Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME3684
2003-08-14 08:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

WFP EMERGENCY (EMOP) APPEAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

Tags:  EAID EAGR PREF AORC WFP UN 
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UNCLAS ROME 003684 

SIPDIS


AIDAC FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

STATE FOR PRM/P AND IO/EDA
USAID FOR DCHA/FFP/D LANDIS
USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER AND PRM REP
GENEVA FOR USAID/NKYLOH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR PREF AORC WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EMERGENCY (EMOP) APPEAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

REF: (A) HARARE 01534, (B) HARARE 01316, and (C) HARARE
01345

-------
Summary
-------

UNCLAS ROME 003684

SIPDIS


AIDAC FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

STATE FOR PRM/P AND IO/EDA
USAID FOR DCHA/FFP/D LANDIS
USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER AND PRM REP
GENEVA FOR USAID/NKYLOH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR PREF AORC WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP EMERGENCY (EMOP) APPEAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

REF: (A) HARARE 01534, (B) HARARE 01316, and (C) HARARE
01345

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. The US Mission in Rome draws your attention to the
special appeal recently made by the Executive Director of
the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for donor support to WFP's
new emergency operation (EMOP) for Southern Africa covering
the period from July 2003 through June 2004. The food aid
appeal is valued at U.S. Dollars 308 million. End summary.

--------------
Discussion
--------------


2. WFP's EMOP 10290.00, valued at U.S. Dollars (USD) 308
million and involving the provisioning of almost 540,000
tons of food commodities, provides targeted relief aid to
6.5 million people in 6 countries of southern Africa,
namely, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe.


3. Recently completed FAO and WFP crop and food supply
assessment missions that found significant shortfalls in
cereal production confirm the need for continued support to
the region. In addition, the impact of HIV/AIDS is
exacerbating food insecurity in all 6 countries.


4. The EMOP will address the transitional needs of
populations unable to recover their coping mechanisms and
resume productive livelihoods. Assistance will be provided
through targeted family rations, and particularly vulnerable
individuals will be reached thorough their participation in
safety-net activities, food for work and food for training
activities.


5. WFP's appeal is being fully integrated into the United
Nations Consolidated Appeal for Southern Africa. In
addition, UN and inter-agency collaboration has been
improved by the recent strengthening of the Regional Inter-
Agency Coordination and Support Office (RIACSO),sharing
offices with the WFP regional bureau in Johannesburg,
attending coordination meetings with NGOs, and maintaining
regular contact with the Consortium for Southern Africa Food
Security Emergency (C-SAFE). In addition, WFP continues to
work closely with the SADC regional vulnerability assessment

committee, particularly in the analysis of factors
contributing to regional food insecurity.


6. Despite some carryover contributions from the regional
EMOP 10200.00, many of the commodities will not arrive for
distribution until next year. As a result, because serious
distribution shortfalls will begin to occur in September,
WFP requests urgently needed confirmed contributions,
ideally cash contributions, now.


7. The project document for this appeal is found on the WFP
website. Further details are as follows:

- Data from the CFSAM and VAC assessments forecast an
increase in cereal production from 5.4 million metric tons
(MT) in 2001/02 to approximately 6.5 million MT in 2002/03
in the 6 EMOP countries. Nevertheless, a cereals gap of
about 2.4 million MT is projected for 2003/04.
- HIV/AIDS continues to follow from and generate food
insecurity. Those who are vulnerable to malnutrition are
more susceptible to HIV/AIDS, while households that lose
breadwinners to HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to food
shortages. The overwhelming majority of people infected
with HIV/AIDS are between 15 and 49, their most productive
years. Throughout the region the number of newly orphaned
children and households headed by the chronically ill are on
the rise. Therefore, food aid is critically important in
bolstering the lives of those infected with HIV/AIDS.

- In Lesotho, food production for 2002/03 at the national
level has improved from the immediately preceding years.
HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults is about 31 percent, and

the numbers of new orphans (about 73,000 in 2001 alone) and
ill-equipped child farmers are mounting.

- In Malawi, poor weather has affected up to 200,000
families, the most vulnerable of which lack adequate
purchasing power to meet minimum nutritional requirements.
The chronic malnutrition rate is 49 percent.

- Mozambique has experienced significant crop failures
following the worst rains in 50 years and a second
consecutive year of drought. In some areas, often because
logistics challenges ensure that little food reaches the
most vulnerable populations, the acute malnutrition among
children from 6 to 59 months has reached the alarming rate
of 11.2 percent.

- Swaziland is experiencing important disparities in food
production. Near-eradication of the local cash crop,
cotton, and reduced employment opportunities in South
African mines have led to severe drops in family purchasing
power. Swaziland has the second highest HIV/AIDS prevalence
rate in the world, and statistical projections show life
expectancy dropping to below 30 years by 2010 if current
HIV/AIDS trends continue.

- In Zambia, chronic malnutrition is estimated at 53
percent, one of the highest rates in the world, and life
expectancy has dropped to 32 years.

- Zimbabwe is facing enormous food security challenges,
which include HIV/AIDS, crop failures, and collapsing
markets. Note: Please refer to US Embassy Harare Reftels A,
B, and C related to Zimbabwe's crisis and suggested USG
course of action. End note.


8. The objectives of the WFP emergency operation are to
prevent severe food shortages, safeguard the nutritional
well-being of vulnerable segments of the population, and
preserve, build and restore social structures, human and
productive assets and safety nets.


9. WFP's EMOP for Southern Africa can be found on its
website at www.wfp.org. Hall


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2003ROME03684 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED