VZCZCXRO4477
PP RUEHRN
DE RUEHRN #0012/01 0331821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021821Z FEB 10
FM USMISSION UN ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1273
INFO RUEHC/USAID WASHDC
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0044
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 0023
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 0058
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0022
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0305
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0367
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0471
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 1350

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 UN ROME 000012 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/HS, PRM/MCE, AF AND EB/IFD/ODA 
USAID FOR DCHA, FFP, OFDA, AND AFRICA BUREAU 
NAIROBI FOR GEORGIANNA PLATT, SUREKA KHANDAGLE, NICK COX AND PETE MOHAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: WFP AORC EAID PREF UNHCR
SUBJECT: WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: SOMALIA OPERATIONS SITUATION UPDATE AS 
OF FEBRUARY 2, 2010 
 
REF: A) 09 STATE 132604; B) UN ROME 01; C) UN ROME 03; D) UN ROME 08; AND E) UN ROME 10 
 
¶1.  (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please 
handle accordingly. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On February 2, WFP reported that artillery/mortar 
exchanges between militants and the TFG over the weekend in 
Mogadishu did not impact WFP operations as there was no shelling 
in the vicinity of the port where WFP operates.  WFP expressed 
some concern about possible expansion of the shelling into the 
port area. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) On February 1, WFP disseminated its latest situation 
report to the WFP Executive Board.  The text is pasted in its 
entirety below: 
 
BEGIN REPORT 
"WFP Somalia Operations Situation 
As of February 1, 2010 
 
Summary Update 
 
-- As of last weekend UNHAS flights from Nairobi to Hargeisa 
have been diverted to Berbera due to the deterioration of the 
Hargeisa runway. It has become unsafe for use by the jet 
aircraft operating Nairobi-Hargeisa route. Caravan-operated 
flights will fly between Berbera and Hargeisa. UNDP plans to 
rehabilitate the airstrip after resolving issues with the 
Somaliland authorities. 
 
-- 60 mt of assorted WFP commodities arrived safely in Afgoye 
from Mogadishu. This is the first delivery to Afgoye since WFP 
temporarily suspended operations in Southern Somalia. Additional 
commodities recently offloaded in Mogadishu will be delivered to 
Afgoye IDPs. 
 
-- On 27 January 2010, a delegation from the Somali Transitional 
Federal Government, comprised of the Minister of State for 
Planning and International Cooperation, the Minister of Higher 
Education and the Somali Ambassador to Kenya held talks with WFP 
Somalia in Nairobi on mutual cooperation. The delegation 
expressed gratitude to WFP for the support to the Somali people 
through food assistance and recovery projects. 
 
-- WFP and Partners distributed 1,228 mt of assorted food 
commodities to 98,400 beneficiaries under General Food 
Distribution (GFD) in Hobyo, Galkayo, and Hardhere Districts of 
Mudug Region. A further 347 mt was distributed to 43,800 
beneficiaries in Adaado District, Galgadud Region. Food intended 
for 92 households in Elgula village, South Hobyo could not be 
delivered as the residents had vacated the village due to 
conflict and severe drought. 
 
-- The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit for Somalia 
(FAO/FSNAU), together with FEWS NET Somalia, presented the 
findings of the Post Deyr `09/10 Seasonal Assessment and 
Analysis at a special meeting on January 29, 2010. It indicated 
a mixed picture of overall rainfall performance: normal to above 
normal rainfall in most parts of South, but below normal to very 
poor in Central, Northeast and parts of the Northwest regions. 
A press release is expected to be issued by FSNAU early this 
week. 
 
-- WFP will release updated beneficiary numbers and commodity 
requirements in the coming weeks based on the FSNAU findings. 
 
-- A total 2,904 mt of assorted food was offloaded at Mogadishu 
port and 593 mt at Berbera port., 
 
-- Flights to Galkayo, Bossasso and Hergeisa are continuing 
while flights to Mogadishu are approved on a case by case basis. 
 
WFP Security Update 
-- Mogadishu: Day missions for international staff members are 
possible subject to UNDSS New York Security Clearance. WFP 
National staff members continue to operate from the seaport. 
 
UN ROME 00000012  002 OF 002 
 
 
Reports indicate that VBIED and or PBIED attacks are highly 
expected to occur in Mogadishu Villa Somalia, MIA, Seaport and 
UNCC are at particular risk. 
 
-- Puntland: Assassinations and hand grenade explosions are 
expected to continue especially in Galkacyo, Bossasso and 
Garowe. The Sool region, in particular the capital Las Anod 
remains a hot spot, as both Somaliland and Puntland claim this 
territory and has fought over its control. There is currently no 
indication that extremists from south central zones are behind 
recent attacks. Considering recent incidents, there is a trend 
of increased insecurity and instability in Las Anod, resulting 
in reduced access for UN missions. 
 
-- In Hargeisa, Bossasso and Galkacyo, international staff 
members are present and able to continue with programme 
activities for Northern and Central Regions. Somaliland 
presidential elections remain the highest point of concern, 
followed by threats of suicide attacks."  END REPORT 
COUSIN