Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANTANANARIVO360
2009-05-22 04:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

UN FLASH APPEAL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS

Tags:  PREL MA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAN #0360 1420430
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220430Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2444
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000360 

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV, AF/EX
USAID FOR FFP-JTAYLOR; OFDA-HHALE; AFR/EA-AMARCUS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MA
SUBJECT: UN FLASH APPEAL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS

REF: ANTANANARIVO 309

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000360

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV, AF/EX
USAID FOR FFP-JTAYLOR; OFDA-HHALE; AFR/EA-AMARCUS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MA
SUBJECT: UN FLASH APPEAL MAKING SLOW PROGRESS

REF: ANTANANARIVO 309


1. SUMMARY: This is an action request. One month after the
announcement of a United Nations flash appeal for immediate relief
and early recovery efforts in Madagascar (reftel),only 2 percent of
the requested USD 35.7 million has been received. Post requests
that the Department consider contributing to the appeal, in addition
to the complimentary programs being implemented by USAID. END
SUMMARY.


2. In the last five months, Madagascar has faced extraordinary
challenges on several fronts: a political crisis has toppled the
government and sent the economy into freefall, and the impact of
cyclone Jade, combined with an ongoing drought in the south, will
likely delay the May harvest by three months in several regions,
reducing local yields by 30 to 40 percent. The United Nations has
requested USD 35.7 million to supply immediate emergency aid, and
launch recovery activities, to over three million people in major
population centers and rural areas in the south.


3. According to United Nations Ambassador Xavier Leus, the UN has
received only 2 percent of the request to date. On May 8, the
French Ambassador announced that France would be making a
substantial contribution, although no amount has yet been confirmed.
USAID is already preparing to engage in several complimentary
efforts, including the distribution of Title 2 direct food
assistance in collaboration with the World Food Program, and will be
providing disaster relief directly through NGOs. However, the UN
has identified a multitude of additional areas, including water,
sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, health, education, and governance
that still represent a dire need in the face of ongoing political
paralysis in the transition government.


4. Reftel provides further details on the individual elements of
this flash appeal. Post requests that the Department consider a
direct USG contribution to the UN appeal, particularly in light of
recent cuts in non-humanitarian assistance from almost all partners
that will have an indirect impact on this very humanitarian crisis.


MARQUARDT