WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 12 / 2002 - Date 22 March 2002


This report includes:
(A) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Urgent Donor Appeal, (2) Afghanistan,
    (3) Pakistan
(B) Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Zimbabwe,
    (3) Malawi, (4) Zambia, (5) Mozambique, (6) Lesotho, (7) Swaziland
(C) East Africa Region: (1) Burundi, (2) Tanzania, (3) Djibouti, (4) Kenya
(D) Central Africa Region: (1) Democratic Republic of Congo
(E) Latin America and the Caribbean Region: (1) Guatemala, (2) Colombia,
    (3) Ecuador, (4) Honduras
(F) Eastern Europe Region: (1) Northern Caucasus, (2) Balkans


>From Francesco Strippoli, Director of the Office of Humanitarian Affairs;
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) Urgent Donor Appeal, (2)
Afghanistan, (3) Pakistan

1)  Urgent Donor Appeal

(a)  Although winter is over, food shortages persist in many parts of the
country, and will continue until completion of the June harvest. During
this period, more than 8 million people who have exhausted their coping
mechanisms and are threatened by hunger will require food assistance. WFP
is calling for additional donor support to meet these needs.

(b)  Under EMOP 10155, WFP will provide assistance to a larger section of
the food insecure population to contribute to the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the country.  This programme includes support for
schools, particularly aimed at attracting and sustaining the attendance of
girls. WFP will also support the return of refugees and IDPs to their home
areas in collaboration with UNHCR, as well as the expansion of employment
opportunities throughout the country through the re-activation of 'food
for work' and 'food for asset creation'.

(c)  To achieve this, WFP requires nearly 540,000 tons of commodities to
arrive in country prior to December 2002. As of 21 March, only 4.5 percent
of the needs have been met.  WFP is requesting donor governments to
immediately confirm donations, in particular cash contributions to
purchase food in time to avoid a break in food distribution.


2)  Afghanistan

(a)  On 4 March, two WFP helicopters facilitated an inter-agency
assessment mission near Aibak city in Samagan Province (Northern Region).
An earthquake struck the villages visited and caused a landslide, which
killed an estimated 110 people and destroyed or damaged 400 houses.
Through a joint effort, humanitarian agencies immediately started
excavating the nearby dam and WFP food aid was delivered to 300 affected
families.

(b)  Last week, assessment missions by helicopter continued in Balkhab and
Kohistanat areas (Northern Region), where WFP supplied approximately 8,500
tons of food to its partners in support of various projects.

(c)  On 15 March, WFP launched 80 bakeries in Mazar-I-Sharif (Northern
Region). WFP is currently directly distributing an enhanced food basket of
pulses, oil and CSB to vulnerable groups in Keshendeh. WFP will continue
to implement directly food distributions in the area until a final
agreement is reached with its regular partner, Solidarites to distribute a
full food basket. WFP is also carrying out distribution in Charkent and
Zareh.

(d)  WFP dispatched approximately 70 tons of wheat to be distributed by
its partner NAMA in Balkhab (Northern Region). SC-US suspended the food
distribution in Gosfandi, Saripul following a shooting incident, which
caused 13 casualties. SC-US is currently investigating whether any food
has been looted in the incident.

(e)  In Kandahar (Southern Region), WFP and ADA finalised the registration
process for the urban distribution. WFP expects to complete the
distribution of over 2,300 tons of wheat to approximately 46,200 families
by 20 March.

(f)  Action Against Hunger (AAH) reported an alarmingly high mortality
rate in Ghor Province (Western Region), in particular in the village of
Zarbi as well as in the district of Taiwara. Given the number of cases of
blood diarrhoea observed and the mortality rates, the possibility of an
epidemic of Crimean-Congolese haemorrhagic fever is not excluded. As a
result, AAH is considering the possibility of evacuating its staff from
this area, while another team, currently in Hirat will carry out its
programme with the appropriate means of protection. WFP is looking into
ways to provide assistance to the affected populations.

(g)  Following the completion of an evaluation mission in the districts of
Taiwara and Passaban, encompassing an estimated population of 160,000, AAH
is planning to open three Therapeutic and Supplementary Feeding Centres
(TFC and SFC) and to distribute basic sanitation supplies. Two helicopters
were deployed to Hirat on 14 March and will carry out assessment missions
in Badghis until a base is established in Chagcharan over the next two
weeks.

(h)  WFP undertook a logistics assessment in Bamian (Central Highlands
Region) on 11 March to establish base operations. Arrangements have been
made to have a storage capacity of 1,400 tons and to guarantee a source of
electrical power. The helipad construction work was started and an area
for fuel storage was identified.

(i)  The school feeding project is a central component of WFP EMOP.
Approximately 250,000 students will be the first to benefit from the
project. Up to one million children, half the total number of students
expected to return to schools, are expected to participate by November.

(j)  WFP is also working to restore school facilities, increase capacity
and ensure improved educational standards in partnership with the Afghan
Ministry of Education and UNICEF. Implementation of the nationwide
programme will be in collaboration with Afghan and international NGOs,
which are also providing school construction materials, funds to purchase
educational resources and who are working to involve local communities.
WFP will start food-for-work (FFW) projects to rehabilitate about 600
schools and start women-run bakeries to provide bread to the pupils. About
50,000 teachers will benefit from a monthly food package to supplement
their income, ensure their attendance and allow some of them the time to
attend training courses.


3)  Pakistan

(a)  The Balochistan administration allowed UNHCR to register
approximately 10,000 refugees waiting for the past several days. Due to
the severe water shortage in Chaman, UNHCR is planning to relocate new
arrivals and refugees to staging centres from Killi Fazo to Mohammad
Kheil, early this week.

(b)  Following an armed attack in its offices, Mercy Corps (MC)
temporarily withdrew its staff and suspended its operations in Chaman.
This resulted in demonstrations in Dara Camp. However, MC resumed food
distribution in Chaman this week. The Commissioner for Afghan Refugees
together with UN and NGO representatives reviewed the security situation
at Chaman. The Government vowed to strengthen security arrangements for
the aid workers based in the camp.



B)  Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Zimbabwe, (3)
Malawi, (4) Zambia, (5) Mozambique, (6) Lesotho, (7) Swaziland

1)  Regional overview

(a)  The Southern Africa region is likely facing severe food shortages in
the coming months.  Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia are the most severely
affected, with Mozambique, Lesotho, and Swaziland also affected but to a
lesser extent. The causes are complex, but are mainly driven by low
rainfall, economic crises, and depletion of strategic grain reserves.
Contributing factors are the high incidence of HIV/AIDS throughout most of
the countries, and a recent outbreak of cholera in Malawi in particular.

(b)  The 2001 harvest in the Southern Africa region was 20 percent below
the five-year average, and the lowest since 1995. First estimates for the
coming harvest (2002) predict an only slightly higher quantity than last
year's crop, but still below average. However, there has been a prolonged
dry period since early January in southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe and
southern Zambia. Thus, it is expected that 2002 forecasts will have to be
corrected downward. In addition the current shortages have led to
widespread early harvesting of immature maize, which is likely to further
reduce the upcoming harvest.  FAO estimates in its special alert no. 320
of 19 February that as many as 4 million people, with the largest numbers
in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, are likely to face severe food shortages.
Save the Children has also issued a statement on the region highlighting
the critical food security situation.

(c)  Factors within individual countries as well as within the region are
contributing to this emerging crisis.  Harvests in South Africa are
significantly reduced.  Countries that heavily rely on imports from South
Africa, particularly Swaziland and Lesotho, are directly affected by this
decline.  The economic crisis in Zimbabwe has not only lowered production
levels, but also reduced the opportunity for migrant labour within the
region.  Malawians are directly affected by reduced remittances due to the
economic crisis in Zimbabwe.  Throughout the region, reduced harvests have
led to marked increases in food prices.  In Zimbabwe, for example, food
prices have doubled in the last 6 months.

(d)  WFP currently has emergency operations ongoing in Zimbabwe, Malawi,
Zambia, and Mozambique.  Country specific details are below.  At the
Interagency-Standing Committee Working Group (IASC-WG) meeting convened in
Rome on 13-14 March, the Southern Africa Food Crisis was a central topic.
The IASC-WG agreed that effective coordination is critical to ensure that
the regional dimensions of the crisis are considered, and that non-food
needs are adequately identified and addressed.

(e)  It was decided that joint assessments should be undertaken at the
country level at the earliest possible time. The objective is to reach a
consensus among all principal stakeholders on the scope and severity of
the humanitarian situation within the region.  WFP is currently
coordinating with FAO, governments, UN, and NGO partners to conduct joint
emergency needs assessments in April and May.  The results of these
assessments should be available by mid-May, and will affect the current
predictions of food aid needs.


2)  Zimbabwe

(a)  A WFP food security assessment in October 2001 identified almost
706,000 people in 21 districts in need of food aid due to the combined
affects of drought and economic crisis.  WFP currently has an EMOP to
assist 558,000 people in 19 districts not being assisted with food by NGO
or other programs.  The EMOP is scheduled through January 2003.  To date,
WFP's USD 60 million appeal to fund the Emergency Operation has received
just under USD 20 million in donor contributions.  WFP is presently facing
a shortage of USD 41 million for its EMOP.

(b)  Food is now arriving at a steady pace, but without additional, rapid
food and cash contributions, WFP will soon face a rupture in its food
supplies for Zimbabwe, just as the numbers of people requiring food are
rising. Any rupture would have a catastrophic affects on currently
vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe.

(c)  The political situation in Zimbabwe is volatile and changing every
day.  Outcomes from this crisis are likely to affect both in-country food
supplies and logistical operations.  WFP is monitoring the situation
closely.


3)  Malawi

(a)  The food shortage has reached a critical stage. The President
declared the present food situation as a State of Disaster on 27 February.
According to the Government, more than 70 percent of the population is
affected. The situation is more serious now than it is normally due to low
maize production last season, erratic maize supplies in the ADMARC markets
and the high maize prices in all local markets. The food shortage has
forced many families to rely on green maize in the field for survival.
Others have resorted to harvesting the maize prematurely to avoid losing
it to thieves.

(b)  WFP and EU in collaboration with the Famine Early Warning System
(FEWS) conducted a rapid food availability assessment study in February in
the Southern and Central Regions. In the most severely affected areas of
Southern Malawi, the assessment found that upwards to 80 percent of the
families have depleted the food that they produced and are depending on
the market for food.  The commercial price for maize in local markets is
100 percent higher than the MK17/kg maize price offered by the government
controlled ADMARC.  Unfortunately, ADMARC's resources are limited, and it
is currently rationing maize purchases.

(c)  The widespread consumption of green maize by households will
adversely affect the final harvest, hence, jeopardizing future food
security prospects. Consequently, WFP estimates the overall maize harvest
may decline from the current estimated 1.9 million tons by Ministry of
Agriculture and Irrigation to 1.5 million tons.

(d)  WFP has completed distribution of food to ten-targeted vulnerable
districts under the Immediate Response Emergency Operation, which was
launched last month. The operation targeted 1,000 households per district
(for a total of 10,000 households) and has so far distributed about 500
tons of maize and 200 tons of Likuni Phala (a fortified blended food). The
existing development programme activities such as Food for Assets,
Disaster Mitigation, School Feeding and Assistance to Malnourished Groups
are also assisting the targeted beneficiaries across the country but the
resources are not sufficient as compared to the current food crisis.

(e)  In the coming weeks WFP is planning to distribute 3,000 tons of maize
for covering 19 districts. The total food aid requirement for the
Emergency Operation that is targeting 255,000 households is 11,375 tons.


4)  Zambia

(a)  A total of 1,321 tons of food was sent to the extended delivery
points in 14 districts during this last week. The current EMOP is being
extended for a further four months from April onwards. Discussions are
underway to refocus the EMOP in light of the current rainfall and crop
production situation.

(b)  Reports are increasing regarding levels of hunger and failure of, or
significant shortfall in, the current season's crops in some districts.
Rainfall figures from the Meteorological Department as at 10 March show
rainfall deficits dominating most of Zambia.  This is especially true in
the southern half of the country where most areas have recorded rainfall
levels 45 percent below the long-term average.  The highest aberration
occurred in Lusaka where the rainfall deficit was in excess of 49 percent
below the long-term average. Based on the data available, only Mansa
District in Luapulu Province recorded a rainfall surplus.

(c)  Information from the National Early Warning Unit shows that by mid-
March crops were adversely affected by prolonged dry spells in areas like
Kafue, Mazabuka, Siavonga and Sianazongwe districts. Very little harvest,
if any, is expected in these areas.  In the northern half of the country
crops are reportedly doing fine.  However, in the districts of Mwinilunga,
Solwezi and Kasempa of Northwestern Province above-average rainfall and
flooding has occurred once again in some areas.  Reports from WFP partner
indicate that crop production will be low once again this year in places
thus affected.  Fairly widespread premature harvesting resulting from
current shortages will also reduce quantities available for storage,
causing an earlier than normal hungry season later this year.


5)  Mozambique

(a)  There was very little rainfall in the Southern and Central areas of
Mozambique during February and this dry spell has had an adverse effect on
crops throughout the area. Almost total crop failure is reported in many
areas in the south and partial crop loss in areas of central Mozambique.
The Government, WFP, FAO and FEWS have begun assessments in the affected
provinces. WFP has commenced FFW interventions in several districts in the
south and central region suffering the effects of the current dry spell.
Interventions are being increased in Food for Development Fund districts
that are affected as well. The total number of beneficiaries targeted for
March has risen to just over 191,000 under the EMOP. WFP delivered over
1,320 tons of commodities to Implementing Partners during February to over
120,000 beneficiaries for this EMOP. This represents an increase from
January due to free food and FFW interventions in several new districts.


6)  Lesotho

(a)  Under the disaster mitigation component of the Country Programme WFP
is assisting people affected by crop failures. Decreased production levels
in South Africa negatively affect food supplies in Lesotho.  This will
cover selected pockets in 5 districts providing food rations to 36,125
most vulnerable people over a period of 4 months.


7)  Swaziland

(a)  Although WFP has not been present in Swaziland since 1996, the food
security situation is being monitored closely. Initial projections from
the crop harvest are for a second year of below average maize production.
Decreased production levels in South Africa negatively affect food
supplies in Swaziland.  The government has recently declared an urgent
need for food aid, and this will be assessed in the upcoming Joint
Emergency Assessment Missions.



C)  East Africa Region: (1) Burundi, (2) Tanzania, (3) Djibouti, (4) Kenya

1)  Burundi

(a)  The security situation remained volatile in Bujumbura Rural and
Bubanza Provinces. Following an ambush in Musigati commune (Bubanza
Province), a large part of the population in the area fled to Bubanza
city. Military operations in Bujumbura Rural in the area of Isale commune
made many of those who had recently returned home from Mont Sion site in
Bujumbura Mairie to flee again. Scheduled Seeds Protection Ration (SPR)
distributions were cancelled at the Mubone, Rubirizi and Kora sites.

(b)  From 25 February to 3 March, WFP continued its assistance through the
distribution of SPR. SPR distributions were completed in Karuzi, Kayanza
and Gitega provinces, with 1,245 tons of food delivered to over 109,700
persons. In addition, WFP assisted approximately 2,900 particularly
vulnerable persons in social centres during the same period.


2)  Tanzania

(a)  Through a tripartite agreement approved in February, UNHCR, the
Government of Burundi and the Government of Tanzania have agreed to resume
the facilitation of voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees, which
had been suspended in 1999. Following this tripartite agreement, the
Burundian Resettlement Minister and Tanzanian Minister of Home Affairs
undertook a joint visit to the refugee camps in Western Tanzania to
persuade Burundian refugees to return home. About 20,300 Burundian
refugees have been registered in Ngara, Kibondo and Kasulu camps for
facilitated voluntary repatriation and this number is increasing rapidly.
Over 350 persons were repatriated between 1 January and 7 March.

(b)  While UNHCR is not at this time encouraging organised repatriation
due to security concerns, the tripartite agreement indicate that UNHCR
will set up transit centres, from which returnees will be provided with
food, basic domestic supplies, and transportation to their home communes.
Security, access to land and educational opportunities for returnee
children are among the concerns raised by the refugees.

(c)  From 25 February to 10 March, WFP distributed approximately 3,700
tons of food (corresponding to a two-week ration) to over 510,700 refugees
in Kigoma, Kibondo, Kasulu and Ngara districts. After reviewing its
pipeline status, WFP reduced by 40 percent the quantity of CSB and salt in
the ration provided to the refugees under the general distribution.
However, particularly vulnerable groups continued to receive a full
ration. In addition, WFP supported various Supplementary Feeding Centres
(SFC), providing over 80 tons of food to approximately 19,000 malnourished
persons. During the same period, over 100 refugees were assisted in
returning to their communities in Rwanda, bringing the total number of
Rwandese assisted in returning home since early 2002 to 780. Over 700
refugees arrived in Tanzania from Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda during the
last two weeks.


3)  Djibouti

(a)  On 5 March, the WFP Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
approved PRRO 10134, which is an expansion of the previous PPRO 6266.00.
Under this new phase, over 25,600 Somali and Ethiopian refugees will
receive food assistance during 18 months, starting from March.

(b)  With the repatriation process due to start in May, the food tonnage
to be distributed will increase from 446 to 751 tons per month. Following
a recent screening of the refugee population in the two camps, UNHCR and
the Somaliland authorities estimated at 23,600 the number of people who
will volunteer for returning home.  UNHCR planning figure for the
volunteer repatriation is set at 2,000 persons per month. However, in view
of the harsh weather conditions during the summer, the exercise will be
temporarily suspended in July and August and will re-start in September.

(c)  A joint UNHCR/ONARS, Ministry of Interior /WFP mission's aiming at
visiting the areas of resettlement is scheduled at the end of March. The
mission will follow up on the rehabilitation programme being currently
implemented by UNHCR in Somaliland, to allow a smooth and permanent
repatriation of those refugees who volunteered for repatriation. At the
end of February, UNHCR and the Somaliland authorities screened 5,000
Somali refugees residing in Holl Holl camp. The screening of the returnees
residing in Ali Addeh camp will take place by April.

(d)  Under its EMOP 10099, WFP is providing food assistance to 95,900
drought-affected people in rural areas and targeted beneficiaries in urban
areas. During the last two weeks, 222 tons of food have been distributed
in the rural district of Obock, benefiting 13,550 pastoralists and
vulnerable people. The first tranche of food distribution in the districts
of Dikhil, Tadjourah and Ali Sabieh is expected to end next week.
Approximately 990 tons of food will be distributed in these areas. Under
its EMOP, WFP is facing shortfalls of approximately 4,000 tons of food.
Shipments due to arrive in March include 2,780 tons of wheat flour and
1,166 tons of rice.

(e)  As of 21 March, no contribution has been confirmed under the newly
approved PRRO, which requires immediately over 8,000 tons of food. Savings
amount to USD 185,000 has been just made available for the Djibouti PRRO
6266/10134.


4)  Kenya

(a)  The WFP PRRO 6226.00 still faces a shortage of over 10,900 tons of
food to cover the needs of the targeted beneficiaries until the end of
2002. Urgent pledges are needed to ensure that refugees in Dadaab and
Kakuma camps receive an adequate diet. WFP is currently delivering 2,850
tons of food to the 221,200 refugees for the month of March.  Part of the
commodities has been borrowed from the ongoing EMOP.

(b)  As recommended by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group following
the joint short rains assessment, WFP gradually reduced the ration levels
and its beneficiary caseload under EMOP 10085.00. In March, WFP
distributed 9, 900 tons of food to over 964,100 beneficiaries through
general distributions. Whereas, last month, 1,318,900 people received over
15,150 tons of food. From April, Baringo, Samburu and West Pokot districts
will be phased out from the general distribution programme but will
continue to receive WFP assistance through FFW projects.

(c)  Implementation of the FFW programme in 9 districts continues to help
communities develop assets that improve food security and help mitigate
the effects of future droughts. The total food commitment for the
districts is 11,200 tons until 15 March. Finally, under the Global School
Feeding Initiative, WFP distributed approximately 18,200 tons of food to
1,330,900 primary school children for the first Term, which ends on 28
March.



D)  Central Africa Region: (1) Democratic Republic of Congo

1)  Democratic Republic of Congo

(a)  The EMOP 10166.0 for the Goma crisis remains seriously under funded.
As of 15 March, only 21 percent of the resources needed have been made
available. EMOP101660.0 still requires USD 9.5 million and the special
operation SO 10169.0 requires USD 560,000. Resources are urgently needed
for the emergency operation in support of the Goma volcano victims.

(b)  WFP has distributed 4,345 tons of food to 447,900 vulnerable people
since the beginning of the crisis in Goma. All the commodities supplied so
far, except for the high-energy biscuits, were borrowed from relief
operations in Rwanda and DR Congo.

(c)  In Gisenyi, WFP continues to support over 6,900 people located in
Mudende and Nkamira camps. In Bukavu, the number of targeted beneficiaries
remains 25,000. Finally, in Goma area, WFP beneficiary caseload stands at
153,500 persons, including IDPs, orphans and unaccompanied children,
in-patients, malnourished children and their family members as well as
persons assisted under FFW activities.  Given the limited resources made
available so far for this EMOP, the implementation of FFW activities may
have to be reconsidered.



E)  Latin America and the Caribbean Region: (1) Guatemala, (2) Colombia,
(3) Ecuador, (4) Honduras

1)  Guatemala

(a)  On 19 March, WFP approved an emergency operation to assist 155,000
people, including approximately 60,000 children under five year, suffering
from acute malnutrition. Guatemala was hard-hit last year by a severe
drought that affected 31,000 families who lost their harvest. These rural
families' livelihood depended exclusively on their subsistence crops and
occasional day labour on neighbouring farms. Guatemala has the highest
rate of chronic malnutrition in Latin America, affecting 47 percent of
children under five years of age.

(b)  In this emergency operation, WFP will focus its assistance on 88 of
the 102 municipalities most affected by the drought. The municipalities
were chosen after an evaluation and nutritional census carried out by
UNICEF, USAID, the Ministry of Health and WFP's Vulnerability Assessment
and Mapping unit. The remaining 14 municipalities will be covered by
international NGOs.

(c)  Children with severe malnutrition will be treated at TFCs for 65 days
before being referred to existing Home Day Care centres where they will
continue to receive special attention. The Guatemalan Ministry of Health
has established 29 TFCs, while NGOs manage another 12.  WFP will support
these 41 feeding centres with food rations. Families with severely and
moderately malnourished children will also receive supplementary food
rations.


2)  Colombia

(a)  The international community has condemned the murder of the
Archbishop of Cali, Isaias Duarte Cancino on 16 March. The same day,
continuous destruction of parts of the electricity network resulted in a
complete electricity outage in half of Bogota and 13 provinces.

(b)  Despite the travel restrictions due to security concerns, WFP staff
continue to monitor the most critical food deliveries. Last week, WFP
delivered 128 tons of food to more than 14,000 persons in the Atlantic
coast region. However, the delivery of food in support of the resettlement
process in the district of El Salado (Bolivar) had to be postponed due to
renewed security problems.

(c)  WFP is assisting 640 ongoing projects in 13 different provinces
through the PRRO. All deliveries for school children, pre-school children,
nursing and pregnant women, nutritional recovery and FFW projects are
being implemented as planned.  This week, WFP plans to deliver 50 tons of
food to 18 municipalities through FFW activities under the PRRO.

(d)  Over 50 newly displaced families arrived from Antioquia in Magdalena
Medio and applied for WFP assistance. Over 100 families have already been
displaced since April 2001. About 500 people are reported to have crossed
the border with Ecuador seeking refugee.  UNHCR also confirmed that people
still cross the border to Venezuela, but usually they return within a few
days. There are no reports on requests for UNHCR assistance from Panama.


3)  Ecuador

(a)  UNHCR has informed that approximately 5,500 Colombians have applied
for refugee status or have already been granted this status. WFP is in
close contract with UNHCR to prepare a contingency plan. WFP and the
Ministry of Public Health supplied 12 tons of fortified meals to the newly
arrived children under two years of age.

(b)  Heavy rainfalls causing floods and landslides affected the provinces
of Guayas, El Oro and Manabi. The National Red Cross reported that
Ecuadorian coastal floods have caused the death of at least 5 people and
more than 400 families have resettled in improvised shelters.  580 houses
have been reported as damaged. As part of its contingency plan, WFP had
pre-propositioned 2,000 food rations in the provinces of Guayas and
Manabi. This allowed the Ecuadorian Civil Defence to act rapidly and
efficiently.


4)  Honduras

(a)  230 tons of food were distributed to drought-affected families in the
southern regions. To improve the response to a probable drought, WFP
continues to liaise with its partners to prepare joint strategies in
targeted areas and to identify other drought-vulnerable areas.



F)  Eastern Europe Region: (1) Northern Caucasus, (2) Balkans

1)  Northern Caucasus: (a) Ingushetia, (b) Chechnya

Russian and Georgian authorities initiated discussions concerning the
resettlement of 7,700 Chechen refugees from Pankisi Gorge in Georgia to
the Chechen Republic and adopted a joint workplan to enable the voluntary
return of the refugees to Chechnya by May and June. The Government of
Russia requested WFP to provide food assistance to the returnees.


(a)  Ingushetia

1.  As of 15 March, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) registered over 140,700
IDPs in Ingushetia; this represents a slight increase compared to the
number at the end of February. Over one third of the IDPs are settled in
spontaneous settlements and camps.

2.  In early March, WFP, in collaboration with DRC and Islamic Relief (IR)
completed February distribution of 90 tons of food to about 80,000 IDPs.
WFP included only vegetable oil and salt in the food basket, as wheat
flour was not available. Food shortfalls also forced WFP to postpone March
distribution for about 144,500 IDPs to the second half of March.

3.  The Migration Service of the Ministry of the Interior has started a
new registration of IDPs in Malgobek District to identify the actual
number of IDPs in the area. Based on the results of the registration, the
local authorities are planning to resume bread distribution to the
re-registered IDPs in Malgobek. As of 1 March, the Migration Service
ceased bread distribution to IDPs in Ingushetia as funds from the federal
centre were not available.


(b)  Chechnya

1.  WFP, in partnership with DRC, People in Need Foundation (PINF), and
IR, postponed March food distributions to the second half of the month due
to insufficient stocks.  A total of 132,000 poor and food-insecure people
are targeted in Staropromislovsky, Achkhoy-Martan, Sunzha, Oktyabrsky,
Leninsky and Zavodskoy Districts of Grozny, as well as in Grozny Rural
District.

2.  WFP continues to support the distribution of hot meals to about 20,000
primary school children in 80 schools in Grozny city as well as
Achkhoy-Martan and Sunzha Districts, initiated in December 2001. So far,
about 55 tons of food has been delivered to the targeted schools during
the first half of March.

3.  The Chechen Administration plans to close IDP camps in Znamenskoe,
Northern Chechnya, by the end of April. Those IDPs who have no alternative
will be settled in two existing temporary accommodation centres and one
newly opened centre in Staropromyslovsky District of Grozny.


2)  Balkans: (a) Kosovo, (b) Serbia, (c) Montenegro, (d) Albania

(a)  Kosovo

1.  On 15 March, WFP completed final distribution to 53,600 beneficiaries
of the food Safety Net programme; this distribution will provide local
distribution partners (LDPs) and beneficiaries with a transitional buffer
stock up to June.  The Consortium for Inter-ethnic Development (CID) and
Mother Teresa Society were responsible for the food delivery logistics.
By mid-April, WFP will have donated the remaining food stocks to CID,
which will subsequently deliver commodities to the remaining refugees from
FYRoM and returnees from Serbia.


(b)  Serbia

1.  WFP is drafting a Letter of Understanding with the Federal Government
of Yugoslavia on the implementation of the PRRO for vulnerable refugees,
due to begin on 1 July. The final phase-down of WFP food aid to social
cases and pensioners is under preparation. At the same time, refugee
re-categorization is being finalised and the application of the new
selection criteria will start with April distribution to refugees.

2.  WFP is preparing draft Terms of Reference for the Joint Food Needs
Assessment Mission (JFNAM) to be undertaken with UNHCR in May/June. In
addition, WFP is working closely with UNHCR on organizing a joint regional
workshop on coordination of assistance, to be held in Belgrade from 8 to
11 April.

3.  WFP and the Red Cross held a coordination meeting regarding WFP's
logistics action plan during the phase-down process. According to this
plan, as of April, IFRC will handover the management of three warehouses
to the Red Cross and WFP. The movement of food will be organized in such a
way that two out of four warehouses will be closed by July.


(c)  Montenegro

1.  The ongoing March/April distribution to 5,500 refugees and 9,800 IDPs
is expected to be completed by 25 March. The distribution of FFW rations
to workers in Konik Camp was completed on 6 March. Since the current stock
of sugar is insufficient to cover requirements for the months of March and
April, the rations will be reduced until the arrival of the next
consignment, expected at the end of April.

2.  In line with the recommendations of the 2001 JFNAM, from March 2002,
WFP is applying new criteria for IDPs and refugees, which will reduce the
caseload from 20,000 to an average of 14,000 up to June. All MRC local
branches have been informed of this change.

3.  On 14 March, Serbia and Montenegro Heads of State agreed on a new
structure for the Yugoslav Federation. The new entity will be named Union
of Serbia and Montenegro and will retain a joint president, some federal
institutions and a single seat at the United Nations. The republics will
also share defence and foreign policies, while maintaining separate
economies, customs and currencies.


(d)  Albania

1.  WFP distributed food to 3,500 unemployed households (17,600
beneficiaries), who are not assisted by the Government and to 770
households (4,000 beneficiaries) engaged in Communal Forestry and Pasture
Development activities and Food for Work projects.

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 12)


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