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