By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/wfp4somalia092809.html
UNITED NATIONS, September 28 -- The World Food Program's Josette Sheeran on Monday said that in Somalia WFP relies on the UN's Department of Safety and Security, while it investigates "charges of diversion of food into Kenya." Video here, from Minute 34:50.
When Inner City Press asked the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Mark Bowden the same questions on September 23, he said he was sure there was no diversion of aid, but admitted that there are areas of Somalia where DSS can't go, where the UN relies on the "security of the agencies concerned." Video here, from Minute 15:50
So if WFP says it relies on DSS and not mercenaries, but DSS says it cannot protect WFP in some areas and relies on WFP, logically one of the two statements is false.
Inner City Press asked UN Spokesperson Michele Montas about this Monday at noon. Video here, from Minute 10:43. She said "Ask WFP."
Inner City Press pointed about the inconsistency been what Ms. Sheeran and Mr. Bowden said, and asked for an answer from UN DSS. When one is received it will be published on this site. For now we note again that Somali sources tell Inner City Press that food is being used as a political weapon.
Footnote: Inner City Press asked Ms. Sheeran and Jeff Sachs next to her about WFP's $400,000 "food distribution simulation" for the spouses of G-8 leaders in Rome earlier this year. While Inner City Press broke this story at the time of the G-8 meeting, it is understand for example that the Swedish press is following up. Ms. Sheeran as if reading from notes, said that the "Rome based agencies were invited to host" the G-8 spouses, and thought it important to hear from beneficiaries of aid.
But to flying kids from Ghana for a simulated "food distribution" for politicians' spouses? As one WFP staffer asked, would Ms. Sheeran think of doing this with Food Stamps recipients in the U.S.? Sachs never answered, after he spoke about partnering with Ericsson. We hope to have more on this.
