WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 35 / 2001 - Date 31 August 2001


This report includes:

West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan,
  (3) Tajikistan
Central Africa Region: (1) Angola, (2) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
East Africa Region : (1) Burundi, (2) Kenya, (2) Uganda
West Africa Region: (1) Sierra Leone, (2) Guinea, (3) Liberia
Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Honduras, (2) El Salvador,
  (3) Nicaragua, (4) Guatemala, (5) Ecuador, (6) Bolivia


>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) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan,
     (3) Tajikistan

(1)  Afghanistan

(a)  WFP issued a statement last week calling upon the Taliban authorities
to refrain from making further baseless allegations against WFP and its
staff as well as to help facilitate the delivery of food assistance
throughout Afghanistan. WFP is committed to UN principles of impartiality
and neutrality and provides help to Afghan people solely on the basis of
need without any religious, political or ethnic biases. WFP has never been
involved in propagating any religious persuasion in Afghanistan or
elsewhere.

(b)  WFP still faces difficulties to transport food through the Tajik
border of Ishkashem, where the authorities are giving priority to
commercial transporters. WFP's distribution schedule is likely to be
seriously affected. In order to address logistical constraints due to
damaged roads and bridges, WFP supported a Food for Work (FFW) project to
rehabilitate bridges along the road from Ishkashem to the Panjshir Valley.
As a result, WFP was able to move 1,314 tons of wheat on this road axis
during the last two weeks.

(c)  1,820 displaced families received 182 tons of WFP food, through a
Food for Asset Creation (FOODAC) project in the Rustaq and Chaab districts
of Takhar province last week. WFP assisted 2,696 beneficiaries, mainly
women, under Food for Education in the Ishkashem, Zebak and Baharak
districts of Badakshan, providing them with 127 tons of food. WFP
distributed about 546 tons of food under FOODAC, FFW and Institutional
Feeding projects in Jalalabad during the last two weeks.

(d)  About 1,280 new IDPs have been registered from 18-23 August by the
Registration Unit, in Herat area. From 21-22 August, about 282 families
were repatriated by UNHCR in Jalalabad area, bringing the total number of
families repatriated to 1,548.


(2)  Pakistan

(a)  UNHCR is currently organising volunteer repatriation of refugees. Out
of 6,465 families who opted for repatriation, 666 families have left
Jalozai and Nasir Bagh camps to return to their place of origin, from 13
to 27 August, according to UNHCR.

(b)  WFP in collaboration with Shelter Now International (SNI) plans to
complete the distribution of 820 tons of food in Shamshatoo camp on 30
August. 45,356 people out of a caseload of 49,300 had received their
ration by 29 August. WFP continues to support the MSF-H feeding centre for
malnourished children and vulnerable lactating mothers at Jalozai camp.
455 beneficiaries have been admitted in the feeding programme, as of 30
August.


(3)  Tajikistan

(a)  The harvest in Khatlon central province is affected by high
temperatures, lack of rainfall and water management problems. According to
field reports, approximately 80 percent of the rain-fed crop and 60
percent of the irrigated lands have been affected by water shortage in
Sovetsky and Farkhor districts (Khatlon province).  In addition,
continuous rain in part of GBAO province has recently damaged the already
devastated wheat crops.

(b)  WFP has been verifying the lists of beneficiaries targeted under the
vulnerable group feeding distribution expected to start in September.
General food distribution has already started in the northern Sughd Region
covering 45,000 people.

(c)  WFP has started food distribution to 22,000 vulnerable people in GBAO
southern province. The current food situation is critical in Murgab
district (GBAO province) and Bishkent and Qabodiyon districts (Khatlon
province) where people have very low food stocks and have started to sell
their assets. Approximately 35 percent of the population of Qabodiyon,
mainly young people, has moved to other countries in search of jobs and
those remaining are left with few coping mechanisms.

(d)  The WFP's EMOP, expected to end in December, is facing a shortfall of
39 percent. 95 percent of WFP requirements for the PRRO, which started in
July is also uncovered.



(B)  Central Africa Region: (1) Angola,
     (2) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

(1)  Angola

(a)  The security situation remained unstable in many areas, including
Malange, Kuando Kubango, and Benguela provinces, where some IDPs heading
for the provincial capitals were ambushed. Intensive fighting was reported
near Kuemba, Muhango and Chicala (Bié province). An increase in the use of
landmines and harassment of locals by armed groups was reported along the
border with Namibia (Kuando Kubango province) during the week.

(b)  With the improvement of security conditions in Dombe Grande (Benguela
province), humanitarian agencies are considering the possibility of
resuming their operations which have been suspended since February 2000.
156 new IDPs arrived this week from various villages in the municipalities
of Balombo and Yambala.

(c)  WFP in collaboration with CARE assisted 20,094 IDPs with 322 tons of
food in Camacupa (Bié province). The beneficiary caseload has
significantly increased since June, when 7,292 IDPs were assisted by WFP.
Another 45 IDPs were registered in Camacupa and 91 in Kuito during the
week. Following a re-verification exercise recently undertaken by WFP and
its partners, the number of IDPs in Kuito declined from 94,962 in April to
74,025.

(d)  WFP assisted 7,690 people during the week, with 121 tons of food, in
Huambo province. WFP, the Ministry of Social Reinsertion (MINARS), MINSA,
OHAT and AADDBho carried out a joint mission to Hoque and Cacula
municipalities (Huíla province) on 23-26 August in order to register the
displaced and resettled populations, assess various WFP FFW projects and
undertake a nutritional survey. 1,018 new IDPs were registered in Huila
during the week.

(e)  At least 308 persons arrived in Saurimo (Lunda Sul province), fleeing
ongoing military instability in the north of the province. WFP supervised
the distribution of 2,225 hectares of arable land in the area to 3,117
displaced families. Most families received half a hectare, enabling the
production of two months of food for a five-person family.

(f)  136 returnees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 569
IDPs were registered in Luena (Moxico province) during the week. A total
of 1,318 new IDPs were registered in Moxico in August.

(g)  The security situation in Uíge province remains tense near the border
with DRC. Over 3,000 IDPs returned from the border to the Maquela do Zombo
municipal area. Another 15,000 reportedly crossed the border and have been
registered as refugees in DRC. 216 new IDPs were registered in Uige,
coming from Quimbele.


(2)  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

(a)  Improving security conditions have enabled humanitarian agencies to
access returnees in Kalonge and Kasika (South Kivu province). However,
insecurity still prevails along the front-line in Lubumbashi province and
near the Virunga National Park (North Kivu province). Kalemie town
(Northern Katanga province) remains accessible only by air due to the
presence of armed groups on the roads.

(b)  WFP airlifted 440 tons of food from Kalemie to various locations in
Northern Katanga province in June and July. Starting from September, WFP
intends to airlift an additional 500 tons of food to assist malnourished
children and their families in Northern Katanga until the end of December.
A Special Operation to finance this airlift is being formulated.

(c)  WFP is very concerned by the recent decision of the Minister of
Social Welfare to transfer 1,000 street children to transit centres
outside Kinshasa, where investigations will be carried to establish their
identity as orphans or not. Only orphans or displaced children will be
then assisted through training centres. WFP has been providing 3,500
street children in Kinshasa, with 61 tons of food per month, through
various NGOs and Community Based Organisations. The number of street
children in the DRC is estimated at 20,000.

(d)  353,944 IDPs, 268,169 returnees and 139,496 refugees are currently in
the province of South Kivu. WFP has distributed 378 tons of food to mostly
IDPs and family members of malnourished children, from 1 to 25 August.
With the improvement in the security situation, massive movements of
returnees have been reported in the province of South Kivu. WFP is
planning to assist them to prepare the next farming season. This will
entail the distribution of seeds protection package to some 230,088
persons in Kabare, Walungu and Kalonge.

(e)  With the improvement in humanitarian access, more cases of severe
malnutrition have been reported, particularly in savannah grassland areas.
A rapid nutritional screening of households indicated a high prevalence of
malnutrition in the newly accessible Mwenga territory.

(f)  WFP has distributed 783 tons of food to 115,173 beneficiaries, mostly
family members of malnourished children, in North Kivu province, from 1 to
25 August. WFP in collaboration with German Agro Action has started
assisting over 150,000 IDPs in Grand Nord (North Kivu province). 50,000
IDPs have already received seeds and over 351 tons of food.

(g)  WFP expanded food assistance in the north-western part of the Katanga
province, under Government control and is considering assisting people in
Ankoro and Gwena areas, along the front-line. WFP completed food
distribution to 14,000 IDPs in Kitenge.

(h)  UNHCR, WFP and Government officials have carried out an assessment
mission in Dubie and Kilwa, where a massive return of refugees from
neighbouring countries is expected with the ceasefire holding. 15,248
people in Dubie and Kilwa are currently assisted by WFP through Caritas.
WFP is now considering assisting them through FFW projects, but is
concerned by their accessibility during the rainy season.

(i)  WFP plans to assist 25,000 refugees from the Central African Republic
currently in Zongo area (Equateur province), with an average of 390 tons
of food per month. UNHCR, WFP and partner NGOs are preparing the
relocation of 16,000 Angolan refugees newly arrived in Bas-Congo province.
While 10,000 refugees will be transferred to Kindompolo area, the
remaining 6,000 will stay in Kimpindi, Kihamba and Kinsulu. Future plans
include the distribution of tools, seeds and food to the refugees to
enhance their self sufficiency.

(j)  WFP will require additional contributions to provide assistance to
the 16,000 Angolan refugees newly arrived in Bas-Congo. WFP expects a
shortage of pulses in November, under the EMOP 6035.01. WFP will also face
a serious shortage of CSB and pulses from October onwards, unless new
donations are confirmed to the PRRO 6274. Salt and sugar will also be
required for January 2002.



(C)  East Africa Region : (1) Burundi, (2) Kenya, (2) Uganda

(1)  Burundi

(a)  The security situation remained unpredictable during the first half
of August. Attacks and looting were reported in Kamenge and Gihosha areas
in Bujumbura town. Incursions continued to be reported in Ruyigi and
Makamba provinces, as well as skirmishes between the army and rebels in
Bujumbura rural province.

(b)  WFP Household Food Economy Assessment teams conducted a number of
visits in the northern and eastern provinces to assess the effects of the
drought on the food security situation and evaluate the impact of WFP food
assistance during the first half of August. High risk of food insecurity
was reported in part of Kirundo, Muyinga, Karuzi and Bujumbura Rural
provinces. In particular, 9,244 households in Kanyosha commune could
become food insecure by December.

(c)  WFP in collaboration with CARE, GVC and Caritas assisted 169,959
vulnerable people, with 1,433 tons of food during the first half of
August. Beneficiaries were mainly drought-affected populations in Muyinga
and Kirundo provinces.

(d)  WFP in collaboration with GTZ distributed 34 tons of food to 1,441
refugees from DRC in Cibitoke province. 1,139 people repatriated from
Tanzania in Ngozi received 14 tons of WFP food.

(e)  WFP assisted 9,051 most vulnerable persons, including orphans, street
children and chronically ill persons, with 133 tons of food, through
various social centres. WFP has conducted a mid-term review of this
project. WFP supplied 290 tons of food to nutritional feeding projects.
The caseload in Supplementary Feeding Centres decreased as a result of
nutritional improvements.


(2)  Kenya

(a)  Due to an inadequate long-rains season, the forage and water
situation continues to deteriorate in most areas targeted under the EMOP,
in particular in Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Turkana and Garissa districts.
The Arid Lands and Resource Management Project (ALRMP) reported that most
pastoralists in these regions continue to face increasing hardships and
their food security is likely to continue to deteriorate before the next
rainfall season. Some pastoralists have sold their livestocks and are
almost exclusively dependent on relief food. Others have been migrating.
Livestock raids have reportedly escalated, as competition for grazing
resources increases.

(b)  The Government announced that the National Cereals and Produce Board
(NCPB) would buy, at competitive prices, surplus cereal stock from the
expected bumper harvest in the North Rift region, and encouraged donors to
procure maize for the EMOP from local markets or alternatively contribute
other types of cereal commodities.

(c)  WFP assisted a total of 1,518,528 vulnerable people, with 22,200 tons
of food, during August. WFP has expanded its School Feeding programme,
under the EMOP 10085.0, to assist 1,304,431 children in 4,700 schools and
cover 4 new districts (West Pokot, Marakwet, Keiyo and Taita-Taveta). WFP
intends to undertake a baseline survey of the school feeding project,
collecting quantitative and qualitative data at district level. 50 FFW
projects were approved during the second half of August and food will be
dispatched to all NGOs by the end of the month.

(d)  Border tensions along internal and external boundaries seem to be on
the rise. Disputes have resulted in delayed food distribution, in
particular in the town of Moyale. In West Pokot district, the Pokots
community blocked, in retaliation, the movement of relief food towards
Turkana district.


(3)  Uganda

(a)  Security in WFP operational areas was calm in July. The quiet in Gulu
and Kitgum is associated to an on-going peace dialogue between District
authorities and LRA representatives. Caution is still strictly observed
following the attacks on WFP convoys while delivering food to camps in
Gulu and Kitgum, in May and June.

(b)  WFP assisted a total of 474,895 refugees and IDPs with 4,730 tons of
food through various programmes in July. The beneficiary figures under
PRRO 6176 will drop in the next distribution following the registration
and verification exercise of refugee settlements and IDP camps in Gulu.
The Gulu IDP caseload decreased by nearly 50,000 people and stands now at
292,160, still the highest in the country. Preliminary results of the
refugee registration exercise organised by the Government and UNHCR, with
active participation of WFP indicate a reduction in refugee beneficiary
figures from 230,934 to 172,722.

(c)  By the end of July, the PRRO was 66 percent resourced and 27,907 tons
of food were still required up to the end of the PRRO in March 2002. WFP
expects to face a shortfall in pulses in November. There is therefore
urgent need for more donations to avert a food pipeline crisis.

(d)  WFP continues to assist 23,212 refugees from Congo, Rwanda, Sudan and
Somalia, under the Regional PRRO. The PRRO 6077.00 has faced food
shortfalls, especially for the cereals and pulses.

(e)  Under the EMOP 6235.01, WFP has been assisting 50,490 drought
affected persons, with 207 tons of food, through general food
distribution. In addition, 2,642 pre-school children received 21 tons of
food. A good harvest is anticipated in Karamoja following reports of good
rains. As a result, EMOP 6235.01 will terminate as of 31 August.



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

(1)  Sierra Leone

(a)  WFP distributed a total of 815 tons of food to 35,864 beneficiaries
under various programmes during the week. WFP completed food distribution
to 17,486 IDPs in Mile 91 area and simultaneously conducted a
vulnerability assessment to further target beneficiaries next month.
10,699 IDPs in Mandu, Bo Township and Port Loko camp received 124 tons of
WFP food during the week.

(b)  200 Liberian refugees were relocated from Daru to resettlement camps
in the south. WFP provided them with HDR rations in collaboration with
UNHCR. WFP assisted 8,800 returnees with 98 tons of food in transit camps
in the Western area. UNHCR started relocating those willing to return to
the eastern and southern areas. WFP distributed 207 tons of food to 15,923
returnees in the Lokomasama resettlement site in Lungi.

(c)  WFP is currently distributing 172 tons of food, through
Food-for-Agriculture (FFAg) projects, in Makpele, Barri West, and
Soro-gbema chiefdoms in the Southeastern Province. WFP in collaboration
with ICRC, started distributing 210 tons of food to 4,915 families through
FFAg, in Tane chiefdom (Tonkolili district). WFP completed food
distributions under FFAg, benefiting 13,219 families in Bombali, Port Loko
and Tonkolili districts during the week.


(2)  Guinea

(a)  The security situation remained relatively stable throughout the
country. Refugees continue to arrive from Liberia into the eastern region.
UN agencies and NGO partners are currently preparing a joint contingency
plan for the N'Zérékoré region.

(b)  WFP intends to complete food distribution to about 21,000 IDPs in
Mamou district on 31 August. WFP and the Red Cross plan to start the IDP
census in Dinguiraye district next week.

(c)  WFP is verifying the number of refugees in Kountayah camp
(Kissidougou region). 555 malnourished people are currently assisted by
WFP through different nutritional centres, in the Albadaria area
(Kissidougou region). WFP completed the distribution of 138 tons of food
to 12,364 refugees in Boreah camp (Kissidougou region).

(d)  1,031 refugees have been transferred last week to the new Kola camp
(N'Zérékoré region), bringing the total refugee caseload to 1,972.  They
have been receiving WFP assistance (wet feeding the first day and then
monthly dry rations), through International Rescue Committee (IRC) and
OCPH.


(3)  Liberia

(a)  WFP in collaboration with Action Contre la Faim distributed 42 tons
of food to 9,248 IDPs in Jennemana (Grand Cape Mount County) and Bopolu
(Gbarpolu County) during the week. WFP, LRRRC and Liberian Red Cross
intend to organise a joint exercise to verify the number of IDPs in the
camps in Bong County prior to the food distribution in September.

(b)  Following a recent attack on the village of Kpatazu (Lofa County),
125 Liberians have reportedly crossed the border with Guinea and arrived
in the town of Macenta. The refugees have been relocated to Kola camp, 35
km north of N'Zérékoré, according to UNHCR.

(c)  WFP distributed 47 tons of food to 5,548 Sierra Leonean refugees in
the Samukai Town camp outside Monrovia during the week. In addition, 4,533
people received 44 tons of food, mostly in Bong and Zwedru counties,
through the vulnerable group feeding programme.



(E)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Honduras, (2) El Salvador,
(3) Nicaragua , (4) Guatemala, (5) Ecuador, (6) Bolivia

(1)  Honduras

(a)  As of 29 August, WFP has distributed 1,065 tons of emergency food
rations among drought-affected people in the departments of Choluteca,
Valle, Francisco Morazan, El Paraiso, La Paz, Comayagua and Intibuca. New
areas affected by the drought are being reported in Yoro and Lempira Sur.
WFP intends to intervene in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) in the municipalities of Marale and Orica, north of Francisco
Morazan.

(b)  Farmers are initiating the second planting season of the year. World
Vision has reported that 1,295 hectares of red beans and 1,913 hectares of
white sorghum have already been planted through FFW schemes. The Ministry
of Agriculture will begin distribution of small red bean, corn and sorghum
seed next week.

(c)  Honduras will receive 1,640 tons of food from a recent contribution
to the regional PRRO 6089 to assist those most affected by the drought.


(2)  El Salvador

(a)  WFP, in collaboration with the National Secretariat of the Family
(SNF), has assisted last week 3,646 families in Usulutan, San Miguel and
La Union Departments, providing them with 364 tons of food through the
PRRO 6089. WFP intends to assist another 7,600 families over the coming
weeks.

(b)  CRS and World Lutheran Federation (WLF) have begun distributing seeds
and fertilisers to some of the families who will be assisted under a FFW
scheme over the next two months. Following distributions of non food iems,
they will receive technical assistance to support their efforts to
recuperate part of the losses they incurred during the first harvest.

(c)  A new contribution of 1,284 tons of food, through the regional PRRO
6089, will allow WFP to assist 20,000 drought-affected families up to
November. Unless new contributions are confirmed, WFP will not be in a
position to address the needs of the earthquake victims (under the EMOP
10022.00) nor the drought-affected families through PRRO 6089 after
mid-November. This is of particular concern as many farmers were unable to
plant in August and are therefore expected to become food insecure.


(3)  Nicaragua

(a)  The Government endorsed WFP's plans to assist 9,083 drought-affected
families through FFW activities during 3 months and to increase the ration
for 40,000 pre-school and school children. Intervention should start as
soon as additional funds are made available by the Government. Nicaragua
will receive 742 tons of food from a recent contribution to the regional
PRRO 6089 to assist those most affected by the drought.

(b)  WFP in collaboration with Acción Médica Cristiana distributed 55 tons
of food to 1,537 flood-affected families in 29 communities in Alamikamba
on 27 August. WFP confirmed that the rains are still heavy in Alamikamba
and Dos Amigos. Farmers are lacking seeds for the next planting season.


(4)  Guatemala

(a)  Rains which began 21 on August will not be sufficient to recover the
maize crops in the drought-affected areas of El Progreso and Zacapa, but
will, however, permit the planting of maize for the second harvest.

(b)  WFP together with Government counterparts and NGOs carried out an
assessment on 16-18 August, in order to identify the families at risk of
food insecurity as a result of the drought in El Progreso, Zacapa,
Jutiapa, Retalhuleu, Jalapa, Santa Rosa, Baja Verapaz and Suchitepequez.
The mission report indicates that the communities most in need of
assistance are in El Progreso and Zacapa areas. Continued monitoring will
be necessary as farmers in some areas are awaiting the harvest of
ajonjolí. Potential FFW activities were identified, such as soil
conservation and water collection systems, that will help mitigate the
effects of similar types of disasters in the coming years.

(c)  Preliminary reports indicate that coffee plantations in Santa Rosa
have only been able to absorb some 50 percent of the local labour force.
The effects on the food security of the population are evident. WFP will
be distributing food in the communities of El Progreso, Zacapa and
possibly Santa Rosa, using stocks from PRRO 6089.

(d)  Guatemala expects to receive in September 1,134 tons of food from a
recent contribution to the regional PRRO 6089 to assist those most
affected by the drought.


(5)  Ecuador

(a)  Volcano Tungurahua's activity has diminished considerably, according
to a recent Geological Institute's report. However, the emissions of ash
are continuing and the population in Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Bolivar
areas remains on alert. 53,597 hectares of land, 13,113 animals and 3,217
homes were affected. In addition, the large quantity of vapor and ash has
created a situation of substantial risk to the 39,455 people reported
affected, with newly formed clouds of vapor likely to trigger heavy
precipitation mixed with airborne ash.

(b)  Through its EMOP 10114.0 valued at USD 200,000, WFP intends to assist
the hardest hit families in Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Bolivar provinces,
in particular those who have lost their homes, crops, animals and
pastures. WFP is currently preparing for a second round of food
distribution in the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo, where 8,266
weekly family rations will be distributed.


(6)  Bolivia

(a)  The Ministry of Agriculture, with the support of WFP and FAO has
assessed the impact of the floods and drought occurred during the first
quarter of the year. Preliminary results indicate that some 39,799
hectares of crops produced mostly by subsistence farmers have been lost
(without taking into account crops produced by larger scale farmers). Most
of the people affected by the massive flooding live in the western
departments of La Paz, Cochabamba, Potosí and Oruro, mainly in the
highland plains.

(b)  The next harvest in these regions is expected in May 2002. Until
then, affected subsistence farmers will be facing food insecurity. WFP has
focused its relief efforts in the areas of La Paz, Potosí, Oruro and
Cochabamba. More than 23,000 families have been assisted with over 1,000
tons of food. However, further distributions have been suspended due to
limited food stocks.

(c)  WFP EMOP is facing a wheat shortfall of 4,500 tons. As a result, only
affected people residing in areas where development activities are
on-going will be supported, while a large number of families will remain
without assistance.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 35)

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