USAID/OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO ETHIOPIA

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001212 STATE DEPARTMENT FOR A/S FRAZER, DAS AF JSWAN, AF/E, AF/PDPA, OES, A/S PRM SAUERBREY, AND PRM/AFR AFR/AA KALMQUIST, WWARREN, LKELLEY, KNELSON, CTHOMPSON, BDUMFORD DCHA/AA MHESS, GGOTTLIEB DCHA/OFDA KLUU, ACONVERY, CCHAN, PMORRIS, KCHANNELL DCHA/FFP JBORNS, PMOHAN, SANTHONY, PBERTOLIN LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, RTILSWORTH, AND LPANASUK NAIROBI FOR OFDA/ECARO JMYER, GPLATT, RFFPO NCOX, USAID/EA ROME FOR AMBASSADOR, OHA, HSPANOS BRUSSELS FOR USEU PBROWN GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, RMA USUN FOR TMALY NSC FOR PMARCHAN AIDAC SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM SENV EAGR PGOV ET REF: A) ADDIS 0978 SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA DIRECTOR VISIT TO ETHIOPIA Begin Summary: USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) Director Ky Luu and USAID/OFDA East and Central Africa (ECA) Regional Coordinator Kasey Channell visited Ethiopia from March 29 to April 2 to review humanitarian efforts in Somali Region, introduce USAID/OFDA's disaster risk reduction priorities, initiate implementation of USAID/OFDA's transition strategy for Somali Region, and expand USAID/OFDA's countrywide portfolio approach. The Director met with humanitarian stakeholders within the U.S. Government (USG),the UN, and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners. Visit findings indicate the need for improved humanitarian coordination at all levels and continued advocacy for improved access and food assistance distribution in the region. A detailed overview of USAID/OFDA's disaster risk reduction approach and its application in Ethiopia can be found in REF A. End summary. -------------- Coordination Critical to Relief Efforts -------------- ¶1. In discussions with USAID/OFDA implementing partners, the USAID/OFDA Director emphasized the importance of coordination and information sharing within the Ethiopian humanitarian community, particularly in Somali Region. To facilitate improved response programming, the Director advised NGOs operating within Somali Region to prepare an updated consensus statement on current humanitarian conditions and obstacles to response efforts, including specific recommendations for how USAID and the U.S. Embassy can support NGO activities in the region. -------------- Coordinated Donor Messaging and UN Leadership Required -------------- ¶2. The USAID/Director reiterated the critical need for timely and coordinated communication within the humanitarian community in meetings with UN partners and donor counterparts. The director highlighted the improved utility and effectiveness of coordinated donor messaging in advocating for greater access and collaboration with federal and regional authorities. In addition, the USAID/OFDA Director emphasized the need for robust UN leadership in humanitarian communication, coordination, and advocacy efforts. -------------- Food Assistance Still in Need of Reform -------------- ¶3. Despite recent U.N. World Food Program (WFP) measures to improve food aid delivery in Somali Region, the implementation of logistics reform through the adoption of a hub-and-spoke distribution system has made limited progress. Since January, WFP has increased the number of monitors and negotiated the elimination of required military escorts for food deliveries along several main transportation corridors. However, the director emphasized the need for WFP to continue efforts to secure improved access and distribution in Somali Region and articulated the USG's commitment to support WFP's reform agenda with Government of Ethiopia leadership and officials. YAMAMOTO 1