Foreign Service Officer: ORAL ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE

There are those in the Embassy who do not support this project. Public Affairs Officer Art
Pressman is concerned about the quality of our surplus food sent to the refugees. This food
includes old stocks, and he fears a public relations disaster if the press accuses us of dumping
spoiled old grain on the refugees. The local media would have a field day with video coverage
of U.S.-provided spoiled food and sickened refugees.
USAID Director Myra Saxgelt notes that Janubans are nomadic and cross the border between
Didda and Kuman often. Janubans do not carry identity cards, and members of extended
families live on both sides of the border. The Food for the World staff have never worked in this
region, making it unlikely that they will be able to determine if an ethnic Januban is Diddan or
Kumani. Thus, all ethnic Janubans in the area would ask for the free food. Myra worries that we
would end up feeding as many Kumani Janubans, who do not need assistance, as legitimate
Januban refugees from Didda, who do.
Peace Corps Director Gudrun DeSouliers has concluded that cultural norms here will make it
difficult for Food for the World to distribute food directly to women as refugee men will insist
on handling family food supplies. These men may well sell part of their families’ food rations to
buy addictive wongo leaves, a mild narcotic used widely among Januban men as a major form of
social interaction with other men. She believes that our best efforts at refugee feeding will still
leave those most in need, women and children, vulnerable to malnutrition and even starvation.
Brad is aware of the downside risks but believes that the benefits of this project far outweigh
them. He urges the Working Group to support full funding for this worthy effort.