WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 20 / 2002 - Date 17 May 2002


This report includes:
(A) Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea
(B) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Iran
(C) East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Malawi, (2) Lesotho,
    (3) Swaziland, (5) Zambia, (6) Zimbabwe, (7) Somalia, (8) Tanzania,
    (9) Rwanda
(D) West Africa Region: (1) Liberia, (2) Guinea, (3) Sierra Leone,
    (4) Côte d'Ivoire
(E) Central Africa Region: (1) Republic of Congo, (2) Angola
(F) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Cuba, (2) Ecuador,
    (3) Guatemala, (4) Costa Rica, (5) Paraguay

>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)  Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  Pipeline shortages, especially for cereals continue to impact WFP's
emergency operation in the DPRK. WFP is scaling down operations this
month. Distributions to 400,000 elderly persons, 700,000 secondary school
children and 144,000 caregivers in child institutions and paediatric
hospitals will be suspended from this month. Priority will be given to
orphans, young children and pregnant and nursing women in the third
quarter. Further donor support to WFP's emergency Operation is needed to
avert a major food crisis in the DPRK. An additional 300,000 tons are
urgently required to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

(b)  Cereal contributions are needed urgently for the third and fourth
quarters, especially if the food requirements during the lean season are
to be met. New pledges for cereals have become absolutely crucial at this
time. Shortages of sugar since the first quarter has led to a reduction of
the sugar content, an essential ingredient, in the locally processed
enriched blended food for the youngest children. The pulses pipeline broke
in April for four months, pending the arrival of a contribution of
soybeans. The oil pipeline will break, temporarily, in May pending the
arrival of a contribution of oil.



B)  West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Pakistan, (3) Iran

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  WFP sub-offices throughout the country continue to report pipeline
breaks in their programmes resulting in the suspension of Food for Asset
Creation (FoodAC) and Food For Work (FFW) projects. WFP has stopped
dispatching food in the Central and Western areas and suspended 12
projects in the Southern area. Immediate cash donations for regional
purchases are necessary to restore the pipeline and address the immediate
needs of vulnerable populations.

(b)  Khoja Douko District (Northern area) is experiencing prolonged
drought, reduced yields from previous harvests and in some cases- complete
crop failure. Small landholders, daily labourers, female-headed families
and other vulnerable populations are clearly at risk to food insecurity.
WFP, in collaboration with Hungarian International Agency, is distributing
food to 25 percent of the total population.  A two-month FoodAC project,
targeting over 32,900 people is recommended.

(c)  Following a rapid emergency needs assessment mission conducted in
Balkh district (Northern area), key findings indicate the depletion of
assets and livestock within the community. Assistance through FoodAC is
recommended for 26,665 people until the harvest.

(d)  As of 1 April, approximately 413,700 IDPs were reportedly located in
the Southern area, according to UNHCR. Since the beginning of the returnee
programme on 19 March, approximately 8,900 returnee families and 163
displaced families arrived at the UNHCR/KSO transit- distribution point.
This week, WFP dispatched 400 tons of food to the KSO and Delaram transit
points.

(e)  WFP intends to support a Food for Education (FFE) project in Kandahar
City (Southern area), starting on 18 May and targeting 31,100 students.
1,180 tons of food have been allocated to the project. Current stock
levels of wheat flour are sufficient to start this project but unless
stocks are replenished, programme sustainability will become problematic.
12 projects were temporarily suspended due to food shortages in the
Southern area.

(f)  Over 37,100 students are currently enrolled in the FFE project in the
Eastern area.  Additional schools in Nangarhar, Kouz Kunar and Behsod
Districts are expected to be targeted over the coming months. This week,
WFP distributed over 500 tons of wheat to 3,700 families returning from
Peshawar to the Eastern area. Over 42,600 returnee families have received
WFP assistance in the Eastern area.

(g)  This week, torrential rain caused extensive flooding in Khulum
District of Samanagan Province (Northern area). An estimated 700 families
are reported to have lost food supplies while 300 persons may have lost
their homes. An assessment mission including WFP was deployed on 9 May.
WFP transported 50 tons of food in response to the crisis, corresponding
to a one-month ration.

(h)  WFP's wheat stocks in Kabul (Central area) are low. As a result, WFP
scaled down its assistance and gave priority to the bakery projects and
refugees repatriated from Pakistan and Iran. No new project will receive
WFP support until the pipeline situation improves.

(i)  UNHCR is finalizing registration of over 2,000 Kabul and Tajik
displaced families willing to repatriate to Bamyan (Central area). WFP has
pre-positioned 400 tons of food in Bamyan City. WFP intends to establish a
FFE programme in Qarqhanato and Shiberto areas in Bamyan, where returning
IDPs are located. 6,240 students are enrolled in the FFE Programme in the
Central area. In addition, WFP is supporting over 3,000 people attending
non-formal education literacy and vocational training.


2)  Pakistan

(a)  Relocation of refugees to new camps has not yet resumed this week. It
will be restricted to twice a month due to security problems in the tribal
belt in Peshawar area. Over 14,600 persons were repatriated from
Balochistan area to Afghanistan during the past week. As of 14 May, over
51,800 refugees had repatriated to Afghanistan.

(b)  Over 123,500 persons are reported living in the camps in Peshawar
area. However, this caseload does not reflect the recent repatriations
from Kotkai, Bagzai, Asgharo and Barkali camps. Food distribution for the
month of May was completed in Bagzai, Bassu and Barkali camps to 32,600
beneficiaries. Food distribution in Shamahatu, Kotkai, Shalman and Asgharo
camps is ongoing. Though there were some difficulties in supplying wheat
flour to the camps, requirements were fully met. The wheat stock position
has reached a critical level. The June distribution will be negatively
impacted unless new stocks arrive by 30 May.


3)  Iran

(a)  As of 9 April, UNHCR reported that over 40,000 Afghan refugees had
returned to Afghanistan from Iran through Dogharoon and Milak exit points.
>From 24 April to 12 May, WFP has been monitoring food distributions in 28
refugee camps. Over 920 tons of food are being distributed to
approximately 72,800 vulnerable people, including 62,200 in-camp Afghan
and Iraqi refugees, 5,570 girls benefiting from the Oil for Education
Scheme and 5,000 non camp Afghan refugees.



C)  East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Malawi, (2) Lesotho, (3)
Swaziland, (5) Zambia, (6) Zimbabwe, (7) Somalia, (8) Tanzania, (9) Rwanda

1)  Malawi

(a)  Supplementary Feeding coordinated by UNICEF and WFP to 15,000
children and 18,000 pregnant and lactating women has started. The number
of severely malnourished people admitted to the WFP-supported Nutrition
Rehabilitation Units continues to be high. In response, WFP intends to
expand food assistance in the country.

(b)  Under EMOP 10201, which is being finalized this week, WFP, in
collaboration with its partners, intends to assist 2 million vulnerable
people, distributing a total of 54,400 tons of food from June to
September. Some donors have already confirmed their intention to support
this emergency operation, envisaging a donation of around 95,000 tons of
maize.

(c)  WFP is expanding its operational capacity through the establishment
of two additional sub-offices as well as increasing the capacity of the
existing ones. Based on the results of the Crop Food Supply Assessment
Mission, WFP and the NGO Consortium finalised allocations of
responsibilities for coordination of food distribution in 27 districts. A
distribution plan for the next three months is being prepared. WFP is
currently discussing with the Department of Disaster Prevention, Relief
and Rehabilitation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation to
establish a Joint Steering Committee for the Emergency Food Security
Programme.


2)  Lesotho

(a)  The WFP bridging emergency operation for Lesotho is being finalized
and will be ready by the end of next week. Preparations for the elections
scheduled for 25 May are progressing and election observers are already on
the ground. Prices of staple food are reportedly increasing every day.


3)  Swaziland

(a)  On 15 May, WFP completed the necessary administrative, staffing and
logistics arrangement in view of its forthcoming intervention in
Swaziland. WFP bridging emergency operation for Swaziland is being
finalized and will be ready by the end of next week.


4)  Zambia

(a)  The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently in
the field and will return by the end of the week. Preliminary findings
will be presented on 24 May. Refugee rations that have been reduced by
half since January will be restored to full ration by 1 June after
confirmation of commodity arrivals.


5)  Zimbabwe

(a)  Following the recent confirmation of additional contributions, EMOP
10140.0 has now received donations amounting to USD 29,620,805 equivalent
to 50,381 tons. This leaves a shortfall of USD 30,670,283, equivalent to
66,270 tons. Additional donor support is urgently needed to avoid a major
crisis in Zimbabwe.

(b)  As of 13 May, WFP, in collaboration with its partners, had
distributed almost 7,150 tons of food in 15 districts reaching over
355,750 vulnerable people. WFP organized a meeting with NGOs involved in
food aid projects to discuss a possible expansion of WFP operations with
additional implementing partners. Several studies on the maize market and
targeting mechanisms in urban areas, some of them being funded by WFP, are
currently ongoing in Zimbabwe. Their recommendations may form the base of
the next phase of WFP EMOP.

(c)  Following the completion of its work in country on 11 May, the
FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission presented its preliminary
findings to donors and NGOs.  The report is expected by the end of May.
The Government of Zimbabwe has so far purchased just over 250,000 tons of
cereals from RSA, Kenya, China, and Brazil of which approximately 40
percent has been delivered.


6)  Somalia

(a)  UN agencies suspended their activities in urban Mogadishu on 7 May
following refusal by kidnappers to release a UNDP local staff member
abducted on 28 April. Before the suspension, WFP was providing food to MCH
centres and TB patients in Mogadishu for about 800 vulnerable people under
PRRO 6073.

(b)  The death of President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal of Somaliland (Northwest)
was reported on 3 May. The Vice President is now in charge, pending
elections. Calm has been reported in the region and UN agencies have
maintained their regular activities.

(c)  Following inter-clan fighting in the border town of Bulo Hawa in the
Gedo Region, about 15,000 Somalis are reported to have fled to the
northeastern Kenyan border town of Mandera. Northern Gedo remains
insecure, hindering the return of these refugees. WFP and other agencies
in Kenya and Somalia are monitoring the refugee situation closely to
co-ordinate relief efforts.

(d)  WFP started the dispatch of 750 tons of food from Mombasa to Mandera
for the relief distribution in Gedo. However, due to security concerns,
the UN has suspended air and ground operations in Gedo until further
notice. WFP's relief distribution in south Gedo (Burdhubo and Garbaharey
districts), planned for end of May, is therefore likely to be delayed
until access is granted.

(e)  The two Puntland leaders failed to reach an agreement after
negotiations in Addis Ababa at the end of April. Subsequently, renewed
fighting begun in various areas forcing staff of international agencies to
relocate to Hargeisa in the northwest. This relocation comes at a time
when humanitarian aid is critically needed in the area. A cholera outbreak
has been reported in Bosaso town and food shortages continue in Bari and
East Sanag regions. Puntland authorities have issued a statement formally
advising humanitarian agencies that the international staff who left for
safety reasons are not welcome to return to the region.


7)  Tanzania

(a)  From 22 April to 6 May, WFP distributed over 3,600 tons of food
(corresponding to a two-week ration) to over 514,600 refugees in Kigoma,
Kibondo, Kasulu and Ngara districts. WFP supplied 100 percent of the
standard food ration to all beneficiaries, except for CSB and salt, which
were distributed at 60 percent of the full ration. In addition, WFP
supported various Supplementary Feeding Centres (SFC), providing over 80
tons of food to approximately 20,550 malnourished persons. Over 350
refugees arrived in Tanzania from Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda from 22
April to 6 May.

(b)  During the same period, 40 refugees were assisted in returning to
their communities in Rwanda, bringing to over 1,100 the total number of
Rwandese assisted in returning home between 1 January and 2 May. In
addition, facilitation of voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees
commenced in Kasulu and continued in Kibondo and Ngara camps.
Approximately 1,700 Burundian refugees were repatriated to Burundi through
these 3 camps from 22 April to 6 May. Additional 64,600 Burundian refugees
have been registered in Ngara, Kibondo and Kasulu camps for voluntary
repatriation.


8)  Rwanda

(a)  During the month of April, WFP assisted approximately 303,600
vulnerable people under various programmes. Beneficiaries included 88,200
farmers involved in FFW projects as well as 33,100 refugees in Kibuye,
Gikongoro and Byumba provinces. As of 31 March, UNHCR reported that 3,200
returnees had come back to Rwanda from DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya
and Republic of Congo. This includes over 600 arrivals registered in
Gisenyi in April. They all received WFP assistance.

(b)  WFP distributed 90 tons of food to 5,600 displaced Congolese at
Mudende camp during the month of April. The beneficiaries were displaced
from their homes following the volcano eruption in Goma last January.
Following the repatriation of a number of IDPs to DR Congo, WFP's
implementing partner, the Rwanda Red Cross, and the Ministry of Social
Affairs conducted a registration exercise at Mudende camp.



D)  West Africa Region: (1) Liberia, (2) Guinea, (3) Sierra Leone, (4)
Côte d'Ivoire

1)  Liberia

(a)  From 25 April to 5 May, WFP distributed over 660 tons of food to
54,300 beneficiaries. This includes 418 tons of food supplied to 29,000
refugees, 176 tons to 17,000 IDPs, 17 tons to 2,056 malnourished people
under Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Centers (SFC and TFC), 40 tons
to 3,929 beneficiaries in the framework of institutional feeding
programmes and 9 tons to 2,306 pupils in emergency school feeding
programmes.

(b)  After the panic that gripped Monrovia on 13 May, following
confirmation by the Government of an attack on Arthington town, some 25
kms away, the situation returned to normal on 14-15 May. However, as a
precautionary measure, a number of embassies have relocated their
non-essential staff and advised their nationals to leave the country.

(c)  Attempts by humanitarian workers to conduct a rapid needs assessment
among the IDPs were delayed due to the security situation. But it was
estimated that some 6,000 IDPs had reached Ganta in Nimba County while
another 5,000 had reached Totoka, south of Gbarnga. The total number of
IDPs in Liberia was estimated to be at least 78,000.

(d)  Current WFP in-country stocks amount to about 6,000 tons of various
commodities, the majority of it being located in Monrovia. These stocks
are sufficient to cover the needs of 125,000 beneficiaries during at least
two months.


2)  Guinea

(a)  The arrival of over 3,500 new refugees mainly from Gbarna was
reported on 13 May. WFP, UNHCR and GTZ went to Beta in Yomou district,
where most refugees have gathered. The refugees reportedly left during the
previous week. They were not showing signs of severe malnutrition. WFP
started distributing food and UNHCR will initiate their transfer on 17
May. Another 5,000 to 7,000 persons supposedly in Liberia could be on move
towards Guinea.


3)  Sierra Leone

(a)  From 25 April to 5 May, WFP distributed a total of 3,100 tons of food
to 167,500 beneficiaries. This increase in distributions is due to the
current accelerated resettlement programme. It is anticipated that food
requirements will remain high in May.  Food for Agriculture distributions
will then sharply increase in late May through June, July and August.
However, WFP expects to face major shortfalls of cereals and pulses in
July and August, during the pre-harvest hunger season.

(b)  Due to the elections, which took place in Sierra Leone on 14 May, the
border with Liberia is closed. Elections were conducted peacefully and
people participated to the polls in large numbers. UNHCR increased the
number of weekly overland return convoys from Guinea and Liberia to
accommodate the heavier load of Sierra Leoneans returning to the country
in time to participate in the elections.

(c)  Prior to the most recent developments, UNHCR Sierra Leone had planned
for an influx of 40,000 Liberian refugees in the course of 2002. There are
currently more than 15,000 refugees in camps.


4)  Côte d'Ivoire

(a)  On 12 May, 300 newly arrived Liberian refugees were registered in
Gbinta (main border crossing point with Liberia near Danane), fleeing
hostilities in Gbanrga. A total of 10,755 refugees have arrived in Côte
d'Ivoire since May 2001. WFP assists with food aid all those who volunteer
to settle in Nicla refugee camp. 3,200 refugees are currently receiving
assistance from WFP at Nicla under the regional PRRO 6271. The refugees
are receiving a full general ration, and the food is distributed by
Caritas.

(b)  It is too early to assess whether the increase in hostilities in
Liberia will lead people to flee to Côte d'Ivoire since it takes several
days to travel from the areas affected by fighting to the border.



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

1)  Republic of Congo

(a)  Fighting between the Ninja militia and the army which started end
March/early April in the Pool region has caused as new wave of
displacement of populations who found refuge in Djambala, Plateaux region,
in Brazzaville, and in other surrounding regions. Fighting between Ninjas
and army forces on 9 April in the southern neighbourhoods of Brazzaville
have put the city in a state of panic. About 80.000 people have left
Makelekele and Bacongo to find refuge in other areas of the city. Numerous
incidents of looting have been reported. However, as of 15 April, the
situation in the southern areas of Brazzaville had returned to normal and
the majority of the population had regained their habitation.

(b)  An inter-agency team was set up to devise a coordinated response to
the growing number of displaced persons. On behalf of all United Nations
agencies based in Brazzaville, the Emergency Relief Coordinator expressed
concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation. He also appealed all
parties to respect humanitarian principles, in particular to provide
protection for civilians and allow humanitarian workers access to the
populations in need. Despite these appeals, the Government has rejected
requests by humanitarian organisations for access to the affected areas,
invoking security reasons.

(c)  As of 30 April, none of the affected areas within the pool regions
were accessible. An estimated 40,300 persons have been displaced from the
Pool region, ICRC reported. The only location where an assessment has been
made by WFP is Djambala. 4,5 tons of food have been delivered to the IDPs.
The condition of the IDPs who remain within the Pool region is cause for
concern. UN agencies, including WFP and International NGOs are continuing
dialogue with government authorities to obtain free and unimpeded access
to this region.

(d)  Following a security incident along the railway line linking
Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville on 2 April, the railway traffic was suspended.
On 22 April, the traffic of cargo trains resumed. This situation has led
to a shortage in gas, an increase of the price of locally produced food
items and has negatively influenced WFP operations. Only 45 percent of the
planned quantities have been delivered during the month of April. The WFP
Kinkala sub-office has remained closed for security reasons, no food
distribution was carried out in the Pool region. In Nkayi, Bouenza region
the cycle of distributions has been disrupted by the insecurity in the
surrounding localities. In Brazzaville as well, food deliveries were
interrupted during the first two weeks of April.

(e)  WFP distributed 350 tons of food to 15,000 vulnerable people in
Brazzaville, Kouilou, Niari and Bouenza regions during the month of April.
Food assistance to agriculture activities has increased in line with the
preparation of the forthcoming crops in Bouenza, Niari and Lekoumou
regions. Through the FFW programme, WFP supported schools rehabilitation,
in collaboration with UNICEF.


2)  Angola

(a)  Despite the recent confirmation of new contributions to Angola PRRO,
further donations are still urgently needed to avoid pipeline breaks in
September. This week, WFP Executive Board approved PRRO for Angola 10054.1
under which WFP intends to distribute an average of 17,000 tons per month
for 1,160,000 beneficiaries.

(b)  An inter-agency team, including WFP, assessed the needs of
approximately 7,300 IDPs in Cajala commune (Benguela province), where
approximately 250 malnourished children were considered in need of urgent
assistance. In response, two community kitchens were opened. German Agro
Action confirmed the arrival of 84 new IDPs in Balombo. They were
relocated and provided with WFP food assistance.

(c)  Registration for urgent food assistance for up to 50,000 vulnerable
people in Cuemba (Bié province) is underway.  Following a re-verification
exercise, 340 new IDPs were registered in Kuito and Camacupa.  Admissions
to nutritional feeding centres continue to increase in Kuito due to
patients arriving from Chitembo and Camacupa.

(d)  WFP is currently completing the registration of beneficiaries ahead
of the planned general distribution of food in Chipindo (Huila province).
An estimated 18,000 new IDPs in Chipindo camp currently need urgent
assistance and a further 10,000 are expecting to move into Chipindo camp
from surrounding areas once food is available for distribution. MSF-S is
setting up a feeding centre and is already assisting around 100 people
through a SFC supported by WFP. WFP will continue to assist 1,000 IDPs for
one more season in Cacula and Hoque villages, while some 2,500 old IDPs
reached satisfactory level of self-reliance and will no longer receive WFP
assistance. In Huila province, an estimated 4,200 people are reported to
be in dire need of assistance in Dongo and about 50km to the north of
Kuvango municipality (inaccessible by road). An urgent assessment is
needed in both localities in order to further assess needs.

(e)  Over 1,750 new IDPs received WFP support in Chipipa, Lomanda and
Cancilhas municipalities (Huambo province).  In Huambo municipality,
OIKOS, MINARS and WFP registered and assisted new IDPs from Bié, Bailundo,
Mungo, Luena, and Kuima. 2,500 new IDPs were registered in the newly
accessible areas of Katchiungo and Tchikala Tcholohanga.  Food
distribution will follow shortly.

(f)  Due food shortages, WFP was forced to temporarily suspend Child
Community Programmes and school feeding projects in Malange as priority is
given to new IDPs and vulnerable groups. IDPs arrived in Malange from
Luquembo and Cambundi Catembo and are receiving emergency WFP food.  The
MSF-H nutritional centres of Carreira and Amilcar in Malange city are
currently assisting 355 malnourished people. CONCERN is assisting
moderately malnourished beneficiaries in Cambondo (Malange province).

(g)  In Uige province, WFP registered and provided food assistance to
around 1,000 new IDPs in Sanza Pombo.  Around 150 severely malnourished
children are being assisted with WFP food in the TFC run by Catholic
Mission in Sanza Pombo. Movements of people returning to their areas of
origin continue to be observed, in particular to the municipalities of
Puri, Cangola and Sanza Pombo.

(h)  Further waves of newly displaced populations leaving their homes to
receive humanitarian assistance were reported in Kuando Kubango, Moxico,
Kwanza Norte and Kwanza Sul provinces. WFP, in collaboration with its
implementing partners have been closely monitoring the situation and
addressing the needs of the most vulnerable persons, when villages are
accessible.



F)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Cuba, (2) Ecuador, (3)
Guatemala, (4) Costa Rica, (5) Paraguay

1)  Cuba

(a)  Local authorities have expressed concerns over the lack of rain,
which may cause a severe drought. The Cuban National Weather Centre
reports that a drought is affecting the eastern provinces. If the
situation continues, crops and food security will be severely affected.

(b)  A WFP mission visited the provinces of Granma, Holguin, Las Tunas,
Santiago and Guantanamo to assess the situation of farmers who are
planting less than normal. A livestock state of emergency has been
declared in these eastern provinces. WFP will take part in several
meetings expected to take place among government officials and UN agencies
to assess the situation and the possible impact of a drought and take the
necessary measures.


2)  Ecuador

(a)  Water levels have dropped greatly and no substantial amount of rain
and new floods have been reported in the last few weeks. According to
climate experts, a weak to moderate El Niño is likely to develop by the
end of 2002. Its impact is not expected to be as strong as the El Niño of
1997-98. However, WFP is preparing contingency plans to respond to the
possible effects.

(b)  On 9 May, all the United Nations agencies present in Ecuador,
including WFP, participated in an emergency simulation exercise, hosted by
the United Nations Emergency Team for Ecuador. This week, WFP began a
training course on Emergency Food Needs Assessment for counterparts.


3)  Guatemala

(a)  Over 40 forest fires have been reported in 9 provinces. In the
province of El Peten, the Coordinator for Disaster Reduction has sent an
alert due to the large amount of affected land and the lack of water.
Meanwhile, there is presently no indication of the onset of the rainy
season (normally mid-May), causing concern regarding a possible drought/El
Niño phenomenon.

(b)  Private farms continue to be occupied by indigenous groups protesting
against limited access to land. At least 13 farms have been occupied in
the provinces of Izabal, Alta Verapaz, San Marcos, Suchitepequez,
Chimaltenango and Retalhuleu. Since last year, 49 farms have been occupied
in the provinces of Los Alta and Baja Verapaz, Huehuetenango, Izabal and
Suchitepequez.

(c)  On 10 May, food distributions under WFP EMOP 10174 began in 53
nutritional centres of the Ministry of Public Health and Social
Assistance, 14 national hospitals with nutritional recovery rooms and 9
private nutritional centres. These centres are located in the areas
identified by the government as priority.


4)  Costa Rica

(a)  Last week, the Government of Costa Rica declared a national state of
emergency. Between four and five thousand people were evacuated due to
major flooding in the provinces of El Limon, Heredia and Cartago.

(b)  According to OCHA, the National Emergency Commission has set up
temporary shelters and has activated the Local Committees on Disaster
Prevention and Response. The Costa Rican Red Cross distributed food and
mattresses to flood victims. The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
reports that authorities will carry out needs assessments to quantify the
sectoral needs once the waters have receded.

(c)  OCHA reports that the Government will estimate the resources
available locally and the possible need for international assistance in
the rehabilitation/reconstruction process. The Government of Costa Rica
has not requested international assistance


5)  Panama

(a)  Heavy rain has been falling on the border area with Costa Rica,
causing major flooding. It has affected the provinces of Bocas del Toro,
Veraguas and Chiriqui. The Panamanian Red Cross estimates that around
10,000 people have been affected.  Approximately 1,500 persons were
evacuated.


6)  Paraguay

(a)  Major flooding has been registered as a result of heavy rainfalls
from January to April in the province of Neembucu (Southern Paraguay). The
Government declared the province of Neembucu an emergency area on 6 May.
According to the Secretariat of Production, 80 percent of the subsistence
crops and 60 percent of the maize crops have been lost. The Government of
Paraguay has not requested international assistance.

(b)  WFP does not have country offices in Costa Rica, Panama and Paraguay.
However, WFP Regional Bureau in Managua continues to monitor the situation
in these countries.

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 20)


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