Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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05NDJAMENA1350 | 2005-09-01 17:51:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ndjamena |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 011751Z Sep 05 ACTION AF-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 USNW-00 CA-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 M-00 AC-00 NEA-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00 OMB-00 NIMA-00 EPAU-00 PA-00 MCC-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 IRM-00 TRSE-00 FMP-00 R-00 EPAE-00 IIP-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /002W ------------------31933B 011716Z /38 FM AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2239 INFO AMEMBASSY BAMAKO AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NIAMEY AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT AMEMBASSY ROME USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK |
UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001350 |
1. Summary. While a massive food aid and disaster relief program is being implemented in neighboring Niger, and OFDA disaster assessment teams gauge the seriousness of reported shortages in Mali and Burkina Faso, the consensus among on-ground observers of the situation in Chad is that Chad is not experiencing a food security crisis. An August 24 press release from Agence France Presse which describes half of Chad as threatened by famine and currently risking starvation, in part due to recent failed rains, is inaccurate and misleading according to a GOC/donor food security technical committee which convened August 31. The FEWS Net project, funded by USAID, monitors the food situation closely and keeps the Embassy well informed of important developments. It sits on this technical committee and shares the view that the article was off target. We will continue to rely upon FEWS Net for up-to-date and accurate assessments of food needs. End summary. 2. Despite a mediocre 2004/05 cereals harvest last September/October, the overall food situation for the country, with the notable exception of the eastern border zone which is reeling from the effect of 200,000 Sudanese refugees, was judged then and continues to be viewed as satisfactory. It is significant to note that the GOC did not issue an appeal for food aid at any time in the postharvest period, something it has not been shy to do in the past when harvest shortfalls were significant. Moreover, the FEWS Net project basically flagged only two regions where continued surveillance would be required because of poor crop production: the sahelian east (Wadi Fira) and the sahelian west (Kanem). The food situation in both was kept from deteriorating through the organization of subsidized food aid sales programs authorized by the GOC/donor food aid coordinating group and, in the east, from WFP's effective food aid program for Sudanese refugees in the twelve camps, later expanded to include some of the neighboring host country population. In short, there were only a couple of localized food security problems which occurred as a result of last year's 2004/05 mediocre harvest, and they have been addressed. 3. We are still in what is called the preharvest "lean period." This is the time of year when hardships, caused by the previous year's production shortfalls, are most acute. However, this year the rains have been so good that early crops are already being harvested and the wild grains of the sahelian zone, coveted by local populations, are being gathered. Livestock are doing well from the emergence of pasture, resulting in dairy products on the market. Crop prospects, according to FEWS Net, are good practically everywhere in the country. Cereal prices have started to go down in N'djamena and Abeche. However, the rainy season needs to continue a couple more weeks so as to ensure completion of the growing cycle for most of the rainfed crops. 4. At odds with the food security assessment of most informed observers, the August 24 AFP story portrayed the country as on the brink of famine. The source for most of the information and for the quotes which appear in the article is a minor technocrat in the agriculture ministry (vice the health ministry as erroneously reported by AFP). When provided an opportunity to defend himself during an August 31 session of the GOC/donor food security technical committee, this individual asserted that he had been misquoted. The committee concluded that the article was replete with disinformation and that prospects for the 2005/06 harvest are currently good. 5. Embassy relies heavily on the USAID-funded FEWS Net office in Chad to keep it apprised of potential and actual food security issues. The project personnel have been responsive to our requests for specific information and have provided useful, structured briefings as needed to Embassy officers and TDYers on food security and refugee-related matters. To date, their assessments have proven about as accurate as can be expected in a very inexact discipline, and we trust they will continue. TAMLYN NNNN |