VZCZCXRO0997
PP RUEHBZ RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHHM RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR
RUEHNH RUEHPA RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRN #0025/01 0541515
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231515Z FEB 10
FM USMISSION UN ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1301
INFO RUEHC/USAID WASHDC
RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0025
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 0021
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 0035
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0025
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 0081
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0152
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0040
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0328
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0391
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0485
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
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 
----------- 
 
¶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