WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 7 / 2002 - Date 15 February 2002


This report includes:
(A) 2002 Global Resourcing status for EMOPs, PRROs and SOs
(B) Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea
(C) Central Asia Region: (1) Republic Democratic of Congo, (2) Angola
(D) West  Africa  Region:  (1)  Regional overview, (2) Liberia,
    (3) Sierra Leone, (4) Ivory Coast, (5) Senegal
(E) East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Sudan, (2) Kenya
(F) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan,
(3) Pakistan
(G) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Colombia, (2) El Salvador,
    (3) Guatemala


>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)  2002 Global Resourcing status for EMOPs, PRROs and SOs

(a)  WFP estimates the current 2002 net requirements, which are over and
above all 2001 carry-over stocks and pledges, to be 1.9 million tons for
EMOPs (worth USD 917 million) and 740,000 tons for PRROs (worth USD 468
million). However, the current relief requirement is likely to increase
during course of the year due to the onset of unexpected emergencies or
the unforeseen expansion of existing operations.

(b)  New EMOPs and PRROs have recently been approved with substantial
fresh requirements such as Afghanistan, DPRK, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Indonesia
and Democratic Republic of Congo as well as others currently under
preparation such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Palestinian Territory and Pakistan.

(c)  In addition, WFP requests some USD 48 million in cash support for
Special Operations that are linked to WFP relief operations, ranging from
helicopter support in Sierra Leone, to infrastructure rehabilitation in
Sudan, logistics support to Volcano victims in Goma and humanitarian work
in Afghanistan.



B)  Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  The earlier forecasted cereals pipeline break is now affecting
beneficiaries along the west coast. Food supplies for east coast
beneficiaries will run out within the next two weeks. As of 13 February,
only 25 percent of WFP's new EMOP of 611,202 tons of food has been
confirmed, with a resulting shortfall of 456,000 tons. Only two
contributions have been so far confirmed and are being expedited in view
of the present break in the pipeline. Once these recently confirmed
contributions begin to arrive in country, the cereal pipeline should be
sufficient through June.

(b)  Sugar will run out next week. This is critical as it is a basic
ingredient in the locally processed, fortified food blends given to young
children. Unmet needs for the remainder of the year are in excess of 8,000
tons. Without further, immediate contributions, WFP will be compelled to
scale back rations and reduce beneficiaries during the most difficult
period of the year, i.e. the pre-harvest months before July.

(c)  There is already concern with the 2002 crops. Low snowfall during
this winter season could have a negative effect on the winter and spring
crops. Warmer temperatures have led to premature sprouting of wheat and
barley, while resulting lower soil moisture content may adversely affect
crop harvests in the traditionally dryer months between March and May.
Inadequate snow may also lead to lower water levels in reservoirs, which
could later impact the main crop.



C)  Central Asia Region: (1) Republic Democratic of Congo, (2) Angola

1)  Republic Democratic of Congo

(a)  WFP distributed approximately 2,100 tons of food to over 442,400
vulnerable people in Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Goma and Bukavu areas since the
beginning of the emergency operation in Goma. The WFP EMOP 10166.00
approved on 8 February requires the provision of 17,400 tons of food to
350,000 affected people in DR Congo and Western Rwanda at a total cost to
WFP of USD 11,956,224.

(b)  Approximately 8,500 Congolese refugees have been registered last week
in the Rwandan camps in Gisenyi area. This number includes 2,000 recent
arrivals at the Mudende camp. The camp population remains fluid as
families move back from Rwanda to Goma while others are still arriving in
Rwanda. As a result, the Rwandan authorities and the humanitarian agencies
are conducting beneficiary registrations every week. While conducting
nutrition surveys in Nkamira camp, UNICEF and the International Rescue
Committee referred over 60 malnourished persons to Therapeutic and
Supplementary Feeding Centres (TFCs and SFCs).

(c)  Distribution of 800 tons of food to homeless 16,280 families in Goma
area started on 11 February. Newly arrived homeless families from Bukavu
and Rwanda were included in the beneficiary caseload, which was initially
estimated at 14,400 households. The registration of IDPs in Rusthuru,
Sake, Idjwi and Butembo areas is almost completed. A food distribution,
targeting 36,360 people is scheduled to start on 18 February. On 11
February, the Save the Children Federation/UK in collaboration with WFP
was expected to conduct a household food economy survey, which will help
determine the focus of the WFP interventions in Food For Work (FFW)
activities.

(d)  The total registered caseload in Bukavu area remains at 17,900
persons, mostly living with host families. Another 8,000 IDPs is also
estimated to be located on the Kavumu-Kabare axis. A registration exercise
has been planned for these locations. The price of staple foods is
significantly higher in Bukavu than in Goma. This could encourage IDPs to
return to Goma.

(e)  On 7 February, the Government of Rwanda and RCD-Goma co-chaired a
meeting to discuss a joint contingency plan covering the Goma/Gisenyi
geological zone. Participants included Gisenyi local authorities, the
Governor of North Kivu province, the Rwanda Disaster Management
Coordinator donor representatives, the Red Cross Movement, the Rwanda UN
Resident Coordinator, Heads of UN Agencies and NGOs. A Committee was
established to prepare a joint contingency plan. WFP and UNHCR are the
lead agencies on the Rwanda side. The first meeting of the Committee was
scheduled on 12 February.


2)  Angola

(a)  PRRO 10054.01 faces an overall shortfall of USD 83 million (49.4
percent), or 105,000 tons of food. WFP has currently a pipeline break in
pulses, and will soon face a critical break in CSB ? which would result in
reduced rations as soon as March. CSB was already being used as a partial
substitute for pulses in general distributions to IDPs because of
shortfalls. As CSB stocks dwindle and pulses and CSB are yet to be
replenished, next month WFP will likely have to cut CSB from the rations
to general distributions to IDPs, leaving an incomplete food basket of
only cereals, oil and salt. Unless new resources are provided soon,
rations provided to more than 44,000 malnourished children through SFCs
and TFCs are also likely to be reduced.

(b)  There are limited amounts of cereals currently in stock; thus the
timeliness of the shipment of cereals is critical. If shipments of cereals
proceed as scheduled, the cereals pipeline will be healthy for the next
four months ? but there will be a complete break in the cereals pipeline
in July. Confirmation of contributions soon will mean that critical cereal
supplies can be maintained.

(c)  WFP's air service special operations face a shortfall of more than 98
percent, and funding is urgently needed in order for their continued
operations in 2002. With no commercial air services to the areas in
greatest need, WFP's special operations are vital for the transport of
passengers and non-food items. Insufficient funding does not allow WFP to
run passenger flights to meet the needs of the NGOs for all locations.
Poor funding hinders the airlift of non-food items and key project inputs
for strengthening sectoral interventions. Resources for both the Passenger
Air Service and the Air Transport of Non Food Items are urgently needed.

(d)  Although the security situation last week remained relatively stable,
a number of landmines incidents and attacks on commercial trucks
travelling in Benguela province were reported. A convoy of 70 trucks
bearing 2,000 tons of WFP food reached Kuito from Lobito port. Due to
security concerns in Caconda area (Huila province), WFP used one of its
aircrafts to evacuate ACF staff members. The situation has since then
normalized, WFP has dispatched food in the area and ACF intends to return.

(e)  From 4 to 10 February, WFP delivered 430 tons of food to
approximately 30,900 vulnerable persons in Huila province. An
anthropometrical nutrition survey conducted by ACF in Caconda (Huila
province) showed that 11.2 percent of the resident population suffers from
Global Acute Malnutrition and 2.7 percent from Severe Acute Malnutrition.
Amongst the displaced groups, the number suffering from Global Acute
Malnutrition rises to 20.7 percent and to 5.3 percent in the case of
Severe Acute Malnutrition. ACF also reported very high mortality rates for
children under five years among the residents and displaced. WFP who
delivers monthly 400 tons of food to Caconda is closely monitoring the
situation and looking at the causes of malnutrition.

(f)  150 newly displaced persons have been registered in Balombo and Cubal
(Benguela province). In addition, a high number of IDPs reportedly arrived
in Bocoio. A mission was planned for this week. WFP, in partnership with
the Ministry for Social Affairs and Reinsertion (MINARS), is assisting
approximately 1,200 children nutritionally at risk in pre-school kitchens.
WFP continues to assist over 350 malnourished children through TFCs and
SFCs in Catumbela and Benguela.

(g)  An inter-agency team comprised of MINARS, WFP and NGO partners
started registering approximately 14,000 new IDPs arrived in Kamacupa (Bié
province) since 15 December 2001. A local team is being trained in order
to have a permanent registration capacity in Kamacupa. Over 900 vulnerable
people, including IDPs were assisted with 16 tons of WFP food last week in
Huambo province.

(h)  Last week, WFP delivered 97 tons of food to 6,500 beneficiaries in
Kuando Kubango province. In Cuito Cuanavale, 425 new IDPs reportedly
arrived from Nankova, Mavinga, Menongue and other outlying villages. In
Menongue, the number of registered IDPs rises to over 3,100 persons last
week.

(i)  Last week, WFP dispatched over 91,920 tons of food to partners for
general distribution in Moxico province. Approximately 1,300 new IDPs,
coming from municipalities within Moxico province, were registered in
Luena, last week. WFP in collaboration with Save the Children USA has been
assisting them. On 29 January, MSF-B and GOAL undertook a nutritional
screening among 620 children in Muachimbo IDP camp. As a result, 80
children were admitted in the SFC and TFC in Luena.



D)  West Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Liberia, (3) Sierra
Leone, (4) Ivory Coast, (5) Senegal

1)  Regional overview

(a)  The resumption of fighting in past days in Liberia has led to an
increasing the number of IDPs and resources are urgently needed to cover
these additional needs. Just 17 percent of resources required for WFP's
regional Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation for West Africa Coastal
have been received to date. Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone are facing
immediate shortfalls as a result of late shipments. By June, the entire
region will face a total pipeline break. Additional contributions are
urgently required or the operation will be forced to reduce rations for
some programmes. Ideally, new shipments should arrive before June when the
rainy season starts, so that food can be pre-positioned before roads
become impassable.

(b)  Two of WFP's Special Operations also face critical funding shortages.
The light air passenger service for Guinea and neighbouring countries
immediately needs USD 300,000 to keep the service running until June, when
the need for it will be reviewed, depending on whether or not refugees
have gone back following the election. The helicopter service for Sierra
Leone is also dramatically underfunded, with a shortfall of almost USD 1.5
million until the end of the year. These two operations not only permit
humanitarian access to remote areas. They also guarantee the evacuation of
personnel in case of insecurity -- still a prime concern in the region.

(c)  Given the complex nature of this operation, donors are requested to
not limit their contributions to any particular country or component. The
continuing volatility of the region requires maximum flexibility in the
allocation of resources, if WFP is to respond to a rapid mass movement of
people.


2)  Liberia

(a)  On 7 February, shooting erupted around Klay junction (Bomi County)
where up to 10,000 IDPs were located. The situation in Monrovia was
reportedly tense and some people have started leaving towards the interior
of the country or across the border into Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. As a
result, the Liberian Government declared a 'state of emergency' on 8
February and reinforced security on the road leading to Klay Junction,
58km from Monrovia. The Government also imposed an exit visa on everyone
leaving the country, including UN staff.

(b)  Following the shooting, approximately 10,300 IDPs previously
registered in Klay town, including people repeatedly displaced from
Bopolu, Jenemana and Sawmill areas were again forced to flee. Some moved
towards Monrovia while others headed towards Sinje in Grand Cape Mount
County. Towns and villages along the Klay to Monrovia and the Klay to
Sinje routes have also been abandoned by the resident population. The
numbers of people heading in each direction has not been determined. No
humanitarian agency has been allowed beyond St Paul River, between
Monrovia and Klay Junction.

(c)  Approximately 14,700 IDPs arrived in the suburbs of Monrovia,
according to the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission
(LRRRC). They are sheltered in four sites (ex-VOA transmittal site, Zuanna
Town, Ricks Institute and Jah Tondo's Town) and their number is been
verified by humanitarian agencies. Others are reportedly staying in
Lenduama and Kamara Town, while another group of IDPs was reportedly
stopped by Government troops at Sass Town, approximately 35 kilometres
from Monrovia.

(d)  The four established camps in Bong county (CARI 1&2, TV Tower and
Bellefanai) have a current population of 30,000 IDPs, including 3,000 new
arrivals. Access to these camps is not problematic and WFP has been
assisting this caseload. However, new influxes of IDPs were reported in
various locations of Bong County. As of 7 February, approximately 1,500
IDPs had been registered and verified in Haindii and Bong Mines. An
estimated 5000-8000 people have reportedly arrived in Gbonota and Kelebei,
near the St Paul River between Lofa and Bong counties.

(e)  In addition, 4,500 persons have reportedly arrived in Sinje (Grand
Cape Mount County). This figure includes 2,300 displaced who arrived
earlier and were assisted by WFP on 2-4 February. The number of Sierra
Leonean refugees on the move steadily increased also. WFP is currently
providing assistance to some 40,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in the
country, made up of about 18,600 in Sinje (80km south west of Monrovia)
and some 21,400 in Monrovia. Two of these camps, VOA and Zuannah Town are
currently receiving IDPs also. 2,000 refugees, according to UNHCR, have
spontaneously returned to Sierra Leone, whilst organized repatriation is
to commence on 13 February.

(f)  Due to the prevailing insecurity, WFP operations in Bomi, Gbarpolu
and Grand Cape Mount Counties have been suspended. However, WFP has made
the necessary arrangements to promptly respond to the new influxes of IDPs
and refugees in all accessible areas. 660 tons of food were distributed
under various programmes from 3 January to 13 February. In particular, WFP
has undertaken food distributions to IDPs registered in two sites in
Monrovia.

(g)  Under the PRRO 10064.0, WFP distributed 244 tons of food to
approximately 17,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Sinje camps (Grand Cape
Mount County) on 3-7 February. WFP is currently assisting 28,000 IDPs in
Bong County. Approximately 23,900 IDPs have already received 344 tons of
food. Finally, In Klay, Bomi and Sinje, Grand Cape Mount Counties, 6,600
IDPs were provided food rations on 2-6 February. WFP also assisted 12,600
children under the School Feeding Project 6239.00 in Bong and River Gee
Counties, providing them with 40 tons of food.


3)  Sierra Leone

(a)  Following the resumption of fighting in Liberia last week, WFP
together with UNHCR and NGO partners started preparing their response to a
potential massive influx of Liberian refugees and Sierra Leonean returnees
from Liberia into the Kenema and Pujehun Districts of Sierra Leone. As of
14 February, 3,000 Liberians and 2,000 Sierra Leonean returnees had
arrived spontaneously at the border town of Jendema, according to UNHCR.
UNHCR and WFP are currently undertaking an assessment along the border to
ascertain their number and organise relief distributions. WFP is currently
dispatching food to Jendema.

(b)  On 10 February, UNHCR decided to directly repatriate Sierra Leonean
returnees from the Liberian border to their areas of origin instead of
relocating them into transit camps. UNHCR is planning to relocate all the
Sierra Leonean refugees from the Singe camps and may consider additional
movements from Monrovia, if the situation deteriorates. The returnees will
be given a WFP two-month resettlement food ration and NFIs. Plans may be
revised depending upon the scale of the influx of refugees and the
security situation. WFP is pre-positioning food for 5,000 returnees in
Kenema.

(c)  From 28 January to 10 February WFP distributed approximately 1,100
tons of food to over 106,300 vulnerable people, under various programmes.
This includes the assistance to over 800 malnourished persons admitted in
TFCs and SFCs. In addition, approximately 37,000 children received 131
tons of food under the WFP Emergency School Feeding programme. Finally,
WFP assisted 12,800 vulnerable people under FFW and Food-For-Agriculture
projects, providing them with over 270 tons of food.

(d)  WFP completed the distribution of 250 tons of food in support of the
resettlement of 7,500 IDPs from Freetown on 5 February. This exercise
marks the end of the resettlement program for the Western Area. The
resettlement of IDPs from Kambia, Port Loko and Lunsar is scheduled to
begin 19 February. WFP expects to provide food for 13,000 beneficiaries.


4)  Ivory Coast

(a)  The overall situation in Côte d'Ivoire and in the areas bordering
with Liberia remains stable, but the intensified fighting in Liberia has
lead to increased security precautions and preparedness for receipt of new
refugees.

(b)  Liberian chairmen in Toulepleu, Blolequin and Danane are all
reporting the arrival of new families. UNHCR and the Chairman of the
Liberian refugees in the camp of Nicla both estimate that about 100
refugees have arrived from Liberia the last days. None of the new arrivals
have yet been formally registered by UNHCR. UNHCR statistics therefore
remain at 8036 refugees who have arrived since May 2001. Some of the
refugees coming from Klay and Monrovia confirm that there are roadblocks
attempting to prevent people from leaving Liberia.

(c)  WFP assists all new refugees who volunteer to settle in Nicla refugee
camp with food assistance under the regional PRRO 6271. Approximately
2,300 refugees are currently receiving WFP assistance at Nicla, in
collaboration with Caritas. The last distribution of 40 tons of food took
place on 18 January. In the same region, WFP and the Ministry of Education
have been supporting school canteens in 25 schools targeted under the
Integration Programme to integrate Liberian children.


5)  Senegal

(a)  On 25 January, WFP initiated the EMOP 10077.0. WFP together with its
NGO partners and local authorities are undertaking targeted food
distribution to IDPs and their host families. Food-for-assets and
food-for-training are implemented through on-going NGO programmes. The
EMOP is intended to address the needs of the displaced populations
affected by the conflict in Casamance.

(b)  Beneficiaries have been identified through a transparent process,
involving WFP, the decentralized authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture
and the heads of rural communities. 10,000 families received 500 tons of
emergency food rations in Dagana, Podor and Louga regions between 5 and 15
February.



E)  East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Sudan, (2) Kenya

1)  Sudan

(a)  On 13 February, WFP strongly condemned the bombing and subsequent
death and injury of civilians living in southern Sudan, where a food
distribution to 18,000 people suffering from drought and insecurity had
just been completed. On 10 February, an aircraft dropped six bombs on the
town of Akuem, Bahr el Ghazal. Three of the bombs landed directly on the
WFP food drop zone, while the other three fell in the surrounding area.
Two children were killed and another 10 to 12 people were injured.

(b)  The fact that the incident coincided with humanitarian operations on
the ground and endangered potentially a greater number of civilians and
relief staff makes the act even more of a concern. Three hours before the
attack, a team of WFP staff had finished distributing 77 tons of food for
18,000 people and departed on an aircraft to a nearby base. WFP does not
maintain a permanent team in Akuem due to the prevailing insecurity in the
area.

(c)  As part of the Operation Lifeline Sudan, WFP was granted clearance by
the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army to
deliver food assistance to Akuem. The food was airdropped two days before
the attack. All humanitarian activities conducted by WFP in Southern Sudan
take place with the agreement of all sides to the conflict. Akuem has been
affected by serious drought and instability, hampering the local
population's ability to produce enough food to survive. The village also
hosts about 3,000 people from Aweil West who frequently flee their homes
due to insecurity.

(d)  This latest attack is the fourth in Akuem since May 2001. The last
bombardment took place in November 2001, causing a number of deaths. The
shelling of a southern Sudanese town while WFP food operations were
underway also occurred in October 2001, in Mangayath, Bahr el Ghazal. A
series of heavy bombings over three separate days took place directly in
the area where WFP teams were in the process of distributing relief food
to some 20,000 civilians. The incident was strongly condemned at the
highest levels.


2)  Kenya

(a)  A joint food security assessment with UN, donor, NGO and Government
of Kenya representatives undertaken in November/December 2001 found that
the short rains were generally favourable. However, in certain areas of
the northern arid districts, herd sizes are too small and an acceptable
recovery from drought is not expected before late 2002. The assessment
recommended a progressive decrease in the number of drought-affected
people receiving relief assistance under EMOP 10085.0. FFW projects
currently underway in nine districts in the semi-arid zone will continue
to provide relief assistance to 340,000 people.

(b)  Following civil unrest and military conflicts in Ethiopia, Somalia
and southern Sudan in 1991, about 218,000 refugees fled to Kenya and are
living in Dadaab camp in northeastern Kenya and Kakuma camp in
northwestern Kenya, where they are assisted by WFP through PRRO 6226. As
of 31 January, WFP had distributed over 2,500 tons of food to 219,500
refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps.

(c)  The current EMOP will end in March 2002 but an extension until
October 2002 is being prepared. WFP is currently assisting 1,533,900
vulnerable people under EMOP 10085.00, providing them with approximately
12,000 tons of food through general food distributions. In addition, WFP
is currently supporting various FFW projects in 9 districts as a means to
phase out from general drought emergency distributions. WFP intends to
distribute over 11,200 tons of food in support of these projects until
March.

(d)  WFP is also targeting through the EMOP over 1,330,900 children,
providing them with a midday lunch. The schools are located in 16
different arid, and semi arid land districts in Kenya. This programme has
been instrumental in helping parents to continue sending their children,
especially girls, to school during the 2000 / 01 drought. Under its EMOP
10085.00, WFP is facing a critical shortfall of 15,000 tons of cereals to
cover the needs of drought-affected people until March.

(e)  Under PRRO 6226.0, the maintenance of a regular food pipeline for a
vulnerable and increasing refugee population remains a major challenge.
The current situation is alarming, and this resource shortfall has already
leaded to a progressive reduction of the ration scale per person from
2,166 kcal to an average 1,300 kcal in January. WFP will be forced to
further reduce the ration, unless urgent food pledges are received.

(f)  Insecurity in the Tana River area continues to give rise for concern.
Between 2 and 6,000 people have been displaced as a result of clashes
between the Pokomot and Wardeis. As a result, the nutritional situation
has reportedly deteriorated. In addition, hostilities between the Boran
and Degodia communities in Wajir district arose three weeks ago but
tensions have eased since then. Families who temporarily fled areas in
Wajir province, have now began returning home.


F)  West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan,
(3) Pakistan

1)  Regional overview

(a)  From 7 to 13 February, WFP dispatched over 13,000 tons of food into
Afghanistan, an average of 1,860 tons per day. In Tajikistan only two
flights, carrying 22 tons of wheat flour were conducted during the week
from Dushanbe to Faizabad. 555 tons of food have been delivered since the
beginning of the airlift operation and a balance of 400 tons remains to be
airlifted. The C130 is grounded due to a lack of fuel.


2)  Afghanistan

(a)  An average of 92,000 tons of food are required to meet the needs of
up to 8.8 million individuals each month during the first period of the
EMOP 10155.0, scheduled to start in April 2002. At the current pace,
current stocks will be distributed by the end of March, leaving little or
no commodities to carry over into the new operation.

(b)  The period from April to July is critical; not only is it the
traditional 'hunger period' before the harvest, it coincides with the
expected return of IDPs and refugees, and with efforts of the interim
government and international community to encourage stability and
reconstruction. Some 50 percent of the overall requirements for the new
emergency operation are planned for distribution during the second quarter
of 2002. An absence of food assistance at this time would jeopardise these
efforts.

(c)  Unless contributions are confirmed as soon as possible, stocks of all
commodities are likely to be dry just as they're most needed. Cash
contributions made before the end of the month will enable WFP to procure
cereals regionally, in time to avoid breaks in the pipeline. Likewise,
contributions of non-cereals are urgently required, to meet critical needs
for supplementary and therapeutic feeding.

(d)  Since 22 January, about 25,000 civil servants have been registered in
Kabul, based on a payroll prepared by the Ministry of Finance and approved
by UNDP. Out of them, around 20,000 have already received ration coupons
from the Department of Rations. This week, WFP, in collaboration with the
Ministry of Commerce, was finalizing the distribution processes and
mechanisms to enable these food distributions in Kabul Province to take
place as quickly as possible.

(e)  As of 15 February, none of the Ministerial departments in the other
provinces had submitted their payrolls requested for the registration.
Lack of time to complete payrolls or weak communications on the procedure
in place may explain the little response. UNSMA are assisting with the
procedure for the provinces, under the direction of the Interim Authority.

(f)  WFP conducted an assessment in the Alborz area of Chemtal, Balkh
Province. The mission was constrained by poor road conditions resulting
from snowfall and snowmelt. WFP is already working in Chemtal and has
contracted 2,854 tons of food for distribution there. Alborz is an
agricultural area and has been affected by three years of continuous
drought, resulting in minimal or no harvests over this period, and a heavy
reliance on the purchase of food. An estimated 8,550 to 10,450 families
are facing food deficits and are seriously comprising their future
livelihoods and coping strategies in order to meet their immediate food
needs. Access to drinkable water is limited or non-existent. Although
snowfall and rain is regarded as being better this year and land has been
ploughed, limited seed availability will negatively impact the
agricultural potential of the coming season, as may poor health and
nutritional status.

(g)  Two helicopters arrived in Mazar during the week. Test runs were
conducted in Samangan, Faryab, Baghlan and Kunduz Provinces to gain a
general overview of the area, check landing zones and determine the
potential of pre-positioning fuel in certain areas.

(h)  WFP completed the urban distribution in Mazar on 12 February. Over
2,700 tons of food were distributed to 54,400 most vulnerable families.
Each household was given a 50 kg bag of wheat to cover their needs for a
month. An estimated 326,400 people have benefited from WFP assistance. 400
surveyors (half of them women) were recruited to prepare the exercise
during two weeks and carry out the distribution during 7 days. In
addition, WFP is preparing the necessary arrangements to re-open the
bakeries in Mazar.


3)  Pakistan

(a)  During the week, relocation of refugees from Jalozai and urban
Peshawar to Asgharo camp was accelerated to enable the Government to close
Jalozai camp officially next week.  Between 4 and 10 February, 2,660
people were moved to Ashago camp, Kurram Agency, making a total camp
figure of approximately 12,200 as of 10 February. Following the transfer
of over 300 refugees in Basu camp, Kurram Agency, the total camp
population is now 501 people, mainly from the Tajik and hazara Shia
minority. In Shalman 1 camp, 620 refugees were relocated this week. On 10
February Shalman 1 camp closed; its total population was 16,601.
Relocation for Kotkai camp 1 and 2 has been stopped at a total camp
population of 20,395 individuals.



G)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Colombia, (2) El Salvador, (3)
Guatemala

1)  Colombia

(a)  Despite the recent progress of the peace process initiated by the
Government in 1999 with FARC and ELN, Colombia continues to face a
humanitarian crisis and counts 1,500,000 IDPs, one of the highest rates of
displacement in the world. Many of the displaced have been forced to move
repeatedly and have difficulties accessing food due to lack of jobs, high
food prices and the frequent blockades of key economic areas.

(b)  With the up-coming elections, the increased presence of various
military forces throughout the country and numerous reports of violence,
WFP is particularly vigilant while continuing to undertake assessments and
monitoring missions and food distributions. The security situation is
negatively impacting the implementation of the PRRO 6139. The dynamiting
of electric pylons left WFP sub-office in Apartado once again for days
without water and electricity. WFP staff are occasionally subjected to
travel restrictions by UNSECOORD. As a result, WFP monitors are forced to
travel by air and monitoring costs have increased. WFP's private sector
contractors also announced last month further insurance cost increases.

(c)  Over the last 16 months, WFP assisted 132,400 beneficiaries through
various programmes, including FFW and food for training activities,
pre-school and school feeding, nutritional recovery programmes and
communal kitchens. WFP is drafting a new PRRO to respond to the increase
in the number of new IDPs and the food insecurity situation, which should
be presented to the Executive Board in May 2002.


2)  El Salvador

(a)  16,540 families affected by the 2001 earthquakes are to receive food
assistance through FFW activities under the EMOP 10022. The distribution
will be implemented in collaboration with CARE International, Catholic
Relief Services, Lutheran World Federation, FUSADES and El Salvador Red
Cross. Providing that food stocks are sufficient, over 3,360 tons of food
will be distributed within this phase of the project. Fearing a possible
crisis, WFP is liaising with its partner NGOs to ensure that distributions
start shortly.

(b)  Under its PRRO 6089, WFP is targeting 100,000 people at risk of food
insecurity as food stocks diminish. The next harvest will only occur in
August. This signifies a 5-month gap for those families who lost all or a
great part of their harvests in 2001. The situation has been severely
worsened by the low coffee prices as farmers are unable to supplement
their income with wage labour.

(c)  With current stocks only 8,000 families, or approximately 40,000
beneficiaries, can be assisted through a limited distribution programme
until August 2002. A pipeline break of pulses is expected for the last
distributions. In order to prevent severe malnutrition amongst children,
WFP has incorporated a UNICEF donation of CSB.


3)  Guatemala

(a)  The drought, which has affected the whole Central American region,
has had a particularly devastating impact on the East, Central and
Southern provinces of Guatemala. Since July 2001, the drought has caused
up to 80 percent of grain crops to be lost in many provinces, prompting
the Government of Guatemala to declare a state of disaster on 3 September
2001. In addition, heavy rains have affected approximately 99,000 persons
and a new threat has been identified following the recent increase in the
activity of the volcano Del Fuego, 70kms north of the capital. Over 4,000
people in three departments are under alert. CONRED is assisting the
population, while WFP is on standby but ready to assist in case the
situation gets worse.

(b)  As a result, food security has deteriorated seriously. The Ministry
of Health and UNICEF carried out a nutritional survey in 102
municipalities and concluded that malnutrition has increased by 81 percent
in some communities. Under the PRRO 6089, WFP intended to start
distributing over 1,440 tons of food to 98,740 persons affected by heavy
rainfalls in 32 municipalities on 4 February. WFP expects to face
shortfalls of oil, peas and CSB. Some loans and exchange of commodities
will be temporarily addressed the situation. WFP is finalizing an EMOP to
respond to this alarming situation. This operation will provide relief
assistance to almost 200,000 people for a six-month period.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 7)

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