FOOD CRISIS CONTINUES TO THREATEN SIERRA LEONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000468

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JUHNTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: EAID EAGR PREL SL
SUBJECT: FOOD CRISIS CONTINUES TO THREATEN SIERRA LEONE

REF: FREETOWN 225

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Food security continues to be a threat to the survival
of most Sierra Leoneans, despite some sentiments to the
contrary. A June 2008 rapid assessment commissioned by the
World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) in Sierra Leone revealed that "the present
crisis appears to be severe and likely to worsen with rising
food prices." The assessment cites that 84% of households
(approximately 4 million people) experience serious problems
with either producing or purchasing food, often incurring
cumbersome debt to feed their families. It further notes that
30% of households have inadequate food consumption, and are
thus considered "food insecure." This percentage is likely to
rise due to poor infrastructure and eroding purchasing power.
Further price shocks, particularly in the rice market, cannot
be absorbed by vulnerable population cohorts, such as youth,
female-headed households, children, pregnant and lactating
mothers, and those suffering from illnesses.


2. (C) Ambassador learned unofficially that WFP Headquarters
does not see Sierra Leone as a country in dire need of
assistance. This message was communicated to USAID
Headquarters, and runs counter to WFP-funded studies and an
assessment conducted by the new WFP Country Director, Dr.
Christa Rader. Dr. Rader informed the Ambassador on September
5 that she observed serious malnutrition throughout the
country, particularly amongst children.


3. (C) COMMENT: Food security in Sierra Leone is a real and
pressing threat. The availability of supplies masks the
deeper problem that higher prices prohibit consumers from
buying enough for adequate nutrition. The WFP/FAO official
assessment suggests the crisis will worsen, causing the
deterioration of security, human development, and economic
growth in a country already at the bottom of the UN's Human
Development Index. Post therefore appreciates the
Department's continued careful consideration of the funding
request submitted reftel, and will work on other ways to
address the issue.
FEDZER