Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10UNROME25
2010-02-23 15:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
UN Rome
Cable title:  

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM EXECUTIVE BOARD 2010 FIRST REGULAR

Tags:  WFP AORC EAID PREF EAGR EFIN UN 
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RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 1379
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 UN ROME 000025 

SIPDIS

USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, GH, AND AFRICA BUREAU; STATE FOR IO,
PRM/MCE, AND EEB/IFD/ODA; USDA FAS FOR 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 2010 FIRST REGULAR
SESSION: HAITI, HUMANITARIAN CLUSTERS AND SIR JOHN HOLMES

REF: UN ROME 15

UN ROME 00000025 001.2 OF 005


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 UN ROME 000025

SIPDIS

USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, GH, AND AFRICA BUREAU; STATE FOR IO,
PRM/MCE, AND EEB/IFD/ODA; USDA FAS FOR 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 2010 FIRST REGULAR
SESSION: HAITI, HUMANITARIAN CLUSTERS AND SIR JOHN HOLMES

REF: UN ROME 15

UN ROME 00000025 001.2 OF 005


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


1. The 2010 First Regular Session of the WFP Executive Board
was held in Rome from February 8-11. Highlights from the
session included: the election of a new Executive Board Bureau,
an update on Haiti, guest speakers OCHA Under Secretary General
Sir John Holmes and economist Jeffrey Sachs, and a progress
report on the Financial Framework Review. In addition, the
Board bade farewell to Deputy Executive Director (DED) for
External Relations Staffan de Mistura, who will take up duties
as the Secretary General's Special Representative for
Afghanistan on March 1, and congratulated WFP Deputy COO Ramiro
Lopes da Silva, who will replace de Mistura as DED for External
Relations. Lastly, two Protracted Relief and Recovery
Operations (PRROs) were approved for Iraq and Afghanistan for a
total of $1.434 billion. End summary.

Opening Session: Haiti Earthquake Response Efforts
-------------- --------------


2. Executive Director Josette Sheeran reported on her recent
visit to Haiti, citing the earthquake response as `the most
complex WFP operation ever launched' on account of major
infrastructure damage, mass-scale urban programming and other
factors. WFP is leading in Haiti three of the Humanitarian
Clusters activated by the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) (food, logistics, and emergency
telecommunications) as well as operating the UN Humanitarian Air
Service (UNHAS). Sheeran also provided an update on the WFP
Information Network and Global System II (WINGS II) and how IT
improvements helped WFP's global humanitarian responses (e.g.,
in Haiti, administrative issues were handled more efficiently,
allowing field staff more time to focus on delivering food and
meeting emergency needs). On security, she highlighted WFP's
increased efforts toward improving security in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, and her work as chair of the UN High Level Committee

on Management leading security improvements for the UN globally.
Lastly, she noted the progress made in the Financial Framework
Review, assuring the Board that WFP will remain on track for
completion of the review by February 2011.


3. In her intervention, Ambassador Cousin recognized WFP's
leadership in logistics and management of essential humanitarian
clusters, stressing that coordination in a crisis of this
magnitude is important and acknowledging WFP's collaboration
with an array of civil as well as military partners aimed at
securing the distribution of food. The Ambassador further
stressed that lessons learned will also include donor responses:
donors must ensure that the outpouring of good-hearted
assistance does not morph into long-term dependency on
humanitarian relief, noting the need to work together to help
Haiti create a sustainable and food secure future. These
efforts, she noted, should intertwine with the expertise of the
private sector, which has also proven to be a valuable partner
in response efforts. As a global designer and provider of
safety nets, WFP must participate in helping to create this new
Haiti, she concluded.


4. At the opening session, the Secretariat announced the
election of the 2010 Executive Board Bureau:

-- List C (Latin America): President, Ambassador Sabas Pretelt
de la Vega, Colombia; and Alternate Ambassador Jose Antonio
Marcondes de Carvalho, Brazil;
-- List D (OECD countries): Vice President, Ambassador Agnes van
Ardenne, Netherlands; and Alternate, Harriet Spanos, United
States of America.
-- List A (Africa): Member, Innocent Mokosa Mandende, Democratic
Republic of Congo; and Alternate, Ambassador Mohamed Ashraf
Gamal Eldin, Egypt;
-- List B (Asia and Near East): Member, Ambassador Javad Shakhs

UN ROME 00000025 002.2 OF 005


Tavakolian (Islamic Republic of Iran); and Alternate, Ambassador
Li Zhengdong, China;
-- List E (Eastern Europe): Member, Jiri' Muchka, Czech
Republic; and Alternate, Arsen Vartanyan, Russian Federation.

Special Guests: Sir John Holmes and WFP's Role in Humanitarian
Assistance; and Jeffrey Sachs
-------------- --------------


5. WFP's role in Humanitarian System: OCHA Under-Secretary
General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Sir John Holmes
reflected on humanitarian reform and WFP's role in the
humanitarian assistance system. Underpinning UN humanitarian
reform efforts, he noted, is the principle of partnership
between UN agencies, NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement and other humanitarian actors. He also stated that the
response to the Haiti earthquake has been and remains a huge
test of the humanitarian cluster approach - `its biggest so far'
- demanding new skills, sufficient dedicated staff with no
assigned HQ agency duties to distract them or give rise to the
perceptions of conflicts of interest. He extolled WFP's
leadership as the global humanitarian cluster lead for food,
logistics and emergency telecommunications and for pioneering
innovative approaches to relief. With regard to the revamping
of the Humanitarian Coordinator/Resident Coordinator system,
however, he would like to see the number of WFP applicants rise
(so far WFP has submitted five Humanitarian Coordinator
applicants to the pool).


6. In conjunction with Holmes, the Board considered the WFP
policy paper entitled, `WFP's Role in the Humanitarian
Assistance System,' which outlines WFP's engagement in and
contributions to the humanitarian system, including emergency
preparedness, policy development, and needs assessments. The
U.S. recognized WFP's strong footprint in the humanitarian arena
and encouraged WFP to continue establishing effective
partnerships. The U.S. also commended joint efforts among
humanitarian actors aimed at improving needs assessments and
vulnerability analysis.


7. In a separate session, economist Jeffery Sachs expressed his
belief in ending poverty by 2025 through the use of new
technologies, `brainpower' and resolve to bring about an
increase in agricultural production necessary for food security
and development in Africa and elsewhere. He opined
provocatively on the `complicated international scene' as a
primary constraining factor in food security progress -- too
many organizations involved, time/energy lost in turf wars and
donor coordination, and insufficient or misdirected funding. On
Haiti, he appealed to the Board to `use WFP's mandate broadly,'
suggesting that the critical planting season would be missed if
WFP waited to coordinate with others. A number of donors,
including the United States, strongly responded to correct his
misperceptions and statements about development assistance and
WFP's role. Specifically, the U.S. Ambassador cautioned against
expanding WFP's mandate beyond the Organization's agreed
mission. On the margins Executive Director Sheeran apologized
to several donors (the U.S., ECHO, etc.) for some of his
remarks.

Annual Report for 2008 to ECOSOC and FAO Council
-------------- --------------


8. The Board approved the 2008 Annual Report to ECOSOC and FAO
Council, the focus of which was on WFP's role in UN system-wide
efforts to increase coherence and support country-led efforts to
address continuing food and financial crises. These included
working with the Secretary-General's High-Level Task Force on
Food Security (HLTF) to implement the Comprehensive Framework
for Action (CFA); piloting innovative initiatives such as
Purchase for Progress and cash/vouchers; and partnering with new
private sector entities on a nutrition improvement strategy.
The report also highlighted WFP's lead on UN Joint Crisis

UN ROME 00000025 003.2 OF 005


Initiatives (JCIs) in food security with FAO, IFAD and the HLTF.


Financial, Oversight and Evaluation Matters
-------------- ---


9. Update to the 2010-2011 Management Plan: WFP's Program of
Work for 2010 increased by $595 million (as of December 31,
2009),bringing the biennial total to $9.55 billion. The
document detailed the requirements for the top countries
responsible for the increase [Pakistan ($240 million for
increased IDPs and increased security costs after the October
bombing),Sudan ($110.5 million largely for higher transport
costs in Darfur),Afghanistan ($80.4 million) and Ethiopia
($49.4 million)]. The U.S., echoed by Australia, expressed
appreciation for WFP's continued efforts to improve the update
document. WFP advised that the update document was not
inclusive of any new requirements resulting from the Haiti
earthquake operations which currently are estimated at $300
million for the first six months of 2010. The June update will
include Haiti operations which may total an estimated $800
million.


10. Financial Framework Review: The U.S. and the EC issued a
joint statement cautioning WFP on UN coherence in the recovery
definition that may lead to WFP deviating from its core mission,
and insisted that WFP include in country programs those extended
recovery and prevention elements that are developmental in
nature. Responding to donor concerns on the need for
expediency, WFP communicated its goal to shorten the approval
timeline of a new framework to November 2010 through the
extensive use of informal consultations to gauge Board
acceptance of framework elements.


11. Revised Fee for the External Auditor for the 2008-2009
Biennium: The Board was asked to approve a 19 percent fee
revision for additional work performed by the External Auditor
for International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
adoption, WINGS II rollout and an hourly fee increase for the
biennium (GBP 114,800 for a total contract to GBP 512,000).
Several Board members took exception to the lack of clear
procedure and prior Board authorization surrounding the decision
to allow audit workload increases given the direct reporting
relationship between the External Auditor and the Board
(reftel). As a resolution, the Executive Board Bureau verified
a slightly lower increase (GBP 104,000) with the External
Auditor and WFP assured that future contracts will utilize price
ceilings which cannot be exceeded without prior Board approval.


12. Other matters: The External Auditor report on the IPSAS
dividend noted that WFP is taking advantage of new and better
information provided under IPSAS. The U.S. expressed support
for the recommendation that WFP management more frequently
review and analyze financial metrics available to them under
IPSAS. The Board also considered a report from the External
Auditor analyzing WFP's strategic planning process in the Uganda
Country Office. How WFP will carry forward the process in other
countries, and whether the Board would consider the
recommendation to review a country strategy in lieu of the
current practice of individual project documents, will be the
subject of future informal consultations. With regard to WFP's
progress on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) recommendations, WFP
currently has no intention of submitting Internal Audit
directorship appointments to the Board for approval.


13. Evaluation: The Board considered the first joint evaluation
by WFP and FAO on how these organizations have improved
Information Systems for Food Security (ISFS); and, how far these
systems have contributed to decision-making. The U.S.
emphasized the need to increase incentives for information
system capabilities to be built and sustained at national and
regional levels. Members approved a revised decision to include
language proposed by Brazil encouraging WFP to work with the

UN ROME 00000025 004.2 OF 005


Committee on World Food Security (CFS) toward more effective and
continuous ISFS institution-building.

Highlights from Regional Presentations and Project Approvals
-------------- --------------


14. Regional and Country Director gave presentations, which can
be found at http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/publ ic/
documents/resources/wfp216248.pdf, as follows:

A) Eastern and Southern Africa: Temporary suspension of food
distribution continues in Southern Somalia. In Ethiopia, WFP
and the Government have engaged in a process to improve food
management accountability and reporting. In the rest of the
region, WFP is working with partners [UN sister agencies and
GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) in the area of
nutrition; FAO, AGRA and IFAD in the Purchase for Progress
Initiative; and governments as they prepare CAADP plans] to
ensure that hunger reduction is embedded in various processes.

B) Sudan: Conflict and displacement in Darfur have stabilized
but insecurity remains a real threat. Last year's drought
caused a 30-40 percent drop in production and will have huge
implications for WFP's caseload, up to 11 million from 6.5
million last year, with highest vulnerability in the Southern
Sudan regions of Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria.

C) West Africa: WFP is stepping up assistance in the face of a
potential major food crisis in Niger and Western/Central Chad.
Despite an assessed 3.4 million beneficiaries in need, no formal
request for assistance has been received from the Government of
Niger. The Central African Republic continues to face complex
humanitarian challenges, compounded by the influx of refugees
from the DRC.

D) Asia: In Sri Lanka, 160,000 IDPs have returned, while many
still remain in camps due to the threat of land mines. In
Pakistan, some IDPs have returned; in response to instruction
from UNDSS to reduce staff presence, some WFP staff members are
working from Bangkok.

E) Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia: In Yemen, WFP
is facing some of the highest food insecurity and malnutrition
rates in the world, particularly in the Saada province where the
humanitarian situation is deteriorating. In Gaza, WFP's cash
and voucher program is being expanded.

F) Latin America and the Caribbean: Regionally, unemployment
and poverty on the rise. In Haiti, the need for emergency
preparedness and for predictability of funds for a better
response was noted. In Guatemala, the effects of extreme weather
patterns have augmented vulnerability. WFP is working with the
Government of Guatemala to reinforce social safety nets in
children under 24 months of age.


15. The Board approved two PRROs, one for: Afghanistan, `Relief
Food Assistance to Tackle Food Security Challenges, which will
reach 7.6 million beneficiaries with 816,000 metric tons for a
total value of $1.2 billion, and a second for Iraq, `Support for
Vulnerable Groups,' which will reach 1.7 million beneficiaries
with 189,000 metric tons of food for a total value of $234
million. For Afghanistan, the U.S. expressed appreciation for
the emphasis on gender and encouraged continued rigor in this
area. For Iraq, the U.S. encouraged WFP to target programming in
Diyala and Baghdad, the areas of highest returnees, and
requested WFP to come back to the Board via correspondence on
how it will address performance indicators that do not include
specific targets.

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


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

UN ROME 00000025 005.2 OF 005



-- Staffan de Mistura (Sweden/Italy),WFP Executive Director for
Communications and External Relations since July 2009, will be
leaving WFP to become UNSG's Special Envoy to Afghanistan;

-- Ramiro Lopes da Silva (Portugal),currently Deputy COO, has
been promoted to Deputy Executive Director of Communications and
External Relations, replacing de Mistura.

--Denise Costa Coitinho, REACH (Renewed Efforts Against Child
Hunger) Coordinator, returned to the World Health Organization
at the end of her secondment to WFP.

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