Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU551
2007-10-02 13:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

LESOTHO: USAID ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ASSESSES FOOD

Tags:  EAID EAGR OVIP PGOV LT 
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VZCZCXRO4286
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0551 2751300
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021300Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3366
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/USAID WASHDC
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3765
UNCLAS MASERU 000551 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, F;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR OVIP PGOV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: USAID ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ASSESSES FOOD
SECURITY


UNCLAS MASERU 000551

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, F;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR OVIP PGOV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: USAID ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ASSESSES FOOD
SECURITY



1. SUMMARY: From September 22-24, USAID Assistant
Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian
Assistance Michael Hess visited Lesotho to assess food security
and to review the USG's ongoing response to recent drought and
failed harvests. Accompanied by Emboff, the Hess delegation
consulted with C-SAFE partners (World Vision, CRS, and CARE);
visited USAID-funded program areas in Mafeteng and Mohale's Hoek
districts; attended a dinner with donors, NGOs, and GOL
representatives hosted by Charge; and consulted with the World
Food Programme. END SUMMARY.

--------------
Instructive Field Visits
--------------


2. USAID Assistant Administrator Michael Hess, accompanied by
Disaster Operations Specialist Chris Pratt, Special Assistant
Amber Brooks, Regional Food for Peace Officer Pat Diskin, and
Emboff met on September 23 with representatives of the NGO
consortium C-SAFE in Maseru for a briefing and site visits. The
C-SAFE consortium, comprised of CARE, Catholic Relief Services,
and World Vision, serves as a major conduit for USAID-supplied
food aid to rural communities in Lesotho. After their briefing,
C-SAFE officials escorted the delegation to program sites in
Mafeteng district. At these site visits, the delegation
observed keyhole gardens, trench gardens, and other conservation
agriculture techniques promoted through "food-for-assets"
programs in rural communities. Program participants uniformly
noted that they experienced better agricultural results than
their neighbors who used more traditional farming methods.

--------------
Dinner Discussions
--------------


3. On the evening of September 23, Charge hosted a dinner in
honor of Assistant Administrator Hess which included
representatives of donor missions, UN agencies, NGOs, and an
official of Lesotho's Disaster Management Authority.
Conversation centered on the GOL's response to the current food
insecurity crisis.

--------------
Consultation with WFP
--------------


4. On the morning of September 24, A/A Hess visited World Food
Programme (WFP) Country Director Bhim Udas and held a frank
discussion about the WFP's activities in Lesotho, the nature of
Lesotho's food insecurity crisis, and WFP's role in the UN
system in Lesotho. Mr. Udas described WFP's role as larger than
its mandate would imply, as it is the only UN organization with
a national network and is thus tasked with a wide range of
missions. Mr. Udas stated that he was pleased with the donor
community's response to date to WFP's flash appeal for food aid
in Lesotho.

--------------
Thanks for Visiting
--------------


5. COMMENT: The visit of Assistant Administrator Hess to
Lesotho reiterated U.S. concerns about the current regional food
insecurity crisis, as well as the need for coordination and
information gathering/sharing in forming an efficient
international response. Hess suggested that the U.S. Mission
explore a mass media nutritional education outreach in Lesotho,
and offered to explore possible funding streams. Embassy
Maseru thanks A/A Hess for his timely visit. We look forward to
continuing our productive cooperation with USAID FFP and OFDA to
help ameliorate Lesotho's current food crisis and to identify
appropriate activities as follow on to the disaster declaration
issued in July 2007. END COMMENT.


6. USAID/FFP Pretoria cleared this cable.

NOLAN