WFP ACTS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER IN NORTH AND CENTRAL

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000584 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PGOV EAID CG SUBJECT: WFP ACTS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER IN NORTH AND CENTRAL KATANGA REF: A. KINSHASA 509 ¶B. KINSHASA 572 ¶1. Summary: Although severely underfunded and facing huge logistical challenges, the World Food Program (WFP) is racing to feed internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Katanga province. The first WFP airdrops of food outside of Sudan in eight years began April 5, with more Katanga-focused drops scheduled for the near term. But WFP faces both long-term operational uncertainty and funding shortages. End summary. The Mission -------------- ¶2. Following a UNHCR field assessment mission to Katanga March 14-16 and the WFP's month-long attempt to deliver food to Mitwaba by truck convoy from mid-February to mid- March (reftel B),the WFP began air-dropping food for the first time in the DRC and the first time in eight years outside of Sudan. The first drop delivered 70 metric tons to 17,600 IDPs in Nyonga and 85 metric tons to 13,000 IDPs in Dubie. WFP plans to drop additional supplies to IDPs in Mitwaba, Sampwe and Kasungeji -- all villages in Northern Katanga. The Challenges -------------- ¶3. As noted in reftel A, estimates of the number of Katanga IDPs vary wildly. WFP estimates there could be up to 220,000 IDPs needing assistance in the region, though other agencies are reporting about 100,000. A recent nutritional survey by Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) described the malnutrition rates in three Katanga IDP camps as "staggering," with a mortality rate of 4.3 deaths per 10,000 people per day, more than four times the emergency threshold. Since a WFP convoy came under attack last year, ground transport costs have more than doubled due to insecurity. The dreadful road conditions following the rains and a lack of vehicles also hamper ground transport. A long-term plan for the IDPs has still not been developed, although Mai Mai attacks -- the main cause of displacement -- seem on the wane. And, Of Course, the Money -------------- ¶4. In addition to facing severe security and logistical obstacles, WFP's operations in DRC are under-funded. With three months left in its two-and-a-half year Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation in the DRC, WFP faces a critical shortfall of 36 percent of the total $191 million required for current operations -- an estimated shortfall of $69 million. New sources of funding have not yet been identified. Comment -------------- ¶5. The situation in northern and central Katanga continues to reflect a melange of worst-possible-case elements: lack of security, numerous people in need, difficult terrain, logistical/transport limitations, and budgetary gaps. The imminent deployment of two brigades of MONUC peacekeepers (reftel B) should begin to bring some order into the chaos. While the airdrops offer a temporary response to the immediate crisis, the GDRC and humanitarian relief workers must now focus on long-term solutions. End comment. MEECE