US embassy cable - 02ROME5132

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 005132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, WFP, WFP, WFP, WFP, WFP, UN 
SUBJECT:  MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS:  AVERTING 
A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
 
REF: (A) ANTANANARIVO 01553 
 
-------- 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
 
1.  FODAG PROJECT BUDGET SPECIALIST VISITED MADAGASCAR 
SEPTEMBER 17-27 AND TRAVELED TO DROUGHT- AND CYCLONE- 
AFFECTED AREAS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE COUNTRY. 
ASSESSMENTS OF THESE AREAS, AND MEETINGS WITH 
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF MADAGASCAR (GOM), THE 
DONOR COMMUNITY, THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) AND NON- 
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS), REVEAL BOTH PROGRESS IN 
THE EFFORTS TO AVERT AN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND CHALLENGES 
TO COMBAT POCKETS OF FOOD INSECURITY AROUND THE COUNTRY. 
WEAK INFRASTRUCTURE AND SCARCE RESOURCES RAISE CONCERNS 
ABOUT THE ABILITY OF THE GOM, UN AGENCIES, DONORS AND NGOS 
TO DELIVER FOOD AID AND TO PROVIDE MITIGATION AND 
PREPAREDNESS TRAINING TO DISASTER-PRONE COMMUNITIES. 
 
----------- 
OBJECTIVES 
----------- 
 
2.  FODAG PROJECT BUDGET SPECIALIST JOHN BROOKS TRAVELED TO 
MADAGASCAR SEPTEMBER 17-27, 2002, TO REVIEW WFP'S FIELD 
OPERATIONS AND ASSESS THE EFFORTS OF THE U.N. TOWARDS 
STRENGTHENING THE GOM'S MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS STRATEGY 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05132  01 OF 05  220709Z 
FOR DEALING WITH RECURRING NATURAL DISASTERS. 
 
3.  BROOKS VISITED DROUGHT- AND CYCLONE-AFFECTED REGIONS IN 
THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE COUNTRY ALONG WITH USAID 
MADAGASCAR'S DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM SPECIALIST MONIQUE SEE 
AND WFP MADAGASCAR'S DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR MICHEL 
LAGUESSE.  BROOKS ALSO MET WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR OF 
TOAMASINA, EMILE TSIZARAINA, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U.N. 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP), THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP), 
EUROPEAN UNION (EU), THE NATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE 
(CNS), THE WORLD BANK'S FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM (SEECALINE), 
THE WORLD BANK, CARE INTERNATIONAL, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES 
(CRS), AND THE ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT RELIEF AGENCY (ADRA). 
 
----------- 
BACKGROUND 
----------- 
 
4.  MADAGASCAR IS THE WORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST ISLAND AND ONE 
OF THE POOREST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.  THREE OUT OF FOUR 
MALAGASY HOUSEHOLDS FALL BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL.  THE 
COUNTRY IS DIVIDED INTO SIX REGIONAL PROVINCES, WHICH ARE 
FURTHER DIVIDED INTO ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN DISTRICTS.  EACH 
PROVINCE IS LEAD BY A REGIONAL GOVERNOR APPOINTED BY THE 
PRIME MINISTER.  MADAGASCAR REGULARLY EXPERIENCES NATURAL 
DISASTERS, SPECIFICALLY DROUGHTS, CYCLONES AND LOCUSTS. 
DROUGHTS ARE A HAZARD OF THE SOUTH, WHERE THEY LEAD TO THE 
STRUGGLE TO HARVEST WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, CROPS AND 
LIVESTOCK.  CYCLONES CAN STRIKE THE ISLAND FROM ANY COAST, 
BUT PRIMARILY INFLICT DAMAGE ALONG THE COUNTRY'S EAST COAST, 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05132  01 OF 05  220709Z 
WHERE THEY DESTROY HOMES AND CROPS AND FURTHER ERODE THE 
COUNTRY'S ALREADY CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE.  LOCUSTS 
TRADITIONALLY ATTACK CROPS IN THE SOUTH BEFORE SPREADING TO 
OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAND, PARTICULARLY THE WEST AND CENTRAL 
REGIONS. 
 
5.  MADAGASCAR HAS 9KM OF PAVED ROAD AND 60KM OF DIRT ROADS 
FOR EVERY 100 SQUARE KM.  DURING THE RAINY SEASON, ENTIRE 
REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY BECOME INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE OF POOR 
ROAD CONDITIONS.  MADAGASCAR IS EMERGING FROM A POLITICAL 
CRISIS THAT LEFT ROADS AND PORTS BLOCKED AND NATURAL 
DISASTER MITIGATION AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS PARALYZED (REFTEL). 
TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, CYCLONE KESINY STRUCK THE ISLAND 
DURING THE MIDST OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS, MAKING AN ALREADY 
TENUOUS SITUATION - IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTING FOOD AID - 
WORSE. 
 
6.  WFP MADAGASCAR TARGETS SOME 1,519,972 BENEFICIARIES.  OF 
THIS AMOUNT, 815,397 ARE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT RECIPIENTS, 
555,000 ARE DISASTER PRONE, AND 149,575 ARE CHILDREN 
INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM. 
 
7.  WFP MADAGASCAR'S FOOD REQUIREMENTS TOTAL OVER 33,000 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1009 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05132  02 OF 05  220709Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   AMAD-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  USNW-00  SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  E-00 
      UTED-00  FDRE-01  VC-00    TEDE-00  LAB-01   VCE-00   AC-01 
      DCP-01   NSCE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   ACE-00   IRM-00   STR-00 
      TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  EPAE-00  ECA-00   DRL-02   SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------FC0992  220709Z /38 
P 220623Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC 6452 
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2856 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION GENEVA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 005132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, WFP, UN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05132  02 OF 05  220709Z 
SUBJECT:  MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS:  AVERTING 
A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
 
METRIC TONS (MT).  FROM THIS AMOUNT, 18,820 MT TARGET 
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT RECIPIENTS, 8,700 MT BENEFIT THE 
DISASTER-PRONE POPULATION AND 3,450 MT SUPPORT CHILDREN IN 
THE SCHOOL FEELING PROGRAM. 
 
8.  WFP MADAGASCAR EMPLOYS NEARLY 20 UNITED NATION'S 
VOLUNTEERS (UNVS)AND FIELD MONITORS TO OVERSEE ITS 
OPERATIONS. 
 
---------------- 
WFP WAREHOUSING 
---------------- 
 
9.  MISSION VISITED WFP WAREHOUSES AND TRANSITIONAL STORAGE 
SPACES IN THE AREA AROUND FORT-DAUPHIN IN THE SOUTHEAST AND 
IN TAMATAVE IN EAST CENTRAL MADAGASCAR.  ROUGH TERRAIN AND 
TIME CONSTRAINTS PREVENTED A VISIT TO TULEAR. 
 
10.  WFP RECEIVES COMMODITIES FROM TWO PRIMARY PORTS: 
TAMATAVE IN EAST CENTRAL MADAGASCAR; AND TULEAR IN THE 
SOUTHWEST.  THE PORT AT TAMATAVE IS THE LARGEST AND MOST 
ACTIVE.  DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS, FACTIONS 
LOYAL TO THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION CONTROLLED THIS PORT 
AND EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED THE RECEIPT AND DISTRIBUTION OF 
SHIPPED COMMODITIES (REFTEL). 
 
11.  AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, WFP'S FACILITIES WERE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05132  02 OF 05  220709Z 
STOCKED WITH RICE, CORN SOY BLEND, AND BEANS FROM VARIOUS 
DONORS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (USG), THE 
GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN (GOJ) AND GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK (GOD). 
 
12.  COMMENT:  IN ADDITION TO USAID/MADAGASCAR AND 
WFP/MADAGASCAR STAFF, MISSION WAS ACCOMPANIED ON A TOUR OF 
THE TAMATIVE WAREHOUSE BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM CARE AND 
ADRA. THE ADRA REPRESENTATIVE EXPRESSED GREAT SURPRISE AT 
THE AMOUNT OF WFP COMMODITIES CURRENTLY WAREHOUSED.  HE 
UNDERSTOOD THAT WFP WAS AWAITING THE DELIVERY OF COMMODITIES 
RELATED TO AN UPCOMING EMERGENCY APPEAL (EMOP) AND THAT HE 
COULD NOT REQUEST COMMODITIES UNTIL THAT TIME BECAUSE NONE 
WOULD BE AVAILABLE.  THIS POINTS TO A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING 
OF WFP'S OPERATIONAL METHODS AND POOR INFORMATION SHARING 
BETWEEN WFP AND AN IMPLEMENTING PARTNER. 
 
13.  MISSION OBSERVED THE THEFT OF WFP COMMODITIES WHILE 
TOURING THE TAMATAVE PORT STORAGE FACILITY.  WFP LOGISTICS 
STAFF WAS PRESENT AND CONFIRMED THAT THEFT IS A PROBLEM AT 
THE FACILITY AND CONFIRMED WFP'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO RESOLVE 
THE ISSUE WITH THE WAREHOUSE MANAGER.  MISSION LATER LEARNED 
FROM ANOTHER WFP LOGISTICS OFFICER THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF 
WFP COMMODITIES ARE CONTAINERIZED, AND ARE THEREFORE THEFT 
RESISTANT.  APPARENTLY, IT WAS JUST THIS MOST RECENT 
SHIPMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN THAT WAS NOT 
CONTAINERIZED. 
 
14.  MINOR COMMODITY LOSS DUE TO RODENT INFESTATION AND 
WATER DAMAGE WERE OBSERVED.  THE ROOF ON ONE WFP-UTILIZED 
WAREHOUSE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED DURING 
MISSION'S VISIT.  END COMMENT 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05132  02 OF 05  220709Z 
 
---------------------- 
WFP AND FOOD FOR WORK 
---------------------- 
 
15.  MISSION VISITED WFP-SUPPORTED FOOD FOR WORK (FFW) 
PROJECTS INVOLVING WATER HARVESTING (I.E., WATER COLLECTING 
SITES AND WELLS), ROAD REHABILITATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION. 
 
16.  WFP COMMODITIES WERE SUPPORTING TWO DISTINCTIVE WATER- 
HARVESTING SITES.  THE FIRST SITE PROVIDES COMMODITIES TO 
WORKERS WHO HAVE DUG A WELL SOME FIFTY FEET INTO THE EARTH. 
HARVESTERS RETRIEVED WATER FROM THIS WELL BY EITHER 
DESCENDING A SERIES OF STEPS CARVED OUT OF THE EARTH OR 
THROUGH A PATH CUT THROUGH THE EARTH AND LEADING DOWN INTO 
THE WELL.  EITHER ENTRY POINT REPRESENTED AN IMPROVEMENT 
OVER PREVIOUS WELLS DUG WITHOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OF 
WFP.  IN THE OLDER WELLS, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FACED STEEP AND 
OFTEN PERILOUS INCLINES LEADING TO THE WATER BELOW. 
 
17.  THE SECOND WATER-HARVESTING SITE MISSION VISITED 
REQUIRED HARVESTERS TO CARVE POCKETS OR CAVITIES INTO THE 
ROCKY COUNTRYSIDE.  EACH CAVITY MEASURED ABOUT A FOOT OR TWO 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1011 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05132  03 OF 05  220709Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   AMAD-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  USNW-00  SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  E-00 
      UTED-00  FDRE-01  VC-00    TEDE-00  LAB-01   VCE-00   AC-01 
      DCP-01   NSCE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   ACE-00   IRM-00   STR-00 
      TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  EPAE-00  ECA-00   DRL-02   SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------FC099A  220709Z /38 
P 220623Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC 6453 
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2857 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION GENEVA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 005132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, WFP, UN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05132  03 OF 05  220709Z 
SUBJECT:  MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS:  AVERTING 
A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
 
DEEP AND ONE FOOT ACROSS.  INTO THESE CAVITIES RAINWATER 
WOULD COLLECT.  UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS WELL THAT WAS VISITED, 
THE COMMUNITY MAINTAINED CONTROLLED-ACCESS OVER THIS WATER- 
HARVESTING POINT AS A WAY OF BOTH ENSURING THE CAVITIES 
WOULD COLLECT ENOUGH WATER AND INSTILLING WATER-USAGE 
DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. 
 
18.  MISSION ALSO WITNESSED FFW ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORTED 
ROAD REHABILITATION AND CONSTRUCTION.  ALONG THE EAST COAST, 
THESE ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THE CLEARING OF TREES AND OTHER 
FALLEN DEBRIS LEFT IN THE CYCLONE'S WAKE.  THEY ALSO INVOLVE 
REMOVING TONS OF EARTH THAT RENDER NATIONAL, SECONDARY AND 
TERTIARY ROADS IMPASSABLE AS A RESULT THE MUDSLIDES CAUSED 
BY THE HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH A CYCLONE. 
 
19.  IN THE SOUTH, WFP'S FFW PROJECTS ARE USED TO CARVE 
ROADS THOUGH THE OTHERWISE FORBIDDING BUSH.  THESE ROADS 
HELP TO LINK COMMUNITIES, WHOSE INHABITANTS PARTICIPATE IN 
WFP SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS, OR PROVIDE EASIER ACCESS TO 
WATER-HARVESTING POINTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. 
 
------------------------------------ 
DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS 
------------------------------------ 
 
20.  THE UNITED NATION'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP) TOOK THE 
LEAD IN WORKING WITH THE GOM TOWARDS DEVELOPING A NATIONAL 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05132  03 OF 05  220709Z 
STRATEGY TO ASSIST THE COUNTRY IN MITIGATING AND PREPARING 
FOR DISASTERS, BOTH MAN-MADE AND NATURAL. THIS PLAN, KNOWN 
AS THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT, WAS 
DEVELOPED IN 2000 AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PASSED 
INTO LAW WHEN THE POLITICAL CRISIS BEGAN. 
 
21.  THE GOM'S STRATEGY IS COORDINATED THROUGH THE NATIONAL 
DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE OR CNS.  THE STRATEGY RECOGNIZES 
THAT MADAGASCAR IS BOTH DISASTER PRONE AND RESOURCE POOR AND 
SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A WORKABLE FRAMEWORK ON THE NATIONAL, 
PROVINCIAL, LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS. 
 
22.  THE STRATEGY IDENTIFIES A GOVERNMENTAL LEAD AGENCY AS 
WELL AS SUPPORT AGENCIES SPECIFIC TO A PARTICULAR EMERGENCY. 
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR TAKES THE LEAD WITH 
RESPECT TO CYCLONES AND DROUGHT, WHILE THE MINISTRY OF 
AGRICULTURE IS THE LEAD AGENCY IN RELATION TO LOCUSTS.  IN 
ADDITION TO SUPPORTING EACH OTHER, THESE AGENCIES RECEIVE 
SUPPORT FROM OTHER GOM MINISTRIES, PARTICULARLY 
TRANSPORTATION. 
 
23.  ON THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS, THE STRATEGY WORKS 
WITH UN VOLUNTEERS TOWARDS SENSITIZING THE POPULATION AND 
HELPING THEM PREPARE FOR DISASTERS.  THE STRATEGY ALSO 
EMPLOYS A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CURRICULUM THAT HAS BEEN 
USED IN SCHOOLS. 
 
-------- 
LOCUSTS 
-------- 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05132  03 OF 05  220709Z 
 
24.  LOCUSTS ARE A SPECIALIZED TYPE OF GRASSHOPPER.  THEY 
OCCUR EVERY YEAR IN THE SOUTH OF MADAGASCAR, PRINCIPALLY ON 
THE HOROMBE PLATEAU, WHERE THEY ARE INDIGENOUS.  THE TWO 
MOST COMMON SPECIES, RED LOCUSTS AND THE MADAGASCAR 
MIGRATORY LOCUSTS ARE TYPICALLY IN THE SOLITARY, NON- 
MIGRATORY FORM, AND SELDOM CAUSE ECONOMICALLY SIGNIFICANT 
CROP DAMAGE WHEN IN THIS RECESSIONAL PHASE. 
 
25.  HOWEVER, WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS BECOME OPTIMAL, 
THESE LOCUSTS MULTIPLY RAPIDLY AND DEVELOP INTO A MORE 
ROBUST MIGRATORY FORM.  IN THIS PHASE, BOTH SPECIES CAN 
MIGRATE GREAT DISTANCES, AND SO BECOME A MAJOR THREAT TO 
CROPS, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGIONS WHERE 
RICE IS A MAJOR CROP.  LOCUSTS PLAGUES CAN AND HAVE IN THE 
PAST UNDERMINED THE FOOD SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY. 
 
26.  BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS PREVENTATIVE MEASURES 
LIKE THE SPRAYING OF PESTICIDES COULD NOT BE TAKEN TO DEAL 
WITH THE COUNTRY'S LOCUST PROBLEM (REF TEL).  HAD IT BEEN 
POSSIBLE TO SPRAY CROPS BETWEEN JANUARY AND JUNE, THE 
LOCUSTS COULD HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED.  AS IT TURNS OUT, THEY 
CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN THE LOCUSTS - IF SPRAYING CAN 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTO6954 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05132  04 OF 05  220710Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   AMAD-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  USNW-00  SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  E-00 
      UTED-00  FDRE-01  VC-00    TEDE-00  LAB-01   VCE-00   AC-01 
      DCP-01   NSCE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   ACE-00   IRM-00   STR-00 
      TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  EPAE-00  ECA-00   DRL-02   SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------FC09A1  220710Z /38 
P 220623Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC 6454 
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2858 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION GENEVA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 005132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, WFP, UN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05132  04 OF 05  220710Z 
SUBJECT:  MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS:  AVERTING 
A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
 
COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER. 
 
27.  THE WORLD BANK ANTICIPATES CONTRIBUTING BETWEEN USD 1 
AND 1.5 MILLION TOWARDS LOCUSTS CONTROL.  HOWEVER, THIS 
FUNDING IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE RESULTS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL 
IMPACT STUDY OF THE WOULD-BE PESTICIDE, FIPRONIL. 
 
28.  THE WORLD BANK HIGHLIGHTED THE FOLLOWING THREE OPTIONS 
SPECIFIC TO THE LOCUSTS PROBLEM: 
 
- DON'T SPRAY AT ALL GIVEN THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL 
IMPACT. 
 
- REDUCE THE LEVEL OF THE PESTICIDE FIPRONIL AND USE AN 
ALTERNATIVE PESTICIDE.  THIS OPTION WOULD REQUIRE TARGETING 
LOCUSTS DURING THEIR PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES.  IT 
WOULD ALSO REQUIRE GREATER LOGISTICAL CONTROL, WHICH IS 
EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC GIVEN THE COUNTRY'S WEAK 
INFRASTRUCTURE. 
 
- SPRAY FIPRONIL WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT A FOLLOW-UP 
ASSESSMENT WOULD NEED TO BE CONDUCTED. 
 
29.  THESE DECISIONS ARE FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE REALITY 
THAT LOCUSTS ARE USED AS A FOOD COMMODITY FOR CERTAIN TRIBES 
OF MALAGASY. 
 
30.  THE WORLD BANK INDICATED IT WOULD COST BETWEEN USD 4-5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05132  04 OF 05  220710Z 
MILLION USD TO CONTAIN THE LOCUSTS USING A PESTICIDE. 
ALTERNATIVELY, IF THE CROPS ARE NOT TREATED WITH THE 
PESTICIDE, THE COST COULD BE AS MUCH AS 10 TIMES HIGHER IN 
TERMS OF DECIMATED CROPS AND INCREASED FOOD INSECURITY. 
 
31.  THE EU HAS PLEDGED TO COMMIT 1 MILLION EURO THROUGH ITS 
EMERGENCY FUND OR ECHO TOWARDS LOCUSTS CONTAINMENT. 
HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT THE EU WILL NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON 
THIS PLEDGE UNTIL THE WORLD BANK HAS MADE ITS DECISION 
SPECIFIC TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. 
 
-------- 
DROUGHT 
-------- 
 
32.  THE EU HAS DEVELOPED AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM OR SAP 
(SYSTEME D'ALERTE PRECOCE) TO ALERT THE GOM, OTHER DONORS, 
WFP AND ITS IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS TO AN EMERGING DROUGHT. 
EACH MONTH, SAP STAFF ANALYZES CHANGES RELATIVE TO THREE 
FACTORS: SOCIOECONOMIC, MARKETS AND AGRICULTURE. 
 
33.  BASED ON THIS ANALYSIS, SAP PRODUCES A FORECAST TWICE 
ANNUALLY (APRIL AND JULY) WHICH CAN BE USED FOR DROUGHT 
PREPARATION AND MITIGATION. 
 
34.  WFP USES ANALYSIS FROM SAP TO ASSIST ITS EFFORTS TO 
PREPOSITION COMMODITIES TO AREAS OF GREATEST NEED. 
 
--------------- 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05132  04 OF 05  220710Z 
INFRASTRUCTURE 
--------------- 
 
35.  MADAGASCAR'S POOR INFRASTRUCTURE RENDERS POCKETS OF THE 
POPULATION SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOOD SHORTAGES. 
 
36.  ONE KEY UTILITY OF USG TITLE II COMMODITIES HAS BEEN 
ITS SUPPORT OF FFW INITIATIVES THAT WORK TO REPAIR AND 
MAINTAIN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY ROADS. 
 
37.  WORLD BANK'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT PROJECT WORKS TO 
ASSIST LOCAL FARMER ASSOCIATIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE 
DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE.  SUCH PROJECTS INCLUDE WORK ON 
ROADS AND IRRIGATION. 
 
38.  THE EU HAS PLEDGED 100 MILLION EURO OVER THE NEXT FIVE 
YEARS TOWARDS SUPPORTING MADAGASCAR'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND 
FOOD SECURITY NEEDS.  THIS INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR IRRIGATION, 
RURAL ROAD DEVELOPMENT AND WATER-HARVESTING PROJECTS. 
 
-------------------------------- 
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ1016 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05132  05 OF 05  220710Z 
ACTION IO-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   AMAD-00  COME-00 
      CTME-00  USNW-00  SRPP-00  EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  E-00 
      UTED-00  FDRE-01  VC-00    TEDE-00  LAB-01   VCE-00   AC-01 
      DCP-01   NSCE-00  OIC-02   OMB-01   ACE-00   IRM-00   STR-00 
      TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  EPAE-00  ECA-00   DRL-02   SAS-00 
        /009W 
                  ------------------FC09AF  220710Z /38 
P 220623Z OCT 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO PRIORITY 
SECSTATE WASHDC 6455 
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
USEU BRUSSELS 2859 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION GENEVA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 005132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM FODAG 
 
USAID FOR LESLIE PETERSEN, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, WFP, UN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05132  05 OF 05  220710Z 
SUBJECT:  MADAGASCAR AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS:  AVERTING 
A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
39.  MADAGASCAR'S POOR INFRASTRUCTURE RENDERS POCKETS OF THE 
POPULATION SUSCEPTIBLE TO FOOD INSECURITY, PARTICULARLY IN 
ISOLATED, REMOTE AREAS.  FURTHER, EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE 
COUNTRY'S WEAK INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND 
SUPPORTED. 
 
40.  GIVEN THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG WFP'S 
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ORGANIZATION'S 
REQUEST FOR COMMODITY AND NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE, IN-COUNTRY 
NGOS SHOULD BE TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND HOW WFP'S ASSISTANCE- 
REQUEST PROCESS WORKS.  WFP/MADAGASCAR SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD 
IN THIS TRAINING. 
 
41.  WFP SHOULD IMPROVE INFORMATION SHARING WITH ITS 
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS RELATIVE TO THE LEVEL OF AVAILABLE 
COMMODITIES IN-COUNTRY AND IN-WAREHOUSE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. 
THIS WOULD BETTER FACILITATE THE COMMODITY REQUEST PROCESS 
BETWEEN WFP AND ITS IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS. 
 
42.  GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR WFP COMMODITY THEFT FROM PORT, 
EFFORTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN TO FACILITATE FASTER REMOVAL OF 
DONATED COMMODITIES FROM PORT TO WFP-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSES. 
 
43.  PERIODICALLY, WFP SHOULD INFORM USAID/MADAGASCAR OF ITS 
ONGOING USG-DONATED COMMODITY RECEIPT TO COMMODITY LOSS 
RATIO. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05132  05 OF 05  220710Z 
 
44.  DESPITE THE FACT THAT A NATIONAL PLAN EXISTS WITH 
RESPECT TO DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS, MISSION 
FOUND LOCAL NGOS TO BE SOMEWHAT UNAWARE OF HOW SUCH A SYSTEM 
ACTUALLY WORKED ON THE LOCAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS.  THIS 
INDICATES POOR COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE 
GOM AND IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS.  ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO 
CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. 
 
45.  MISSION UNDERSTOOD THAT MEETINGS BETWEEN GOM 
REPRESENTATIVES, THE UN AND IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS WERE 
SOMEWHAT ERRATIC BEFORE CYCLONE KESINY.  EFFORTS SHOULD BE 
MADE TO BUILD UPON THE TYPE OF COLLABORATION BROUGHT ABOUT 
AS A RESULT OF THE NEED TO RESPOND TO CYCLONE KESINY. 
 
46.  ALTHOUGH WFP IS DOING AN ADMIRABLE JOB WITH THE TOOLS 
CURRENTLY AT ITS DISPOSAL, REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL FOOD AND 
NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, INCLUDING: 
 
- SUPPORT FOR WFP'S SOON-TO-BE-RELEASED EMERGENCY APPEAL 
(EMOP), WHICH WILL TARGET 394,250 BENEFICIARIES (216,837 OF 
WHOM ARE WOMEN) WITH 18,398 MT OF FOOD.  THIS 6-MONTH EMOP 
REPRESENTS 8,430,629 USD IN TOTAL COSTS TO WFP, WHICH 
INCLUDES 5,042,940 OF FOOD COSTS; 
 
- NON-FOOD ITEMS, SUCH AS: WHEELBARROWS, SHOVELS, ROAD- 
BUILDING AND SUPPORT MATERIALS (WFP REPORTS THAT A STANDARD 
TOOK KIT, DEVELOPED BY CARE, WOULD SUPPORT 1,000 WORKERS AND 
CAN BE USED FOR ROAD REHABILITATION, CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL 
DAMS AND FIELD DRAINAGE.  ONE SUCH KIT IS ESTIMATED TO COST 
USD 6500.  WFP PLACES ITS NEED AT 40 KITS); HEAVY, EARTH 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05132  05 OF 05  220710Z 
MOVING EQUIPMENT LIKE BULLDOZERS; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 
ASSIST IN BUILD AND ROAD RECONSTRUCTION (WFP ESTIMATES THAT 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR 6 MONTHS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY 
USD 22,500 FOR THREE ENGINEERS); UP-TO-DATE MAPS OF THE 
COUNTRY (WFP'S COST ESTIMATE IS USD 2,000); AND 
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LIKE RADIOS (WFP ESTIMATES THAT 
RADIO CODAN WITH MODEM, POWER SUPPLY AND ANTENNA WOULD COST 
APPROXIMATELY USD 7,000 PER UNIT.  WFP PLACES ITS ACTUAL 
NEED AT 7 UNITS.  AND TO LINK WFP'S FORT DAUPHIN FIELD 
OFFICE VIA VSAT WITH IP ADDRESS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY USD 
24,400 PER YEAR.); 
 
- FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL UN VOLUNTEERS THAT CAN BE ASSIGNED 
TO STRATEGIC, REMOTE, AND ISOLATED COMMUNITIES; 
 
- RE-FORESTATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE MOST CYCLONE-PRONE 
AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.  HALL 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
 2002ROME05132 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED