US embassy cable - 02ROME6072

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CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN IRAQ

Identifier: 02ROME6072
Wikileaks: View 02ROME6072 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Rome
Created: 2002-12-19 16:13:00
Classification: SECRET
Tags: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF EAGR EAID KUNR PHUM PREF WFPAORC WFPAORC WFPAORC WFP
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

S E C R E T ROME 006072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/D 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/AS OR U/S PENN 
GENEVA OR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN OR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFPAORC, WFPAORC, WFPAORC, WFP 
SUBJECT: CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN IRAQ 
 
REF: ROME 6045 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR TONY HALL FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
-------- 
SUMMARY 
--------- 
 
1.  (S)  THE CURRENT OIL FOR FOOD (OFF) DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM 
IN IRAQ DELIVERS FOOD TO ALL IRAQIS.  IN THE MONTH OF 
NOVEMBER, 25.8 MILLION BENEFICIARIES RECEIVED A FOOD RATION 
FROM 49,000 SMALL SHOPS THAT SERVE AS THE DISTRIBUTION 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06072  01 OF 04  191634Z 
POINTS.  WHOLE-GRAIN WHEAT IS IMPORTED AND MILLED INTO FLOUR 
INSIDE IRAQ.  THE U.N. WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) OVERSEES THE 
DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS AND PLAYS A MORE 
INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE WHOLE PROCESS IN THE THREE NORTHERN 
GOVERNORATES.  UNDER THE OFF PROGRAM, WFP DOES NOT TENDER FOR 
THE PURCHASE OF ANY FOOD, CONTRACTS NO OUTSIDE TRANSPORT, AND 
INSIDE IRAQ, CONTRACTS TRANSPORT ONLY FOR THE THREE NORTHERN 
GOVERNORATES, WORKS WITH NO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 
(NGOS) FOR THE GENERAL DISTRIBUTION, DOES NOT ACTUALLY 
CONDUCT ANY DISTRIBUTIONS--EVEN IN THE NORTH, AND DOES NOT 
MANAGE THE FOOD PIPELINE.  ALL THESE FACTORS IMPACT WFP'S 
ABILITY TO GEAR UP QUICKLY IF THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ'S (GOI) 
ROLE IN THE OFF SYSTEM COLLAPSED.  WFP HAS VAST EXPERIENCE IN 
ALL THESE AREAS, BUT IT WOULD TAKE TIME TO MOUNT SUCH AN 
OPERATION.  THE INITIAL WFP RATION, TARGETED TO THE MOST 
VULNERABLE, WOULD CONSIST OF ITS STANDARD EMERGENCY RATION, 
WHICH IS LESS DIVERSE THAN THE CURRENT OFF RATION.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
--------------- 
THE LOGISTICS 
--------------- 
 
2.  (U) THE CURRENT OFF SYSTEM PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING RATION 
TO EVERY PERSON IN IRAQ, REGARDLESS OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OR 
VULNERABILITY, EACH MONTH: 
     9.0 KG WHEAT FLOUR 
     3.0 KG RICE 
     2.0 KG SUGAR 
     0.2 KG TEA 
     1.0 KG PULSES (3 DIFFERENT TYPES ARE CURRENTLY GIVEN: 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06072  01 OF 04  191634Z 
CHICKPEAS, LENTILS, AND BEANS) 
     0.1 KG SALT 
     1.25 KG COOKING OIL 
     0.25 KG SOAP 
     0.35 KG DETERGENT 
     0.50 KG MILK 
 
FOR BABIES, 3.6 KG SPECIAL MILK IS PROVIDED MONTHLY FOR THE 
FIRST YEAR.  THEN A WEANING CEREAL IS PROVIDED--0.8 KG PER 
MONTH. 
 
3.  (U) THE CONTRACTS FOR ALL COMMODITIES ARE TENDERED AND 
PURCHASED BY THE GOI, AFTER HAVING BEEN APPROVED BY THE 
OFFICE OF THE IRAQ PROGRAM (OIP).  ALL COMMODITIES ARE 
IMPORTED.  THE GOI ARRANGES FOR THE TRANSPORT OF ALL 
COMMODITIES OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY TO THE LARGE TRANSIT 
WAREHOUSES INSIDE IRAQ.  FROM THE TRANSIT WAREHOUSES, THE 
COMMODITIES ARE TAKEN TO THE VARIOUS GOVERNORATES' 
WAREHOUSES, I.E., THE EXTENDED DELIVERY POINTS (EDPS).  AT 
THE EDPS, THE COMMODITIES ARE TRANS-SHIPPED ONTO SMALLER 
TRUCKS AND DELIVERED TO THE NUMEROUS FOOD AGENTS. 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ3504 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06072  02 OF 04  191634Z 
ACTION PRM-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AGRE-00  AID-00   CIAE-00  USNW-00  DODE-00  WHA-00 
      SRPP-00  EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00   FDRE-01  VC-00    H-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00 
      NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      PMB-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1A5E82  191635Z /45 
O 191613Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7396 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3019 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06072  02 OF 04  191634Z 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 006072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/D 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/AS OR U/S PENN 
GENEVA OR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN OR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN IRAQ 
 
4.  (U) IN THE NORTH, THE PROCEDURE IS VERY SIMILAR.  THE 
COMMODITIES ARE DELIVERED TO WFP-MANAGED TRANSIT WAREHOUSES 
IN MOSUL AND KIRKUK.  MOSUL AND KIRKUK ARE LOCATED IN THE 
CENTRAL REGION BUT CLOSE TO THE BORDER WITH THE NORTHERN 
GOVERNORATES.  WFP, WORKING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF THE 
THREE NORTHERN GOVERNORATES, CALLS FORWARD THE FOOD TO THE 
THREE EDP WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH LOCATED IN SULAYMANIYAH, 
DAHUK, AND ARBIL.  FROM THERE, THE COMMODITIES ARE 
TRANS-SHIPPED ONTO SHORT-HAUL TRUCKS AND DELIVERED TO THE 
FOOD AGENTS (SMALL SHOPS) FOR FINAL DISTRIBUTION.  WFP 
CONTRACTS THE TRUCKING IN THE NORTH FOR THE EDP AND FOOD 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06072  02 OF 04  191634Z 
AGENT DELIVERIES. 
 
5.  (U) ALL WHEAT IS IMPORTED AS WHOLE-GRAIN WHEAT AND IS 
MILLED INTO FLOUR INSIDE IRAQ BEFORE BEING TRANSPORTED TO 
WAREHOUSES.  THERE ARE AT LEAST ONE TO TWO MILLS IN EACH 
GOVERNORATE, AS WELL AS A VERY LARGE ONE IN PORT UMM QASR. 
SOME OF THE BIGGER MILLS ARE ABLE TO MILL 500-600 MT PER DAY. 
 ALL WHEAT DESTINED FOR THE NORTH IS MILLED IN THE 
SOUTHERN/CENTRAL REGIONS.  (NOTE:  THERE ARE MILLS IN THE 
NORTH, HOWEVER THEY WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE BECOMING 
OPERATIONAL.  END NOTE.)  THE MILLS EITHER OPERATE ON 
ELECTRICITY OR VIA GENERATOR.  SILOS, AND SOMETIMES ALSO 
WAREHOUSES, ARE SITUATED WITH THE MILLS. 
 
6.  (U) THE TOTAL TONNAGE DISTRIBUTED PER MONTH IN THE NORTH 
IS 50,000-60,000 MT PER MONTH AND IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL 
REGIONS IS 400,000-420,000 MT PER MONTH.  SINCE THE PROGRAM 
BEGAN, A MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION HAS NEVER BEEN MISSED. 
SOMETIMES ONE OR TWO COMMODITIES MAY BE ABSENT, BUT THEY ARE 
PROVIDED RETROACTIVELY IN A SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTION. 
 
------------------- 
BENEFICIARY LISTS 
------------------- 
 
7.  (C) IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, THE DISTRIBUTION IS DONE VIA 
SMALL SHOPS BY THE FOOD AGENTS.  THE FOOD AGENT RECEIVES EACH 
MONTH THE LIST OF BENEFICIARIES.  FOR THE CENTRAL/SOUTH, THE 
GOI MAINTAINS THE DATABASE OF BENEFICIARIES; IN THE NORTH, 
WFP MAINTAINS THE DATABASE.  EACH BENEFICIARY RECEIVES A 
RATION CARD THAT IS PRINTED BY THE GOI, HOWEVER IN THE NORTH 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06072  02 OF 04  191634Z 
THE NAMES OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PUT ON THE CARDS BY WFP. 
THE FOOD AGENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING RECORDS OF RECEIPT 
FOR EACH MONTH'S DISTRIBUTION, AND HE IS REQUIRED TO SEND IN 
THE REPORT TO THE GOI.  IF SOMEONE MOVES, HE/SHE MUST BE 
TAKEN OFF ONE LIST BEFORE BEING ADDED TO A NEW LIST.  IF A 
BABY IS BORN, ONE MUST FILL OUT THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK TO 
ADD A NEW FAMILY MEMBER.  IT IS THE FOOD AGENT'S 
RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW HIS BENEFICIARIES, WHICH ON AVERAGE 
TOTAL 150 FAMILIES PER FOOD AGENT.  BENEFICIARIES PAY 
APPROXIMATELY 0.12 USD FOR THE MONTHLY RATION.  (AVERAGE 
INCOME IS ABOUT 3 USD PER MONTH.)  IN THE SOUTH/CENTRAL 
REGIONS, WFP MONITORS THE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. 
 
   8.  (U) THE SAME DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM EXISTS IN THE NORTH, 
BUT WFP PLAYS A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE ENTIRE PROCESS.  WFP 
MAINTAINS THE DATABASE, THUS THE FOOD AGENTS RECEIVE THEIR 
MONTHLY LISTS FROM WFP, HOWEVER THE LOCAL GOVERNORATES 
ADMINISTRATION IS INVOLVED.  THE GOI ALSO RECEIVES REPORTS 
REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTIONS SINCE IT HANDLES THE PROCUREMENT. 
 ALSO IN THE NORTH, WFP CONDUCTS POST-DISTRIBUTION MONITORING 
(PDM) IN COORDINATION WITH A GOVERNORATE REPRESENTATIVE.  A 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ3510 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06072  03 OF 04  191635Z 
ACTION PRM-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AGRE-00  AID-00   CIAE-00  USNW-00  DODE-00  WHA-00 
      SRPP-00  EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00   FDRE-01  VC-00    H-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00 
      NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      PMB-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1A5E92  191635Z /45 
O 191613Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7397 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3020 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06072  03 OF 04  191635Z 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 006072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/D 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/AS OR U/S PENN 
GENEVA OR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN OR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN IRAQ 
 
PDM VISIT IS MADE TO HOUSEHOLDS 7-14 DAYS FOLLOWING THE 
DISTRIBUTION TO LEARN HOW LONG THE RATION IS LASTING AND TO 
HEAR COMMENTS FROM THE BENEFICIARIES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE 
COMMODITIES. 
 
9.  (U) CURRENTLY, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 49,000 SEPARATE 
SHOPS THAT SERVE AS FOOD DISTRIBUTION AGENTS.  IN SOME TOWNS 
OR NEIGHBORHOODS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF WHEAT FLOUR IS DONE 
FROM A SEPARATE SHOP THAN THE OTHER COMMODITIES, SO A 
BENEFICIARY MUST GO TO TWO SHOPS FOR THE RATION.  THE 49,000 
FIGURE IS ALL INCLUSIVE, WITH ABOUT 10,000 BEING IN THE 
NORTH, 10,000 IN BAGHDAD, AND THE OTHER 29,000 IN THE 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06072  03 OF 04  191635Z 
SOUTH/CENTRAL REGIONS, EXCLUSIVE OF BAGHDAD.  IN THE MONTH OF 
NOVEMBER, 25.8 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED RATIONS. 
 
10.  (S) WFP COMMENTS THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS VERY 
CONTROLLED, WITH EACH SIDE MONITORING WHAT IS BEING GIVEN TO 
THE OTHER SIDE (NORTH VERSUS SOUTH/CENTRAL), IN WHAT 
QUANTITIES, AND WHEN. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
IF WFP WERE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY 
-------------------------------------- 
 
11.  (S) WFP HAS PARTICULAR CONSIDERATIONS IF IT WERE TO TAKE 
OVER TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS INSIDE 
COUNTRY--EVEN IF THE BENEFICIARY NUMBERS WERE LOWER.  UNDER 
THE CURRENT OFF OPERATION, WFP DOES NO/NO TENDERING FOR FOOD 
PURCHASES, CONTRACTS NO/NO OUTSIDE TRANSPORT AND INSIDE IRAQ, 
CONTRACTS TRANSPORT ONLY FOR THE THREE NORTHERN GOVERNORATES, 
WORKS WITH NO/NO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS) FOR 
THE GENERAL DISTRIBUTION, DOES NOT ACTUALLY DO ANY 
DISTRIBUTIONS--EVEN IN THE NORTH, AND DOES NOT MANAGE THE 
FOOD PIPELINE.  ALL THESE FACTORS IMPACT WFP'S ABILITY TO 
GEAR UP QUICKLY IF IT WERE NECESSARY TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR ANY OR ALL OF THESE TASKS, WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY IF 
THE GOI'S ROLE IN THE OFF SYSTEM COLLAPSED.  EVEN THOUGH WFP 
HAS VAST EXPERIENCE IN ALL THESE AREAS, NONE OF THEM CAN BE 
ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT. 
 
12.  (S) REF TEL RAISED SEVERAL CONCERNS OF WFP'S THAT ARE 
NECESSARY FOR ANY FOOD DISTRIBUTION OPERATION, I.E., ACCESS 
TO SUFFICIENT TRUCKING CAPACITY WITHIN THE REGION, ACCESS TO 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06072  03 OF 04  191635Z 
CORRIDORS FOR TRUCKING FOOD INTO IRAQ, AS WELL AS INSIDE THE 
COUNTRY, ABILITY TO HIRE TRUCK DRIVERS AT AFFORDABLE RATES, 
AND THE ABILITY TO LOCATE SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF MECHANICS TO 
MAINTAIN THE FLEETS.  IF WFP HAD TO RUN CONVOY TEAMS, AS IT 
DID IN BOSNIA, WOULD THE US MILITARY BE WILLING TO WORK 
CLOSELY WITH WFP TO ENSURE SUCCESS, IS ONE QUESTION OF WFP. 
IN ADDITION, WFP IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUEL 
(ELECTRICITY, GAS, AND PETROL) INSIDE THE COUNTRY TO OPERATE 
TRUCKS, WHEAT MILLS, COOKING STOVES (DUE TO LACK OF WOOD IN 
THE COUNTRY), AND TO POWER THE WATER SYSTEM. 
 
13.  (C) UNDER THE MEDIUM CASE SCENARIO (9.6 MILLION 
BENEFICIARIES), WFP WOULD OPEN FOUR AREA OFFICES AND SEVEN 
SUB-OFFICES INSIDE IRAQ.  IT WOULD ALSO TRY TO INCREASE THE 
NUMBER OF WAREHOUSES INSIDE THE COUNTRY THAT WOULD SERVE AS 
THE EXTENDED DELIVERY POINTS (EDPS). 
 
14.  (C) IN PREPARATION FOR A POTENTIAL OPERATION, WFP IS 
ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT IS STORED IN THE 
WAREHOUSES IN THE NORTH, AS IT FEELS FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT ANY 
MILITARY ACTIVITY WOULD SERVE AS IMPETUS FOR THE WAREHOUSES 
 
                          SECRET 
 
                              SECRET        PTQ3512 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  06072  04 OF 04  191635Z 
ACTION PRM-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   AGRE-00  AID-00   CIAE-00  USNW-00  DODE-00  WHA-00 
      SRPP-00  EAP-00   EB-00    EUR-00   FDRE-01  VC-00    H-01 
      TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00 
      NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   PM-00    PRS-00   ACE-00   P-00 
      SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00    STR-00   TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00 
      PMB-00   DRL-02   G-00     SAS-00     /007W 
                  ------------------1A5EA5  191636Z /45 
O 191613Z DEC 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7398 
AMEMBASSY AMMAN 
AMEMBASSY ANKARA 
AMEMBASSY BERLIN 
AMEMBASSY BERN 
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2// 
COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC 
USEU BRUSSELS 3021 
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USNATO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  06072  04 OF 04  191635Z 
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC 
 
S E C R E T SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 006072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5 
STATE FOR PRM, EUR/WE, EUR/NE, SA/INS, IO/D 
USAID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, DCHA/OFDA, DCHA/FFP, AA/ANE, 
PPC/DP, PPC/DC 
USDA/AS OR U/S PENN 
GENEVA OR RMA 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU 
USUN OR MLUTZ 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2012 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, EAID, KUNR, PHUM, PREF, WFP 
SUBJECT: CURRENT FOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN IRAQ 
 
TO BE LOOTED.  THEREFORE ALL CONTINGENCY STOCKS ARE BEING 
STORED OUTSIDE IRAQ. 
 
------------- 
WFP RATION 
------------- 
 
15.  (C) WFP FEELS THE MOST VULNERABLE ARE SITUATED IN THE 
URBAN CENTERS, WHICH ALSO MIGHT BE THE AREAS MOST DIFFICULT 
TO ACCESS.  DURING THE INITIAL EMERGENCY PHASE, WFP WOULD 
SUPPLY ITS STANDARD RATION COMPOSED OF A CEREAL (MOST LIKELY 
WHEAT), PULSES, AND OIL FOR A TOTAL OF 2,100-2,400 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  06072  04 OF 04  191635Z 
KILOCALORIES (KC) PER PERSON PER DAY.  (2,400 KC FOR COLDER 
CLIMATES PENDING FOOD AVAILABILITY).  DUE TO THE FACTORS 
LISTED ABOVE, WFP WOULD NOT, IN THE BEGINNING STAGES AT 
LEAST, BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALL THE ITEMS CURRENTLY PROVIDED IN 
THE OFF RATION.  THE SOAP AND DETERGENT WOULD HAVE TO BE 
FUNDED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION, BUT PERHAPS COULD BE 
PIGGY-BACKED ON THE SAME DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM, AS IT IS 
NOW.  AS THINGS FELL INTO PLACE, AND IF WFP HAD THE FUNDING 
TO PURCHASE OTHER ITEMS, IT COULD LATER PROVIDE THE LARGER 
RATION. 
 
16.  (S) IN THE INTIAL STAGE, THE EMERGENCY RATION WOULD BE 
GIVEN ONLY TO THE MOST VULNERABLE, WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSE FOR 
DISGRUNTLEMENT AMONG THE POPULATION ON TWO COUNTS:  1) SOME, 
EVEN THOUGH VULNERABLE, MAY BE UNHAPPY WITH THE RATION SIZE 
AND LACK OF DIVERSITY, AND 2) OTHERS MAY NOT LOOK KINDLY ON 
THE CRITERIA DEVELOPED TO DETERMINE VULNERABILITY, AS THERE 
IS NO QUALIFICATION CRITERIA NOW.  THE CURRENT RATION HAS 
BEEN INSTITUTIONALIZED; MANY DO NOT HAVE INCOMES; AND IF IT 
WERE STOPPED "HUGE SWATHS OF THE POPULATION WOULD BE 
AFFECTED," STATES WFP. 
 
-------------------- 
THE FUTURE SYSTEM? 
-------------------- 
 
17.  (S) WHEN ASKING WFP ABOUT A REHABILITATION PHASE AND THE 
POSSIBILITY OF THE IRAQIS RELYING MORE AND MORE ON THEIR OWN 
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AS WELL AS COMMERCIAL IMPORTS, TO 
FULFILL THEIR FOOD NEEDS, A STAFF MEMBER CAUTIONED THAT THE 
CURRENT SYSTEM IS ONE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT EXERTS 
                          SECRET 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  06072  04 OF 04  191635Z 
CONTROL OVER THE POPULATION.  ANY NEW GOVENRMENT OF IRAQ MAY 
BE INTERESTED IN MAINTAINING THE SAME CONTROL. 
HALL 
SEMBLER 
 
                          SECRET 
 
> 
 2002ROME06072 - Classification: SECRET 


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