAID FOR AA/LAC, AA/DCHA WINTER, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS, PPC/DP,
PPC/DC
USDA/FAS FOR GSM KMILLER, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILLSWORTH
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
USUN FOR CSERWER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVAL OF PROTRACTED RELIEF
AND RECOVERY OPERATION (PRRO) FOR CENTRAL AMERICA - USD
56.62 MILLION
-WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH SPOKE DURING THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF CENTRAL AMERICA IN QUEBEC CITY ON
APRIL 20, 2001, HE STRESSED THE "NEED FOR US TO CONTINUE TO
THINK ABOUT HOW BEST TO HAVE IN PLACE MEASURES THAT WILL
HELP IN THE CASE OF FUTURE NATURAL DISASTERS;"
-USDEL NOTED THAT THE NEW PRRO PROVIDES WFP THE PROGRAMMATIC
FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO THE CHANGING DYNAMICS IN EACH OF
THE FOUR CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES COVERED AND THE
DIFFERING CHALLENGES THAT EACH PRESENTS;
-WFP WAS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN THE AFTERMATH OF
HURRICANE MITCH IN: A) ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STRENGTHENING
STAFF LEVELS BY TRANSFERRING ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF
TO THE REGION AS NEEDED; AND B) FORTIFYING TEAMS WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05584 02 OF 02 181330Z
EXPERTS IN LOGISTICS AND COMMUNICATIONS, VULNERABILITY
ANALYSIS AND MAPPING SPECIALISTS, AND UN VOLUNTEERS, ETC.
-USDEL URGED CLOSE COORDINATION ON NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS WITH THE RESPECTIVE USAID MISSIONS AND
USDA AGRICULTURAL ATTACHES IN THE REGION.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
6. USMISSION SEES A CONTINUING IMPORTANT ROLE FOR WFP AND
ITS UN SISTER AGENCIES IN RESPONDING TO THE FOOD CRISIS IN
CENTRAL AMERICA. SEVERE CORN CROP LOSSES IN THE FIRST
PLANTING CYCLE OF THIS YEAR WILL LIKELY FURTHER AGGRAVATE AN
ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION IN A CHRONICALLY FOOD INSECURE
REGION. FINALLY, USMISSION PLANS TO WORK WITH WFP
HEADQUARTERS IN ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THIS PRRO. MEXICO IS PRESENTLY NOT A
DONOR TO WFP. HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME05584 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED