FOOD SECURITY WORSENS IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN SUDAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001383 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ORIGINAL GARBLED IN XMIT) SIPDIS NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU GENEVA FOR NKYLOH UN ROME FOR HSPANOS NEW YORK FOR DMERCADO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SMIG UN SU SUBJECT: FOOD SECURITY WORSENS IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN SUDAN KHARTOUM 00001383 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: Southern Sudan continues to be plagued by a food security crisis in several states due to a combination of poor rainfall, heightened insecurity leading to population displacements, and high cereal prices. Hope that the second cereal harvest in November would bring some relief has not been realized, as rain-fed crops in many areas fared poorly due to seasonal rains that tapered off prematurely. According to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP), the eastern part of Southern Sudan, namely Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and the southern counties of Upper Nile, are of highest concern, which corresponds with the situation that Ethiopia and the region in general is experiencing. Reporting from USAID/Office of Food for Peace's (FFP) three implementing partners in Southern Sudan indicates that the food security situation is of serious concern, but there are no indications of a famine in Southern Sudan at this time. End Summary. -------------- UN WARNS AGAIN OF DETERIORATING SITUATION -------------- ¶2. (U) Based on preliminary results from two key assessments conducted in Southern Sudan during October-November 2009 - the Joint FAO-WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment (CFSAM) and WFP's Annual Needs and Livelihoods Assessment (ANLA) - the UN is beginning to alert donors to a continuing deterioration in the food security situation in several areas since it issued an emergency appeal in August. As part of that appeal, WFP requested 22,000 metric tons (MT) of additional food aid in order to respond to an increase of 300,000 people facing severe food insecurity in six states through the end of the year. Several other UN agencies, including UNICEF and FAO, also appealed for additional funding. ¶3. (U) In addition, according to USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) reports, the expected improvement in food security following the second harvest is likely to be shorter than normal, and it is expected that food insecurity in Southern Sudan is likely to worsen starting in January 2010. Some areas in eastern Jonglei will have little or no harvest due to lack of rain. During 
her visit to Southern Sudan, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director Hilde Johnson was quoted in several news reports as warning of the possibility of famine conditions developing should the situation not be managed well by the international community. Reporting from FFP's three implementing partners in Southern Sudan indicates that the food security situation is of serious concern, but there are no indications of a famine in Southern Sudan at this time. It should be noted, however, that malnutrition at emergency thresholds and above for children under five is common in many areas of Southern Sudan. -------------- WFP'S APPEAL AND DONOR RESPONSE -------------- ¶4. (U) WFP's Emergency Appeal for 2010 was issued in October, requesting USD 873.6 million in emergency food aid for all of Sudan. However, the anticipated magnitude of additional food needs is becoming clearer following completion of these two assessments. WFP is therefore preparing to increase its appeal to be able to meet additional needs in Southern Sudan, as well as in other areas of the country. The bulk of the revised appeal will be for needs in Southern Sudan, with USAID expecting more precise figures in the coming days. ¶5. (U) As part of its emergency appeal in August, WFP requested funding for a food air drop operation. Identifying 22 areas of highest priority that could not be reached by land or river, WFP requested $12 million in order to air drop 4,500 metric tons (MT) of commodities. Prior to October 29, when the air drops of food to remote locations commenced, WFP had not resorted to this expensive and inefficient mode of food aid delivery since 2006, apart from limited emergency flood response deliveries. Over the period of one month, WFP air-dropped a total of 2,083 MT of food into nine locations in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Warrap states. Operations were completed on November 28, one month early, due to the fact that many areas are now reachable overland. ¶6. (U) In addition to the U.S., other major donors to WFP include the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO),Canada, and the Japanese Government. In 2009, these donors have contributed USD 60.5 million, USD 18 million, and USD 17 million to WFP's appeal respectively. The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) also supports WFP through its contribution to the UN's Common Humanitarian Fund for Sudan. Recently, ECHO indicated they are planning to provide additional emergency funding for Southern Sudan, KHARTOUM 00001383 002.2 OF 002 in light of the present situation. Details are pending final decisions by ECHO. -------------- USG SUPPORT FOR FOOD SECURITY ACTIVITIES -------------- ¶7. (U) The U.S. is the largest donor to WFP, one of the lead UN agencies for food security in Sudan. To date in FY10, USAID has provided approximately USD 350 million to WFP. Much of this funding was provided very early in order for the food to arrive in the beginning of 2010. This will facilitate WFP's efforts to preposition food before the next rainy season, and to prevent food pipeline breaks. In addition to funding the food aid appeal, USAID has also provided funding to support WFP's emergency airdrop operation. Furthermore, USAID funds several NGO partners working on emergency food security activities in the south. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶8. (U) Post is closely tracking food security in Southern Sudan and USAID is working diligently with its partners to ensure that the most urgent needs of the food insecure populations are met. As results from the various assessments are released and WFP confirms its plans for 2010 including the appeal for increased resources, post will provide additional reporting on the situation.