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RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
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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 
--------------- 
 
¶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