Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09UNROME70
2009-12-01 01:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
UN Rome
Cable title:  

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD 2009 SECOND REGULAR

Tags:  WFP AORC EAID PREF EAGR EFIN UN 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1202
INFO RUEHC/USAID WASHDC
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 0013
RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA PRIORITY 0008
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0058
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0115
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0020
RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA PRIORITY 0022
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0258
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0313
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0414
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 1278
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 UN ROME 000070 

SIPDIS

USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, GH, AND AFRICA BUREAU; STATE FOR
IO/EDA, PRM/MCE; EB/IFD/ODA; USDA FAS FOR PHILBROOK, SHEIKH,
FEUSTEL AND FRIEDENBERG; TREASURY FOR MORRIS AND GANDHI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: WFP AORC EAID PREF EAGR EFIN UN
SUBJECT: WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD 2009 SECOND REGULAR
SESSION: COLLABORATING TOWARD A FOOD SECURE FUTURE

UN ROME 00000070 001.3 OF 006


---------------
Summary
---------------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 UN ROME 000070

SIPDIS

USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, GH, AND AFRICA BUREAU; STATE FOR
IO/EDA, PRM/MCE; EB/IFD/ODA; USDA FAS FOR PHILBROOK, SHEIKH,
FEUSTEL AND FRIEDENBERG; TREASURY FOR MORRIS AND GANDHI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: WFP AORC EAID PREF EAGR EFIN UN
SUBJECT: WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD 2009 SECOND REGULAR
SESSION: COLLABORATING TOWARD A FOOD SECURE FUTURE

UN ROME 00000070 001.3 OF 006


--------------
Summary
--------------


1. The 2009 Second Regular Session of the World Food Program
(WFP) Executive Board was held in Rome from November 9-12.
Improved collaboration among the Rome-based UN food and
agriculture agencies as well as other partners was a prominent
theme. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark was invited as a special
guest to speak on synergies with WFP in the field. The Board
approved the 2010-2011 Biennial Management Plan with a projected
operational budget of $8.37 billion. It also considered policy
documents on school feeding, gender and capacity building. Two
Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) projects for
Haiti and Burma totaling $269.4 million were approved, and six
project evaluations were reviewed. End summary.

-------------- --------------
Opening Session: Commemorating Humanitarian Heroes
-------------- --------------


2. WFP held a commemorative tribute to the five WFP staff
members killed and the four injured during the October 5 bombing
of the WFP office in Islamabad. Board members viewed a touching
video and offered resounding messages of sympathy and support,
underscoring the importance of safety and security.


3. In her opening remarks, Executive Director Josette Sheeran
highlighted the increasing collaboration among the Rome-based UN
and other partner agencies, citing the historic November 4
meeting of the Rome heads of agencies and 40 senior staff as
well as examples such as the Purchase for Progress (P4P)
Initiative in conjunction with IFAD, providing logistics support
for partners, and seed distribution in Zimbabwe with FAO and
AGRA. She also spoke on WFP's continued improvements in being
the UN trendsetter for transparency and accountability. As
examples, she cited the formation of the internal Strategic
Resource Allocation Committee (SRAC) and progress in the
financial framework review to attain clarity in and

implementation of WFP program categories, particularly PRROs
which continue to cause anxiety among humanitarian donors due to
blurred programming lines between emergency food aid and
development. She closed by using the 20th anniversary of the
collapse of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of global inspiration to
break down food insecurity barriers in 2010.


4. In her first address to the Executive Board, the Ambassador
spoke of the great political and public will currently providing
new opportunities to tackle food insecurity, highlighting the
commitment of the Obama Administration to engage multilaterally
in this effort. The Ambassador also stressed that the renewed
focus on agriculture would not come at the expense of emergency
food aid, and urged both the Rome Agencies and the
representatives of their governing bodies to "rise to the
occasion together to meet the many challenges of creating a food
secure world." For full text:
http://usunrome.usmission.gov/main.

-------------- --------------
Special Guest: UN Development Program Administrator
-------------- --------------


5. Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP (WFP's fourth largest
partner with collaboration in 43 countries),spoke on
programming synergies between the two agencies, including
"Delivering as One" pilots, and early recovery efforts utilizing
the Resident Coordinator function as the primary facilitator.
She allied herself with Sheeran as a fellow female head of
agency, noting shared emphasis on gender perspectives and the
importance of equal opportunity and security for women in
development. Top officials from both agencies have been
designated to move the partnership forward and overcome
administrative hurdles. She stressed the importance of pledges

UN ROME 00000070 002.3 OF 006


materializing to support the work ahead in attaining global food
security. For full text:
http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/2009/nove mber/
helen-clark-statement-to-the-executive-board- of-the-world-f
ood-programme-.en?categoryID=349463.

-------------- --------------
Policy Issues: School Feeding, Capacity Building and Gender
-------------- --------------


6. After 45 years of implementing school feeding programs, the
Board considered WFP's first School Feeding Policy at this
session. The policy, which aims to implement a unified approach
to school feeding across all WFP programs, was jointly presented
with World Bank school feeding expert Don Bundi as a
multi-purpose safety net which can be used toward various
outcomes (education, value transfer, nutrition, etc.) in
emergency, transition, or stable situations. Eight quality
standards and five phases of transition are defined based on
WFP's research and analysis. In his intervention, USDA Deputy
Undersecretary (DUS) Bud Philbrook welcomed the policy, asking
for clarifications on transition, capacity, links to local
production and other UN-based efforts, education reform and
nutrition. The Board was generally supportive of the policy
and requested a comprehensive evaluation, including early
implementation of the new policy, by the First Regular Session
in 2012.


7. Capacity Building Implementation: Following a 2008 evaluation
during which implementation gaps were identified, WFP provided
an overview on how it aims to address weaknesses in capacity
building both within and external to WFP, including through
targeted training of WFP staff and partners. The United States
stressed the need for more actionable efforts where WFP can add
the most value and reiterated that internal focus on the
building of staff capacity should remain a priority. WFP was
asked to share with the Board the comprehensive implementation
plan currently being developed.


8. Gender Action Plan: Following the adoption of WFP's Gender
Policy in February 2009, WFP updated the Board on its progress
to formulate a 2010-2011 Gender Policy Corporate Action Plan
(CAP). CAP priorities include, among others: increasing
knowledge and capacity among staff to carry out gender analysis;
incorporate a gender perspective into policies, programs and
projects; and establishing an accountability framework to ensure
adequate gender mainstreaming. In its statement the United
States, which has been extensively engaging with WFP bilaterally
to define specific areas of collaboration, expressed
appreciation for the increased emphasis on targeting of men and
boys in programs, and the inclusion of a gender tracking and
reporting mechanism. The U.S. also highlighted the use of the
terms "support" and "facilitate" with regard to protection-like
activities in camps, noting that they indicate WFP intends to
work with partners such as UNHCR under whose purview these
activities fall rather than implement these activities directly.


--------------
2010-2011 Biennial Management Plan
--------------


9. For the 2010-2011 Biennial Management Plan, the Board
approved a projected operational program of work of $8.37
billion, and approved a support and administrative budget of
$476 million as well as capital, security and capacity fund
expenditures totaling $69.3 million. The 2010-2011 Management
Plan represents a decrease of $2.83 billion from the current
biennium's estimated $11.78 billion, and covers identified needs
of 83 million beneficiaries in 73 countries. More than half of
the activities will be carried out in 10 countries: Sudan,
Somalia, Iraq, DPRK, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Kenya,
Chad and DRC. In his statement, USAID/Democracy, Conflict and

UN ROME 00000070 003.3 OF 006


Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) Deputy Assistant Administrator
(DAA) Jon Brause called for due attention to be placed on the
safety and security of WFP staff and concurred with general
donor sentiment on the need for increased efficiency and
effectiveness of programming in increasingly challenging
environments.

-------------- ---
Collaboration among the Rome-based Agencies
-------------- ---


10. WFP presented a joint paper with FAO and IFAD entitled,
"Directions for Collaboration among the Rome-based Agencies,"
which addressed a framework for collaboration in programs,
administration and advocacy under the following topical areas:
a) analytical and policy support for governments and national
development plans; b)the food crisis and implementation of the
UN's Comprehensive Framework for Action (CFA); c) climate change
and links to natural resource management; d) the MDG Africa
Initiative - MDG Africa Thematic Group on Agriculture and Food
Security; and e) transition from relief to development. In her
intervention, the Ambassador encouraged WFP to partner with FAO
in building school gardens. The United States also endorsed
statements by Switzerland and the United Kingdom requesting that
all three heads of the Rome-based agencies be seated at the
podium at the opening session of the World Summit on Food
Security that took place on November 16. With regard to
climate change, the Ambassador reiterated the U.S. position that
WFP refrain from becoming too deeply involved in adaptation and
mitigation work, including accessing international financing
mechanisms, as this was the remit of other UN agencies.

--------------
Evaluation Reports
--------------


11. A thematic evaluation on Contingency Planning and its place
in the work of the organization was considered. Both Management
and the Board agreed with the recommendations to
re-conceptualize the role of contingency planning as an
integrated element, to re-affirm commitment to preparedness, and
build on field experience to update guidance and develop skills.
The U.S. recognized the contingency planning work being
undertaken by WFP's Pandemic Response Unit.


12. Evaluations of two Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations
(PRROs) and three Country Programs (CPs) were reviewed. WFP
management responses to evaluation recommendations and actions
to be taken can be found under Agenda Item 6 at
http://one.wfp.org/~executiveboard/search/doc uments/index.a
sp?lang=1&page=1§ion=7&sub_section=2:

A) Malawi Country Portfolio: WFP operations were found to be
aligned with government priorities and food assistance was
efficiently and effectively delivered; an area of difficulty was
in transition from emergency to recovery periods.

B) Republic of Congo PRRO 10312.1: The recovery component (90
percent of the project) did not fare well in results, due
primarily to numerous pipeline breaks. Additionally, weak
reporting complicated identification of results. Evaluation
recommendations encouraged consolidation of Food for Work
activities, improved coordination mechanisms, and resolution of
logistical obstacles.

C) Cote d'Ivoire PRRO 10672.0: The U.S. recommended
fine-tuning of geographical targeting for nutrition programs as
well as the provision of additional training for nutrition
partners.

D) Democratic Republic of Congo PRRO 10608.0: The impact on the
nutritional status of children under five was found to be
positive, while concerns centered on sustainability and

UN ROME 00000070 004.3 OF 006


monitoring.

E) Bangladesh CP 10410.0: The program was determined to be
closely aligned with the national strategy, with positive
results achieved in the food for education and community
nutrition components. The U.S. expressed concern on lack of
hand-over and lack of funds for capacity building.

F) Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) Country Portfolio:
Although a gap was noted in the addressing of chronic
undernutrition, overall the portfolio performed well. The U.S.
encouraged strengthening of partnerships in the school feeding
program to leverage the relevance of investments made.

-------------- --------------
Highlights from Regional Presentations and Programs
-------------- --------------


13. Regional and Country Directors highlighted issues and
presented updates which can be found at
http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/publ ic/documents/r
esources/wfp211672.pdf:

A) Eastern and Southern Africa: 2009 has been a very difficult
year in the Horn, with deterioration of food supplies and
livestock. Beneficiary numbers have surged 14 percent since
January, now at 20 million in the region. WFP is implementing
innovative programs to combat hunger, including cash and voucher
programs. On the path forward, WFP will be working with CAADP
to ensure that WFP assistance is factored into country plans.

B) Sudan: WFP aims to feed 6.4 million people with 665,000
metric tons of food at a total cost of $874 million in 2010, but
growing instability in the South threatens to create a deeper
humanitarian crisis. In Darfur, WFP is still filling the gap
for 45 percent of the caseload of NGOs expelled earlier this
year. USAID/Sudan Deputy Mission Director/incoming FFP Director
Brooke Isham praised WFP's work in the region and encouraged
donations from other governments.

C) West Africa: The UN is developing a contingency plan to
respond to the political crisis in Guinea Bissau, which could
create up to 500,000 refugees/IDPs. In the Sahel, overall crop
production is low, with Niger having the worst harvest since
1997 (a second assessment is being carried out; the Government
of Niger intends to cover gaps with imports, and is threatening
to expel anyone calling the situation a crisis).

D) Asia: After the recent attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan,
security remains a major issue; WFP announced a call for
re-location for which significant funds will be needed. Despite
concerns, programs will not be cut. Responses to widespread
natural disasters in the Philippines, Indonesia, Lao PDR and
Cambodia continue. In Sri Lanka, although almost 190,000 have
left, 100,000 IDPs remain in sub-standard conditions in closed
camps.

E) Near/Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia:
Challenges stemming from conflict, climate change and lingering
impact of the `triple F' (food, finance, fuel) crisis continue.
In Yemen, conflict in the North is causing access issues. In
Gaza, where 72 percent of the population is food insecure, WFP's
integrated school feeding system is currently serving 92,000
children. The use of new approaches, such as cash vouchers and
a mobile phone based pilot for Iraqi refugees in Syria, is
growing in the region.

F) Latin America and the Caribbean: Poverty, augmented by the
global financial crisis, decline in remittances and natural
disasters (tropical storm Ida in Nicaragua, El Salvador)
continue as the drivers of food insecurity and vulnerability.
Haiti Secretary of State for Agriculture Michel Chancy spoke on
needs in his country, which is home to one-third of Latin

UN ROME 00000070 005.3 OF 006


America's vulnerable.


14. Project Approvals: Two PRROs were approved for Haiti
(150,000 metric tons for 1,900,000 beneficiaries costed at
$147.6 million) and Burma (157,600 metric tons for 2,000,000
beneficiaries costed at $121.8 million). In addition, a draft
Country Program for Guatemala was considered and the Uganda
Country Program, approved by correspondence in October, was
raised for discussion in order to respond to Board members
concerns on, for example, exit strategy.

--------------
Staff Movements
--------------


15. At the closing session, key staff movements were announced:

-- Staffan de Mistura (Sweden/Italy),who has been in his
position since July 1, was officially welcomed as Deputy
Executive Director for Communications and External Relations;

-- Ernesto Baca (Argentina) was announced as Director of the
Information Technology and Facilities Management Division.

--------------
USDEL Side Meetings
--------------


16. USDEL members included: for USUN-Rome, Ambassador Ertharin
Cousin, DCM Michael Glover, USDA Agricultural Counselor Suzanne
Heinen, USAID/Supervisory Program Specialist and Acting Director
for WFP Affairs Harriet Spanos, USAID Humanitarian Program
Specialist Michelle Snow, USAID Finance and Oversight Specialist
Elizabeth Petrovski, USAID Office Administrator Anthony
Colarossi, Public Affairs Officer Lillian deValcourt-Ayala, and
Political Officer Chris Hegadorn; for USDA, DUS Bud Philbrook,
Deputy Administrator Pat Sheikh and School Feeding Chief Dorothy
Feustel; and for USAID, DCHA DAA Jon Brause, current and
incoming Food for Peace (FFP) Director Jeff Borns and Brooke
Isham, FFP Deputy Director Jonathan Dworken, Policy Chief Dale
Skoric, and Policy Team Leader Rachel Grant; and. The USDEL
held side meetings with senior WFP staff on select country
operations and cross-cutting initiatives, a few of which are
highlighted below:

A) Resource Allocation, Advance Funding and Pre-positioning:
Senior staff briefed the USDEL on the Strategic Resource
Allocation Committee (SRAC),which is led by the CFO and has met
six times since its formation in June 2009 to allocate resources
in a more transparent process (of concern to many donors were
the four percent of multilateral donations which were previously
not being directed to priority emergencies). A separate meeting
on Emergency Planning discussed how to optimize the timing of
in-kind contributions.

B) Purchase for Progress (P4P): P4P Director Ken Davies
reported that the initiative now comprises projects in 21
countries, funded largely by the Gates and Buffet Foundations.
Last year, $1.5 billion of commodities were purchased through
the program, $1.1 billion from developing countries. The
program is based on three pillars: leveraging WFP demand to
drive development of smallholder organizations, linking
small-scale suppliers to partners; and learning and sharing of
lessons. An annual review will be held early December in Rome.

C) Nutrition: FFP provided an overview of its contract with
Tufts University's School of Nutrition to examine the
nutritional needs of food aid beneficiaries and the commodities
currently available to meet those needs in the context of total
available food resources. In addition, FFP provided an overview
of its multi-year funding for non-emergency food aid programs
aimed at preventing malnutrition in children under two.


UN ROME 00000070 006.3 OF 006


D) Select country operations meetings were held on Afghanistan,
Ethiopia, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and
Sudan. Notes from these meetings have been disseminated
separately and can be obtained from Rachel Grant at
ragrant@usaid.gov.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


17. USUN Rome thanks all field and Washington staff who
contributed with comments and key input on project and
evaluation documents, which provided depth to U.S.
interventions. USUN Rome will continue to ensure WFP remains
focused on delivering emergency food aid and will assist in
leveraging WFP expertise on logistics, local/regional
procurement, vulnerability assessment mapping, productive safety
nets and strengthening countries capacities to reduce hunger, in
furtherance of the Administration's global food security
strategy.


18. Minimize considered.
COUSIN