WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 14 / 2002 - Date 5 April 2002


This report includes:

(A) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Iran
(B) Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea
(C) East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Sudan, (2) Malawi, (3) Zimbabwe,
    (4) Mozambique, (5) Zambia, (6) Tanzania, (7) Burundi, (8) Eritrea
(D) West Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Liberia
(E) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Ecuador, (2) Honduras,
    (3) Nicaragua
(F) Central Africa Region: (1) Democratic Republic of Congo, (2) Angola
(G) 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) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Iran

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  On 4 April, WFP warned that it might have to stop or slow down
several projects in Afghanistan if donors do not provide more funding to
its new USD 285 million operation to assist millions of Afghans until the
end of the year. Under this nine-month operation, which started on 1
April, the focus will gradually shift from relief to recovery with
particular emphasis on education, health and the agricultural sector.


(b)  An estimated 544,000 tons of food will be needed under this
operation. As of 4 April, WFP had received only USD 63.9 million, or about
22 percent of the requirements. The contributions received so far will
only be enough to assist WFP beneficiaries for a couple of months. WFP
requires at least half of the total resources immediately, in order to
assist almost nine million people who will need food aid each month until
the harvest in July.


(c)  Northern Region

1.  On 25 March, an earthquake struck Baghlan Province. Helicopter-
assisted missions were flown over the epicentre of the earthquake zone and
approximately thirty villages were assessed. The key findings indicate
that the area of damage is approximately in a radius of 12 km from Nahrin.
25 percent of the villages observed were totally destroyed. The number of
homeless households is estimated between 7,000 to 10,000. However, these
figures are likely to increase, in light of the continuing aftershocks.
Immediate needs are shelter, blankets, medical supplies, food and water.

2.  On 26 March, WFP dispatched 556 tons of food from Mazar by trucks to
Nahrin district while helicopters delivered special relief items. A food
response team headed by WFP and comprising ACTED, FOCUS and PIN targeted
7,000 households. In addition, 1,700 tons of wheat initially
pre-positioned for second phase FFD distribution by ACTED will be
distributed as a one-month general distribution to the entire population
in Nahrin and Burka.


(d)  Eastern Region

1.  The REFNA report on surveys carried out in Sarkhurd, Chaprihar,
Dehevala, Khogiani, and Rodat districts in Nangarhar Province from 22-27
March indicate that 46 percent of the population requires food assistance
to meet its minimum needs for the next 3 months. In response, WFP is
discussing the possibility of supporting 19 new FOODAC projects and
general food distributions requiring over 5,700 tons of wheat in
Nangarhar, Lagman and Kunar provinces.

2.  WFP monitored the distribution of 1,000 tons of wheat to returnees
transiting through Jalalabad, Assadabad and Metherlam centres of
Nangarhar, Kunar and Lagman provinces. WFP Monitors reported the arrival
of 17,100 families and 90,800 individuals through the Torkham border.


(e)  Western Region

1.  Following an improvement of the weather conditions, daily assessments
by helicopter in Ghor province resumed on 24 March. WFP will continue
distribution of 50 kg per family in the Ghor province for the next three
months and to support targeted projects expected to be submitted by NGO
partners.

2.  Due to low stocks, WFP dispatched only 9,800 tons of wheat in the
Western region, well below the distribution plan for March. Unless stock
is immediately replenished, a pipeline break will occur in the second half
of April. Last week, WFP distributed 125 tons of wheat to over 2,500
displaced families who returned to their villages in Qala-e-Now. IOM
confirmed new arrivals of ethnic Pushtun from Faryab.


(f)  Central Region

1.  On 30 March, WFP and the Ministry of Education will launch the Food
for Education Programme in Kabul. 11 bakeries operated by women have been
mobilized to produce fortified wheat bread for 5,000 students attending
schools six days a week. WFP expects to reach over 300,000 students
through this project. UNHCR reported that 64,750 IDPs and 41,900 refugees
returned to Kabul while 31,360 IDPs left the capital.


(g)  Pakistan

1.  As of 28 March, 35,000 persons were waiting along the border to be
registered as refugees. The previous week, this caseload was reported to
be at 15,000. The Government continues to refuse to register or relocate
them. WFP distributed 16 tons of high-energy biscuits on 19 March to 6,700
families. WFP also agreed to assist 7,000 families through a one-off food
distribution involving UNHCR and Mercy Corps.

2.  Although the relocation process has slowed down due to the on-going
repatriation, relocation continued last week to the new camps of Shalman
and Barkali in Khyber and Bajaur Agencies near Peshawar. Approximately
1,000 persons were relocated from urban centres. WFP provided them with
900 Kg of high-energy biscuits.

3.  Last week, over 115 tons of food were distributed in 4 new camps,
benefiting over 11,200 persons. The distribution of over 890 tons of food
to 53,000 refugees (old caseload) in Shamshatoo camp for the month of
March was completed. International Islamic Relief Organisation and LDI
(Lajnat-e-Dawat-I-Islami) are monitoring the nutritional situation in
Barkali and Asgharo camps and are managing Supplementary Feeding Centers
(SFC), benefiting 1,400 malnourished children and pregnant/lactating
mothers.

4.  Relocation to Shalman and Barkali camp continues, averaging between
1200 ? 1600 individuals per week. Relocation to Bassu camp in Kurram
Agency was temporarily suspended due to Muharram. The new camps can
accommodate an additional 15,000-20,000 refugees.


2)  Iran

(a)  Given the current security situation in the border provinces in
Eastern and Western Iran, no travel is permitted in these provinces
without specific authorization of the Designated Official. The Ministry of
Interior indicated that approximately 145,000 Afghan nationals who
possessed legal residency documents have returned to Afghanistan via
Sistan and Bluchestan. On 6 March, the Director General of BAFIA reported
that over 2,536,800 refugees currently live in Iran. Most of them are
coming from Afghanistan. Some 400,000 Afghan refugees are expected to
leave Iran this year. Over 400 tons of food have been distributed to
approximately 31,200 refugees for the month of March.



B)  Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  The WFP Regional Director for Asia is currently visiting the country
to discuss operational and resourcing issues concerning EMOP 10141.0 with
the Government. WFP is facing a temporary shortfall of pulses, which will
affect the west coast provinces primarily. WFP stocks of sugar are also
depleted and shortfalls of oil are foreseen for the month of May. The
cereals pipeline will break in July. New pledges of cereals and sugar are
needed urgently to ensure continued food assistance to the most vulnerable
populations in the country. Sugar, in particular, is needed for the
locally processed enriched blended food for the youngest children.

(b)  Some local authorities report decrease in cultivated area for the
early crops, due to the prevailing dry weather conditions. The ration
supplied under the Public Distribution System (PDS) for April in most
provinces was maintained at 300 grams/person/day of cereal in monitored
provinces compared to the 200 grams distributed in April 2001. Most
counties report that the PDS ration will decrease to 250 grams in May.
County authorities report that PDS rations are likely to be supplemented
with alternative foods in many areas.



C)  East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Sudan, (2) Malawi, (3) Zimbabwe,
(4) Mozambique, (5) Zambia, (6) Tanzania, (7) Burundi, (8) Eritrea

1)  Sudan

(a)  On 5 April, WFP strongly condemned the decision by the Government of
Sudan to deny access of WFP flights to 43 locations in southern Sudan,
which will prevent about 1.7 million people from receiving humanitarian
assistance. As part of the agreement under which Operation Lifeline Sudan
operates, flight requests are submitted to the Government of Sudan and to
the SPLM/A each month. On average, the Sudanese authorities deny access to
25 locations. However, this is the second month in a row that the
Government of Sudan doubled the number of denied locations.

(b)  These flight bans can have serious repercussions on the entire
population. Most of the 43 locations to where flights have been denied are
located in areas where the populations are extremely vulnerable due to
insecurity and drought. These people rely heavily on relief assistance,
and the latest flight denial will result in further displacement of
thousands of people. Populations in need will be forced to move towards a
dwindling number of areas where they can be assisted.

(c)  The search for alternative ways to provide aid will also have an
enormous financial impact on relief agencies. Taking relief assistance to
alternative locations by air and the consequent creation of alternative
infrastructures for the provision of aid greatly increases the costs
involved. However, even alternative locations are subject to approval and
possible delays.

(d)  Since the announcement of this decision, on 1 April, the WFP has been
involved in a series of meetings with the Government of Sudan for the
conditions and restrictions imposed to be lifted. Limited progresses were
achieved, but not enough to allow WFP to continue with its operations
adequately. This is a violation of the humanitarian principles and the
tripartite agreement under which OLS was created in 1989, a commitment
subscribed to by the Government of Sudan


2)  Malawi

(a)  The WFP Immediate Response Emergency Operation launched in February
was completed. WFP distributed 700 tons of maize and Likuni Phala
(maize-soya blend) to 50,000 flood-affected people facing food shortages
in ten districts. District Assemblies, World Vision International,
CADECOM, Save the Children (US) and the Salvation Army helped WFP staff in
the identification of beneficiaries and the distribution of commodities.

(b)  The Food Shortage emergency operation (EMOP 10153.0) has been
launched and is targeting 301,000 beneficiaries in 19 out of 27 districts
in the country. WFP intends to distribute over 3,000 tons of food before
the harvesting period. The remaining 8,365 tons will be distributed
afterwards, depending on the results of the planned food security
assessments

(c)  In addition, WFP is implementing three development programmes.
Through its School Feeding Programme, WFP is targeting 56 primary schools
in five districts, distributing a monthly average of 660 tons of food
until June. WFP also provides 660 tons of food to malnourished groups in
27 districts. Finally, WFP supports a Food For Assets programme in 14
districts, supplying a monthly average of 1,100 tons of food. Owing to the
current food crisis and depending on availability of resources, support to
the School Feeding and Assistance to Malnourished Groups Programmes will
be expanded.


3)  Zimbabwe

(a)  On 20 March, Christian Care started distributions to 37,200
beneficiaries in Chipinge district (Manicaland province), followed by ORAP
re-starting distributions in Hwange District and World Vision in Gwanda
District (Matabeleland North and South Province) assisting 13,200 and
37,400 beneficiaries respectively. CARE International is planning to start
distributions from mid-April onwards, in partnership with WFP.

(b)  In March, WFP distributed only maize meal due to lack of other
commodities. However, a complete food basket will be distributed in April
since more commodities are in stock. Over 1,000 tons of maize meal were
expected to be distributed by the end of this week. The pace of
distribution is progressively increasing, as WFP Implementing Partners are
completing the registration process.

(c)  Preliminary analysis indicates that Zimbabwe may have a maize deficit
of between 1.2 to 1.5 million tons in 2002/03 marketing season, a deficit
similar to the 1992/93 marketing season. The final estimates will be
available next week after the national crop forecasting committee meeting.

(d)  Food insecurity in more than half of the districts of the country has
reached critical levels, except for those isolated districts in the
central, eastern and north of the country where some crops are expected to
be harvested. So far, about 30 percent of the requirements under WFP
Emergency Operation have been funded. Additional donor contributions are
urgently required.


4)  Mozambique

(a)  For Mozambique, a joint FAO/WFP crop and food supply assessment
mission has been confirmed for late April/ early May. This will build upon
assessments currently underway.


5)  Zambia

(a)  In March, WFP shifted its operations under the EMOP towards
responding to the unfolding regional drought. Earlier food distributions,
which were in response to both flooding and drought during last year's
growing season, targeted 24 districts and 1.3 million people throughout
the country. The shift, which covers a total of 19 districts and 1.1
million people will offer an immediate intervention to this year's crisis.
Among the areas targeted this year, 10 districts were previously targeted
last year and 9 districts are targeted for the first time. A group of 8
districts are still under review for possible assistance.


6)  Tanzania

(a)  From 11 to 24 March, WFP distributed over 3,600 tons of food
(corresponding to a two-week ration) to over 511,000 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 SFCs, providing 85 tons of food to
approximately 21,000 malnourished persons. During the same period, 120
refugees were assisted in returning to their communities in Rwanda,
bringing the total number of Rwandese assisted in returning home since
early 2002 to 900. Over 100 refugees arrived in Tanzania from Burundi, DR
Congo and Rwanda during the last two weeks.

(b)  UNHCR started providing practical information to Burundian refugees
on the planned voluntary repatriation process. The first convoy from the
camps in Tanzania towards the Burundi border was postponed until the next
tripartite meeting scheduled in Ngara on 3 April.


7)  Burundi

(a)  Insecurity led to the cancellation of WFP missions in Bujumbura
Rural, Ruyigi, Cankuzo and Bubanza Provinces. However, WFP continues to
monitor the food security situation in the Imbo-Nord part of Bubanza
province and in Ngozi to review the food assistance required from March to
May. While the food security situation has improved following improved
rainfalls, assistance will continue since the poorest households have a
very limited ability to recover and remain at high risk. WFP anticipates
assisting 77,200 persons in the Muyinga province through May.

(b)  From 25 February to 17 March, WFP assisted 295,000 vulnerable people
in 8 provinces under the Seed Protection Rations programme, providing them
with 3,340 tons of food. In addition, WFP undertook a targeted
distribution in Vumbi commune (Kirundo Province), assisting over 7,600
persons affected by recent hail with 60 tons of food. 5,000 vulnerable
persons also received over 100 tons of food through social centres.
Finally, WFP supplied over 230 tons of food to partners operating
institutional and nutritional programmes, benefiting an estimated 34,000
people in March.


8)  Eritrea

(a)  In March, the Eritrean Relief and Refugees Commission (ERREC)
reported the distribution of 1,500 tons of WFP supplied food to 102,700
drought and war-affected persons in Debub, Gash Barka and Northern Red Sea
Regions and over 25,500 school children in Debub, Anseba, Northern Red Sea
and Southern Red Sea Regions.

(b)  As of 1 April, WFP has provided food to 40,000 returning refugees
from Sudan. It is expected that 100,000 returnees will receive food aid
throughout 2002. In addition, approximately one million beneficiaries
received emergency food aid through general distribution in January and
February, as part of WFP's support to war and drought affected populations
in Gash Barka, Debub, Anseba, Northern and Southern Red Sea. This large
scale general feeding was reviewed at the end of February and the numbers
will be lowered considerably. Food For Work (FFW) projects will be
implemented in food insecure areas. The 57,000 IDPs currently in camps and
approximately 185,000 IDPs in the TSZ will however continue to receive
general food rations up to the end of 2002.

(c)  The Emergency School Feeding Programme currently provides dry take
home rations to 42,000 primary students in 134 schools in Gash Barka,
Debub, Anseba and Northern/Southern Red Sea regions. Later in the year,
WFP plans to increase the number of students to 80,000 in up to 250
schools.

(d)  WFP is supporting CONCERN and will soon begin to support the Ministry
of Health in its implementation of Therapeutic and Supplementary Feeding
Programmes (TFP and SFP) in Gash Barka, Debub, Anseba and
Northern/Southern Red Sea regions. WFP is also drafting a strategy to
support the Government of Eritrea in its efforts to fight the growing
HIV/AIDS epidemic.

(e)  WFP has been supporting the logistics capacity of ERREC and the Port
of Massawa with non-food items and various trainings. WFP is proposing to
continue this assistance through its special Operation SO 10087 with a
budget of approximately USD 3 Million, but no donor pledge has been
received so far.

(f)  Finally, through its active participation in the Demobilization and
Reintegration Process, WFP will support the Government's efforts to ease
the transition of soldiers back to civilian life. Approximately 80,000 men
and women are expected to receive support during the first phase of
demobilization in April.



D)  West Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Liberia

1)  Regional overview

(a)  The issue of child exploitation allegations against Humanitarian
Workers in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia is a major concern for WFP,
who is following very closely the investigations being undertaken by the
United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services. WFP supports
strongly the UN Secretary General's zero tolerance policy on the issue, as
well as transparency and promptness in corrective and preventative
actions. A number of immediate actions have been adopted in order to
improve the protection of WFP child beneficiaries and prevent any misuse
of humanitarian food resources in the future. These include:

(b)  Staff members in all WFP country- and sub offices concerned have
discussed the findings of the report and issues around abuse of power and
sexual harassment. All staff members have been advised that there was and
would continue to be tolerance zero for any person implicated in abuse of
power.

(c)  WFP is increasing the female share of staff by means of re-deployment
and/or new recruitment. The number of international staff for monitoring
and field activities has also been increased. Post Distribution Monitoring
systems in refugee camps are being improved. In Guinea and Sierra Leone,
all Memorandum of Understanding with implementing partners are currently
being modified to incorporate a paragraph regarding prevention of abuse of
power and the standards of accountability have been attached to the
agreements.

(d)  It should be emphasized that most of the humanitarian workers are
dedicated persons who carry out their duties in a correct and respectful
manner often under very difficult conditions. As for the children and each
and every beneficiary, cutting or reducing food aid would only exacerbate
their already precarious situation.


2)  Liberia

(a)  Renewed fighting broke out in Suehn (Bomi County). Fighting was also
reported around the towns of Bopolu and Gbarma (Gbarpolu County) and in
the towns of Zorzor and Salayea (Lofa County). These renewed skirmishes
have caused more displacements. The Government registered approximately
21,000 newly displaced persons, including 6,000 IDPs in Sinje and 15,000
spread over the four centres in Monrovia suburbs.

(b)  75,000 IDPs are currently assisted by WFP in Monrovia Camps (35,000),
Sinje (5,000), Kakata (5,000) and Bong Camps (30,000). An additional
10,000 IDPs are reported in Gbonota, Salala and Totota areas but have so
fare remained inaccessible and have not been registered.

(c)  The Government has identified four sites for the resettlement of IDPs
in Monrovia. While the sites of Ricks Institute and Jah Tondo Town are
already hosting IDPs, two new sites have been selected: BLAMA CEE and
WILSON TOWN. As soon as the construction of shelters is completed, IDPs
will be relocated from the camps of VOA and Zuannah Town to these new
sites.

(d)  The government has embarked upon a campaign to encourage IDPs coming
from Bong Mines and Haindii to return. WFP joined an inter-agency
assessment mission to Haindii and Bong Mines on 12 March. The team
observed that a small number of IDPs were returning to their villages, in
particular along the route from Kakata to Bong Mines.



E)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Ecuador, (2) Honduras, (3)
Nicaragua

1)  Ecuador

(a)  The National Civil Defense reported that 16 people died, 4,500 houses
were damaged and 134 destroyed by the recent floods. Over 24,100 people
have been affected, loosing their crops and livestock. Out of this
caseload, 1,700 people were left homeless. Emergency food assistance has
been requested for seven provinces, especially for those families who lost
their homes. The number of families identified as food insecure is
increasing as assessment of the affected areas is progressing.


2)  Honduras

(a)  The Ministry of Agriculture presented their Strategic Plan and
proposed measures that would help reduce the vulnerability of the food
sector, preventing and mitigating the negative effects of a possible
drought this year. From 19 March to 1 April, 300 tons of food were
distributed to drought-affected communities, identified as highly
vulnerable and food insecure in the southern part of the country.


3)  Nicaragua

(a)  WFP has initiated school feeding activities in the North Atlantic
Autonomous Region (RAAN), targeting an estimated 44,000 children. To
identify the most vulnerable areas in the municipalities of intervention,
data is being collected from key informants.

(b)  WFP assisted over 10,250 children in 67 primary schools and 41
pre-schools, providing them with 75 tons of food. The project is being
implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Family and of
Education, and other local organizations working in the RAAN region. The
RAAN is one of the most isolated regions in Nicaragua and a constant
obstacle for carrying out projects in the region is the high
transportation cost of the food. A bilateral donation earmarked to food
transport and operational expenditures has been vital to be able to assist
the children affected by recurrent floods.



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

1)  Democratic Republic of Congo

(a)  Since the beginning of the emergency operation in Goma, WFP
distributed over 5,200 tons of food to 448,400 people affected by the
volcano eruption. All the commodities distributed so far were borrowed
from the Rwanda and DR Congo's ongoing projects.

(b)  Renewed seismic activity of Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira volcanoes were
reported last week. Tectonic activities were also observed in Lake Kivu.
An inter-agency contingency plan for future developments in volcanic
activity in the eastern areas is being finalized. 4 options have been
taken into account. The worse scenario is that at least 1,500,000 people
would be displaced for a minimum of one month. The plan takes into account
the permanent reinstallation of the populations.

(c)  Food distributions outside Bukavu have been suspended until further
notice due to security concerns. WFP is undertaking further inquiry and
requested to the local authorities more guarantees of security on
distribution sites. WFP food distributions outside Bukavu will be
maintained for the malnourished and their families only. WFP is regularly
assisting 15,000 people in-town and almost 16,000 persons in the suburbs
of Bukavu.

(d)  WFP is currently distributing food to over 7,300 persons in Nkamira
and Mundede camps in Gisenyi. In Goma area, WFP beneficiary caseload
stands at 141,000 persons, including 92,700 IDPs in Goma city, 32,200 IDPs
on the axis Rutshuru, Sake, Butembo as well as non-accompanied children,
in-patients in hospitals, malnourished children and their families as well
as workers involved in FFW projects.

(e)  WFP discussed the pipeline situation with its implementing partners,
World vision International, LWF, Caritas and Solidarity. It was decided
that all general distributions would be put temporarily on hold, given the
low food stocks. An urgent replenishment in cereals, vegetable oil, CSB,
salt and sugar is awaited. WFP is planning a local purchase of 150 tons of
pulses from Goma based suppliers.


2)  Angola

(a)  On 30 March, a cease-fire agreement memorandum was signed in Luena
between representatives of the Government of Angola and the Union for the
Total Independence of Angola. Last week, the security situation remained
stable. However, large movements of populations continued. WFP reduced the
number of cargo flights following the reopening of some roads, allowing
ground transport.

(b)  On 27 March, following heavy rains and floods, a joint mission
comprised of UN Agencies, NGOs and Government representatives visited
Dombe Grande (Benguela province) to assess the damages. The team travelled
by canoes from Luacho Barrio to Bandeira and started registering the
affected people. WFP is currently identifying the most vulnerable people
for emergency food assistance.

(c)  The subgroup for registration and verification and German Agro Action
confirmed the arrival of approximately 280 newly displaced persons in
Balombo and Bocoio (Benguela province). They were temporarily located in
the transit centre of Boccio and in Hungulo and Caala camps. Over 3,050
children were assisted with WFP food in Lobito and Benguela.

(d)  From 25 to 30 March, over 15,400 persons were assisted with 240 tons
of WFP food in Huambo province. IDPs continue to arrive in Mungo, Bimbe,
Bie and Luena. On 25-26 March, over 3,450 new IDPs were registered in
Betania and Lomanda resettlement camps (Huambo province), where they
received 50 tons of WFP food. IDPs are now being resettled in Messe camp
due to lack of sufficient space in Betania. WFP is already planning to
assist 755 IDPs in Messe camp. The subgroup for registration and
verification also registered 2,000 newly displaced persons in Ukuma
municipality. Emergency assistance provided by WFP and MINARS benefited
7,000 newly displaced people in Ukuma.

(e)  15,000 persons are reportedly concentrated in Bunguei. New IDPs
arriving from Bunguei village were reported to be in a poor nutritional
and health state. As a result, the number of patients admitted to the
MSF/B nutritional centre increased greatly. In response, WFP and its
implementing partner will provide high-energy biscuits and establish a
community kitchen. In addition, MSF and IMC carried out a vaccination
campaign to 6,000 children.

(f)  A joint mission composed of MINARS, UIEA and WFP travelled to Kuito
Kuanavale (Kuando Kubango province) in order to verify the number of IDPs
who have been receiving WFP assistance through Movimondo. They confirmed a
total of 4,300 IDPs in camps. According to Molisv, 350 persons were
registered at the Reception Centre in Kuito Kuanavale in March. In March,
600 persons arrived in Menongue.



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

1)  Northern Caucasus: (a) regional overview, (b) Ingushetia, (c) Chechnya

(a) regional overview

1.  WFP allocated over 3,240 tons of food for 300,000 beneficiaries in
Ingushetia and Chechnya for the month of March. Because of low food
stocks, WFP had to delay March distributions until the second half of the
month and remove sugar from the general food distributions. Sugar was
provided only for the school and institutional feeding programmes as well
as for FFW activities in Chechnya.


(b)  Ingushetia

1.  As of 31 March, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) registered
approximately 141,000 IDPs in Ingushetia, indicating a slight increase
from last month. WFP, in collaboration with DRC, Islamic Relief (IR) and
Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS), distributed over 830 tons of food to
145,000 IDPs in March.

2.  The Economic Security survey conducted among the displaced population
in Ingushetia concluded that food is the primary need for IDPs. The ICRC
survey published this month has recommended that food distributions be
maintained.

3.  The Government of the Republic of Ingushetia has stopped distribution
of bread due to lack of funds. ICRC started a new cycle of distribution of
complementary food parcels in Ingushetia. IR and SRCS have also
distributed complementary food parcels to the camps under their
management.


(c)  Chechnya

1.  DRC reported that in March, about 780,000 people were residing in the
Republic of Chechnya, including about 138,000 registered IDPs. WFP
assisted 155,000 vulnerable people during March. This includes 20,000
children enrolled in 80 primary schools in Grozny City and rural,
Gudermes, Achkhoy-Martan and Sunzha districts.

2.  The Chechen Administration has decided to close down IDP camps in
Znamenskoye, where about 12,000 IDPs have been residing in tents for more
than two years.  Those IDPs will be settled in temporary accommodation in
Grozny and Argun until they are able to go back to their places of origin.


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

(a)  Kosovo

1.  WFP has phased out food assistance smoothly, covering both the Food
Safety Net programme beneficiaries and refugees until 30 June.  WFP has
donated the remaining commodities to local welfare institutions through
the Consortium for Inter-ethnic Development (CID), comprised of six local
NGOs (former local distribution partners).  CID will also provide rations
for 100 returnees per month from April to June.  By the second week of
April, the only remaining commodity will be 364 tons of vegetable oil,
which will be relocated within the ODR region.  Dismantling of the
warehouse has started and should be completed later this month.


(b)  Serbia

H)  WFP has discussed distribution arrangements for the final phase-down
of EMOP 6136.02 with all sub-offices and implementing partners.  Social
cases and pensioners will be assisted through double distributions that
are planned to be completed by 15 June, in order to prepare for complete
closure of EMOP activities by 30 June.


(a)  Montenegro

1.  March / April distribution to 5,500 refugees and 9,900 IDPs is
complete. WFP monitors visited all local branches of the Red Cross to
check waybills, stock cards, distribution lists and ledgers. In some
municipalities, the lists prepared by the Montenegro Commissioner for
Displaced Persons (MCDP) are being revised.

2.  After the agreement of 14 March between the Montenegro and Serbia
Heads of State on a new structure for the Yugoslav Federation, the
pro-independence Liberal Alliance decided to withdraw from the minority
government.


(b)  Albania

1.  WFP distributed food to 4,300 unassisted-unemployed households (21,500
beneficiaries), 385 households (2,000 beneficiaries) engaged in Communal
Forestry and Pasture Development activities and FFW projects. In addition,
800 vulnerable women (4,000 beneficiaries) participating in psychosocial
counselling programmes received food assistance.

2.  WFP, in coordination with Implementing Partners, is reducing the
number of beneficiaries for general distribution, due to a shortage of
wheat flour. Commodities have been previously borrowed to undertake a
relief distribution during the snow emergency and have not been replaced.

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 14)


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