MADAGASCAR: REQUEST FOR USG CONTRIBUTION TO UN FLASH

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000362 DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E-MBEYZEROV, AF/EX USAID FOR FFP-JTAYLOR; OFDA-HHALE; AFR/EA-AMARCUS PRETORIA FOR USAID AND OFDA SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: REQUEST FOR USG CONTRIBUTION TO UN FLASH APPEAL REF: ANTANANARIVO 309 ¶1. SUMMARY: This is an action request (see para 4). Six weeks after the announcement of a United Nations flash appeal for immediate relief and early recovery efforts in Madagascar (reftel),only two percent of the requested USD 35.7 million has been pledged - and the human suffering in this ongoing humanitarian disaster is worsening. Post requests that the USG contribute urgently to the appeal, in addition to the complementary programs being implemented by USAID. This will help send the clear message that, while cutting all assistance to the illegal government, the American people remain committed to alleviating the suffering of the innocent Malagasy victims of this disaster. 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. Southern Madagascar (Androy),where the Ambassador travelled last month to assess personally the situation (after declaring a complex humanitarian disaster),is especially affected by severe drought that has devastated the normal cereals harvest. 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 System Coordinator Xavier Leus, the UN has received only 2 percent of the request. On May 8, the French Ambassador announced that France would be making a "substantial contribution", although no amount has yet been announced. USAID is already preparing to engage in several complimentary efforts, including the distribution of Title II 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, and health that still represent a dire need in the face of an ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the political situation. Reftel provides further details on the individual elements of this flash appeal. ¶4. ACTION REQUESTED: Post requests that the Department and USAID urgently locate the additional resources necessary for a direct USG contribution to the UN appeal. The suffering behind this appeal is real, widespread, and worsening. Politically, it is important for the U.S. to be a significant part of this humanitarian response; not responding at all while others do, in the current political context, would be a mistake. Doing so will help send the clear message that, while we are cutting all assistance to the illegal government in response to the recent coup, we remain committed to alleviating the suffering of the innocent Malagasy victims of this disaster. This assistance will also post a significant and much-needed public diplomacy tool for long-term impact in a very challenged climate. MARQUARDT