WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 25 / 2002 - Date 21 June 2002

This report includes:
(A) Eastern and Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional Overview, (2) Lesotho,
    (3) Malawi, (4) Mozambique, (5) Zambia, (6) Zimbabwe, (7) Madagascar,
    (8) Burundi, (9) Kenya
(B) West Africa Region: (1) Liberia,(2) Sierra Leone, (3) Guinea,
    (4) Cote d'Ivoire
(C) Central Africa Region: (1) Angola, (2) Namibia, (3) Republic of Congo,
    (4) Democratic Republic of Congo
(D) Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran, (3) Pakistan
(E) Eastern Europe Region: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Georgia
(F) Latin America Region: (1) Colombia, (2) El Salvador

>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)  Eastern and Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional Overview, (2)
Lesotho, (3) Malawi, (4) Mozambique, (5) Zambia, (6) Zimbabwe, (7)
Madagascar, (8) Burundi, (9) Kenya

1)  Regional Overview

(a)  On 19 June, WFP's Executive Director briefed donors and WFP's
Executive Board in Rome on the situation in Southern Africa, incorporating
information available following the Johannesburg meeting on 6-7 June. Also
during this week, WFP's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa,
now located in Johannesburg, held meetings with donors in Pretoria.

(b)  A coordination meeting was held at the WFP Management Coordination
Unit in Johannesburg with NGOs working in the region. Representatives of
Africare, CARE, CRS, GOAL, SCF, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, and World Vision were in attendance. It was emphasized that
regular coordination and cooperation between WFP and NGO implementing
partners is needed. The meeting discussed the concept that the emergency
should be seen not solely as the movement of commodities, but also as an
opportunity to strengthen activities in all sectors, such as HIV/AIDS
education, baseline nutritional surveys, and agricultural recovery
programmes.

(c)  WFP Johannesburg finalized the regional Emergency Operation (EMOP) on
Friday 21 June, and awaits joint approval by FAO/WFP in Rome by the middle
of next week. The EMOP has a start date of 1 July with a duration of 9
months, until the next harvest in March/April 2003. It will target food
insecure people in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho,
Swaziland, some 10.2 million people at the peak of the operation.

(d)  The total resource requirements for this operation are close to one
million tons of mixed food commodities. WFP's strategy is to target the
most vulnerable districts, and focus on building distribution capacity and
effectiveness while at the same time continuing to assess and monitor the
situation on the ground in the six Country Offices. The operation will
start by assisting roughly 6.1 million people throughout the region, and
the number assisted will increase as needs increase during the lean
season.

(e)  WFP aims to establish a stable pipeline using a strategy calling for
immediate mobilization of four month's stocks: two month's stocks for
pre-positioning in affected countries, one month's stock in ports, and one
month's stock on the high seas. Therefore, the operation urgently requires
large quantities of food. Donor response must be rapid and sufficient to
support this pre-positioning strategy.


2)  Lesotho

(a)  The Disaster Management Authority has started finalizing the list for
targeting the most vulnerable beneficiaries in the country. Targeting
started 20 June and is expected to be completed within 7-10 days.  Once
the targeting exercise is finalized and validated, food cards will be
issued to the beneficiaries.


3)  Malawi

(a)  In June, WFP, in collaboration with CARE, the Salvation Army,
Emmanuel International, Save the Children (UK) and GOAL will distribute a
total of 1,472 tons to 30,000 families in six districts. With increasing
NGO capacity by July, an additional 60,000 families will receive
assistance from WFP through the NGO Consortium to reach the goal of
500,000 people per month. Letter of Understanding (LoU) agreements were
signed this week with CARE, GOAL, the Salvation Army, the Malawi Red Cross
Society, and Emmanuel International.

(b)  A rapid assessment on the effect of the hunger crisis in 9 schools
targeted under the school feeding program in Thyolo district suggests that
enrolment increased with the introduction of school feeding and a report
on the results will be released by next week. In Dedza, Salima and Ntcheu
districts total enrolment rates increased by 15 percent and by 18 percent
for girls only between November 2001 and June 2002 in the assisted
schools.

(c)  Field reports from parts of the Northern and Central region indicate
that although households did harvest their crops, most of them have
already begun to run out of food. A CARE/Save the Children survey
conducted in June indicated that in four districts, malnutrition rates
remained at five percent as the surveyed households in that area managed
to retain some stocks from harvest.

(d)  The Government-led Humanitarian Response Sub-Committee (HRSC) has
developed its work-plan for the June 2002 to March 2003 period,
institutionalizing the work of the Joint Emergency Food Aid Programme
(JEFAP). The JEFAP is comprised of Government, Donors and UN Agencies and
NGOs.


4)  Mozambique

(a)  In Southern Mozambique (Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane Provinces) a total
of 80,650 beneficiaries are being assisted with food aid through
food-for-work (FFW) activities. Twenty additional LoUs have been signed
and further partners will be identified.

(b)  In Central Mozambique (Manica and Sofala Provinces) a total of 33,835
beneficiaries are being assisted with food aid through FFW activities.
Forty LoUs have been signed this week.

(c)  In Central Mozambique (Tete Province) a total of 25,000 beneficiaries
are being assisted with food aid through FFW activities. NGOs are
assessing the most food insecure communities and will start additional
implementation upon signature of LoUs. In some districts there will be
general food distributions due to lack of implementing partners and poor
access.


5)  Zambia

(a)  According to the joint WFP/FAO crop and food supply assessment for
Zambia, prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall in the 2001/02 growing
season significantly reduced crop production in 5 of the 9 provinces of
the country.  Some 2.3 million people have been negatively impacted.
Cereal import requirements stand at 606,000 tons, of which 174,383 tons
will need to come through international relief channels.  Out of the total
of 72 districts in the country, 43 will require a share of the relief
food.


6)  Zimbabwe

(a)  A group of donors made a field trip to Matabeleland South Province on
19 June. The donors included USA, UK, EU, and South Africa. During the
field trip, the delegation observed a WFP food distribution implemented by
World Vision in Matobo District and toured a school and a Grain Marketing
Board (GMB) warehouse. The donors held informal discussions with WFP on
the food distribution process, the logistics of bringing food to Zimbabwe,
and other issues arising from what they had observed at the distribution
site. The shortfall for the ongoing EMOP stands at 49 percent, or some
57,000 tons.


7)  Madagascar

(a)  WFP has begun to distribute emergency food aid to urban centers in
Madagascar, to help feed some 35,000 malnourished children affected by the
current politico-economic crisis. Over the coming months, WFP will provide
350 tons of CSB, to feed 18,000 children in Antananarivo, as well as
17,000 children in five other major cities across the country. WFP's
partners include the World Bank, CARE, SEECALINE, and Catholic Relief
Services (CRS).

(b)  In some areas, malnutrition levels among children under five have
risen up to 45 percent as a result of the crisis following the
presidential elections held in mid December 2001. The blockade of
Antananarivo, together with the destruction of supply routes and key
infrastructure, has crippled the country's economy. Food supplies are
scarce and prices of essential commodities have shot up. The cost of rice
has increased by 375 percent, pushing it beyond the reach of many
families. Further aggravating the precarious situation is the critical
lack of fuel in the country, preventing the commercial flow of food items
between provinces, and making it impossible for farmers to transport their
products to existing markets.

(c)  Cyclone Kesiny passed over northern Madagascar in mid-April, causing
extensive damage and flooding to the island's main commercial port,
Tamatave, as well as to other infrastructure in the area. WFP, in
partnership with the non-governmental organization CARE, has launched a
programme whereby food aid is provided in return for work to assist
victims of the cyclone. Through these food-for-work projects,
cyclone-damaged infrastructure will be rehabilitated, such as the main
national road and the railway track ? both critical for the transport of
food and other commodities.

(d)  Both urban and food-for-work projects represent an extension of WFP's
regular activities in Madagascar. WFP, in partnership with SEECALINE, is
also feeding 162,000 children in rural areas where malnutrition reaches
levels above 43 percent. Last year, the agency provided food aid
assistance to 500,000 people in Madagascar.


8)  Burundi

(a)  Results from rapid assessments and monthly food security monitoring
missions conducted in all the 17 provinces by the HFEA teams indicate that
634,643 persons representing 9 percent of the total population in Burundi
will need emergency food aid during the period between June to December
2002.  The total requirements for the period are 36,651 tons.

(b)  Between 10-16 June, WFP supplied 622 tons of targeted food rations to
73,925 beneficiaries in Kayanza, Ngozi and Bujumbura Rural provinces.
However, due to insecurity in Rushubi sector, planned distribution of some
84 tons to 10,138 persons was postponed three times and finally cancelled.
This distribution would be rescheduled security permitting.

(c)  During the same period, WFP, in collaboration with UNHCR, distributed
50 tons of food to 1,032 repatriates from Tanzania as return package
ration for 90 days. Additionally, WFP supplied 39 tons of food to 2,038
vulnerable persons in 13 social centres.


9)  Kenya

(a)  Lack of funds to provide food aid to the 205,000 refugees currently
living in camps in Kakuma and Dadaab, forced WFP in June to cut
significantly the level of assistance given to the refugee population. The
food ration is now well below the standard 2,166 kcal per person, per day.
In Kakuma camp food rations are now at 1,600 kcal a day, while in Dadaab
are at 1,900 kcal a day. Further reductions in the amount of food given to
refugees are expected if no contributions came forward urgently.

(b)  WFP, The Office of the President and the Kenyan army have
collaborated to provide food assistance to 40,000 people isolated by
floods in Ijara district, North Eastern province. Twenty-two military
trucks delivered 400 tons of relief food to Ijara. In these areas a
significant number of people were displaced after floods washed away their
homes and cultivated lands, as well as infrastructure such as roads,
bridges and schools.

(c)  More than 1 million beneficiaries in ten districts are expected to
receive 12,000 tons of food in June through the emergency operation.
Additionally, distributions for term two on the Expanded School Feeding
Programme have begun. 1.3 million beneficiaries in some 4,413 schools
throughout the country have been targeted with 9500 tons of commodities
earmarked for distribution to beneficiaries.



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

1)  Liberia

(a)  Bomi County and the road leading to Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County
are once again inaccessible to WFP due to clashes between opposition
forces and troop loyal to the Government of Liberia. WFP had reinitiated
food distributions to internally displaced persons in Sinje on 15 May and
monthly rations (50 tons total) were distributed to 3,466 persons. This
distribution was disrupted with the resumption of fighting on 17 May, and
9,995 beneficiaries have yet to receive their food rations.

(b)  The annual WFP, UNHCR and donor Joint Food Needs Assessment Mission
visited Liberia on 13-14 May 2002. While in the country, the Mission held
discussions with WFP and UNHCR senior personnel as well as those of
national and international NGOs. The Mission also visited refugees and
internally displaced persons camps in Monrovia.

(c)  People fleeing fighting in the countryside continue to arrive in the
suburbs of Monrovia and other centers with concentrations of displaced
persons. Displaced persons that had earlier sheltered in the town of
Gbondoi have moved back to CARI near Gbarnga.

(d)  The pressure on food stocks available continues to increase and the
pipeline is viable only until the end of August 2002. Timely delivery of
expected consignments is highly essential in order to meet the growing
needs of IDPs and refugees.


2)  Sierra Leone

(a)  With the exception of a few criminal activities in Freetown, the
security situation remains relatively calm throughout the country. UNAMSIL
reported small cross border security incidents in villages along the
Liberia/Sierra Leone border in Kailahun District.

(b)  Approximately 2,470 Liberian refugees that crossed the border into
Kailahun and Pujehun districts were relocated to WFP supported camps in Bo
district, bringing the total number of refugees assisted by WFP to nearly
10,000.  The number of Liberian refugees continues to rise with the recent
movements from the border areas to the camps in Bo District.  The number
of beneficiaries for the WFP-supported camps of Gerrihun and Jembe is
expected to reach 15,000, though the current number of refugees is about
10,000.

(c)  The western area camps of Jui, Lumpa and Waterloo, which currently
host 9,135 Sierra Leoneans repatriated from Guinea received a monthly
distribution, approximately 133 tons in total.  Additionally in the
western area, 1,657 beneficiaries in the war wounded and amputee camp
received a total 25 tons of food aid.

(d)  During 3-16 June, 1,300 beneficiaries received over 7 tons of food
through the Port Loko/Kambia area food-for-training, 123,400 pupils
received 386 tons of food through emergency school feeding across the
country and over 315 tons of food assistance supported 10,975
beneficiaries across Sierra Leone in both food-for-work and
food-for-agriculture activities.


3)  Guinea

(a)  On 20 June, WFP airlifted more than sixteen tons of high protein
biscuits to assist a fresh wave of Liberian refugees who have fled into
N'Zerekore to escape their country's ongoing civil war.

(b)  In addition to 44,000 refugees from Sierra Leone, WFP is currently
providing food assistance to some 44,000 Liberian refugees in Guinea, with
20,000 who have crossed the border since January 2002.


4)  Cote D'Ivoire

(a)  According to UNHCR, a total of 21,769 refugees have entered Côte
d'Ivoire since May 2001, including 6766 since early May 2002 when fighting
renewed in Bong county. WFP, in collaboration with Caritas, assists all
those who settle in Nicla refugee camp with food aid under the regional
PRRO. The current caseload is 3,777.

(b)  A Joint Food Assessment mission was carried out by the Ivorian
Government, UNHCR and WFP on June 3-6 to evaluate the level of food
security among the refugees in Nicla camp and the Danane transit centre.
At Nicla camp, beneficiaries expressed that they are satisfied with the
organization of the distributions. The mortality rate in the camp is 0.03
per day per 10,000, well below the 1 per day per 10,000 which is seen as
the threshold for an emergency. Birth-weight for new-borns is between 2.7
kg and 3.3 kg, well above the 2.5 kg which can be an indicator of
malnutrition.

(c)  At the Danane transit centre, the moderate malnutrition rate is 7.8
percent with no cases of severe malnutrition. The refugees receive 1-2 hot
rice-based meals per day provided by UNHCR. Based on the recommendations
of the mission, WFP will take over the feeding of the centre and provide a
full daily ration for the 500 refugees.



C)  Central Africa Region: (1) Angola, (2) Namibia, (3) Republic of Congo,
(4) Democratic Republic of Congo

1)  Angola

(a)  WFP will face critical food shortage, particularly in maize and
pulses, in October without further urgent donor contributions.

(b)  Around 40,000 people have been assisted with general food
distribution in 10 family reception areas (FRAs).  An additional 28,000
family members of UNITA soldiers have been registered for WFP general food
distribution expected to start within days. Life-saving nutritional
feeding in FRAs continues to around 5,000 malnourished children in several
provinces with WFP food through NGO partners.

(c)  In Bengo, an increase of spontaneous returnees to their area of
origin is being observed with around 4,900 IDPs from Boa Esperança IDP
camp leaving for their areas of origin during the week.  Around 20,100
IDPs currently remain in Boa Esperança. The Bengo Provincial Government
will present a plan shortly for the return of over 40,000 IDPs.

(d)  In Bié, returnees now living at the newly accessible area of Cuemba,
number almost 19,500 and registrations and assistance continue in this
area. WFP estimates that almost 10,000 former IDPs from Kuito and Kamacupa
camps have returned to their original areas since the cease-fire in April.
In neighboring Huambo, following a security assessment, FRAs Menga Sambo
and Chiteta have been opened for UN assistance. Lunge FRA remains
inaccessible to UN personnel due to security concerns.  WFP carried out a
needs assessment in Chiteta FRA, and preparations are underway for
registration and food assistance.

(e)  Registration of people at FRAs continued in other provinces as well.
In Huila, general food distribution by WFP staff in the newly accessible
area of Chipindo was completed to around 9,500 registered beneficiaries.
In Kuanza Sul, WFP is beginning registration of around 19,000 this week in
two FRAs. In Lunda Sul and Lunda Norte, WFP registered 1,800 people in the
Chinege FRA and distributed food to them directly, a further 860 people
arrived during the week and were registered and assisted.  In Malange, a
team consisting of WFP, World Vision and MINARS personnel registered and
provided WFP food to 4,300 people in Damba FRA and 3,150 people in Ganda
Sol FRA. In Moxico, registration of around 8,600 people was completed in
the Chicala FRA during the week.  In Uige, WFP has completed registration
of an estimated 10,000 beneficiaries in the Uamba FRA and food
distribution is planned shortly.


2)  Namibia

(a)  Some 170 refugees have returned spontaneously to Kuando Kubango in
Southern Angola from Namibia.  Calai and Cuangar municipal authorities
have reported that several hundred refugees in Namibia have indicated
their interest in returning to Angola.

(b)  The Namibian Government's Emergency Management Unit has reported that
over 70,000 people in the Caprivi region are in need of emergency food aid
as a result of widespread crop failure.  Government assessments are still
underway and the Government of Namibia has not declared the situation a
national disaster.  WFP is closely monitoring the situation and is
considering sending a needs assessment mission.


3)  Republic of Congo

(a)  On 14 June 2002, Brazzaville endured two sustained military attacks
in the Northeast outskirts of the town, as the rebel Ninja movement
reportedly attacked the government military helicopters based at
Brazzaville's international airport. Thousands of persons have fled and
some houses have been looted.

(b)  The EMOP for the assistance of DRC refugees in the North of Congo
Brazzaville that was due to end on 31 May 2002 has been extended until
December 2002. A total of 2,500 vulnerable refugees located in Betou will
be assisted, in addition to the 50,000 beneficiaries already targeted by
the operation.

(c)  A total of 646 tons of food were distributed in the Republic of Congo
in the month of May. On 29 May distribution to 9,700 IDPs from the Pool
region began in Brazzaville.

(d)  Following an inter-agency assessment mission carried out on 28 May
2002 in Kindamba, WFP delivered 7.7 tons of food to 2000 beneficiaries on
2 and 8 June, which was the first relief food since fighting erupted in
Kindamba two months ago. Through two other inter-agency missions on 4-7
June, food assistance was delivered to 908 IDPs in Madzia and 6,500 IDPs
that fled the Pool region and took refuge to the Bouenza region.


4)  Democratic Republic of Congo

(a)  On June 13, hundreds of members of the civil society, including local
human rights organizations and women's associations, demonstrated for the
second time at the UN headquarters building in Kinshasa to request the UN
to send a peace keeping force to drive the Rwandese and other occupational
armies out of the DRC.

(b)  The security situation remained unpredictable in South Kivu as cases
of looting and ambushes, and clashes between RCD and May May militiamen
were commonly reported. In Katanga, confrontations between May May milita
men and Forces Armées Congolaises (FAC) reportedly continued to create
insecurity in the area of Malemba-Nkulu. The city of Kindu, in Maniema,
has been surrounded by May May fighters for several weeks, preventing any
food distributions in the city, except by air. Also in Maniema, RPF
(Rwanda Patriotic Forces) and RCD soldiers (Congolese Rally for Democracy)
looted a Catholic parish at Kapende, and two priests were kidnapped.

(c)  A Joint Food Assessment Mission fielded by UNHCR and WFP reported
that the peace agreement between the Angolan government and UNITA had some
positive impacts on the Angolan refugees and IDPs. Reports stated that at
some sites 80 percent expressed the desire to be immediately repatriated.
WFP has been following the issue closely as there are still some 55,000
Angolan refugees who are receiving WFP food assistance.



D)  Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran, (3) Pakistan

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  Security, particularly in Mazar and the northern areas, has grown
increasingly tense, with several incidences of violent criminal activity
directed at NGOs, from armed robbery to sexual assault.  In an effort to
broadcast the attacks on the aid community and to highlight assistance
activities that are thus in jeopardy, representatives of NGOs and UN
agencies conducted a press conference on 19 June.

(b)  The Joint WFP-FAO Crop Assessment Mission, comprising a 56-member
mission of WFP, FAO, NGOs, and the Ministry of Agriculture, has begun in
Afghanistan.  Results of the survey are expected at the end of July,
following the compilation of country assessment by an international
mission.

(c)  Food shortages in the pipeline are a significant issue and have
caused difficulties in the approval of project proposals as well as
release of food for ongoing projects.  A pipeline break for cereals is
expected in August. New donor contributions are urgently required.

(d)  According to UNHCR, as of 19 June, the cumulative number of returnees
since March 2002 has officially exceeded one million at 1,020,000
individuals.  Nearly 932,000 have returned from Pakistan, with 78,000 from
Iran and more than 9,000 from the Central Asian states.


2)  Iran

(a)  The new food distribution for the Iranian month of Tir (22 June ? 21
July) will commence in all the camps on 22 June. A total of 950 tons of
food will be distributed to over 62,000 beneficiaries in 28 camps. A WFP
mission visited Sistan-Baluchistan province during the period of 16 -18
June 2002, in order to set up recovery activities.

(b)  The total number of Afghan refugees repatriated through UNHCR since 9
April 2002 is 69,378. The number of spontaneous returns recorded since 9
April is more than 16,000.


3)  Pakistan

(a)  In Mohammed Khel and Chaman camps, food was distributed to 37,944
Afghan refugees over ten days. At UAE camp in Chaman 2000 refugees have
registered their request for voluntary repatriation and UNHCR will take
over operation of the camp in July.

(b)  Between 14-20 June, 4,427 individuals were repatriated from
Balochistan to Afghanistan, bringing the total number of repatriated
individuals to 95,252 as of 18 June.  There are 26, 345 Afghan refugees
families with registered caseload of 144, 640 individuals in Balochistan.



E)  Eastern Europe Region: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Georgia

1)  Russian Federation

(a)  Despite the ongoing conflict, WFP will double its school feeding
operation in Chechnya starting from September. The hot lunch programme was
set up in December 2001 to feed 20,000 primary schoolchildren in 80
schools and 250 pre-school children in five kindergartens in the
devastated region. In September it will expand to 45,500 students in 165
schools in Grozny, Grozny Rural, Achkhoy-Martan, Sunzha and Gudermes
districts.

(b)  The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) registered 117,800 Chechen IDPs
living in Ingushetia as of 15 June. From 16 May to 15 June, the Chechen
Administration organized five movements of IDPs from camps in Ingushetia.
According to UNHCR, around 1,000 IDPs have returned to Chechnya during
this period; they were dislocated in different temporary accommodation
centers in Grozny.

(c)  The Government of Russia has affirmed that IDPs living in Ingushetia
would not be forced back to Chechnya. The Government stated that the
return of IDPs would be voluntary and there is no deadline fixed for their
return. On 29 May, an agreement was signed between the Government of
Ingushetia and the Chechen Administration stating that IDPs from
Ingushetia would return by the end of October this year.

(d)  WFP Monitors carried out a rapid survey in IDP camps to find out
whether IDPs were willing and prepared to return to Chechnya. Only 5
percent expressed that they were preparing to return home in the near
future. Others were reluctant to return, mainly due to security concerns.


2)  Georgia

(a)  Activities under EMOP 6302 for drought-affected people are finished
in all six targeted regions. During the last round of distribution some
641 tons of food was distributed to 11,545 participants of food-assisted
community works projects. Since February 2001, when distribution started,
a total of 41,300 tons of food has been distributed to 527,721 vulnerable
persons through general food distribution and food-for-work.

(b)  Following the earthquake in Tbilisi on 25 April 2002, and a
subsequent request by the Government for international assistance, WFP, in
partnership with World Vision International (WVI), distributed 14.6 tons
of food to 1,080 persons that were forced to leave their residences and
were temporarily accommodated in tents and barracks. A special agreement
was signed with a bakery and the beneficiaries were provided with bread
for a one-month period.

(c)  Under PRRO 6122.1, WFP has been providing food assistance to Chechen
refugees. In the beginning of June, WFP, in collaboration with UNHCR,
distributed a two-month ration, consisting of approximately 128 tons of
food, to 4,000 Chechen refugees in Pankisi valley, East Georgia.

(d)  Winter crops suffered significant damages due to the exceptionally
cold and dry winter, hail and strong windstorms, while insufficient
precipitation and water availability may affect the summer crop harvest.
Therefore, cereal harvest this year is estimated by FAO at 577,000 tons,
which is about 140,000 tons less than the previous year (2000/2001).

(e)  The results of early warning monitoring carried out by WFP in West
Georgia indicate a worrying trend. Spring planting ? mainly for maize, the
staple food - was significantly delayed. By the end of May, only 70% of
the land had been planted and by the end of April, which is the considered
to be the optimum time for planting, only 30 % had been planted. Lack of
farm machinery and cash for fuel also contributed to this problem. In East
Georgia, the dry winter and winds in early spring, coupled with hail,
damaged the wheat in several districts.



F)  Latin America Region: (1) Colombia, (2) El Salvador

1)  Colombia

(a)  Three Colombian provinces were badly hit by intensive rains affecting
more than 670 families. At the same time, the Cartagena sub-office
reported the displacement of 575 persons in the Bolivar province due to
actions by armed groups. These families are receiving emergency assistance
from government institutions and the ICRC.

(b)  A joint UN mission visited the Atrato River area in the Choco
province to monitor the food distribution to 1,862 displaced families. An
additional 900 families received food in the upper area of the Atrato
River. The mission surveyed the situation of communities affected by the
economic isolation imposed by armed groups along the river.


2)  El Salvador

(a)  During the last ten days, continuous rains have caused minor flooding
throughout the country. The worst affected areas are located by the Rio
Lempa and in the province of La Libertad.

(b)  WFP is continuing assessments of communities in the drought-affected
Eastern provinces.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 25)


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