Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME1908
2003-05-05 14:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
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 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) BRIEFED
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 29, 2003 ON THE HIV/AIDS
CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AND FAO'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE
ISSUE. THE MESSAGE: HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED THROUGH A MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH. ONE-THIRD OF
THE AGRICULTURAL LABOR POPULATION IN AFRICA'S HARDEST HIT
COUNTRIES WILL PROBABLY BE DEAD IN FIVE YEARS; BETTER
NUTRITION COULD HELP EXTEND LIVES; GREATER HOUSEHOLD FOOD
SECURITY COULD ALLEVIATE THE NEED TO ENGAGE IN RISKY
SURVIVAL STRATEGIES SUCH AS PROSTITUTION. PER FAO: MORE
RESOURCES ARE NEEDED. MISSION WELCOMES FAO'S INCREASED
INVOLVEMENT IN THIS ISSUE. FAO IS WELL POSITIONED TO
ESTABLISH STANDARD INDICATORS AND METHODS FOR INCORPORATING
HIV/AIDS INTO FOOD SECURITY, CROP AND VULNERABILITY
ASSESSMENTS. UNDOUBTEDLY, MORE AND BETTER ESTIMATES OF THE
MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS OF AIDS ON A GIVEN COUNTRY'S
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ARE NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS
INCREASINGLY DEVASTATING ECONOMIC IMPACT. END SUMMARY.
2. FAO STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
SERVICE, THE HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY SERVICE, AND THE
EMERGENCY DIVISION BRIEFED ROME PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 29 ON THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AND
FAO'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ISSUE. ACCORDING TO THE FAO TEAM,
"ALL FAO TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING IN SOME SENSE ON
THIS ISSUE; AND IT AFFECTS ALL COUNTRIES THAT FAO WORKS IN."
THE BRIEFING FOCUSED ON SOUTHERN AFRICA BECAUSE OF AIDS
SEVERE PREVALENCE IN THAT REGION AND ITS AFFECT ON HEALTH,
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE. IT WAS NOTED THAT IN A
REGION WHERE SOME 80 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION DEPENDS ON
AGRICULTURE, SOME COUNTRIES ALREADY HAD AN INFECTION RATE OF
39 PERCENT. FAO DIRECTOR OF POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT,
MARCELA VILLAREAL COMMENTED: "WE THOUGHT BEFORE THAT THERE
WOULD BE SOME [NATURAL] LIMIT TO THE INFECTION RATE; NOW, WE
DON'T KNOW WHERE IT WILL STOP."
--------------
WHY FAO?
--------------
3. THE FAO PRESENTATION EMPHASIZED THE LINK BETWEEN
HIV/AIDS AND FOOD SECURITY. AT THE INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD
LEVEL, INFECTION REDUCES THE CAPACITY TO PRODUCE FOOD;
HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES ARE SOLD OFF TO BUY FOOD; CHILDREN ARE
TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL TO WORK. AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, THE
PANDEMIC UNDERMINES THE TRANSMISSION OF AGRICULTURAL KNOW-
HOW BETWEEN GENERATIONS; EFFECTIVE FARMING TECHNIQUES ARE
LOST. AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, EXTENSION WORKERS ARE DYING,
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS CHANGING, WITH FEWER WORKERS, A MORE
NARROW RANGE OF CROPS ARE BEING GROWN, REDUCING GENETIC
DIVERSITY. AS AIDS STRIKES DURING PRODUCTIVE YEARS, THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
IMPACT ON AGRICULTURAL LABOR IS SEVERE - FAO CALCULATES THAT
THE NINE HARDEST HIT AFRICAN COUNTRIES MIGHT LOSE UP TO A
FOURTH OF THEIR AGRICULTURAL LABOR BY 2020. HOWEVER, IT IS
NOTED THAT THE RATE IS HIGHLY UNEVEN BETWEEN COUNTRIES. FOR
EXAMPLE, IN UGANDA, THE CURRENT MORTALITY RATE IS EXPECTED
TO REMAIN STABLE; IN NAMIBIA AND MOZAMBIQUE, THE MORTALITY
RATE IS EXPECTED TO "SOAR."
4. THE FAO STATED THAT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE WERE
ALREADY TO BE SEEN - LESS LAND CULTIVATED, A SHIFT TO LESS
LABOR INTENSIVE CROPS, CULTIVATION OF A NARROWER RANGE OF
CROPS, AN INCREASE IN THE COST OF HIRED LABOR, MORE
DEFAULTING ON LOANS, DEFLATED LAND PRICES, LOWER
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, INCREASED FOOD INSECURITY, AND
HIGHER MALNUTRITION RATES.
-------------- -
HIV/AIDS AND FOOD INSECURITY: A "DEADLY CYCLE"
-------------- -
5. THE FAO PRESENTATION SET OUT A "DEADLY CYCLE": HOUSEHOLD
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3147
PAGE 01 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 EVG-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 MEDE-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00
UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 M-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 DHS-00 PER-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /003W
-------------- 5FC3CD 051429Z /38
R 051423Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9655
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
USDA FAS WASHDC 2659
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
SADC COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3205
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
POVERTY AND INABILITY OF THE PRIMARY INCOME-EARNER TO SUPPLY
FOOD LEADS TO HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS ENGAGING IN "RISKY SURVIVAL
ACTIVITIES," SUCH AS PROSTITUTION, OR MIGRATION TO URBAN
AREAS WITH HIGH INFECTION RATES; ONCE INFECTED, MALNUTRITION
LEADS TO A FASTER PROGRESSION TO AIDS. HOWEVER, THEY ARGUE,
IF INTERVENTIONS ARE MADE TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY AND
IMPROVE NUTRITION, LIFE SPANS WOULD BE LENGTHENED SOMEWHAT
BY SLOWER PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE; HOPEFULLY INFECTION
RATES WOULD BE INFLUENCED BY A DECLINE IN "RISKY SURVIVAL
ACTIVITIES" AND LESS ECONOMIC MIGRATION.
6. THE FAO PRESENTERS STATED THAT HERETOFORE THE GLOBAL
RESPONSE HAS BEEN PRIMARILY HEALTH-CARE BASED, WITH HEALTH
LEADING THE MULTI-SECTORAL STRATEGIES. HOWEVER, A MEDICINE
BASED-SOLUTION WAS "FAR FROM REALISTIC IN AFRICA,"
PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE NEED FOR FOOD AND CLEAN WATER TO EVEN
TAKE THE PRESCRIBED MEDICINE.
--------------
A NEW AGRICULTURAL PARADIGM NEEDED
--------------
7. FAO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY OFFICER FLORENCE EGAL STATED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
THAT PREVIOUS AGRICULTURAL POLICIES COULD NOT CONTINUE: AN
AGRICULTURE STRATEGY WHICH FOCUSED ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT, WAS
NOT SUITABLE; DIFFERENT KINDS OF LABOR-SAVING DEVICES NEEDED
TO BE FOUND TO HELP WOMEN WEAKENED BY INFECTION; NATIONAL
AND COMMUNITY LAWS AND CUSTOMS NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED TO
ENSURE THAT WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO INHERIT LAND AND OTHER
ECONOMIC ASSETS. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS, INCLUDING EXTENSION, RESEARCH AND AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES NEEDED TO BE REEXAMINED.
--------------
WHAT HAS FAO DONE TO DATE?
--------------
8. ACCORDING TO THE PRESENTATION, FAO'S WORK HAS PRIMARILY
BEEN ADVOCACY, AWARENESS-RAISING AND INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION. FAO STAFF MEMBERS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HEALTH
SIDE FOCUS PERTAINED TO WHO, AND FAO WORK DID NOT OVERLAP.
FAO HAS PUBLISHED RESEARCH SINCE 1988 ON THE IMPACT OF
HIV/AIDS ON FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE; PROVIDED TRAINING
AND INFORMATION MATERIALS ON ISSUES SUCH AS LAND TENANCY AND
LAND OWNERSHIP; PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL
MINISTRIES ON MITIGATION, PREVENTION. INTERNALLY FAO HAS
ATTEMPTED TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE IS "MAINSTREAMED" IN ALL
DIVISIONS (IT WAS NOTED THAT THE 2001 COMMITTEE ON WORLD
FOOD SECURITY AND THE 2002 FAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN AFRICA
PROVIDED A MANDATE FOR THE FAO TO FOCUS SPECIAL ATTENTION ON
HIV/AIDS). FAO RECENTLY PUBLISHED A PAMPHLET ON ENSURING
GOOD NUTRITION FOR HIV/AIDS SUFFERERS, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
FOR LOW-INCOME RURAL FAMILIES.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
9. AS FAR AS FIELD ACTIVITIES, THE PRESENTATION MENTIONED
AN HIV/AIDS COMPONENT IN THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR FOOD
SECURITY IN MOZAMBIQUE AND KENYA, POLICY ADVICE ON HOUSEHOLD
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA AND
WORK ON GENDER EQUALITY ISSUES IN NAMIBIA, UGANDA AND
ZAMBIA. IT WAS NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT FAO RESOURCES DEDICATED
TO THESE INTERVENTIONS WERE VERY SMALL.
--------------
MORE RESOURCES, PLEASE
--------------
10. RICHARD CHINA OF FAO'S EMERGENCY UNIT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT
DONORS HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN RESPONDING TO THE CURRENT
FOOD EMERGENCY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, BUT REGRETTED THAT
RESOURCES ARE NOT FORTHCOMING FOR THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF
THE 15 MILLION LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. MR. CHINA STATED
(INCORRECTLY) THAT WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM
MORRIS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GAIN EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB) ASSENT
TO DECLARING HIV/AIDS A JUSTIFICATION FOR A CONTINUING FOOD
EMERGENCY. (COMMENT: THE APPROVED EB RECOMMENDATION
LANGUAGE WAS: "WHEN HIV/AIDS THREATENS FOOD SECURITY AND
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3149
PAGE 01 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 EVG-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 DHS-00
PER-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /002W
-------------- 5FC3DD 051429Z /38
R 051423Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9656
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
USDA FAS WASHDC 2660
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
SADC COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3206
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
INFLUENCES MORTALITY, WFP WILL CONSIDER HIV/AIDS AS A BASIC
COMPONENT OF A PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATION
(PRRO),CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT WFP POLICY ON PRROS." WHAT
CHINA MAY BE RECALLING IS THE TRUE FACT THAT THERE WAS
UNEASE EXPRESSED BY SOME DONORS REGARDING THIS APPROVED
RECOMMENDATION. END COMMENT.)
11. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE NOTED THE NEED TO ENSURE
THAT "ALL FAO PROJECTS HAVE AN HIV/AIDS CHAPTER" (CAMEROON);
SPOKE OF THE NEED TO "ATTACK THE ATTITUDE SITUATION" AND
MOVE BEYOND THE "SECRECY ABOUT THE SITUATION" WHERE DEATHS
ARE REPORTED FROM TUBERCULOSIS, OR "WITCHCRAFT" INSTEAD OF
AIDS (KENYA). MAURITANIA ARGUED THAT HIV/AIDS SHOULD BE THE
FOCUS OF THE UPCOMING COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY. NEW
FAO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR WORLD FOOD SUMMIT FOLLOW-
UP, EVA CLAYTON (AMCIT) DESCRIBED THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY
IN THE UNITED STATES CONCERNING FUNDING FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S
PROPOSED USD 15 BILLION FOR HIV/AIDS.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
12. MISSION WELCOMES FAO'S INCREASED INVOLVEMENT IN THIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
ISSUE AND EFFORTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS WITH MEMBER
COUNTRIES. WHILE CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS NOW GIVEN TO
HIV/AIDS (PARTICULARLY IN AFRICA) IN FAO MEETINGS,
REGRETTABLY, THIS IS A FAIRLY RECENT PHENOMENON (THE FAO
REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR AFRICA IN CAMEROON IN 1999 DID NOT
EVEN MENTION HIV/AIDS). MISSION RECOGNIZES THAT FAO DOES NOT
RANK CONSISTENTLY HIGH AS A PROVIDER OF POLICY ADVICE TO
GOVERNMENTS AND MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE (SITUATIONS MAY
VARY ACCORDING TO COUNTRY, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE
LOCAL FAO OFFICE). BUT FAO IS WELL POSITIONED TO ESTABLISH
STANDARD INDICATORS AND METHODS FOR INCORPORATING HIV/AIDS
INTO FOOD SECURITY, CROP AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS.
UNDOUBTEDLY, MORE AND BETTER ESTIMATES OF THE MACROECONOMIC
EFFECTS OF AIDS ON A GIVEN COUNTRY'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ARE
NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS INCREASINGLY DEVASTATING
ECONOMIC IMPACT. HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2003ROME01908 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) BRIEFED
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 29, 2003 ON THE HIV/AIDS
CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AND FAO'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE
ISSUE. THE MESSAGE: HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA NEEDS TO BE
ADDRESSED THROUGH A MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH. ONE-THIRD OF
THE AGRICULTURAL LABOR POPULATION IN AFRICA'S HARDEST HIT
COUNTRIES WILL PROBABLY BE DEAD IN FIVE YEARS; BETTER
NUTRITION COULD HELP EXTEND LIVES; GREATER HOUSEHOLD FOOD
SECURITY COULD ALLEVIATE THE NEED TO ENGAGE IN RISKY
SURVIVAL STRATEGIES SUCH AS PROSTITUTION. PER FAO: MORE
RESOURCES ARE NEEDED. MISSION WELCOMES FAO'S INCREASED
INVOLVEMENT IN THIS ISSUE. FAO IS WELL POSITIONED TO
ESTABLISH STANDARD INDICATORS AND METHODS FOR INCORPORATING
HIV/AIDS INTO FOOD SECURITY, CROP AND VULNERABILITY
ASSESSMENTS. UNDOUBTEDLY, MORE AND BETTER ESTIMATES OF THE
MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS OF AIDS ON A GIVEN COUNTRY'S
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ARE NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS
INCREASINGLY DEVASTATING ECONOMIC IMPACT. END SUMMARY.
2. FAO STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
SERVICE, THE HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY SERVICE, AND THE
EMERGENCY DIVISION BRIEFED ROME PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 29 ON THE HIV/AIDS CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AND
FAO'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ISSUE. ACCORDING TO THE FAO TEAM,
"ALL FAO TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING IN SOME SENSE ON
THIS ISSUE; AND IT AFFECTS ALL COUNTRIES THAT FAO WORKS IN."
THE BRIEFING FOCUSED ON SOUTHERN AFRICA BECAUSE OF AIDS
SEVERE PREVALENCE IN THAT REGION AND ITS AFFECT ON HEALTH,
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURE. IT WAS NOTED THAT IN A
REGION WHERE SOME 80 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION DEPENDS ON
AGRICULTURE, SOME COUNTRIES ALREADY HAD AN INFECTION RATE OF
39 PERCENT. FAO DIRECTOR OF POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT,
MARCELA VILLAREAL COMMENTED: "WE THOUGHT BEFORE THAT THERE
WOULD BE SOME [NATURAL] LIMIT TO THE INFECTION RATE; NOW, WE
DON'T KNOW WHERE IT WILL STOP."
--------------
WHY FAO?
--------------
3. THE FAO PRESENTATION EMPHASIZED THE LINK BETWEEN
HIV/AIDS AND FOOD SECURITY. AT THE INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD
LEVEL, INFECTION REDUCES THE CAPACITY TO PRODUCE FOOD;
HOUSEHOLD RESOURCES ARE SOLD OFF TO BUY FOOD; CHILDREN ARE
TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL TO WORK. AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, THE
PANDEMIC UNDERMINES THE TRANSMISSION OF AGRICULTURAL KNOW-
HOW BETWEEN GENERATIONS; EFFECTIVE FARMING TECHNIQUES ARE
LOST. AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, EXTENSION WORKERS ARE DYING,
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS CHANGING, WITH FEWER WORKERS, A MORE
NARROW RANGE OF CROPS ARE BEING GROWN, REDUCING GENETIC
DIVERSITY. AS AIDS STRIKES DURING PRODUCTIVE YEARS, THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01908 01 OF 03 051425Z
IMPACT ON AGRICULTURAL LABOR IS SEVERE - FAO CALCULATES THAT
THE NINE HARDEST HIT AFRICAN COUNTRIES MIGHT LOSE UP TO A
FOURTH OF THEIR AGRICULTURAL LABOR BY 2020. HOWEVER, IT IS
NOTED THAT THE RATE IS HIGHLY UNEVEN BETWEEN COUNTRIES. FOR
EXAMPLE, IN UGANDA, THE CURRENT MORTALITY RATE IS EXPECTED
TO REMAIN STABLE; IN NAMIBIA AND MOZAMBIQUE, THE MORTALITY
RATE IS EXPECTED TO "SOAR."
4. THE FAO STATED THAT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE WERE
ALREADY TO BE SEEN - LESS LAND CULTIVATED, A SHIFT TO LESS
LABOR INTENSIVE CROPS, CULTIVATION OF A NARROWER RANGE OF
CROPS, AN INCREASE IN THE COST OF HIRED LABOR, MORE
DEFAULTING ON LOANS, DEFLATED LAND PRICES, LOWER
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, INCREASED FOOD INSECURITY, AND
HIGHER MALNUTRITION RATES.
-------------- -
HIV/AIDS AND FOOD INSECURITY: A "DEADLY CYCLE"
-------------- -
5. THE FAO PRESENTATION SET OUT A "DEADLY CYCLE": HOUSEHOLD
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3147
PAGE 01 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 EVG-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 MEDE-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00
UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 M-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 DHS-00 PER-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /003W
-------------- 5FC3CD 051429Z /38
R 051423Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9655
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
USDA FAS WASHDC 2659
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
SADC COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3205
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
POVERTY AND INABILITY OF THE PRIMARY INCOME-EARNER TO SUPPLY
FOOD LEADS TO HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS ENGAGING IN "RISKY SURVIVAL
ACTIVITIES," SUCH AS PROSTITUTION, OR MIGRATION TO URBAN
AREAS WITH HIGH INFECTION RATES; ONCE INFECTED, MALNUTRITION
LEADS TO A FASTER PROGRESSION TO AIDS. HOWEVER, THEY ARGUE,
IF INTERVENTIONS ARE MADE TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY AND
IMPROVE NUTRITION, LIFE SPANS WOULD BE LENGTHENED SOMEWHAT
BY SLOWER PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE; HOPEFULLY INFECTION
RATES WOULD BE INFLUENCED BY A DECLINE IN "RISKY SURVIVAL
ACTIVITIES" AND LESS ECONOMIC MIGRATION.
6. THE FAO PRESENTERS STATED THAT HERETOFORE THE GLOBAL
RESPONSE HAS BEEN PRIMARILY HEALTH-CARE BASED, WITH HEALTH
LEADING THE MULTI-SECTORAL STRATEGIES. HOWEVER, A MEDICINE
BASED-SOLUTION WAS "FAR FROM REALISTIC IN AFRICA,"
PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE NEED FOR FOOD AND CLEAN WATER TO EVEN
TAKE THE PRESCRIBED MEDICINE.
--------------
A NEW AGRICULTURAL PARADIGM NEEDED
--------------
7. FAO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY OFFICER FLORENCE EGAL STATED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
THAT PREVIOUS AGRICULTURAL POLICIES COULD NOT CONTINUE: AN
AGRICULTURE STRATEGY WHICH FOCUSED ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT, WAS
NOT SUITABLE; DIFFERENT KINDS OF LABOR-SAVING DEVICES NEEDED
TO BE FOUND TO HELP WOMEN WEAKENED BY INFECTION; NATIONAL
AND COMMUNITY LAWS AND CUSTOMS NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED TO
ENSURE THAT WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO INHERIT LAND AND OTHER
ECONOMIC ASSETS. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE
SYSTEMS, INCLUDING EXTENSION, RESEARCH AND AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES NEEDED TO BE REEXAMINED.
--------------
WHAT HAS FAO DONE TO DATE?
--------------
8. ACCORDING TO THE PRESENTATION, FAO'S WORK HAS PRIMARILY
BEEN ADVOCACY, AWARENESS-RAISING AND INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION. FAO STAFF MEMBERS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HEALTH
SIDE FOCUS PERTAINED TO WHO, AND FAO WORK DID NOT OVERLAP.
FAO HAS PUBLISHED RESEARCH SINCE 1988 ON THE IMPACT OF
HIV/AIDS ON FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE; PROVIDED TRAINING
AND INFORMATION MATERIALS ON ISSUES SUCH AS LAND TENANCY AND
LAND OWNERSHIP; PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL
MINISTRIES ON MITIGATION, PREVENTION. INTERNALLY FAO HAS
ATTEMPTED TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE IS "MAINSTREAMED" IN ALL
DIVISIONS (IT WAS NOTED THAT THE 2001 COMMITTEE ON WORLD
FOOD SECURITY AND THE 2002 FAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN AFRICA
PROVIDED A MANDATE FOR THE FAO TO FOCUS SPECIAL ATTENTION ON
HIV/AIDS). FAO RECENTLY PUBLISHED A PAMPHLET ON ENSURING
GOOD NUTRITION FOR HIV/AIDS SUFFERERS, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
FOR LOW-INCOME RURAL FAMILIES.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 01908 02 OF 03 051425Z
9. AS FAR AS FIELD ACTIVITIES, THE PRESENTATION MENTIONED
AN HIV/AIDS COMPONENT IN THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR FOOD
SECURITY IN MOZAMBIQUE AND KENYA, POLICY ADVICE ON HOUSEHOLD
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA AND
WORK ON GENDER EQUALITY ISSUES IN NAMIBIA, UGANDA AND
ZAMBIA. IT WAS NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT FAO RESOURCES DEDICATED
TO THESE INTERVENTIONS WERE VERY SMALL.
--------------
MORE RESOURCES, PLEASE
--------------
10. RICHARD CHINA OF FAO'S EMERGENCY UNIT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT
DONORS HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN RESPONDING TO THE CURRENT
FOOD EMERGENCY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, BUT REGRETTED THAT
RESOURCES ARE NOT FORTHCOMING FOR THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF
THE 15 MILLION LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS. MR. CHINA STATED
(INCORRECTLY) THAT WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM
MORRIS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GAIN EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB) ASSENT
TO DECLARING HIV/AIDS A JUSTIFICATION FOR A CONTINUING FOOD
EMERGENCY. (COMMENT: THE APPROVED EB RECOMMENDATION
LANGUAGE WAS: "WHEN HIV/AIDS THREATENS FOOD SECURITY AND
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ3149
PAGE 01 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
ACTION AID-00
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 EVG-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 USNW-00 DODE-00
WHA-00 SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OES-00 OIC-02 DHS-00
PER-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 SAS-00 /002W
-------------- 5FC3DD 051429Z /38
R 051423Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9656
INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
USDA FAS WASHDC 2660
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
SADC COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
USEU BRUSSELS 3206
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 001908
SIPDIS
AIDAC
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME
STATE FOR IO A/S HOLMES, IO/EDA WINNICK AND KOTOK
USAID FOR AA/EGAT SIMMONS, AA/DCHA WINTER
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
USDA/FAS LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
PARIS FOR UNESCO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC FAO AORC FAO AORC FAO
SUBJECT: FAO'S FOCUS ON HIV/AIDS
INFLUENCES MORTALITY, WFP WILL CONSIDER HIV/AIDS AS A BASIC
COMPONENT OF A PROTRACTED RELIEF AND RECOVERY OPERATION
(PRRO),CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT WFP POLICY ON PRROS." WHAT
CHINA MAY BE RECALLING IS THE TRUE FACT THAT THERE WAS
UNEASE EXPRESSED BY SOME DONORS REGARDING THIS APPROVED
RECOMMENDATION. END COMMENT.)
11. QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE NOTED THE NEED TO ENSURE
THAT "ALL FAO PROJECTS HAVE AN HIV/AIDS CHAPTER" (CAMEROON);
SPOKE OF THE NEED TO "ATTACK THE ATTITUDE SITUATION" AND
MOVE BEYOND THE "SECRECY ABOUT THE SITUATION" WHERE DEATHS
ARE REPORTED FROM TUBERCULOSIS, OR "WITCHCRAFT" INSTEAD OF
AIDS (KENYA). MAURITANIA ARGUED THAT HIV/AIDS SHOULD BE THE
FOCUS OF THE UPCOMING COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY. NEW
FAO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR WORLD FOOD SUMMIT FOLLOW-
UP, EVA CLAYTON (AMCIT) DESCRIBED THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY
IN THE UNITED STATES CONCERNING FUNDING FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S
PROPOSED USD 15 BILLION FOR HIV/AIDS.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
12. MISSION WELCOMES FAO'S INCREASED INVOLVEMENT IN THIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 01908 03 OF 03 051426Z
ISSUE AND EFFORTS TO INCREASE AWARENESS WITH MEMBER
COUNTRIES. WHILE CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS NOW GIVEN TO
HIV/AIDS (PARTICULARLY IN AFRICA) IN FAO MEETINGS,
REGRETTABLY, THIS IS A FAIRLY RECENT PHENOMENON (THE FAO
REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR AFRICA IN CAMEROON IN 1999 DID NOT
EVEN MENTION HIV/AIDS). MISSION RECOGNIZES THAT FAO DOES NOT
RANK CONSISTENTLY HIGH AS A PROVIDER OF POLICY ADVICE TO
GOVERNMENTS AND MINISTRIES OF AGRICULTURE (SITUATIONS MAY
VARY ACCORDING TO COUNTRY, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE
LOCAL FAO OFFICE). BUT FAO IS WELL POSITIONED TO ESTABLISH
STANDARD INDICATORS AND METHODS FOR INCORPORATING HIV/AIDS
INTO FOOD SECURITY, CROP AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS.
UNDOUBTEDLY, MORE AND BETTER ESTIMATES OF THE MACROECONOMIC
EFFECTS OF AIDS ON A GIVEN COUNTRY'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ARE
NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS INCREASINGLY DEVASTATING
ECONOMIC IMPACT. HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2003ROME01908 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED