This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS  ROME 000955 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
 
BANJUL FOR AMBASSADOR MCDONALD 
STATE FOR PRM/P, AF/W AND IO/EDA BEHREND AND KOTOK 
USAID FOR DAA/DCHA GRIGSBY, DCHA/FFP LANDIS, AFR/WA 
USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR 
GENEVA FOR AMBASSADOR MOLEY, RMA LYNCH AND NKYLOH/USAID 
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ 
BRUSSELS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS AND USAID/LERNER 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN AND AFRICA DIRECTORATE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UNHCR
SUBJECT: WFP BOARD APPROVES THE GAMBIA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 
VALUED AT U.S. DOLLARS (USD) 6.92 MILLION - 14,680 METRIC 
TONS 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. The WFP Executive Board, at its first regular session 
(February 23-26), approved The Gambia development project 
10311.0 entitled Support to Basic Education in Rural 
Vulnerable Regions. The project is for three years, with a 
total cost to WFP of USD 6.92 million. Beneficiaries are 
estimated at 145,830 (annual average). Over the life-of- 
project, WFP will supply (subject to the availability of 
funds) a total of 14,680 metric tons of food aid. End 
summary. 
 
---------- 
Background 
----------- 
 
¶2. The Gambia (population 1.5 million - July 2003 estimate) 
is a least developed (LDC) country, currently ranked 160 out 
of 173 in UNDP's Human Development Report. The Gambia has no 
substantial mineral or other natural resources and has a 
limited agricultural base. Economic progress remains highly 
dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid. In 
December, 2003, the IMF highlighted The Gambia's 
deteriorating economic situation:  "Macroeconomic imbalances 
have worsened, as evidenced by weak growth performance, high 
inflation, the sharp depreciation of the exchange rate and 
an increasing fiscal deficit...These developments threaten 
to impede progress on poverty reduction." In summary, 
although the country continues to work on institutional 
strengthening, it remains vulnerable to the political and 
social tensions in the sub-region, and governance is a 
concern. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
U.S. intervention in support of WFP's efforts in The Gambia 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
¶3. Herewith the essence of the U.S. intervention: 
 
-The Gambia was one of nine Sahelian countries that attended 
(September 9-10, in Dakar, Senegal) the WFP-sponsored 
Regional Ministerial Conference for the Launch of the 
"Alliance for Action" on School Feeding, Health and Basic 
Education for the Sahel. All countries of the region have 
pledged their support to the effort and jointly agreed that: 
a) integration of school feeding activities in government 
strategies and action plans, as well as in Poverty Reduction 
Strategy Papers (PRSP) was essential to secure resources for 
this activity in the long term; and 
b) on the imperative need for collaboration at country level 
between central and local partners, as well as between the 
ministries of education and health - in this effort. In 
USDEL's view, big steps have already been taken to support 
primary education by the governments of a number of Sahelian 
countries. USDEL urged The Gambia and its sister Sahalian 
countries "not to let the momentum slide." 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
Support to WFP's development portfolio in The Gambia 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶4. Under the present on going operation related to school 
feeding ("Community-based school feeding," The Gambia 
05932.1), WFP has received a total of USD 5.2 million in 
overall support. The United States is the major donor at USD 
3.07 million. Japan has contributed USD 0.76 million. 
Norway, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and 
Germany have also contributed. Moreover, the Dutch 
 
multinational TPG is presently providing technical 
assistance aimed at improving WFP's in-country logistical 
capacity. 
 
------------------------ 
Executive Board approval 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. The WFP Board approved The Gambia development project 
10311.0 entitled Support to Basic Education in Rural 
Vulnerable Regions. The project is for three years, with a 
total cost to WFP of USD 6.92 million. Beneficiaries are 
estimated at 145,830 (annual average). Over the life-of- 
project, WFP will supply (subject to the availability of 
funds) a total of 14,680 metric tons of food aid. Hall 
 
 
NNNN 
	2004ROME00955 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED