WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 44 / 2000 - Date 3 November 2000


This report includes:

(A)  Funding situation
(B)  Palestinian Territory
(C)  West and Central Asia: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Tajikistan, (3) Georgia,
     (4) Armenia, (5) Azerbaijan
(D)  Laos
(E)  Great Lakes: (1) Uganda, (2) Democratic Republic of Congo
(F)  Horn of Africa: (1) Kenya, (2) Eritrea
(G)  Sierra Leone
(H)  Angola
(I)  Russian Federation / Northern Caucasus


From Francesco Strippoli, Senior Humanitarian Adviser. Available on the
Internet on the WFP Home Page (www.wfp.org), or by e-mail from
Zlatan.Milisic@wfp.org. For information on resources, donors are requested
to contact Valerie.Sequeira@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone 39 06 6513
2009. Media queries should be directed to Trevor.Rowe@wfp.org, telephone
39 06 6513 2602. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco
dei Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy.



(A)  Funding situation

(a)  WFP emergency operations (EMOPs) in the following countries are
facing the highest funding shortfalls (some due to their recent approval
and commencement): Mozambique 6225.02 (0.2 percent funded), Uganda 6235.01
(0 percent funded), Tajikistan 6288 (7.5 percent funded) Cambodia 6297 (16
percent funded), Burundi 6221 (26 percent funded), Bangladesh 6043.01 (38
percent funded), Chad 6017.01 (37 percent funded), Syria 6170 (45 percent
funded), Balkans 6136.01 (49 percent funded). There are several other
operations with better or more balanced overall funding, but which are
still expecting serious food shortages if new contributions are not
received in due course.



(B)  Palestinian Territory

(a)  The Ministry of Social Affairs of the Palestinian Authority has
appealed for assistance to 200,000 families affected by prolonged closure
of the Territory, disruption of economic activity and loss of income
sources.  Palestinian daily workers have not been able to enter Israel
since the end of September. WFP and United Nations Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA) are currently assessing emergency food aid needs. WFP assists the
non-refugee population through the Ministry of Social Affairs while UNRWA
assists the refugee camp population. Though assessment is ongoing, it is
clear that emergency food needs cannot be met from the ongoing WFP project
and an emergency operation is being prepared. In the meantime, WFP is
releasing USD 200,000 from its immediate response account to provide an
initial 650 tons of food to 13,000 families among the most vulnerable.

(b)  Under the WFP ongoing PRRO project, food distribution continues for
around 100,000 special hardship cases, including households headed by
women, disabled, elderly and people living in institutions. Some 60,000 of
the beneficiaries are in Gaza Strip, where the October-November
distribution is expected to be completed next week (distributions are
ongoing in Khan Yunis and Rafah). Some 40,000 of the beneficiaries are in
the West Bank, where operations have been delayed by security problems.
Once access has been secured for the two remaining provinces (Jenin and
Salfeet) the current two-month distribution cycle will be completed.  
Also within the ongoing project, a one-month food assistance package has
been distributed to 4,900 families who lost all their income as a result
of the closures.



(C)  West and Central Asia

(1)  Afghanistan

(a)  WFP has been receiving very alarming reports from the
drought-affected parts of the western, northern and central regions that
between half and one million people are facing the prospect of starvation.

(b)  Due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in many drought-affected
areas, WFP considers it crucial to accelerate the implementation of the
on-going EMOP, in order to prevent loss of life and large-scale population
movements. WFP intends to deliver all EMOP resources (117,891 tons in
total) within eight months (by the end of March), instead of the
originally planned 12 months. Upon full resourcing of the current EMOP,
another EMOP would be submitted for the critical pre-harvest period, from
early April to the end of August.

(c)  There is a current shortfall of 115,800 tons of food for the WFP EMOP
and PRRO that are under implementation in the country. Unless additional
pledges are received in early 2001 the food is expected to run out in
February.

(d)  About 50,000 people have so far left the drought-affected Ghor and
Badghis provinces, for Herat City. WFP and its partners are making serious
efforts to move 8,500 tons of food to the remote province of Ghor, for
about 130,000 destitute people there, in an attempt to stop the
out-migration. WFP anticipates that more than 670,000 people in the
drought-affected central to north-west area will not be able to survive
until the next harvest on the limited food they currently have available.

(e)  IDPs in the Northeast, uprooted by the conflict, will require
assistance throughout the winter. About 60,000 IDPs in Takhar are already
receiving food from WFP and 16,000 more in Baghlan are currently being
considered.


(2)  Tajikistan

(a)  WFP has so far received confirmation for the following donor pledges
for the EMOP launched three weeks ago: 10,000 tons of wheat flour, 1,200
tons of peas and 800 tons of vegetable oil from the USA (12,000 in total)
and 6,156 tons of wheat flour and 1,250 tons of vegetable oil from EC
(7,406 in total).

(b)  Since these EMOP resources are expected to arrive only in December,
WFP has decided to provide emergency assistance to the most needy people
from the on-going PRRO, in order to assist them before the winter starts.

(c)  Over 15,000 people have been jointly identified by WFP and the local
authorities for the Food for Asset Rehabilitation programme (FFAR) in 14
districts of Khatlon region. The identification of beneficiaries will be
finalised during the month of November.


(3)  Georgia

(a)  WFP EMOP in response to the drought was approved on 23 October and
preparations for its implementation are currently underway.

(b)  A Household Food Economy Assessment (HFEA) was carried out last week
in west Georgia to help refine the targeting. The preliminary findings of
the survey confirmed the conclusions of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply
Assessment mission undertaken in August. Although the drought was less
severe in the west than in the east, its impact on household food security
is greater, as this is one of the poorest and most vulnerable regions in
the country. Drought-related losses in maize and bean crops are estimated
at 70-80 percent and those of grapes, tea and vegetables at 50-60 percent.
HFEA will also be carried out in the eastern areas.

(c)  Rains continue in most parts of Georgia. In Shida Kartli region,
preparation of land for the winter crops is slower compared to a normal
year, due to shortages of seeds and other agricultural inputs. It appears
that only half of the available land would be ploughed this year.
Households continue to slaughter their cattle due to shortage of fodder.
The price of cattle has gone down by 15 percent during the last two
months.


(4)  Armenia

(a)  The Armenian Government estimated drought losses to be close to USD
100 million. WFP EMOP in response to the drought is currently under
preparation, expected to be approved shortly.

(b)  The Government is negotiating a special loan of USD 5 million from
the World Bank to help prepare the next cultivation period and a loan for
USD 14.5 million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD), to rebuild crumbling irrigation systems.

(c)  The US Department of Agriculture has distributed most of the 1,500
tons of locally purchased seeds to the most affected farmers in the
northern regions of Armenia. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has
announced a release of 663 tons of seeds to 77 worst-affected areas in the
province of Shirak at significantly lower price than the prevailing market
rates. Russian Federation is expected to donate 3,000 tons of barley and
2,000 tons of grain to rural areas.


(5)  Azerbaijan

(a)  The Government requested FAO assistance to deal with damages caused
by the drought, and the drop in river water levels in the last two years.
The Government stated that it has been doing its utmost to overcome the
situation, but is unable to facilitate a full recovery on its own, due to
lack of resources.



(D)  Laos

(a)  WFP has provided an immediate response to the floods through a
designated authority EMOP approved in late October for USD 200,000. A
total of 520 tons of glutinous rice has been purchased and the rice will
be distributed to the most affected people in three districts of
Khammouane province (232 tons) and two districts of Champassak province
(288 tons).

(b)  Based on a detailed data analysis of the flood affected areas, rice
will be distributed to villages that have lost crops on more than 50
percent of the planted area (generally facing a likely loss of an average
of 680 kg per family). The worst-affected groups, expected to run out of
food by late November, will be prioritised.

(c)  WFP rice will be directly delivered to points at sub-district level,
where it will be handed over to the representatives of village development
committees and subsequently distributed to the beneficiaries.

(d)  WFP has been closely coordinating its activities with the Ministry of
Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, FAO, and
several NGOs (IFRC, CARE, Concern Worlwide). Disaster Management
Committee, co-chaired by WFP, is the main body for exchange of
information, development of a common emergency response strategies and
coordination of relief responses.

(e)  WFP is currently preparing a larger EMOP to respond to the flood.
Upon approval of this operation, WFP is hoping to provide relief food to
the flood affected villages in five provinces through Food for
Rehabilitation Activities.



(E)  Great lakes

(1)  Uganda

(a)  WFP expanded its relief operation for the most vulnerable population
in the drought-affected Karamoja region in the north-east, for a period of
six months, and appealed for USD 7.1 million in additional funding. The
operation is expected to provide 12,000 tons of emergency food to some
190,000 semi-nomadic people living in Moroto and Kotido districts, who are
suffering consequences of a widespread crop failure caused by the same
drought which is currently affecting the Horn of Africa.

(b)  WFP has been feeding drought victims in Karamoja since April, with
the beneficiary number peaking at 250,000 during the hunger gap period in
July. WFP interventions are believed to have helped avert famine earlier
this year, but the crisis in Karamoja is continuing and continued
provision of food aid is essential to maintain the livelihood of thousands
of needy people. The first phase of the emergency operation received USD
3.9 million (70 percent of the requirement) for a feeding operation
benefiting an average of 160,000 people.

(c)  The expanded operation will provide maize, beans, vegetable oil and
blended fortified food. WFP food will be distributed by the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). The operation also includes expanded
school feeding and food for work programs.

(d)  The Government has started sustained efforts to address chronic
problems plaguing Karamoja, such as recurrent drought-induced food
shortages, cattle rustling, ethnic clashes and widespread insecurity.


(2)  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

(a)  WFP interventions in the country are focused on food security of
displaced persons, nutritional status of vulnerable groups and their
access to basic services, security of minority groups and reintegration of
war-affected communities. Currently it is estimated that there are around
1.8 million IDPs all over the country. WFP project is targeting 350,000
persons of whom 200,000 are internally displaced and 150,000 vulnerable
groups. Despite the ongoing war, security and access-related problems, WFP
has been able to reach up to 300,000 beneficiaries.

(b)  The project has so far mobilised more than 90 percent of the required
resources, but the problem has been in the late arrival of food because of
late donor contributions. At the end of September the total quantity
distributed since January was 14,984 tons. The constraints related to the
pipeline obliged WFP to suspend general distribution in the East, where
only vulnerable groups in nutritional centres were assisted.

(c)  WFP is also assisting 51,300 refugees from Angola and Republic of
Congo and 10,000 persons within the host community. The host communities
benefit from WFP assistance in support of small-scale rehabilitation
projects. WFP has been continuing with the distribution of half rations
through its partners. In September, the project assisted 61,739
beneficiaries and a total of 5,838 tons of food was distributed from
January to September. With the resumption of political unrest in Angola,
an increasing number of refugees into the southern provinces of DRC has
been noted. It is envisaged that the beneficiary caseload will continue to
increase and reach 80,000 by April. WFP is currently preparing a budget
revision of the project to accommodate beneficiary increases.



(F)  Horn of Africa

(1)  Kenya

(a)  Following the rapid needs assessments carried out in September, the
number of WFP beneficiaries in 19 districts of Kenya, assisted through the
current EMOP, has increased by 17%, from 2.46 to 2.89 million people. Some
659,000 people in 11 districts, the most vulnerable among those assisted
will also benefit from supplementary food. In addition, over 1.04 million
children are targeted through emergency school feeding under the Expanded
School Feeding Programme.

(b)  Funding status of the WFP EMOP remains unchanged, though there are
indications that a new contribution providing additional 3,000 tons of
pulses might be forthcoming. This would improve the current funding
situation to 77 percent of the total requirements being covered.

(c)  General distribution for the month of October commenced in most
districts. It was delayed by a prolonged customs clearance procedures
regarding the food aid being imported.

(d)  An influx of pastoralists from Tana River district caused tension in
Garissa district, particularly on the banks of the Tana, where
pastoralists and agriculturists are competing for land space. This influx
comes at a difficult time of worsening drought conditions throughout the
area and suggests that the numbers of vulnerable people are set to rise.

(e)  In Wajir District, the issue of beneficiary figures continues to be
an issue with the lead implementing agency advocating a higher figure than
that established by WFP and the Government. WFP will continue to monitor
the situation and review beneficiary statistics.

(f)  In Kitui district, WFP met local leaders and district officials to
discuss the community based targeting system, after the community in one
division threatened to disrupt the food distribution process if blanket
distributions did not occur. The outcome of the meeting was positive and
the leaders understood the importance of targeting the available limited
resources, which was jointly agreed by WFP and the Government and
supported by the NGOs and provincial administration.

(g)  The supplementary feeding programme is ongoing in ten districts of
Kenya, under the coordination of UNICEF. The following population groups
are targeted: children under five, women pregnant beyond six months and
nursing mothers with babies up to six months old. All those targeted for
supplementary feeding are also receiving general rations for their
households. Supplementary feeding programme is currently targeting the
highest number of beneficiaries in Turkana, Mandera, Wajir and West Pokot
districts. During October, WFP has supplied 2,410 tons of CSB and 434 tons
of Unimix and UNICEF 450 tons of Unimix (3,294 tons in total). In addition
to the ten districts prioritised for supplementary food under the WFP
EMOP, 33,726 people in Baringo district will supplementary food from World
Vision.

(h)  Tensions have been rising between religious leaders in Garissa town
and similar tensions were reported in Tana River district. In Wajir,
inter-tribal tensions have been reported. Banditry continues to be a
problem throughout the northern and eastern districts.


(2)  Eritrea

(a)  A total of 9,882 tons of WFP food was distributed to 511,700
beneficiaries in the first 20 days of October. The distributions included
7,567 tons for 466,058 war-affected persons in Debub, Gash Barka, and
Northern Red Sea regions and 2,315 tons for 45,636 drought-affected
persons in Anseba and Northern Red Sea regions. Some 1,840 tons of food
was distributed during the week, to 107,164 beneficiaries in Debub, Gash
Barka and Northern Red Sea.

(b)  A second HFEA training was completed in Keren in the Anseba region. A
total of 21 trainees who participated have been short-listed to conduct
the Annual Needs Assessment.

(c)  The preliminary findings of the post distribution monitoring in
Aibaba and Gheleb distribution centres in Anseba region indicate that the
beneficiaries have limited access to clean drinking water which led to
incidents of water born diseases such as diarrhoea. Malaria, tuberculosis
and pneumonia are also reported as common diseases in the area. According
to the local administration, malnutrition cases have been decreasing.

(d)  A post distribution monitoring in Molki in Gash Barka region
indicated that at least 80 percent of the community are agro-pastoralists,
while the rest are involved in small trading and provision of services,
including labour. The main activity currently taking place in the area is
harvesting of sorghum. Food aid distributions have been carried out by
elected village relief committees and the targeting was well understood by
beneficiaries, especially women who confirmed their awareness of the
entitlements. The team did not observe malnutrition in the area, but a
supplementary feeding for lactating mothers and children was reported to
be starting for the first time in Molki with Unimix from Oxfam Belgium and
milk from Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

(e)  There was ample rainfall in Debub region with highest rainfall in Adi
Quala (63 mm). The winter rain season seems to have started early in the
Northern Red Sea, though limited in its spatial distribution.



(G)  Sierra Leone

(a)  WFP distributed 1,191 tons of food during the week, to 75,868
beneficiaries in Freetown, Kenema, Bo and Moyamba. Shortages of cereals
continue and are increasingly affecting WFP operations. Further reductions
in vulnerable groups and emergency school feeding programmes were made in
November, to ensure minimum stocks for December.

(b)  RUF forces reportedly attacked at least three villages in the north,
causing a new wave of displacement into Kabala. According to CRS that
operates there, 9,000 new IDPs arrived to the town during the week.
UNAMSIL reported that there are indications that RUF forces have started
to mobilise their troops towards the Guinea border.

(c)  WFP, in collaboration with its partners, conducted a verification
exercise in seven IDPs camps in the Western Area. Preliminary findings
indicate that the beneficiary figures will be reduced by 10-15 percent.
WFP is currently assisting 60,000 IDPs residing in the camps there. WFP
also participated in an interagency mission to Lokomasama chiefdom (Port
Loko) to assess the needs of IDPs from Kambia district. Some 5,100 IDPs
who fled ongoing fighting along the border with Guinea were identified in
Kakum Island and Yurika environs.

(d)  Due to a significant number of WFP activities in the Lungi peninsula,
including assistance to IDPs, returnees, malnourished and school children,
WFP is planning to open a field office in Masoila in early November. This
is expected to improve the efficiency of programme implementation and
increase monitoring capacities in the area. A second temporary field
office is planned for the town of Daru, where WFP has commenced school
feeding and vulnerable groups feeding programmes.



(H)  Angola

(a)  WFP special operation (SO) providing passenger air service in the
country has been fully funded, following the confirmation of an ECHO
contribution of USD 620,017.

(b)  The confirmation of the Spanish contribution of USD 629,330 for the
WFP PRRO in Angola has slightly improved the funding of the operation. So
far, a total of USD 117.77 million have been received, representing 56.7
percent of the total requirement. Further contributions are still urgently
needed, to pre-empt food shortages expected as early as November. WFP is
currently exploring possibilities for local and regional purchases.

(c)  Malnutrition is reported to be on an increase in Kuito, as the lean
season sets in. The increase is also attributed to a high influx of IDPs
into the town. The number of children attending supplementary feeding
centres in Kuito rose again this week, bringing the total number of
beneficiaries to over 5,000. Medecins sans Frontiers (MSF) Belgium, one of
the main WFP partners for nutritional projects, is planning to conduct a
nutritional survey during November.

(d)  A total of 909 new IDPs were verified in Kuito during the week,
bringing the total number of new IDPs verified in October to 8,740. As a
result of tense security situation in Cangumbe (Moxico province), Kuemba
Munhango (Bie) and Sautar (Malange) the influx of IDPs into Luena has
increased. New IDPs were also reported in Malange, Lunda Sul and Kuando
Kubango.

(e)  The overall security situation in Angola is characterised by
small-scale ambushes and attacks in most parts of the country. During the
week, security incidents were reported in Bie, Moxico, Lunda Sul, Uige,
Malange, Huila, including several mine incidents. Some security incidents
involved human casualties and caused further population displacements.

(f)  Due to the current rehabilitation of Luena airport, restriction has
been placed on aircraft landing and take-off times until further notice -
allowed only between 5:00 am and 11:30 am.

(g)  WFP airlifted a total of 3,218 tons of food and 748 tons of non-food
items (3,966 tons in total) from Catumbela, Lobito and Luanda, to various
provinces during the week.



(I)  Russian Federation / Northern Caucasus

(a)  During October, WFP has provided basic food rations to 155,000
Chechen IDPs in Ingushetia. A number of NGOs and the Government have been
involved in the provision of complementary food commodities (such as tea,
canned meat, fresh fruit and vegetables) and non-food items (blankets,
clothes, hygienic supplies). A WFP food security assessment, conducted in
late September, concluded that a timely response by the national
authorities and the international community has successfully averted mass
hunger in Ingushetia, but that the displaced persons still remain heavily
dependent on international assistance.

(b)  The situation in Chechnya is significantly worse. The extremely
volatile security situation has significantly curtailed humanitarian
relief operations and disrupted livelihoods. A WFP assessment found that
last summer the population was consuming less than the minimal required
energy intake of 2,100 kcal per capita per day. For residents of Grozny,
the summer was characterised by a draw-down of reserves, whereas normally
it allows for replenishment of food stocks for the winter. In October, WFP
expanded its assistance in Chechnya and delivered food for 75,000 persons,
an increase over the previous month when 40,000 were reached, but this was
still much below the target of 140,000 people. It is feared that another
major population movement may occur as winter sets in, with more Chechens
seeking shelter and humanitarian aid in Ingushetia.

(c)  Late deliveries and customs clearance problems significantly affected
distributions throughout the summer. WFP food pipeline has now become more
regular, which is in good part attributed to a flexible donor response in
providing cash to WFP for local purchases in the Russian Federation. This
has proven to be more cost effective and faster.

Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons

(End WFP Emergency Report No 44)


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