WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 25 / 2001 - Date 22 June 2001

This report includes:
(A) West and Central Asia: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Tajikistan
(B) Southern Africa: (1) Angola, (2) Mozambique
(C) Horn of Africa: (1) Sudan, (2) Djibouti
(D) Republic of Congo
(E) West Africa: (1) Guinea, (2) Liberia
(F) HIV/AIDS

>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)  West and Central Asia: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Tajikistan

(1)  Afghanistan

(a)  On 17 June, WFP and the Taliban came to an agreement regarding the
recruitment of women to undertake a survey of the beneficiaries of WFP
Bakery Programme in Kabul. The 130 general bakeries benefiting to 282,000
people in Kabul, which had been suspended on 15 June resumed their
activities on 18 June after being restocked.

(b)  The temporary Registration Liaison Unit (RLU) which consists of
representatives of WFP, IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR and several Government offices
has registered, over the week, a total of 2,079 newly displaced families
(10,000 people) in Maslakh camp, near Herat. It has been decided that
Maslakh camp would be closed within the next two months. Mirdaud, located
30 km from Herat is considered as a potential site for a new camp.

(c)  In order to improve the registration process and obtain more accurate
figures on new IDPs, it was decided to establish check posts in three
different directions outside Herat city. The posts will certify IDPs and
forward them to the reception area in Herat where they will be registered
before being settled in the camps.

(d)  The sixth round of distribution has been completed for five of the
six IDP camps in Herat. In Maslakh camp, the fifth round of distribution
is still in progress due to the greater number of people. In addition, an
average of 50,053 children under fifteen and lactating and pregnant women
continue to receive daily porridge rations in the camps. Food for work
(FFW) and Institutional Feeding projects for malnourished children are
also ongoing.

(e)  WFP intends to support 11 FFW projects in the region of Jalalabad,
which were approved in May and June. WFP has been mainstreaming its
monitoring system for all projects. The women's bakery project that was
suspended is expected to resume shortly, with bread production starting
within two weeks.


(2)  Pakistan

(a)  Monthly Food distribution for 49,098 refugees living in Shamshatoo
camp has been completed. WFP is currently distributing food in the camp of
Akora Khattak and expects to complete the exercise by the end of the week.
WFP will have, by then, distributed 1,022 tons of food in the camps of
Shamshatoo and Akora Khattak for a total of 65,591 beneficiaries.


(3)  Tajikistan

(a)  Following the confirmation of a new contribution on 15 June, WFP
emergency operation is now funded at 63 percent.  However, it still faces
a shortfall of 47,664 tons of food.

(b)  The joint FAO/WFP crop assessment mission arrived on 19 June and is
expected to visit various districts to assess the current agricultural and
food security situation. In Khatlon and GBAO (Gorno Badkhshan Autonomous
Province), the harvest has been negatively affected by high temperatures,
lack of rainfall and water management related problems. Preliminary data
indicate that approximately 42 percent of the crops were lost in Ishkashim
district (GBAO). Similar information has been reported for Vakhsh,
Shaartuz, Qabodian and Bishkent districts (Khatlon). The most affected
areas appear to be Ishkashim and Vakhsh districts, where parts of
population have exhausted their food stocks and started selling their
property.



(B)  Southern Africa: (1) Angola, (2) Mozambique

(1)  Angola

(a)  WFP decided to resume humanitarian assistance flights on 21 June,
ending a six-day suspension forced by attacks on its aircraft. Flights are
expected to resume in all areas except Kuito, in the Central Highlands.
The operations will resume as soon as the runway conditions permit.

(b)  On 8 June, a Boeing 727 cargo plane was fired upon and damaged as it
approached Luena, prompting an immediate suspension of WFP's flights to
and from that airport. The flights resumed on June 12, but on June 15 the
crews of two WFP-chartered Lockheed L-100s aircraft reported seeing a
missile explode on their flight path from Catumbela to Kuito. Following
this incident, WFP halted both cargo and passenger flights nationwide. The
attacks on WFP aircraft, painted white and clearly marked, endangered not
only aid workers but also the provision of vital humanitarian assistance
to hundreds of thousands of IDPs. Around sixty percent of all WFP food
deliveries are made by air.

(c)  In a statement dated 21 June, WFP urged all parties in the conflict
to respect the neutrality of its humanitarian operations and allow
unhindered delivery of aid. Some 200,000 inhabitants of Kuito, including
40,000 severely malnourished children, depend entirely on food aid. The
city ? like most provincial capitals - has been practically isolated for
months because military activities have been impeding access by road. In
addition, its airport runway is in an advanced state of disrepair.

(d)  During this week, the security situation remained unstable in most
provinces, with new IDPs being reported in Benguela, Bie, Huambo, Huila,
Lunda Sul, Malange, and Moxico.

(e)  The number of moderately malnourished children registered in
supplementary feeding centers (SFC) in Kuito (Bie Province) reached 6,546,
while numbers of severely malnourished children in therapeutic feeding
centers (TFC) rose to 886.  The situation is alarming, particularly given
the disruption in WFP flights to the city and the current low level of
stock.  MSF, Concern, and WFP are currently investigating the causes of
the rise in incidence of malnutrition. At least 3,000 new IDPs were
registered in and around Kuito over the past week.

(f)  WFP assisted over 18,508 beneficiaries in Huambo province during the
week, with 255 tons of food. A verification exercise was carried out in
six camps located in Matala and Quipungo (Huila Province) from 12-17 June
by joint WFP, MINARS and NRC teams. While verifying beneficiary numbers,
the teams observed arrival of 213 new IDPs to Matala, coming from
Chipindo, Chicomba, and Jamba municipalities. There is rising concern
about the humanitarian situation in Golungo Alto and Lucala (Kuanza Norte)
where humanitarian agencies have still not fully resumed their operations
due to recent attacks. The situation is being monitored carefully.

(g)  A joint mission to Luau (Moxico province) took place on 13-14 June,
in order to assess the food supply in the area and monitor the
WFP-supported community kitchen.  The team which was composed of
representatives of WFP, OCHA, MINSA and AMI will circulate its mission
report soon. Final results of a nutritional survey carried out by MSF
Spain among 1422 children, in March, show a global malnutrition rate of
5.2 percent and a severe malnutrition rate of 0.8 percent.  These figures
highlight the fact that the nutritional situation in Uige has not suffered
any major shifts since last year.


(2)  Mozambique

(a)  Due to the slow implementation of the Resettlement Programme, WFP
decided to postpone the phasing out of its general food assistance to
displaced people, until the end of June. The Government has started to
demarcate and allocate plots in some areas, but over 230,000 people are
still in camps, awaiting resettlement. WFP Implementing partners are
currently identifying Food for Rehabilitation (FFR) activities scheduled
to start in July.

(b)  On 20-30 May, WFP and the Government undertook a joint Food Supply
Assessment. The mission report will be available soon. WFP is currently
assisting over 230,000 beneficiaries in 65 camps in Tete, Manica, Sofala
and Zambezia provinces. From February to the end of May, WFP has delivered
over 7,500 tons of food. This includes approximately 1,600 tons of WFP
food which were delivered during the month of May in the five affected
southern and Central Provinces.



(C)  Horn of Africa: (1) Sudan, (2) Djibouti

(1)  Sudan

(a)  WFP distributed a total of 12,980 tons of food to 1,231,630
beneficiaries in May, under the EMOP 10048.0. Targeted food distributions
started in May in both North Darfur and Kordofan. The food distribution
immediately impacted the cereal market, where the cereal prices dropped
from 7,500 to 6,000 SD in Darfur.

(b)  WFP estimated food delivery requirements for May to 28,531 tons.
However, due to shortfalls in the food pipeline, food distributions in
both Northern and Southern Sectors were significantly reduced, as in March
and April. In May, WFP delivered 6,795 tons of food by air and transported
5,232 tons of food aid by road (representing an approximate 48 percent
increase from April tonnage).

(c)  Water scarcity remains a serious problem in Darfurs and Kordofans
regions, despite late efforts to rehabilitate and drill hand pumps, with
most open hand dug wells are dry.  On average, households travel eight
hours a day to fetch water. The difficulties involved in providing enough
water for the livestock has resulted in livestock owners either selling or
moving their animals.


(2)  Djibouti

(a)  On 12 May, the Government signed a national peace agreement with the
FRUD armed group, putting an end to 11 years of armed conflict in the
Northern districts. The security situation in Djibouti is therefore
expected to improve. It is hoped that as the collaborative demining
efforts continue, some of the most needy districts in the northern regions
would open up for more humanitarian and development activities. WFP, UNDP,
UNHCR, and UNESCO have been supporting in May the training of Somali
refugees who will carry out a mine awareness campaign among 22,042
refugees living in two camps in southern Djibouti.

(b)  A Rapid Needs Assessment involving all UN Agencies, OCHA, FEWS?Net,
various ministries and Caritas, took place from 16 to 25 May, a with a
view to assess the current needs of drought affected pastoralists and
displaced persons, determine the role of food aid as well as the number
and location of beneficiaries. Mission recommendations will be included in
the next WFP EMOP.

(c)  WFP has distributed 1,002 tons of food to some 72,000
drought-affected people. A fourth phase of food distribution has been
completed in the most accessible southern districts of d Dikhil and
Ali-Sabieh, while the third and fourth phases of distribution to nomadic
drought victims in rural districts and Djibouti-periphery are ongoing.

(d)  A total of 23,185 refugees are assisted under the current WFP PRRO -
783 tons of food were distributed in the two refugee camps for April and
May. UNHCR has undertaken a verification exercise in the refugee camps to
update beneficiary lists. Awareness campaigns are combined with the
voluntary repatriation.

(e)  Following an alarming increase of girl-student drop outs, WFP resumed
girl-students ration distribution in the refugee camps, in collaboration
with UNESCO-PEER and UNHCR. As a result, 793 female students returned to
school. On April 16, WFP allocated 200 tons of food to the Health Ministry
for the nutritional programme launched in collaboration with UNICEF.

(f)  Under the PRRO, WFP has also initiated a micro-project under which a
few goats will be provided to pre-selected refugee women. The firstborns
(premises) sold at the end of each cycle will supply the common cash fund
and allow replication as the project continues. This is one out of many
ways to reduce the dependency of long-term refugees on WFP food aid
assistance.

(g)  WFP closed its special operation for infrastructure and equipment
support to the Port of Djibouti on 18 April. A semi-permanent warehouse of
a 5,000 tons capacity was built and two old warehouses were dismantled.
Resurfacing was carried-out to improve access and movements of trucks for
direct loading from vessels. The special operation lasted for fourteen
months at a total cost of around USD 1 million.



(D)  Republic of Congo

(a)  Between beginning of May and mid-June, WFP delivered 825 tons of food
in the regions of Cuvette, Pool, Lekoumou, Bouenza and Niari, benefiting
52,000 beneficiaries. About half of the food delivered was allocated to
relief projects implemented through FFW.

(b)  In collaboration with FAO, Ministry of Agriculture and CARITAS, WFP
started a seeds protection programme in the southern western regions of
Pool, Lokoumou, Bouenza and Niari. A two month ration to 5,000 families is
planned during May and June. WFP also implemented emergency feeding
programmes to assist various vulnerable groups.  First delivery of WFP
food reached DRC refugees in the northern Cuvette region and 35 tons of
rice were delivered with UNHCR assistance to Loukolela, where presence of
20,000 refugees from DRC has been reported.

(c)  A WFP/Donor/UN mission to Loukolela on 9 May reported stable overall
nutritional situation of the refugees there, but also identified some
cases of malnutrition among children and vulnerable. Additional joint
assessments with UNHCR to Loukolela, Impfondo and Betou are scheduled for
this month. Based on the mission findings and security situation along the
river permitting, WFP is planning to charter its own barge and start
regular food deliveries in July.

(d)  The overall nutritional situation is reported to be stable in the
Pool region. However, a WFP team recently visited Komono and reported
numerous cases of malnutrition among children and vulnerable groups. A
partnership with local health authorities to implement a SFC programme is
being considered. Following reports of presence of malnourished children
in Nkayi, WFP is planning to support a SFC programme there as well. In
Nkayi, WFP will also continue food distribution to vulnerable groups and
start targeted FFW activities.

(e)  In Brazzaville and surrounding areas, WFP continues to support FFW
projects to improve local infrastructure. Three schools have been already
rehabilitated through FFW and four more are expected to be completed by
the beginning of the next school year. A large FFW project, aiming at
rehabilitating houses destroyed during the war, commenced in Mayama (100
km north of Brazzaville).

(f)  A joint WFP/IRC/Ministry of Health mission visited the prefecture of
Kakamoeka some 250 km north of Pt. Noire (Kouilou region) on 13-14 June to
verify reports on outbreak of Bilarziasis Ulcer. WFP recommended that food
assistance be provided to persons affected by the disease and malnourished
children. WFP also intends to provide assistance for a period of three
months to some 200 food insecure IDPs living in three camps in Kakamoeka
prefecture. WFP recently visited ten social and training centres and
church groups that provide food, health and education assistance to 1,100
vulnerable people in Pt. Noire. Given the little external support these
centres receive, WFP is considering to start assisting them.



(E)  West Africa: (1) Guinea, (2) Liberia

(1)  Guinea

(a)  A total of 102 tons of food was distributed under the EMOP to 7,548
displaced persons and residents in the Languette and Kissidougou areas.
Distribution in Kissidougou was implemented in collaboration with ICRC.
Food security surveys were completed in the sous-prefecture of Bissikirima
and are underway in the sous-prefectures of Banko and Dogomet (Dabola
region).

(b)  During the week, WFP continued to coordinate with UNHCR the food
distribution plans under the PRRO, based on the relocation and
repatriation movements. A total of 95 refugees were transferred from the
Kissidougou-Faranah axis to Sembakounya and an additional 1,104 refugees
were transferred from Katkama and the Languette to Telikoro and Boreah.

(c)  This week, WFP assisted (with 135 tons of food) 13,100 refugees out
of the total of 50,004 people in Albadaria camps. Food distribution for
7,000 beneficiaries in Kountaya was postponed until 21 June, due to heavy
rains that rendered a portion of the road impassable. 2,568 refugees in
Sembakounya camp, out of 7,253, were assisted with 36 tons of food. Action
Contre la Faim distributed high-energy biscuits to the 75 most vulnerable
and referred cases of severe malnutrition to MSF centre. WFP distributed
41 tons of food to 2,528 Liberian refugees in N'Zérékoré before their
transfer to the new camp of Kola.

(d)  An appraisal mission composed of UNESCO and WFP arrived on 9 June in
order to assess the implementing capacity for the school feeding activity
targeting both displaced and local populations and summarised in the
approved Country Programme. The mission may also be looking into the
possibility of integrating school feeding project in the PRRO school
activities.

(e)  PRRO is facing an immediate shortfall of 300 tons of CSB and 80 tons
of salt.


(2)  Liberia

(a)  Following verification and registration by ACF on 14 June, IDPs
living in Gbarpolu received a weekly food ration from WFP. The
registration exercise is expected to continue, as new IDPs are still
arriving.

(b)  The relocation of IDPs from Bellefanai and Gbalatuah is still
awaiting clearance by Government security forces. WFP food rations
distributed to IDPs at both locations should last for another week.

(c)  In other areas of Bong County, WFP is spearheading the verification
exercise to establish an accurate number of IDPs. Those registered by WFP
and the National Red Cross have been issued WFP ration cards. On 13-20
June, WFP distributed 197 tons of food to 14,178 IDPs in CARI 1 & 2 and
6,077 IDPs at TV Tower areas.



(F)  HIV/AIDS

(a)  In a Press statement dated 21 June, WFP called on the global
community to recognize that eradicating hunger is critical in slowing the
spread of AIDS. In many places with high rates of HIV incidence, families
are being forced to mortgage their land and sell productive assets to pay
for food and medicine. Children are often withdrawn from school in order
to work in the fields, earn income or care for sick adults. AIDS has a
direct impact on agricultural production and people's ability to feed
themselves. Furthermore, when all of the household coping mechanisms are
exhausted, family members resort to survival strategies. Among the most
desperate is trading sex in return for food or money, putting women, girls
and boys at even greater risk of becoming infected.

(b)  Currently, WFP is already working with communities worldwide, using
food aid to help slow the progression of the disease and cushion the
devastating effect it has on people's ability to feed themselves.  In both
its development and humanitarian operations, WFP is reaching millions of
AIDS affected families. WFP is also exploring more ways to improve the
nutrition and food security of the hardest hit families in collaboration
with partners such as FAO, IFAD and the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI).

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 25)


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International Disaster Information
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
                                          web: www.cidi.org
                                     listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
World Food Program Reports                www.cidi.org/humanitarian/wfp