WFP ANTICIPATING 25 PERCENT INCREASE IN CASELOAD

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002140 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/GREENE/WAECHTER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO; STATE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN; TREASURY FOR ADKINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM EAID KWBG KPAL SUBJECT: WFP ANTICIPATING 25 PERCENT INCREASE IN CASELOAD REF: JERUSALEM 1508 ¶1. (SBU) In a May 24 meeting, World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Country Director Jacques Higgins and West Bank Program Officer Claire Conan briefed USAID Health and Humanitarian Services Officer and EconOff on concerns about deteriorating food security in the West Bank and Gaza. Although WFP's analysis of recently collected food security data is still in progress, WFP fears that a growing number of Palestinian families are unable to meet their nutrition needs. Possible contributing factors include non-payment of PA salaries and closures of crossings, combined with a decrease in protein sources due to Avian Influenza (AI) and Gaza coastline fishing restrictions. ¶2. (SBU) Higgins said that WFP is conducting a nutritional data assessment to monitor levels of micronutrient deficiencies and acute malnutrition rates. Current data will be compared with the WFP 2004 baseline survey. If acute malnutrition rates do begin to rise, WFP will respond by adding supplemental and/or therapeutic feeding programs for children to its food assistance activities through NGO partners. ¶3. (SBU) Higgins said WFP expects to increase its caseload by 25 percent, reaching 600,000 beneficiaries. He said WFP's 2006 budget had been revised from USD 40 million to USD 52 million, an increase which will be reflected in the Consolidated Appeal by UN agencies for emergency support on May 31. Higgins said the USD 12 million increase has two main components: USD 2 million for fighting the spread of Avian Influenza (AI),and USD 10 million to increase WFP's capacity to manage a 25 percent caseload increase. He added that WFP was already looking for additional partners to expand its operations. WALLES