WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 36 / 2002 - Date 6 September 2002


This report includes:

(A) Asia Region: (1) DPR Korea
(B) East and Southern Africa Region:
   (1) Regional overview for Southern Africa, (2) Lesotho, (3) Malawi,
   (4) Mozambique, (5) Swaziland, (6) Zambia, (7) Zimbabwe, (8) Eritrea,
   (9) Burundi
(C) Central Africa Region: (1) Angola, (2) Central African Republic
(D) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan
(E) Middle East Region: (1) Palestinian Territories
(F) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia,
    (3) El Salvador, (4) Nicaragua


>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)  Floods triggered by Typhoon Rusa on 31 August and 1 September have
affected the coastal areas of Kangwon province. A UN assessment team
visited the stricken areas on 2-3 September. Initial reports indicate some
flooding in paddy fields and damage to infrastructure, including roads and
bridges. Comprehensive assessment reports are under process by the Flood
Damage Rehabilitation Committee and WFP Emergency Officers have begun to
verify the damages.

(b)  Owing to a critical shortage of cereals, due to funding constraints,
WFP will have to make serious reductions in its food distributions during
the last four months of the year. The following beneficiaries on the west
coast of the country will be affected by these funding shortfalls: (i) 1.4
million primary and secondary school students and elderly in September,
(ii) 2 million primary and secondary school students, children in
kindergartens and pregnant and nursing women in October and (iii) 2.9
million children in nurseries and kindergartens, primary and secondary
school students and pregnant and nursing women in November and December

(c)  A total of 98,000 tons of cereals are urgently needed to restore
distributions according to the schedule and enable WFP to assist the most
vulnerable population groups in the country - the youngest children and
pregnant and nursing women.



B)  East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional overview for Southern
Africa, (2) Malawi, (3) Mozambique, (4) Swaziland, (5) Zambia, (6)
Zimbabwe, (7) Eritrea, (8) Burundi

1)  Regional overview for Southern Africa

(a)  The UN Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa, James
T. Morris, and an interagency team are currently visiting the six
countries affected by the crisis, from 3-16 September. The mission will
review the humanitarian situation in the region, and provide
recommendations on how to improve the response efforts as well as raise
awareness among the international community in order to mobilize resources
and support.

(b)  USD 6.3 million in new donor contributions were confirmed last week.
The current funding shortfall for WFP operation is USD 371 million,
meaning the Emergency Operation is 27 percent funded. The cereal pipeline
is healthy for the next few months, with 75,000 tons arriving in regional
ports over the next week, and another 46,000 tons on the high seas due to
arrive by the end of September.

(c)  A WFP Special Operation for emergency rehabilitation of the Nacala
railway has been launched, and several donors have indicated they will
contribute to the project. Special Operation 10224 is a USD 5.6 million
project that will enable WFP to move between 10,000-15,000 tons of food
aid per month by rail from the Mozambican port of Nacala into Malawi. This
route offers a much less costly option compared with Dar es Salaam and
Beira. Trains will be able to move cargo concurrent with repairs.

(d)  UNICEF has been hosting two-day pilot training workshops on the
Protection of Children and Women from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in the
Context of the Humanitarian Response to the Food Security Crisis in
Southern Africa. Participants from UN agencies, NGOs, Red Cross
organizations, and the Government have attended. WFP is working with
UNICEF, Save the Children/UK and other partners to further address this
issue in affected countries.


2)  Lesotho

(a)  In August, WFP implementing partners delivered 320 tons of food to
30,720 beneficiaries in three districts.


3)  Malawi

(a)  The International Monetary Fund has approved an emergency loan of USD
23 million to help the Government buy food imports in anticipation of
shortages later this year. WFP implementing partners delivered 6,900 tons
of food during the month of August to 541,300 beneficiaries.


4)  Mozambique

(a)  WFP is facing a 20 percent shortage of vegetable oil for the month of
September.


5)  Swaziland

(a)  Food distributions for the month of August have been completed,
providing 2,000 tons of food to 115,000 people.


6)  Zambia

(a)  During August, WFP transported over 6,300 tons of food to its
extended delivery points, meeting 62 percent of the needs for the month.
While distribution of genetically-modified yellow maize has been
temporarily suspended (except for distribution of existing stocks for
refugees, which are to be milled before distribution), WFP and
implementing partners continue to distribute white maize from stocks in
country. 7,000 tons of white maize are currently stored in Lusaka.


7)  Zimbabwe

(a)  UN, NGO and Government ministry Working Groups have been established
on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection
to plan and coordinate humanitarian interventions.

(b)  Since February this year, WFP has imported 57,500 tons of food, of
which 33,500 tons have been distributed to over 600,000 beneficiaries. It
has been noted that agricultural inputs (fertilisers, tools, and
agricultural credit facilities) are required in the country.


8)  Eritrea

(a)  The formal alert of an impending food emergency due to the lack of
rainfall, issued by the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC) on
24 July, was followed by assessments by the Government, UN agencies and
NGOs. There are indications of a critical failure of the 2002 harvest
(November/December). This might result in a potential food crisis
affecting large parts of the population in 2003. On 28 August, the
Government has launched an appeal for 400,000 tons of food aid for 2003.
An FAO/WFP and MoA crop establishment/drought assessment mission was
conducted in August in order to verify the government production
estimates, review other aspects of the food security situation and
estimate food aid requirements for 2003. The mission report is expected in
the next two weeks.

(b)  All displaced persons in camps, returning refugees from Sudan and
other vulnerable people currently assisted under WFP EMOPs 10049 and
10052, will continue to be in dire need of food aid. Resourcing of the
shortfalls faced by both EMOPs is now considered an urgent priority.
Almost 17,000 tons of food are expected to arrive in the coming months to
prevent pipeline breaks for EMOP 10052. However, due to delayed arrival of
cereals in the country a break in cereals is expected for the month of
October. To cover this shortfall, WFP and the Eritrean Grain Board are
negotiating a possible swap.

(c)  Since January, WFP has supported over 42,000 primary school children
under the emergency school-feeding programme and plans to assist 80,000
pupils this year. Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding activities through
hospitals and clinics in the affected areas are being supported by WFP.
Over 1,800 beneficiaries affected by HIV/AIDS have also been supplied food
rations and WFP is currently supporting over 50,000 returning refugees
from Sudan.

(d)  In August, ERREC distributed almost 3,500 tons of WFP food for
238,250 beneficiaries under EMOP 10052 in Anseba, Debub, Gash Barka and
the Northern Red Sea regions. Specialised projects such as SFC, TFC, food
for training and HIV/AIDS programmes distributed 18 tons of food for 778
beneficiaries.


9)  Burundi

(a)  WFP and FAO, as well as other humanitarian bodies involved in food
assistance, are jointly preparing the next Seeds Protection Rations
campaign due to start in the middle of September. In consultation with
FAO, WFP plans to reach 161,154 households with 8,855 tons of food. WFP
and FAO continue to jointly review the planned caseload based on the
results of various monitoring and assessment missions.

(b)  The Government announced a devaluation by 20 percent of the local
currency; thus affecting the cost of living for many people already living
in dire conditions. Cholera and meningitis still persist in various
provinces of Burundi, especially in the east, the north and the west of
the country, where populations have fled insecurity.

(c)  Despite the signature of a pre-accord document between the Government
and a wing of the FDD rebel group, no significant improvement in the
security situation was observed in the country. Fighting was reported in
Bujumbura Rural province and skirmishes between the army and rebels were
reported in Ruyigi, Gitega and Muramvya provinces. Mortar bombs were
launched in Bujumbura Mairie. In Bujumbura Mairie, part of the population
living in Gihosha zone temporary fled their homes following the killing of
the local administrative authority. Due to insecurity, WFP cancelled
assessment missions in Mutaho and Bugendana communes, Gitega province.

(d)  Following a recent rapid assessment, OCHA, Catholic Relief Services
and WFP reported that 10,900 households displaced by a recent wave of
violence were in need of food assistance in Kabezi and Mutambu communes
(Bujumbura Rural province). 125,200 IDPs requiring food assistance were
also identified in Gitega and Ruyigi provinces.

(e)  From 19 August to 1 September, WFP distributed 1,950 tons of food
under various activities. The beneficiary caseload included 181,000
persons affected by looting or poor weather condition in 8 provinces. Over
1,500 Burundian returnees were assisted after they repatriated from
western Tanzania. Over 1,600 persons benefited from WFP assistance through
FFW projects in Ngozi province and 13,960 persons were admitted in
Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Centres as well as hospital feeding
projects. Finally, 19,300 vulnerable persons were supported under the
Quick Action Project and the PRRO.



C)  Central Africa Region: (1) Angola, (2) Central African Republic

1)  Angola

(a)  WFP has warned that a lack of resources is threatening its ability to
cover the growing needs in Angola. With estimates of the number of people
needing emergency food aid until the end of year rising from 1.5 to 1.9
million, a further 44,000 tons of food must arrive in Angola urgently.
WFP's emergency operation in Angola remains less that 22 percent funded.

(b)  This lack of resources occurs while the number of Angolans in need of
food aid is far higher than expected. WFP decided today to provide
immediate assistance to most of the 80,000 former UNITA soldiers who went
through the demobilization process but still require some support until
they fully reintegrate into the civil society. The Government of Angola
had taken the responsibility to assist until October, but the food
shortages faced by these ex-soldiers are so serious that WFP has decided
to anticipate the food distribution and immediately register them.

(c)  The onset of the rainy season has underlined the growing gaps in the
WFP pipeline. WFP needs to deliver three months of food supplies to
several remote provinces before torrential rain limits access. Currently
WFP does not have sufficient food supplied to build up stocks in all
remote areas.

(d)  Many parts of the country are increasingly inaccessible because of
poor infrastructure. In some places, soil erosion has created ravines,
which have caused road surfaces to collapse. Temporary bridges will soon
risk disappearing beneath swollen rivers. In August, landmines and poor
infrastructure forced WFP to suspend operations in two southern provinces
- Huila and Cunene provinces. Last week, WFP was unable to deliver food
through several roads in Bie, Huambo, Kuanza Sul, Malange and Moxico
provinces. The Government has committed itself to repairing roads, bridges
and airstrips, but much more remains to be done. Better access is also
vital for WFP's implementing partners who need to expand their
geographical coverage and capacity in distributing food aid.

(e)  Last week, about 3,450 IDPs have returned to Huambo from Lobito and
Benguela (Benguela province) and received WFP assistance. As of 30 August,
an estimated 33,100 IDPs had returned from Kuito (Bie province) to their
area of origin. A joint need assessment with WFP, OCHA and NGOs was
conducted in the new accessible areas of Mutumbo, Mumbué, Somakuanza and
Chitembo Municipalities. Preliminary information shows that the situation
in Mutumbo is critical and access is difficult.

(f)  Food deliveries to Camacupa (Bie province) remain limited due to a
weak bridge. Therefore, about 13,500 beneficiaries in Salombidja camp were
not assisted in August but will be prioritised for September distribution.
WFP undertook directly general food distributions, benefiting over 7,000
vulnerable people in the FRAs of Peso Velho, Tchinege and Muconda (Luanda
Sul province). WFP distributed a two-month food ration in Alto Chicapa to
1,100 beneficiaries. After several attempts, the access to the area was
made possible with emergency repairs conducted on the Luhaco Bridge in a
joint effort between local administration and WFP (through a FFW project).

(g)  WFP completed August distributions for almost 60,000 people in the
Mavinga FRAs (Kuando Kubango). The ration provided was reduced due to food
shortages in Mavinga resulting from the temporary closure of the airstrip
for de-mining. With the re-opening of the airstrip, WFP is back to
delivering 68 tons of food on four daily flights. WFP intends to normalize
rations to 2,100 kcal per day level in September. New admissions to the
TFC and SFC indicate that malnutrition has not yet stabilised. WFP also
assisted 7,500 IDPs in Mavinga town and Lomba. New arrivals are expected
to be registered and included in the September distributions.


2)  Central African Republic

(a)  Following some clashes in northern Central African Republic during
the first half of August, WFP has been forced to suspend its assistance to
4,600 displaced people. The most recent distribution to these IDPs was in
July, when 93 tons of food aid were supplied under the EMOP 10194. Since
then, it has not been possible to re-assess humanitarian needs in the
area. The number of IDPs may have increased by several hundreds or a few
thousands. However, there are indications that the agricultural activities
have not been disrupted. WFP intends to visit the area as soon as the
security situation permits, in order to obtain a sounder understanding of
the situation and assist the vulnerable groups.

(b)  In addition, WFP continues to support about 3,000 refugees from DR
Congo in the Molengué camp through EMOP 10038. Due to food shortages,
rations were reduced and no distribution took place in August. Further
donor contributions are urgently needed. According to COOPI, the
nutritional condition of the refugees is expected to deteriorate quickly
if food distributions do not take place by early September. With peace
talks between warring parties underway in the DR Congo and peace prospects
uncertain, the repatriation of Congolese refugees is not envisaged for the
moment.

(c)  WFP intends to target 55,000 IDPs in Bangui and neighbouring
prefectures, Ombella Mpoko and Lobaye, through its EMOP 10150. Commodities
for this EMOP have started to arrive. As of 1 September, 2035 tons (73
percent of the needs) have been resourced. Preparations with NGO partners
are at an advanced stage. Distributions will be launched as soon as stock
levels are sufficient to cover the planned needs for the first month
distribution.



D)  West and Central Asia Region: (1) Afghanistan

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  A number of terrorist attacks took place, last week, in a climate of
continuing insecurity in Afghanistan. On 1 September, a mine accident
claimed the lives of four deminers of Danish Deming Group on the
Bagram/Kabul road. Access by the UN staff to Khost and Paktia provinces
remains closed due to security reasons. WFP suspended food distribution to
these provinces. The security situation in the northern area (Mazar)
remains fluid, with a marked decrease in criminality but an increase in
inter-factional fighting.

(b)  From 28 August to 3 September, over 240,000 beneficiaries received at
least 1,800 tons of food through various WFP activities. The amount of
food distributed was reduced by more than half from the previous week, due
to food shortages. Among the beneficiaries, 49,700 IDPs and returnee
refugees received about 200 tons of wheat in Herat through the Relief and
Resettlement programme. In August, 56,500 Afghan refugees reportedly
returned to Afghanistan from Iran. In addition, 2,700 children and
expecting and nursing mothers received nutritious supplementary food at
WFP supported clinics run by the Danish Afghan Committee and Medecins du
Monde in Herat. WFP also provides nutritious food to some 330 patients in
the public hospital of Herat.

(c)  WFP beneficiaries included 120,000 persons receiving bread through 80
bakeries in Mazar. A new bakery started operation in Kandahar, bringing
the total number of operational bakeries in the southern area to eight.
Bakeries in Kandahar are able to produce more than 5,000 loaves of bread
per day for at least 1,000 beneficiaries. Facing the continued scarcity of
water in Kabul, two WFP Bakeries are digging deeper wells to be able to
provide enough water supply for bakery operation.

(d)  3,900 civil servants received WFP food assistance in Takhar province
(Faizabad). In Zabul province (Kandahar), some 520 civil servants received
almost 100 tons of food covering their needs for 3 months. In Mazar, food
distribution is ongoing in all target provinces. Three Food for Work (FFW)
projects in Herat city and Ghor province are on-going. The one in Ghor
province is being implemented by Afghan Aid and involves some 19,500 women
and 15,900 men.

(e)  Under the Food for Education (FFE) programme, WFP assisted an
increased number of students in Kabul (from 15,400 in July to 61,240).
Also about 3,570 girl students are receiving take-home oil for the first
time in Kabul as of September. Some 2,500 girl students received oil in
Faizabad. Yet WFP commitments are still outstanding for April ? August due
to the lack of food in the pipeline. Balkh province (northern area)
started the FFE programme this week. 25,000 students will receive
fortified bread and an additional 5,800 girl students will receive a
take-home ration every month.

(f)  Food for Asset Creation continues to be successful in Spin Boldak, a
drought-affected region, by providing job opportunities as well as enough
drinking water to the local people through karez digging.



E)  Middle East Region: (1) Palestinian Territories

1)  Palestinian Territories

(a)  Strict curfew regimes continue to be enforced in towns of the
Northern Governorates. The agreement "Gaza - Bethlehem First" between
Palestinians and Israelis has been frozen. Shortages of staple food
commodities are reported in the market place, especially milk for
children. In the West Bank, wholesalers reported an increase in the prices
of wheat flour, rice, vegetable oil and powder milk.

(b)  WFP urgently needs new contributions to EMOP 10190.0, which currently
faces a shortfall of 83 percent. Wheat Soya Blend and High Energy
Biscuits, in particular, are essential if WFP is to improve the
nutritional status of children, women, the sick and elderly.

(c)  The SRSA trucks continue to deliver WFP food commodities. From 23 to
29 August, over 40 tons of WFP food were delivered from Ashdod to Gaza and
200 tons to the West Bank. Last week, 50,500 vulnerable people received
1,150 tons of WFP food through FFW projects and free food distributions in
the West Bank and the Gaza strip. While WFP and other actors are actively
distributing food aid, other non-food items needs still need to be
addressed, especially in view of the beginning of the new academic year.



F)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia, (3) El
Salvador, (4) Nicaragua

1)  Bolivia

(a)  Some 30,000 hectares of forest and natural grazing lands were
destroyed by last week's fire in the Tarija region. The major concern is
that the vast affected basin constitutes the main water source for human
consumption and irrigation of the city of Tarija and the surrounding rural
communities. Since the fire consumed a large part of the protecting
vegetation, runoff may, during the next rainy season, erode the soil and
carry sediments that will make water undrinkable and destroy the
irrigation systems. Furthermore, the pastures and forest that caught fire
were important livelihood sources for surrounding communities.

(b)  Based on the assessment's findings, WFP prepared a "Re-forestation
and Reconstruction Plan" for the affected area. With about 36,000 food
rations and other non-food items, WFP in collaboration with FAO and local
NGOs will implement activities aimed at preventing future effects. The
reforestation and reconstruction activities will involve approximately 425
families of 12 rural communities. WFP Country Director along with the FAO
Representative and the Minister of Agriculture visited the forest fire
site, and met regional authorities and farmer's organizations.


2)  Colombia

(a)  From 27 August to 2 September, approximately 1,000 IDPs returned to
their place of origin. 65 other families arrived to a WFP's FFW-supported
community. WFP and counterparts are defining the follow-up actions to
address food shortage, overcrowding, and the precarious health conditions.

(b)  Due to last week's new displacements and the security situation, the
nature of WFP's support through its PRRO 6139.0 is being reviewed. In the
province of Sincelejo, WFP will expand its FFT activities to assist more
than 250 new IDPs. WFP successfully delivered food assistance to more than
270 communities through FFW and nutritional recovery and preschool
projects.


3)  El Salvador

(a)  There is a growing concern for the increasing number of families
affected by the regional coffee crisis, caused by extremely low
international prices. An estimated 30,000 families that are traditionally
employed on coffee plantations have no source of income. With no other
employment foreseen nor an increase of prices expected, the situation is
likely to deteriorate. The Government of El Salvador and WFP are
considering ways to assist the most vulnerable families under the PRRO
6089.0.

(b)  The northeastern region continues to be affected by the drought. WFP
is regularly monitoring the areas that may be affected by shortfalls in
rainfall. Overall, the situation in the country is not alarming, however
monitoring of the situation will be needed for the second harvesting
period. Because of early drought warnings, the postrera seeding has been
this year longer than normal.


4)  Nicaragua

(a)  The Office of the Human Rights Procurador reports that approximately
1,500 families affected by the coffee crisis have moved to the highways
demanding government assistance. This week, the Ministries of Health,
Family and Agriculture were expected to initiate a re-assessment of the
situation of these people and provide them medical and food assistance.
Seeds are also to be delivered to land owners.

(b)  WFP visited the province of Matagalpa to evaluate the FFW programme
currently implemented in the area affected by the coffee crisis and to
assess the food security situation. According to beneficiaries, food
assistance is addressing the most immediate needs of the population and
serves as an incentive for small farmers not to migrate to other regions.
Last week, 480 tons of food were distributed to over 8,200 small farmers
in the northern provinces of Jinotega, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia and Madriz
through FFW activities, whose main objective is to alleviate the effects
of the coffee crisis.

(c)  According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 4 percent of the
subsistence crops at the national level have been lost due to this year's
drought. Maize crops are the most affected. Leon and Chinandega continue
to be the most drought-affected provinces.

(d)  USAID's partners are implementing FFW activities for 10,000 heads of
households in the northern regions of the country. CRS is also assisting,
through FFW, approximately 5,000 peasants. CARE is providing assistance to
692 heads of households.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 36).


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