WFP RESPONDS ON REFUGEE PIPELINE FUNDING FOR

UNCLAS ROME 003770

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR PREF WFP UN
SUBJECT: WFP RESPONDS ON REFUGEE PIPELINE FUNDING FOR
TANZANIA

REF: A) STATE 134859, B) DAR ES SALAAM 1536


1. Summary: the World Food Program's Director of
Fundraising and Donor Relations was not in a position to
respond to why refugee rations remained at reduced levels
given the previously reported USG contribution (REF B) as
well as contributions from ECHO and the Government of
Belgium, but she promised to look into the matter.


2. WFP confirmed that the 10 million Euro contribution from
ECHO had been received and indicated that they were working
towards securing an additional 10 million EURO contribution
from Europe Aid for the Tanzanian PRRO. WFP stressed that
they do not view the State PRM contributions as a component
of core funding; rather, they see State PRM funding as an
extremely helpful tool in their efforts to fill gaps in the
delivery of food aid. End Summary.


3. The U.S. Mission to the U.N. Agencies for Food and
Agriculture's (FODAG) Humanitarian Attach Timothy Lavelle
and Project Budget Specialist John Brooks met with WFP's
Director of Fundraising Valerie Sequeira and Resources
Officer Rose Linda Barbuto to discuss: WFP's strategy for
eliciting funding from non-traditional sources in support
of its refugee feeding program in Tanzania, the status of
the financial contribution from the European Commission
Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for refugees in Tanzania, and
WFP's reporting rationale as it relates to donor
contributions.



4. While the meeting was mildly productive, it was
apparent that a number of the questions being posed to WFP
headquarters staff would have been better received on the
country level. As FODAG will be participating in a joint
Mission to Uganda and Tanzania later in the week with State
PRM's Mary Margaret Knudson, it was communicated that a
number of the more detailed questions should be posed to
WFP staff in the field.


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Identifying non-traditional funding sources
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5. WFP acknowledged the importance of attracting non-
traditional donors to the effort to feed refugees. And
while they are always on the lookout for creative solutions
to their resourcing needs, they were not able to
immediately identify any country that would be sympathetic
to the needs of refugees in Tanzania beyond those that
have already contributed. WFP encouraged FODAG to
recommend other countries that might be in a position to
help.

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European contributions
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6. WFP reported that the 10 million Euro (approximately
USD 10.5 million) contribution from ECHO had been received.


7. WFP also reported that they were working to secure an
additional 10 million Euro from Europe Aid for the
Tanzanian PRRO. WFP expects this would-be contribution to
be confirmed within the next two weeks.


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Reporting rationale
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8. WFP informed FODAG that only confirmed contributions
are reported. In short, unless WFP has a signed commitment
letter from a would-be donor, it is not reported. The
donor's intent to contribute is not reportable.


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Next steps
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9. During the joint US Mission/Rome-State PRM visit to
Uganda and Tanzania commencing August 22, every opportunity
will be seized upon to follow-up on these issues from the
field level. BERTON


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2003ROME03770 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED