WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 5 / 2002 - Date 1 February 2002


This report includes:
(A) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan,
    (3) Pakistan
(B) Central Africa Region: (1) Democratic Republic of Congo, (2) Angola
(C) East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Somalia, (2) Eritrea, (3) Tanzania
(D) Africa Region: (1) Liberia, (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Guinea
(E) Central America and the Caribbean Region: (1) Guatemala, (2) Nicaragua,
    (3) Colombia
(F) Eastern Europe Region: (1) Azerbaijan


>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) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan,
(3) Pakistan

1)  Regional overview

(a)  WFP Executive Director Catherine Bertini is visiting Afghanistan and
Pakistan this week. Ms. Bertini has been meeting with interim authority
officials and staff in Afghanistan. She begins a two-day visit to Pakistan
on 1 February and is scheduled to meet with government ministers and
Pakistani President General Pervez Musharaf.


2)  Afghanistan

(a)  WFP Food Security and VAM Unit is currently reviewing the results of
the Shomali assessment conducted in Kabul Province. People in this area
are traditionally agriculturalists and fruit growers but also produce the
Istalieff pottery, which is widely exported. However, they will require
support to re-establish agricultural fields, orchards, houses, and other
infrastructure part of their livelihoods, which have been completely
destroyed. People are lacking seeds, tools, draught-animals and
fertilizers etc. thereby limiting agricultural cultivation for the coming
season. Clearly, food aid alone is not enough and food distributions
should be geared towards Food for Work (FFW) and FOODAC (Food For Asset
Creation) activities in coordination with other partners providing
non-food items.

(b)  WFP has started to undertake training sessions on rapid food needs
assessments for its staff and partners' staff. The rapid assessment team
is now in Mazar to identify NGO partners, facilitate their training and
initiate rapid assessments. WFP continues to monitor the labour market and
grain trade field in Kabul, Hirat, Faizabad, and Mazar. Over the last
week, market prices for wheat and wheat flour have been stable in the
Kabul, Hirat, and Mazar markets, as has the exchange rate of the Afghani
to the USD.

(c)  Food distributions in collaboration with WFP implementing partners
continue throughout the country. The urban distributions in Kabul and
Hirat are now complete and those in Mazar-I-sharif and Kandahar are being
planned. In the eastern region, WFP in co-operation with its partners have
reviewed projects that were suspended after 11 September. 38 FOODAC or FFW
projects have been recommended to resume with immediate effect.

(d)  The Ministry of Commerce continues to distribute coupon booklets to
the civil servants of the Afghan Interim Administration in Kabul. Over
14,000 coupon booklets have been distributed to various departments of the
Interim Administration by 29 January.


3)  Pakistan

(a)  The registration of people who were camped at the Chaman border
crossing continues. Approximately 10,000 persons have been registered by
UNHCR and relocated to Dara Camp, about 10 km from the border. An
additional 3,000 are still in 'no-man's land' but are likely to be given
access by the Government of Pakistan across the border. WFP has food on
hand to provide these people once allowed in the country. Upon
registration they are provided with high energy biscuits, which is then
followed by a general food ration.



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

1)  Democratic Republic of Congo

(a)  According to field reports, it is now estimated that approximately
350,000 persons have been affected by the volcano eruption, 150 people
have died and 87,500 people have become homeless. The volcano surveillance
team reported some tremors, from moderate to strong on 30 January. The
team is trying to identify the cause of the continuing geologic activity
and is assessing potential risks. There are unconfirmed reports of new
fissures opening or existing fissures expanding in areas north of Goma.

(b)  As of 31 January, WFP has distributed approximately 1,700 tons of
food to over 427,000 displaced and affected people since the beginning of
the emergency situation in Goma. While most of the food distributions took
place in Goma area, IDPs also benefited from WFP assistance in Ruhengeri,
Gisenyi and Bukavu upon registration in camps or with hosting families. On
30 January, WFP in collaboration with Caritas started distributing food to
an estimated 20,000 IDPs hosted by the resident population in Bukavu. The
food ration is expected to cover their needs for one month.

(c)  Agencies part of the Food Coordination Committee in Goma decided to
primarily target food aid towards homeless people, in-patients,
children-headed households, handicapped, elderly people, unaccompanied
children, host families and people who have lost their livelihoods and
jobs. Based on these criteria, the local authorities will coordinate a
final registration of the people eligible for WFP assistance from 31
January to 02 February in Goma.

(d)  Preliminary information collected by the International Rescue
Committee (IRC) appears to confirm that the majority of people in Goma
wishes to remain in the town and only 20 to 30 percent is willing to
relocate to other areas. As a result, the Reconstruction and
Rehabilitation Committee, of which WFP is a member, agreed to rebuild
basic infrastructure in Goma, including schools and health centres. In
addition, an urbanization plan and the construction of basic social
infrastructure will be considered for a target group of 10,000 people in a
permanent site to be identified. Once this new site has the basic
infrastructure, more people will be encouraged to relocate out of Goma.

(e)  WFP has been monitoring the availability of food commodities on the
local markets since the beginning of the crisis and noticed that markets
are well stocked, following the opening of three access routes across Goma
by German Agro-Action. The prices of basic food items in Goma have
increased by 20 percent. However the dollar exchange rate remains the
same, at USD 1=FC 250.

(f)  The Ministry of Health together with Save the Children Funds (SCF)
and CONCERN conducted a nutritional survey among the children under-five
in Ruhengeri. Results will be presented shortly. The same agencies also
undertook a measles and polio vaccination for 170 children aged between 6
months and 15 years.


2)  Angola

(a)  The security situation was reportedly precarious during the last week
of January, particularly along the border with Zambia in Moxico province
as well as in Bié and Benguela provinces. This resulted in large movements
of populations towards the provincial capitals. At the moment government
forces are reportedly relocating 100 to 150 people daily by helicopter
into Luena (Moxico province), where the situation remains calm.
Humanitarian agencies have not been given access to the area along the
border with Zambia due to insecurity.

(b)  Over 90 persons fled the region of Calundo, Longongo, Cafindua and
Chicuessi due to prevailing insecurity. They were registered in Balombo
(Benguela province) and received WFP food assistance through German Agro
Action. In addition, approximately 2,000 malnourished children admitted in
Therapeutic and Supplementary Feeding Centres (TFCs and SFCs) were
assisted by WFP in Cubal, Lobito, Benguela and Balombo. Finally,
approximately 4,000 children at risk of malnutrition received WFP
assistance through community kitchens in Benguela, Lobito and Cubal. Under
these projects, WFP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs
and Reinsertion (MINARS) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), distributed 7
tons of food.

(c)  During the last week of January, over 2,360 new IDPs were registered
in Luena (Moxico province), bringing the total number of IDPs registered
in January to 4,870. Most IDP families arrived in bad conditions and their
nutritional situation is likely to deteriorate as a result of a lack of
clothing, cold temperatures and the high incidence of malaria and
pulmonary diseases. Through various Food for work (FFW) activities, WFP
continues to assist vulnerable people, in particular female-headed
households.

(d)  As a result of insecurity, over 1,100 newly displaced people, mostly
from the Umpulo-Ringoma area were registered in Kuito (Bié province). WFP
and other UN agencies are currently closely monitoring the situation and
preparing their response in case of a new influx of IDPs due to renewed
hostilities. In addition, the threat of drought continues to affect
southern and northern Angola, and may compromise the harvest next April.



C)  East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Somalia, (2) Eritrea, (3)
Tanzania

1)  Somalia

(a)  According to the latest Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) report,
household food security has deteriorated further in parts of southern
Somalia and recovery this year is considered unlikely in some areas.
Following a succession of rain failures many pastoralists in the Gedo
region are moving their animals towards Bay, Bakool, and Middle Juba
regions. High child malnutrition rates were also reported in several
districts.

(b)  However, a good deyr crop establishment in the other parts of the
south, including Bay as well as in the Shabelle valley, is expected to
improve household food security in those areas particularly among more
vulnerable households. The final Deyr harvest outcome will only be known
in February.

(c)  Yemen authorities initially lifted but then reinstated a livestock
ban on Somalia at the end of the year 2001. The implications of this are
considered very serious as it could delay the lifting of the ban by other
countries.

(d)  Humanitarian operations are still hampered by ongoing insecurity in
the northeast (Puntland). A recent inter-agency assessment in Bari region
in Puntland has reported severely depleted grazing lands due to complete
failure of rains.

(e)  WFP has completed a second general food distribution in two of the
worst hit districts, Garbaharey and Burdhubo, in Gedo Region. 350 tons of
food was distributed in early January to over 50,000 beneficiaries in both
districts. A similar food distribution is planned for early February. WFP
has on-going targeted FFW programmes in other food-insecure areas, where
food needs are not so acute.

(f)  Recent confirmed pledges have greatly improved the pipeline situation
with a break now expected in September. About 7,000 tons of food are still
needed to cover food requirements up to end 2002.

(g)  A UN security assessment team visited Somalia on 15-24 January to
undertake a comprehensive security assessment. This follows a
recommendation made in the Presidential Statement of the UN Security
Council of 31 October 2001. Findings of the mission are awaited.


2)  Eritrea

(a)  From 14 to 27 January, the Eritrean Relief and Refugees Commission
(ERREC) reported distributing 7,600 tons of WFP supplied food to over
486,000 war- affected people in Debub and Gash Barka Regions, including
IDPs and returnees from Sudan. In addition, approximately 800 tons of WFP
supplied food was distributed to 39,000 drought- affected people in
Northern and Southern Red Sea Regions. WFP conducted post-distribution
monitoring jointly with ERREC in Aerata and Ghel'alo sub-zones
(Northern/Southern Red Sea regions). Results indicate that all
beneficiaries received the correct entitlement. Similar exercises were
conducted in the sub-zones of Agordat and Logo Ansaba (Gash Barka Region).

(b)  Implementation of the Pilot Emergency School Feeding Programme
continues, with deliveries and distribution underway in all five regions.
Over the last two weeks, the Programme was launched in 18 schools in the
Gash Barka region, bringing the total number of supported schools in this
region to 49.

(c)  Preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 67,000 tons of
crops (mostly cereals) was harvested from 147,000 Hectares cultivated in
the Debub region. These estimates are likely to be revised after the
completions of the harvest of pulses. Current yield figures are 5 to 10
percent less than the projections made during the Consolidated Appeal
Process assessment. According to Government officials in Debub Region, the
causes for the reduction were water lodging and lack of rainfalls.

(d)  While waiting for a decision of the Border Commission, WFP is working
in collaboration with the UN Field Security Officer to define potential
security scenarios and subsequent contingency plans. On 23 January 2002,
four children died and another four were badly injured by a personnel land
mine explosion in Debub Region. WFP is currently supporting over 86,000
war-affected people in this area, including nearly 11,000 IDPs who are
unable to return to their homes of origin due to fear of land mines.


3)  Tanzania

(a)  From 14 to 27 January, WFP distributed 2,700 tons of food
(corresponding to a two-week ration) to approximately 505,000 refugees in
Kigoma, Kibondo, Kasulu and Ngara districts. WFP supplied 100 percent of
the standard food ration to all beneficiaries. In addition, WFP supported
various SFCs, providing 80 tons of food to over 20,100 malnourished
persons. During the same period, over 90 refugees were assisted in
returning to their communities in Rwanda, bringing to approximately 300
the total number of Rwandese assisted in returning home since early 2002.

(b)  The number of refugees arriving in Tanzania has increased during the
last two weeks, with over 3,000 new refugees from Burundi, DR Congo and
Rwanda. Most of the new refugees came from the Kivu province in DR Congo
as result of the on-going fighting in Fizzi area. All new arrivals were
given a one-day ration of high-energy biscuits and non-food items. WFP
also provided them with a full ration to cover requirements until the next
distribution cycle.

(c)  On 30 January, in his annual address on the state of the nation to
the Parliament, the President urged the international community to provide
additional support to the Government for covering the needs of the
refugees. A number of isolated incidents were recently reported near some
refugee settlements in Ngara and Nyerere, where several refugees were
killed by unknown assailants. This increase in armed banditry and murders
has raised concerns among the humanitarian agencies, government officials
and refugee community.



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

1)  Liberia

(a)  On 26 January, thousands of IDPs and residents fled Tubmanburg and
surrounding towns (Bomi County) when fighting broke out around the
displaced camps in Sawmill. The displaced people had previously fled
fighting near Bopolu and Jennemana. Although the number of the newly
displaced people has not been established, it is estimated that at least
10,000 persons are sheltered in Klay Township, some 58 kilometers
northwest of Monrovia. 2,000 persons are said to have gathered in Haindii
while another 5,000 have reportedly been registered in Gbonota in Bong
County. Others are reportedly scattered in the forests.

(b)  On 29 January, humanitarian agencies, including WFP were given access
by Government security forces to the displaced populations in Klay Town in
order to assess their needs. However, agencies have not been allowed to go
beyond Klay up to Tubmanburg. Provided that access is granted, WFP, in
collaboration with its implementing partners, intends to register the IDPs
in Klay and provide them with an emergency food ration. The exact actual
number of displaced persons in the country will be established after the
completion of a registration exercise on their current locations.

(c)  The nutritional situation remains stable but is likely to deteriorate
if persisting insecurity prevents the displaced people from returning to
their areas of origin. Farming season in the western parts of the country
usually commence in January. As these people are largely subsistence
farmers, their prolonged displacement would prevent them from growing
crops thus extending their dependence on food assistance. Their prolonged
displacements would also result in a revision of WFP projected food
requirements.

(d)  From 17 to 30 January, WFP continued to support its regular
beneficiary caseload especially in Bong County, where over 40 tons of food
were distributed to 8,500 vulnerable people under various activities,
including assistance to IDPs, Therapeutic Feeding and Emergency School
Feeding Programmes. The displaced population officially registered and
assisted in Bong County has risen to around 28,000 people.


2)  Sierra Leone

(a)  On 18 January, President Kabbah officially declared the end of the
disarmament process and announced the lifting of the curfew, which has
been in effect since the restoration of civilian rule four years ago.
Since January 2001, over 46,000 combatants have turned in their weapons.
UNAMSIL reports that although the security situation in the country is
relatively calm, the border areas between Sierra Leone and Liberia still
need to be monitored carefully.

(b)  As a result of further delay in a shipment of cereals, WFP expects to
face a significant shortfall of cereal in February. To address this issue,
WFP finalised a loan of 1,500 tons of bulgur from World Vision
International and 150 tons from CRS to be repaid in February. This will
enable WFP to cover the needs of over 20,000 Sierra Leoneans in the
process of being resettled.

(c)  From 14 to 27 January, WFP distributed over 1,750 tons of food to
over 175,000 vulnerable people under various programmes. This includes
continuous assistance to approximately 50,000 IDPs in Bo, Blama, Mile 91
and Port Loko areas. In addition, WFP is providing assistance to 10,160
Sierra Leonean returnees in Bo district. 6,500 returnees in Lokomasama
(Port Loko district) waiting to be resettled received 95 tons of WFP food.
Finally, UNHCR continues to relocate Liberian refugees from Kailahun
District to Blama where they receive WFP assistance.

(d)  The Government of Sierra Leone has declared safe for resettlement all
remaining chiefdoms in Port Loko and Tonkolili Districts, and the entire
Districts of Koinadougou and Bombali. This means that the entire Northern
Province has now been declared safe for resettlement and the Government
has asked all agencies participating in the resettlement process to gear
up for future phases.

(e)  WFP assisted 74,000 children through the Emergency School Feeding
programme in Freetown, Port Loko, Daru and Moyamba areas, providing them
with 220 tons of food. Low food stocks combined with a strike of teachers
forced WFP to postpone the January distribution until the end of the
month.

(f)  WFP Technical support unit presented the findings of its household
food economy analysis, performed in November/December 2001 as well as
WFP-focused projections for 2002. It was observed that overall food
security has improved in all WFP areas. In all areas surveyed, farmers aim
at increasing food and cash crop production, given that security and
sufficient seeds and tools are provided. In areas like Kambia and
Kailahun, large influxes of returnees will increase the competition for
natural resources, employment and trading opportunities.


3)  Guinea

(a)  Despite the intensification of the conflict in northern Liberia, the
overall security situation along the Guinea-Liberia border was reportedly
stable. However, this conflict has resulted in a new wave of displacements
within Liberia and an unconfirmed number of IDPs were reportedly waiting
along the border, which is officially closed, to enter into Guinea. Last
week, 900 Liberian refugees have been registered.

(b)  From 14 to 27 January, WFP assisted over 18,150 vulnerable people,
providing them with approximately 300 tons of food under various projects.
WFP urgently requires 3,500 tons of cereals to cover the needs of the
refugees from February to April. WFP also expects to face a shortfall of
500 tons of Vegetable Oil in April.

(c)  Over the last two weeks, WFP in collaboration with Première Urgence
assisted 12,000 refugees in Telikoro camp (Kissidougou region), providing
them with 200 tons of food. Over 2,700 Sierra Leonean refugees have been
repatriated from the Albadaria camps since October 2001. They received a
food package from WFP, before returning to Sierra Leone.

(d)  WFP assisted 2,000 IDPs through income generating activities as well
as 3,300 displaced students and teachers in the Languette (Kissidougou
region). WFP in collaboration with Action Contre la Faim (ACF) assisted
800 malnourished people in the Albadaria refugee camps' nutritional
centres. ACF will be handing-over several SFCs to the American Refugee
Committee and MSF-B in the Albadaria camps on 2 February.

(e)  Approximately 900 newly registered Liberian refugees were settled in
the Kouankan refugee camp (N'Zérékoré region), where they received a WFP
ration to cover their needs until the next general distribution scheduled
on 9 February. A nutritional screening was undertaken among the newly
registered children under five. 8 percent of the children were found to be
moderately malnourished and 2 percent were severely malnourished.



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

1)  Guatemala

(a)  Cold winds continued to affect the eastern, western and northwestern
regions of the country. This has seriously hurt fruit crops that are the
main source of revenue at this time of year for low-income families. WFP
intends to undertake the third food distribution to persons affected by
the drought and the nutritional crisis on 12 February. WFP is currently in
the process of purchasing over 2,100 tons of maize and is also expecting
the arrival of 60 tons of oil.

(b)  The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF has concluded a
nutritional census in 41 districts. The results are expected to be
presented shortly. This is part of a larger census of over 100 extremely
poor districts prioritized by the Government. USAID is responsible for
covering the remaining 61 districts. Based on the findings of this census
as well additional surveys, WFP in consultation with its partners is
currently identifying the districts where the nutritional situation is
acute in view of the preparation of an EMOP.


2)  Nicaragua

(a)  WFP is concerned for the situation that will unfold once the coffee
harvest is over in March/April. The 'coffee-crisis' has drastically
reduced the number of hired workers and lowered their pay. This crisis not
only affects the permanent coffee labourers but also the temporary
day-workers who come from drought-affected areas to complement their
incomes.

(b)  This situation is added to a continuous cycle of de-capitalization
that has been affecting poor families in Nicaragua during the last five
years, due mainly to recurring natural phenomena (droughts and
hurricanes). WFP is planning a regional Central American assessment to
estimate the magnitude of the situation affecting people in these areas.
The assessment is being co-coordinated with UNICEF and USAID in Nicaragua.
WFP continues to assist the affected population and distributed in January
approximately 430 tons of food.


3)  Colombia

(a)  WFP continues to support various FFW projects. Security measures at
the community level had to be reinforced in view of attacks by armed
groups. Despite the fact that the peace process was resumed, new waves of
violence and destruction of electricity and water provision infrastructure
affected WFP sub-offices with power cuts for several days. However, all
sub-offices maintained their monitoring schedules.


4)  Haiti

(a)  As the security situation continues to deteriorate, new riots broke
out in Port-au-Prince on 27 January. Hundreds of people entered the
portside area ransacking rice loaded on trucks and looted warehouses. Riot
police contained the crowd. There are no reports on injuries. WFP has not
suspended the planned food deliveries.



F)  Eastern Europe Region: (1) Azerbaijan

1)  Azerbaijan

(a)  As a result of a military conflict with Armenia over the enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh initiated in 1989, Azerbaijan lost 20 percent of its
territory and over 600,000 civilians became displaced, in addition to
about 200,000 ethnic Azeris who fled Armenia and became refugees. Since
the 1994 cease-fire, various peace mediation efforts were launched but to
date, Nagorno-Karabakh along with seven surrounding districts are occupied
by Armenia and for more than a decade, IDPs and refugees have been living
in extremely difficult conditions.

(b)  WFP's resourcing situation remains critical with a shortfall of over
10,600 tons of food (mostly wheat flour) or 22 percent of the total
requirements. WFP expects to face shortfalls of oil by mid-February and
pulses by end of February, which will result in significant reductions of
the food ration. From November to December 2001, over 2,200 tons of food
were distributed by WFP and World Vision International (WVI) to 134,400
IDPs and other vulnerable groups.

(c)  A new PRRO document is being finalized for submission to the
Executive Board in May 2002. Under this new PRRO, WFP proposes to provide
over 43,000 tons of food aid to an average of 143,500 IDPs and vulnerable
people over a three-year period. It will include Food For Asset and Food
for Training activities as well as a Pilot School Feeding programme.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 5)

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