Limited Emergency Operation (LEO) Cabo Verde (June 2022 - November 2023)

LEO approved by the RD in June 2022.

Revision 01 approved by the RD in August 2022.

Revision 02 approved by the RD in May 2023.

Cabo Verde is experiencing a complex and acute crisis characterized by five consecutive years of drought, the colossal impact of COVID 19 on the economy of the country due to its structural dependence on tourism sector and remittances, soaring food prices, and now disruptions in the country's supply chain linked to the conflict in Ukraine. These multiple crises have strained the economy and have severely affected agricultural production capacity, livelihoods, and household food and nutrition security. Approximately 10 percent of the population is projected to be food insecure during this lean season according to the results of the March 2022 Cadre Harmonise (a fourfold increase from the historical average). The latest data (from 2019) suggest 21percent acute malnutrition in children under 5 in Porto Novo, Santa Antão Island, one of the municipalities most vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity. Rainfall deficits have caused an alarming decline in agricultural production – 92 percent cereal production drop from the 2021 harvest.

WFP received two consecutive letters from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (on March 15th) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration (on May 6th) requesting urgent WFP support to fill the commodity gaps threatening the functioning of the national school feeding programme which is a critical safety net for the vulnerable population of Cabo Verde.  RBD swiftly responded through a joint Government-FAO-WFP mission in April 2022 to review the food security situation, better understand the needs and find the most appropriate way to support the country through this difficult time. 

Through this proposed LEO WFP will respond swiftly to the Government request for assistance in procuring supplies for the National School Feeding programme to ease pressure on the limited national food stocks and supply in the country. WFP will also ensure permanent presence in Cabo Verde to build strong partnerships with the national government and strengthen linkages with development partners (incl. International Financial Institutions), as well as the private sector. Supporting the government in adapting national capacities to developing crises is essential to achieving successful long-term sustainable development.

WFP will operate in Cabo Verde through one Strategic Outcome (aligned with corporate Strategic Outcome 5): Government, national actors, and partners have access to reliable services including logistic services supporting the national school feeding programme throughout the crisis. WFP will contribute to this Strategic Outcome through the following Outputs:

1. Crisis affected populations including school-aged children benefit from efficient logistics services in order to timely receive humanitarian assistance (aligned with standard Output 5.2).
2. Crisis affected populations benefit from strengthened partnerships between national and international development actors and effective evidence-based programmes and policies to improve their food security and nutrition status ​(aligned with standard output 5.2).