WFP BOARD APPROVES THE GAMBIA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

UNCLAS ROME 000955

SIPDIS


FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

BANJUL FOR AMBASSADOR MCDONALD
STATE FOR PRM/P, AF/W AND IO/EDA BEHREND AND KOTOK
USAID FOR DAA/DCHA GRIGSBY, DCHA/FFP LANDIS, AFR/WA
USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR
GENEVA FOR AMBASSADOR MOLEY, RMA LYNCH AND NKYLOH/USAID
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
BRUSSELS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS AND USAID/LERNER
NSC FOR JDWORKEN AND AFRICA DIRECTORATE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UNHCR
SUBJECT: WFP BOARD APPROVES THE GAMBIA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
VALUED AT U.S. DOLLARS (USD) 6.92 MILLION - 14,680 METRIC
TONS

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SUMMARY
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1. The WFP Executive Board, at its first regular session
(February 23-26),approved The Gambia development project
10311.0 entitled Support to Basic Education in Rural
Vulnerable Regions. The project is for three years, with a
total cost to WFP of USD 6.92 million. Beneficiaries are
estimated at 145,830 (annual average). Over the life-of-
project, WFP will supply (subject to the availability of
funds) a total of 14,680 metric tons of food aid. End
summary.

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Background
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2. The Gambia (population 1.5 million - July 2003 estimate)
is a least developed (LDC) country, currently ranked 160 out
of 173 in UNDP's Human Development Report. The Gambia has no
substantial mineral or other natural resources and has a
limited agricultural base. Economic progress remains highly
dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid. In
December, 2003, the IMF highlighted The Gambia's
deteriorating economic situation: "Macroeconomic imbalances
have worsened, as evidenced by weak growth performance, high
inflation, the sharp depreciation of the exchange rate and
an increasing fiscal deficit...These developments threaten
to impede progress on poverty reduction." In summary,
although the country continues to work on institutional
strengthening, it remains vulnerable to the political and
social tensions in the sub-region, and governance is a
concern.

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U.S. intervention in support of WFP's efforts in The Gambia
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3. Herewith the essence of the U.S. intervention:

-The Gambia was one of nine Sahelian countries that attended
(September 9-10, in Dakar, Senegal) the WFP-sponsored
Regional Ministerial Conference for the Launch of the
"Alliance for Action" on School Feeding, Health and Basic
Education for the Sahel. All countries of the region have
pledged their support to the effort and jointly agreed that:
a) integration of school feeding activities in government
strategies and action plans, as well as in Poverty Reduction
Strategy Papers (PRSP) was essential to secure resources for
this activity in the long term; and
b) on the imperative need for collaboration at country level
between central and local partners, as well as between the
ministries of education and health - in this effort. In
USDEL's view, big steps have already been taken to support
primary education by the governments of a number of Sahelian
countries. USDEL urged The Gambia and its sister Sahalian
countries "not to let the momentum slide."

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Support to WFP's development portfolio in The Gambia
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4. Under the present on going operation related to school
feeding ("Community-based school feeding," The Gambia
05932.1),WFP has received a total of USD 5.2 million in
overall support. The United States is the major donor at USD
3.07 million. Japan has contributed USD 0.76 million.
Norway, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and
Germany have also contributed. Moreover, the Dutch

multinational TPG is presently providing technical
assistance aimed at improving WFP's in-country logistical
capacity.

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Executive Board approval
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5. The WFP Board approved The Gambia development project
10311.0 entitled Support to Basic Education in Rural
Vulnerable Regions. The project is for three years, with a
total cost to WFP of USD 6.92 million. Beneficiaries are
estimated at 145,830 (annual average). Over the life-of-
project, WFP will supply (subject to the availability of
funds) a total of 14,680 metric tons of food aid. Hall


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2004ROME00955 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED