Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHISINAU1395
2007-11-26 13:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

REQUEST FOR TRANSNISTRIA DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

Tags:  EAID ECON PREL MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0011
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCH #1395 3301342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261342Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5950
INFO RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 4243
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0545
UNCLAS CHISINAU 001395 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USAID/OFDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL MD
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TRANSNISTRIA DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

REF: CHISINAU 01039

UNCLAS CHISINAU 001395

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USAID/OFDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL MD
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TRANSNISTRIA DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

REF: CHISINAU 01039


1. (SBU) I am declaring a disaster in the Transnistrian region of
Moldova due to severe drought, loss of crops, and consequent
negative impact on living standards. I hereby request $50,000 from
USAID/OFDA for disaster relief in Transnistria.


2. (SBU) This request follows reftel in which I requested emergency
assistance for drought-affected Moldova. OFDA funds provided in
response to that request ($50,000 initially, plus $200,000
subsequently) were coupled with Mission bilateral funding ($100,000)
for the acquisition and delivery of seeds for the fall 2007 planting
of winter wheat and barley in right-bank Moldova. In sum, 518 tons
of wheat seed and 100 tons of barley seed were secured and
distributed to 1,539 smaller-scale commercial growers. Those seeds
are now in the ground and will yield the spring harvest. Five
central regions were targeted: Orhei, Singerei, Telenesti, Rezina,
and Soldanestu.


3. (SBU) This declaration and request is specific to the break-away
region of Transnistria, which was not included in the OFDA
assistance provided to right-bank Moldova. All indications are that
Transnistria has been at least equally affected by the drought which
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin declared in July to be a
disaster. Like the rest of Moldova, local resources in Transnistria
are insufficient to respond effectively to the impact of the
drought. The speaker of the Transnistrian "parliament" requested
USG assistance in a conversation with me on November 9, 2007.


4. (SBU) Transnistria, with a population of 580,000, is located
within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova, mostly to
the east of the Nistru River. A ceasefire has held since the civil
war in 1992, but the territory's political status remains
undetermined. Transnistria's authoritarian, pro-Russian
secessionist authorities control this portion of Moldovan territory
(including weapons factories and other industrial facilities). In
the past, the USG has had little interaction with Transnistrians.
The appeal for USG assistance from the Transnistrian authorities is
unusual and significant. Assisting Transnistria at this crucial
moment will show U.S. moral and humanitarian support for the people
there and facilitate dialogue with the Transnistrians that the USG
is actively trying to engage and coax into dialogue. We have a
unique opportunity to build goodwill and to improve prospects for
further work in Transnistria. For these reasons, I believe it is in
our national interest to provide assistance to Transnistria during
this time of need.


5. (SBU) Like most of Moldova, the impact of drought in Transnistria
has been especially hard on cereal crops, pasture and fodder for
livestock. A September 25 report by the FAO/WFP describes the 2007
drought as having a "severe" impact on the agricultural sector of
Moldova, which directly or indirectly supports more than 60 percent
of the population and 70 percent of the poor. Overall, crop
production is reported to have been reduced by an average of 60
percent; in some cases entire crops were lost. Transnistrian
authorities have expressed particular concern over escalating food
prices. This increase comes on top of utility cost increases of
more than 30 percent this year. Now, as food prices have risen,
living standards have declined from an already low level. Moldova
is the poorest country in Europe.


6. (SBU) The plan for assisting Transnistria is built on the
Mission's experience in disbursing OFDA funds already provided to
right-bank Moldova. Post, through our USAID office, will grant OFDA
funds to USAID's implementing partner CNFA (Citizens Network for
Foreign Affairs) to purchase and distribute corn seed. The seed is
needed for the spring 2008 planting season. To meet planting
deadlines, the seed should be distributed no later than early April

2008. In addition to OFDA funding of corn seed, USAID and CNFA are
exploring prospects for reprogramming ongoing bilateral resources to
better engage associations of Transnistrian farmers in a program of
longer-term assistance.


7. (SBU) The Mission is coordinating with other donors in the
provision of drought recovery assistance to Transnistria, though to
date no other donors have provided assistance. UNDP is considering
providing animal fodder to households.


8. (SBU) While my request at this time is for $50,000 from OFDA, it
is evident that the need is substantial and that additional
resources could be effectively programmed. Any additional OFDA
assistance to address drought recovery in Transnistria would be
welcomed.

KIRBY