NOTE TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE FROM

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001245

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PHUM XW
SUBJECT: NOTE TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE FROM
KJELL BONDEVIK, SYG SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENVOY FOR HORN OF
AFRICA

REF: MALY-MCKEE EMAIL OF 15 JUNE


1. Mission received the following note dated June 15, 2006,
from Kjell Magne Bondevik, UN SYG's Special Humanitarian
Envoy for the Horn of Africa, requesting a meeting on June
26, 2006, to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Horn
of Africa. USUN is in discussion with IO/RHS on how to
facilitate meetings with Department and USAID. Text of note
follows in para 2 below.


2. Begin text: 15 June 2006

Dear Madame Secretary,

I am writing to request a meeting with you on 26 June to
discuss the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa and
the persistent problem of chronic hunger.

The Secretary-General appointed me as his Special Envoy for
the Horn of Africa in February 2006 in response to the
drought crises afflicting the region since the beginning of
the year. As you are aware, the Horn of Africa is one of the
most food-insecure regions in the world, with more that 40
percent of people undernourished. One of my tasks as Special
Envoy is to ensure effective humanitarian action in response
to the ongoing drought crisis. I am also tasked with
addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, in
collaboration with the United Nations system, affected
countries, the donor community, Non Governmental
Organizations, International Financial Institutions, and
regional organizations such as the Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development.

I visited the Horn region in February and April. Following
my last visit, I traveled to European donor capitals,
including Brussels, London, Geneva and Berlin where I urged
the political leadership to increase their contributions to
the Horn of Africa appeals, which are less than 40 percent
funded out of a total requirement of US dollars 855 million.
I also implored donor capitals to double their efforts to
tackle the root causes of recurrent drought and break the
cycle of hunger in the region.

I am grateful for your consideration of my request.

Please accept, Madame Secretary, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

Kjell Magne Bondevik
Secretrary-General's Special Humanitarian Envoy

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for the Horn of Africa

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

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Secretary of State

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United States
Department of State
End text.
Washington, DC.
BOLTON