CONGO/B: Status of 2005 Food for Education

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000697 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C DEPARTMENT PASS USDA - MARY CHAMBLISS FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID CF SUBJECT: CONGO/B: Status of 2005 Food for Education Funding ¶1. Post understands that recipient countries for USDA's 2005 Food for Education program have been made and, that Republic of Congo (ROC) was not slated to receive funding and have the program renewed. The Embassy would like to submit as a reclamma the importance of this program for the Republic of the Congo. It is one of the major bilateral assistance programs between the U.S. and ROC. Congo/B is a post conflict country with dire education needs. The USDA Food for Education Program has been critical in addressing education issues all over the country stemming from six years of civil conflict. The program reaches more than 5,000 children, including at-risk groups like pygmies. The Embassy strongly supports this program and would like to request that USDA reconsider ROC for the 2005 selection, or if that is not possible, we would hope that ROC would be on the list for any end of the year or unprogrammed funds. ¶2. Brazzaville Embassy Office - Sanders DOUGHERTY