CONGRESSMAN SNYDER'S INTEREST IN SIERRA LEONE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000517 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA - KATHLEEN MOODY DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS AND USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI EAID OREP SL SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN SNYDER'S INTEREST IN SIERRA LEONE REF: N/A ¶1. (SBU) Recent Time Magazine and Washington Post articles on maternal dealth rates (one in eight) in Sierra Leone prompted Congressman Victor Snyder (D - Arkansas) to contact Ambassador (October 23) on the country's development status. Representative Snyder asked about the overall health conditions and presence of USG personnel addressing these issues. We provided an overview of Sierra Leone's status as last on the human development index, not only in maternal/child health care but in areas such as severe malnutrition and malaria. We advised that at present USAID is providing TDY-USDH assistance from Guinea and three LES. Note: Post has requested USAID health and food for peace officers to address Sierra Leone's serious deficits in health and food security. ¶2. (SBU) Representative Snyder also inquired about the presence of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). We noted that budgetary constraints have kept Peace Corps from returning at this time. However, both Peace Corps Washington and Sierra Leoneans are deeply interested in re-entry of PCVs, when possible. ¶3. (SBU) The Congressman indicated that he has had an interest in Sierra Leone since the 1980's when he visited, and hopes to see effective development efforts by the USG and NGO's in the future. The Congressman has also stated his interest in travelling to Sierra Leone but has not determined a time frame for a formal request. PERRY