WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 45 / 2001 - Date 9 November 2001


This report includes:
(A) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional Overview, (2) Afghanistan,
    (3) Pakistan, (4) Iran
(B) East and Southern Africa region: (1) Zimbabwe, (2) Somalia,
    (3) Burundi, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Eritrea, (6) Tanzania
(C) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Cuba, (2) Honduras,
    (3) Nicaragua, (4) Guatemala, (5) El Salvador
(D) West Africa Region: (1) Guinea, (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Liberia

>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 Region: (1) Regional Overview, (2) Afghanistan,
     (3) Pakistan, (4) Iran

(1)  Regional Overview

(a)  WFP continued to accelerate dispatches of food into Afghanistan this
week with approximately 16,700 tons (or an average of 2,300 tons per day)
being delivered along five regional corridors from Pakistan, Iran,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

(b)  On 7 November, WFP deployed two cargo aircraft to airlift over 2,000
tons of food from south-western Pakistan to the city of Turkmenabad in
Turkmenistan, from where it will be transported into remote areas of
northern Afghanistan. 45 tons of wheat were airlifted from Quetta on 7
November. The second aircraft was scheduled to start deliveries on 8
November.

(c)  North Afghanistan is the hunger belt of the country, where WFP is
seeking to assist about three million people until the harvest next year.
WFP stocks in Turkmenistan were running dangerously low and this is why it
was decided as an emergency measure to move some food from Quetta until
scheduled deliveries by road from Iran arrive in Turkmenistan.

(d)  WFP needs to airlift 7,000 tons of wheat from Quetta to Turkmenabad
to cover the gap in supplies to north Afghanistan but due to limited
resources only 2,000 tons are to be lifted in the first few days.

(e)  Turkmenabad is an important logistical hub in the WFP regional
emergency operation because it straddles the border with Uzbekistan and
sits on routes leading both east (to the Afghan city of Mazar-I-Sharif)
and west (to Herat).


(2)  Afghanistan

(a)  Food distributions continued inside Afghanistan and WFP released
12,500 tons of food for distribution. This figure includes over 11,000
tons that was supplied to NGOs from neighbouring countries. In a measure
to offset internal trucking constraints, WFP is providing transport for
implementing partners right to the distribution point where the food is
received and distributed by national staff. Beneficiaries this week
included IDPs in camps near Herat and Mazar-I-Sharif, vulnerable people
involved in food for work (FFW) projects (road rehabilitation) as well as
women participating to income-generating projects (weaving and
confectionery production) in Faizabad.

(b)  An inter-agency security mission visited Faizabad, in Northern
Alliance held territory, inside Afghanistan during the week. The mission
confirmed that the security situation permits the return of the UN. An
inter-agency mission will travel to Faizabad next week to explore
re-establishing programmes. WFP intends to send two international staff
members.


(3)  Pakistan

(a)  The staging camp established at Quetta by UNHCR has remained closed.
There are approximately 2,200 people in the staging camp, which was set up
to provide temporary food and medical assistance for needy Afghan people.


(4)  Iran

(a)  Approximately 800 to 1,000 Afghans are reportedly arriving every day
near Dogharun in Iran. It appears that these are migrant workers who are
now returning to Afghanistan in order to support family members.

(b)  UNHCR has been meeting with WHO, BAFIA and Ministry of Health
officials in order to discuss the estimated figures of Afghans who have
crossed into Iran and may require assistance. Estimated numbers vary from
1,000 to 60,000.

(c)  On 29 October, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) carried out a nutritional
screening among the children under five in Makaki Camp to identify the
malnourished cases. These results suggest that there is no need for an
emergency intervention.  ACF is planning to carry out a food and
nutritional survey in and around the camp.



(B)  East and Southern Africa region: (1) Zimbabwe, (2) Somalia,
     (3) Burundi, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Eritrea, (6) Tanzania

(1)  Zimbabwe

(a)  In response to the swelling number of Zimbabweans facing growing
hunger, WFP is planning a large-scale relief food operation aimed at
assisting more than half a million people in the country. WFP emergency
team that recently returned from Zimbabwe strongly recommended a major
emergency intervention to feed 558,000 rural people who face acute food
shortages, and who are not receiving assistance through NGO bilateral food
aid programmes.

(b)  Zimbabwe, normally a food surplus country, has seen a sharp
deterioration in food security due to a combination of factors: erratic
rainfall preceded by widespread flooding; the disruption to the commercial
farming sector due to land acquisition activities; and a strong downturn
in the economy combined with steep rises in staple food prices.

(c)  WFP plans to start operations in November, with food aid arriving in
December together with the establishment of a formal Country Office. For
the past five years, WFP's office in Zimbabwe has been limited to regional
food procurement activities. Operational details, including budget, for
WFP's planned emergency operation in Zimbabwe is in the final stage of
approval. A major appeal for food and cash will be issued shortly after.

(d)  Already, many Zimbabweans average only one meal a day, or even go an
entire day without food. Many rural families have exhausted their food
reserves long ago and their ability to buy food on the market is
constrained by increasingly high prices and limited opportunities to
either earn cash or receive remittances from relatives who work in urban
areas or in South Africa.

(e)  Daily survival will become an even greater challenge in the months
leading up to the April/May cereal harvest as food supplies on the market
and at home become tighter. Continuing hyperinflation and widespread job
losses in agriculture and related industries will increasingly make large
groups of people highly vulnerable.

(f)  The hardest-hit populations are spread throughout 22 districts
located in the south, west and extreme north of Zimbabwe, areas where food
shortages and hunger are a chronic problem. In past years, the Government
brought food surpluses from the north to meet the needs in structurally
food deficit areas, mostly in southern Zimbabwe. However this year, the
food gap cannot be filled internally nor externally, as enough food can
not be bought from neighbouring countries due to a lack of foreign
exchange. This is aggravating the country's already-low cereal stocks.


(2)  Somalia

(a)  Recent field assessments by WFP staff confirm the increasingly acute
food insecurity situation in Gedo and parts of Bay and Bakool. In
addition, a very high incidence of livestock deaths is reported from parts
of Gedo, especially in Burdubo and Garbaharey regions. The Food Security
Assessment Unit has issued an Alert predicting a food gap of over 55,000
tons till mid 2002. The current short Deyr rains have been poor in most
critical areas, thereby increasing concern for food security.

(b)  Already, more than 750,000 people face a serious humanitarian crisis
following the failure of the main Gu season (May - July) rains in key food
producing areas. Drought conditions away from the Riverine areas have left
thousands of families without access to food, and malnutrition rates have
risen dramatically in the past three months.

(c)  WFP continues to respond with targeted FFW projects in the most
affected districts, and in support to the malnourished through Mother and
Child Health programmes run by UNICEF and several NGOs.

(d)  On 2 November the Juba River in Southern Somalia burst its banks
leaving an estimated 1,300 families displaced. River flooding in southern
Somalia is a chronic seasonal problem. While many parts of southern
Somalia still have not received rain, heavy rains in Ethiopia have caused
the rivers downstream in Somalia to swell.

(e)  The food pipeline problems are becoming increasingly worrying.
Earlier estimates were that WFP faces a shortfall of some 15,000 tons of
food till mid 2002. However the most recent needs assessments put the
overall needs much higher. Current WFP pipeline is sufficient only till
mid January 2002.

(f)  Following the appeal in August, WFP has received pledges equivalent
of 2,586 tons. Donor support is urgently required to avert a food crisis
in Somalia.


(3)  Burundi

(a)  The security situation remained volatile in many areas during the
last two weeks. Incursions continued to be reported in Makamba, Rutana and
Ruyigi provinces bordering with Tanzania. Armed banditry was reported in
Bujumbura Rural, residential quarters and peripheral suburbs of Bujumbura
as well as in Makamba, Ruyigi and Rutana provinces.

(b)  WFP Food Economy Assessment (FEA) teams followed up on previous
assessment missions in Gashoho, Gasorwe and part of Muyinga commune
(Muyinga province) and conducted a baseline study in Bukeye and Muramvya
(Muramvya province). However, planned needs assessment missions did not
take place in Kiganda commune (Muramvya province) and Rutana province due
to the deteriorating security situation. FEA teams recommended that food
assistance be delivered to over 11,000 vulnerable households in Makamba
province.

(c)  WFP in partnership with Care and World Vision distributed 2,535 tons
of food to 36,254 vulnerable households in Bujumbura Rural, Kayanza, Ngozi
and Karuzi provinces from 8 to 21 October. With this last distribution,
WFP completed the Seeds Protection Rations campaign, which started
mid-September to ensure that farmers do not resort to seeds as food. A
total of 7,640 tons of food was distributed to more than 142,000 families
to protect the seeds supplied by FAO.

(d)  From 8 to 14 October, WFP in collaboration with Caritas and Groupe
Voluntariat Civil assisted over 11,000 malnourished persons through
feeding centres in Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura Rural provinces,
providing them with 45 tons of food. WFP continued to provide food aid to
different social centres assisting particularly vulnerable persons. WFP
dispatched during the same period, over 60 tons of food, benefiting 5,100
people.


(4)  Ethiopia

(a)  WFP current food stocks will be insufficient to cover the needs of
the drought victims for November and December. However, a new contribution
was confirmed in early November of which 25,000 tons of cereals is
anticipated for Ethiopia. It is expected that a loan from the Ethiopian
Emergency Food Reserve will be used to mobilise food to meet the urgent
need. This could result in November requirements being met, as well as
over most of December's requirements.

(b)  Many of the people that were displaced due to the border war with
Eritrea have returned to their place of origin and begun rebuilding their
livelihoods. Consequently, WFP's food assistance to over 300,000 IDPs and
Ethiopian returnees from Eritrea will cease at end of November. However,
assessments indicates that some IDPs will require continued assistance;
they have been unable to achieve any self-sufficiency due to security
concerns, presence of landmines or psychological fears of the former
conflict. Although the number of beneficiaries requiring assistance in
2002 will be sharply reduced, additional donor contributions are urgently
needed.

(c)  WFP is assisting a total of 161,000 Eritrean, Somali and Sudanese
refugees. In October, over 6,000 refugees were repatriated from Daror camp
to Northwestern Somalia and additional 6,500 refugees are expected to be
assisted in returning to their country by the end of November. Following
the latest repatriation in October, the Somali refugee caseload is now
down to 80,000. The number of Sudanese refugees remains the same, 77,000
at the end of October.

(d)  So far, the rainfall conditions in the pastoral areas in the south
and southeast have been mixed. While rains started on time or have been
favourable in parts of the eastern and southern regions, rainfall has been
very poor in southern Borena, near the border with Kenya. As the current
rainfall season (Deyr) normally lasts from October to December, continued
rainfall in coming weeks will be crucial for recovery of the pastoralists.
Geographic areas of concern such as the lowlands of East Tigray, North
Shewa, Oromiya, East Harerge, West Harerge and Bale will need to be
closely monitored.

(e)  The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission and the
multi-agency assessment led by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness
Commission are scheduled between mid-November and mid-December. These
exercises will be used to estimate crop production and forecast food
assistance requirements for 2002.


(5)  Eritrea

(a)  From 22 October to 3 November, the Eritrean Relief and Refugees
Commission (ERREC) reported distribution of approximately 2,100 tons of
food to over 523,800 vulnerable persons in Debub and Gash Barka Regions.

(b)  WFP and ERREC conducted a joint post distribution survey in the Emni
Haili sub-region (Debub Region) and observed that the community received
the amount of food allocated to them. WFP conducted post distribution
assessment in various sub-zones of NRS Region. According to the findings,
most beneficiaries were aware of their entitlements and actively involved
in the distribution process. WFP conducted additional post distribution
surveys in Anseba and Gash Barka Regions, where all people interviewed
reported being heavily dependent on food aid.

(c)  WFP is currently partaking in a countrywide school assessment in view
of the upcoming emergency school-feeding programme. WFP visited a number
of schools in Anseba, NRS, Debub and Gash Barka Regions to discuss the
basic requirements that have to be met by each school for the program to
commence. All the schools visited showed interest for the program and
proposed to provide storage facilities, kitchens and additional inputs.

(d)  Sorghum is being harvested in some sub zones of the Gash Barka
region, which is particularly impressive this year given the recent
troubles. The outlook is also good in the Temporary security zone (TSZ)
considering the delayed return of IDPs from displacement and the heavy
threat of mines. While the larger part of the Gash Barka region is now
experiencing the dry season, rain continues to fall in the TSZ. Heavy
downpours are sweeping away the tracks at some river crossings, stopping
vehicular traffic.

(e)  The general situation in and around the TSZ remains calm. Various
de-mining companies continue their clearing activities throughout the
heavily mined areas in Gash Barka, Debub and Southern Red Sea Regions.


(6)  Tanzania

(a)  The security situation was reported calm in all camps from 22 October
to 4 November. However, the number of Congolese refugees arriving in
Tanzania over the last two weeks rose by 80 percent compared to the first
half of October. Over 3,800 new arrivals, mostly from Fizzi in Southern
Kivu region were registered in Lugufu II camp from 22 October to 4
November. Those interviewed reported fleeing the continued fighting in
their country. An inter-agency task force was set up to oversee the
registration process and regularly organise verification exercises.

(b)  WFP distributed approximately 2,455 tons of food to over 486,900
refugees in Kigoma, Kibondo, Kasulu and Ngara districts, from 22 October
to 4 November. WFP supplied around 90 percent of the standard food ration
to all beneficiaries, except for 3,900 extremely vulnerable individuals,
who received a full ration.

(c)  In addition, WFP supported various TFCs and SFCs, providing 72 tons
of food to over 18,300 malnourished persons. During the same period, 400
refugees were assisted in returning to their communities in Rwanda,
bringing to 3,600 the total number of Rwandese assisted in returning home
since 1 January. Approximately 4,000 new refugees arrived in Tanzania from
DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda from 22 October to 4 November.

(d)  Following a stabilisation its resourcing status, WFP decided to
increase the food ration scale from 80 to 100 percent of the standard
ration, effective 1 November. Camp level leaders and food coordination
meetings were held in all locations during the last two weeks to inform
the refugees on this change.



(C)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Cuba, (2) Honduras,
     (3) Nicaragua, (4) Guatemala, (5) El Salvador

(1)  Cuba

(a)  On 3 November, the Hurricane Michelle moved towards the western coast
of Cuba after causing 12 deaths and leaving thousands of persons homeless
in Honduras, Nicaragua and Jamaica. While the hurricane was situated over
the province of Matanzas on 4 November, the mountains reduced its force.

(b)  Heavy rains fell on a very extensive area of the island, creating a
high risk of floods. The most affected areas were La Habana, Matanzas,
Villa Clara, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus. Strong winds resulted in
damages to communications systems and the destruction of high voltage
towers in several provinces, leaving communities without electrical power,
gas and water.

(c)  WFP is currently participating in a UN interagency assessment mission
to appraise damages in the hardest-hit areas. Results of this assessment
are expected for 9 November.


(2)  Honduras

(a)  Following extensive flooding provoked by Tropical Storm Michelle from
29 October to 1 November, the Government has requested WFP assistance in
evaluating damages and further supporting the rehabilitation,
reconstruction and mitigation of disasters efforts in the affected areas.
WFP undertook a rapid assessment in two of the hardest-hit rural areas
(Cortes and Yoro) and subsequently confirmed that it will provide 500 tons
of food to 3,500 families in Yoro through food for work (FFW) activities.
Food will be drawn from the existing PRRO and development stocks.

(b)  WFP distributed over 3,200 of the 4,500 tons of food aid programmed
from August to November to approximately 30,000 drought-affected families.
WFP in collaboration with USAID, BID, and the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock, is currently evaluating the current effects of the drought on
poor households and the projected effects for the coming year. In
addition, a UNDAC team in collaboration with WFP will carry out an overall
needs assessment, on 9 November.


(3)  Nicaragua

(a)  According to the Civil Defense, Tropical Storm Michelle caused the
death of five persons and affected approximately 17,500 people. Some 7,000
hectares of staple crops were lost (equivalent to 80 percent of crops in
those areas). Relief efforts are complicated by the difficult access to
the areas of Waspán, Rosita and Puerto Cabezas, where more than 50 km of
roads and 7 bridges have been destroyed. Water levels are not expected to
return to normal for another 10 to 15 days.

(b)  WFP and UNICEF are currently carrying out a needs assessment in the
affected area. WFP is airlifting 120 tons of food to Puerto Cabezas, as
extensive flooding prohibits road access. Helicopters and boats will be
used to transport the food from Puerto Cabezas to extended delivery
points.

(c)  On 22-24 October, WFP in co-ordination with donors assessed food
needs in areas affected by drought earlier. Families interviewed confirmed
that the negative effects of drought have actually been felt since 1997
and 1998, indicating a de-capitalization process worst than expected.

(d)  Although current crop conditions point to a satisfactory second
harvest in many areas, the assessment teams found that most families
planted less than what they normally would have due to lack of seeds. Many
families were provided with sorghum to plant instead of beans, the main
income-generating staple food. Food insecurity is therefore a very real
threat in the coming months, as it is the second harvest (primarily bean)
that is traditionally the main income?generating harvest.

(e)  The recurrent drought situation has stalled the recovery process.
Many families are facing reductions in off-farm opportunities, mainly in
coffee production related activities. Limited access to cash means that
the purchasing power of these vulnerable families, already extremely
limited in normal times, has been greatly reduced.


(4)  Guatemala

(a)  WFP is currently assisting over 20,000 drought-affected families.
This caseload includes additional food insecure households identified
during a recent evaluation mission carried out in conjunction with USAID
and the Government.

(b)  WFP, UNICEF, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture are coordinating the
organisation of a joint evaluation of the nutritional status and
agricultural production of small farming families as the second harvest
approaches.


(5)  El Salvador

(a)  The food security of families affected by the drought remains at
risk. Although indications show that there will be some recuperation in
the upcoming November harvest, production will not cover the significant
losses of staple crops from the first harvest. Low coffee prices are also
expected to have a devastating effect on household economies. With prices
not likely to rise, this may become a long-term problem.

(b)  As a result of this combination of factors, including also the two
devastating earthquakes of January and February and the general high level
of poverty, many smallholder farmer families are living on the edge of
survival. Malnutrition rates in some of the poorest departments have
increased, especially among small children and the elderly.

(c)  Distributions to earthquake-affected families are continuing with
CARE and WLF and their counterpart NGOs. In addition to distribution of
basic commodities, both have commenced the distribution of CSB to those
with special nutritional needs.

(d)  WFP in collaboration with the National Secretariat of the Family and
NGO patners will carry out a food needs assessment to target the most
vulnerable populations with the limited amount of resources available.
Results of the emergency food needs assessment will be combined with the
planned UNICEF height-age study to produce an accurate list of priority
municipalities and communities to receive food aid in the last phase of
the emergency operation.



(D)  West Africa Region: (1) Guinea, (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Liberia

(1)  Guinea

(a)  Tensions are growing over the referendum initiated by President
Lansana Conte and scheduled for 11 November. Opposition parties denounced
this referendum as being unconstitutional.

(b)  Following an assessment mission in Upper Guinea, a UNDAC team
confirmed WFP's initial report regarding the extent of the damage caused
by the floods. WFP in collaboration with Organisation Catholique pour la
Promotion Humaine (OCPH) assisted 10,000 of the most affected people.

(c)  WFP assisted over 49,100 vulnerable people under various programmes
from 22 October to 5 November, providing them with 1,000 tons of food.
This includes WFP support to 23,000 refugees in the Kountaya and Telikoro
camps (Kissidougou region), amounting to approximately 600 tons of food.
In addition, ACF distributed WFP food to over 600 children, pregnant women
and nursing mothers in the Albadaria camps' nutritional centres.

(d)  A group of 514 Liberian refugees was transferred to the Kola camp
(N'Zérékoré region), which has now reached its full capacity with over
5,900 refugees. The new arrivals received a WFP emergency food ration,
which will last them until the next monthly distribution. The reduction in
the number of new admissions to the nutritional centre in the Kouankan
refugee camp suggests an improvement in the nutrition situation.

(e)  ACF distributed WFP food to 70 malnourished children, pregnant women
and lactating women at the Sembakounya nutritional feeding centre (Dabola
region). Finally, 13,500 IDPs received WFP assistance in the Kerouane
prefecture (Kankan region).


(2)  Sierra Leone

(a)  During the last two weeks, WFP distributed a total of 386 tons of
food to approximately 71,100 vulnerable people under various programmes.
This includes the distribution of over 45 tons of food to approximately
6,000 malnourished persons admitted in various Therapeutic and
Supplementary Feeding Centres (TFC and SFC). WFP pre-positioned food to
the TFC recently established by MSF-F in Kailahun town, which will address
the urgent need of over 100 malnourished children. Alarmingly high figures
of malnutrition were reported in Kailahun area, especially among the
Liberian refugees.

(b)  In addition, 86 tons of food were distributed to 2,000 families
through the Food-For- Agriculture programme in Falla Wandor. WFP
distributed 50 tons of food to over 15,000 children in primary schools in
Kambia, Port Loko and Lunsar, through the Emergency School Feeding
programme.

(c)  WFP and partner agencies completed a verification exercise in several
IDP camps in Kenema, which will facilitate the resettlement process in the
Eastern Province, once their places of origin are declared safe. The
verification results are now being compiled by the inter-agency team.

(d)  As part of the ongoing process of moving Liberian refugees from
Kailahun to safer areas, UNHCR and WFP facilitated the movement of 36
refugees from Daru to Jembe transit camp. The refugees received a full
month ration of food aid upon their arrival.

(e)  Last week, WFP distributed 20 tons of food to 2,000 ex-combatants in
Zimmi and Pujehun demobilisation camps. Through its EMOP, WFP is
continuing to support all the demobilisation camps across the country.
Disarmament started on 1 November in Tonkolili district (Northern
province) and in Pujehun district (Southern province).

(f)  WFP is already facing or expects to face serious food shortfalls.
World Vision will help bridging WFP's pipeline gap by making available
2,000 tons of cereal, 200 tons of Vegetable Oil and 300 tons of pulses, to
be repaid in January and March 2002.


(3)  Liberia

(a)  Areas in Gbarpolu County near the border with Sierra Leone are still
inaccessible to UN agencies, due to security concerns. In other regions,
where the security situation is also reportedly unstable, such as the
Vahun, Kumgbor, Camps Amtel and Alpha areas, WFP food distributions are on
going but monitoring by WFP staff is currently constrained.

(b)  WFP dispatched or pre-positioned approximately 500 tons of food from
25 October to 7 November, in support of various programmes across the
country.

(c)  WFP assisted approximately 7,300 displaced children through five
schools in Bong County, providing them with 30 tons of food. In addition,
over 3,700 malnourished people, mainly IDPs and refugees received 20 tons
of WFP food through various TFCs in Montserrado and Bong Counties.
Finally, WFP distributed 90 tons of food to approximately 8,000 vulnerable
people in the southeastern counties of Maryland, Grand Kru, River Ge, Bong
and Margibi.

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 45)


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