WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 13 / 2003 - Date 28 March 2003


This report includes:
A) Middle East and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Iran, (3) Afghanistan
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Eritrea, (2) Uganda, (3) DR Congo,
   (4) Burundi
C) Southern Africa: (1) Madagascar, (2) Mozambique, (3) Zimbabwe,
   (4) Malawi, (5) Zambia, (6) Angola, (7) Lesotho, (8) Swaziland
D) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
E) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Ecuador


>From David Morton, Director of the Transport, Preparedness and Response
Division (OTP); available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page
(www.wfp.org), or by e-mail from Carlo.Scaramella@wfp.org, Chief of the
Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (OEP).

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)  Middle East and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Iran, (3) Afghanistan

1)  Iraq

(a)  WFP will begin bringing new food aid supplies into Iraq when security
conditions permit. Most Iraqi families are entirely dependent on monthly
food handouts and on average it is estimated that most Iraqi families not
being displaced will have enough food supplies to last them until the end
of April. WFP has not yet received any reports about extreme food
shortages in areas of conflict in the south, but information on Basra is
scanty. In the north, the situation in Sulaymaniyah became more tense on
25 March due to the recent bombardments in Tawella and Halabja areas, and
possible counter attacks. Most displaced people are staying with relatives
and friends, but some are housed in mosques and schools. On 26 March, 95
percent of the bakeries in Sulaymaniyah were working, but less than half
the shops remained open. Since the closure of the route to central Iraq,
prices of vegetables, wheat flour and vegetable ghee have risen 100
percent. The price of petrol has risen by 60 percent, following the cease
in supplies from GoI-controlled territory but fuel is still getting
through from Iran.

(b)  WFP food distributions in Erbil have been scaled down due to reduced
levels of stock. WFP has concentrated on distributing to areas where
residents are hosting displaced relatives. WFP visited 50 food agents and
reported that 60 percent of families had collected their rations. Schools
have been closed since the war began.


2)  Iran

(a)  UN security phase III has been declared for the five western
provinces, west Azerbaijan, Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and Kurdistan and
phase II has been declared for the rest of Iran. As of 26 March no Iraqis
had yet crossed the border, which officially remains closed. None of the
22,000 Iraqi Kurds reportedly gathering near the border made attempts to
cross into Iran. As of 19 March 268,554 Afghan refugees including 38,390
families had repatriated since 9 April 2002. A further 136,510 returned on
their own making a total of 405,064 Afghan returnees.

(b)  In response to the Iraqi crisis, a WFP sub-office will be opened in
Ahwaz in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. A warehouse has already
been established and the purchase of 2,000 tons of wheat flour for EMOP
10259.0 is in process. 1,000 tons will be delivered to the warehouse in
Ahwaz and 1,000 tons will be delivered to the WFP warehouse in Kermanshah
in western Iran. 41.76 tons of high-energy biscuits have been moved from
Kermanshah to Ahwaz, in anticipation of a possible influx of refugees from
southern Iraq.

(c)  A tripartite agreement for implementation of the EMOP 10259 has been
negotiated between WFP, UNHCR and Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).


3)  Afghanistan

(a)  The security situation remained volatile. UN Security reports and
media confirmed the killing of an ICRC staff member in Northern Kandahar
Province on 27 March. Due to the ongoing situation in Iraq, international
organizations maintained a low profile of their activities during the
week. Anti-war demonstrations took place in Nangarhar and Laghman
provinces in eastern Afghanistan. UN missions to Gosfandi district and
Laghman province in northern and eastern Afghanistan were suspended.

(b)  An emergency meeting was called by WFP in Mazari Sharif to discuss
assistance to flood-affected areas. Following the meeting, representatives
of the local government, UN agencies and NGOs formed four teams to
register the families in need of immediate food assistance. Consequently,
21 tons of food was distributed to 1,950 beneficiaries in the
flood-affected areas.

(c)  From 20 to 26 March, WFP distributed 2,500 tons of food to 525,220
beneficiaries, including 1,734 tons of food to 207,598 beneficiaries
through the Food for Work/Food for Asset Creation; 75 tons of food to
94,953 beneficiaries through Food for Education; 389 tons of food to
80,347 beneficiaries through Relief and Resettlement of IDP's and
Refugees; 268 tons of food to 139,100 beneficiaries through Urban
Vulnerable Bakery Projects and 26 tons of food to 3,218 beneficiaries
through Supplementary Feeding. As of 23 March 38,200 tons of food,
amounting to 80 percent of planned commodities, had been distributed to
beneficiaries through the Winterisation scheme.

(d)  On 24 March, WHO and WFP signed an agreement on providing assistance
to 27,400 tuberculosis patients and their families (totalling 164,400
beneficiaries) for one year, from 01 April to 31 March 2004. The purpose
of WFP food aid to the patients and their families is to provide adequate
nutrition during medical treatment, help ensure access to tuberculosis
treatment, and help encourage treatment completion. WHO in consultation
with WFP will be responsible for identifying tuberculosis centres to be
supported with WFP food aid, and identifying and providing numbers of
beneficiaries to support with food aid.



B)  East and Central Africa: (1) Eritrea, (2) Uganda, (3) DR Congo, (4)
Burundi

1)  Eritrea

(a)  Water remains a serious concern across the country. Regional ERREC
officials in Debub reported that 15 water points in the Mai Mine sub
region are now dry and people are travelling three to four hours in search
of alternative sources. The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture in Debub
informed WFP that dry cultivation was not yet underway due to a lack of
oxen to assist with land preparation. Even if oxen were to be available,
the land itself remains very dry and difficult to penetrate. Farmers are
still awaiting the arrival of the Azmera rains to soften the soil. The
rains, normally due to arrive in March/April, have not yet started in the
region. The Ministry of Agriculture in Debub also expressed concern
regarding the lack of available seeds for the upcoming planting season.
During the last cultivation season farmers resorted to consumption of
their seed supplies due to severe drought conditions and ensuing food
shortages. In the Southern Red Sea region, all agricultural areas remain
extremely dry, with only a limited number of sowed hectares of sorghum and
pearl millet, all of which were in bad condition due to the lack of
moisture. Sorghum and maize were found to be in a similar condition in the
Shieb sub region of the Northern Red Sea. The cotton crop in Afabet sub
region has been unsuccessful due to the lack of rain; less than a 5
percent harvest is anticipated. Grain prices in markets around the country
remain high due to price increases and a general lack of availability.

(b)  WFP accompanied a team of international journalists to some of the
worst drought affected parts of Eritrea. From 24 to 26 March the team
travelled to the Anseba and Gash Barka regions and visited drought
affected communities, IDP camps and returnees. The team also visited
schools and sites under the Emergency School Feeding Programme and the
Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Programme.

(c)  The Central Drought Committee allocated 13 million Nakfa to the
Anseba region to assist with drought relief. The funds have been used to
purchase 3,200 tons of cereals to distribute to 160,000 beneficiaries for
March and April. The Committee has no resources to purchase further food
supplies after that period. Due to a shortage of resources, WFP is still
implementing "Scenario II" in terms of beneficiary targeting. This
includes 841,145 beneficiaries, but excludes 200,000 demobilized soldiers
and 40,000 expected returnees and takes into account only 45 percent of
the drought-affected caseload, providing only 60 percent of the regular
ration. Based on current levels, resources would last until July 2003.
Effectively food aid is focused on those who are now seriously at risk and
cannot be used to prevent larger numbers from slipping increasingly into
serious levels of malnutrition. Due to the weak international response to
the drought, the Government and WFP have decided to revise the 2003 CAP in
order to give priority to the most severely affected vulnerable groups.


2)  Uganda

(a)  The prolonged conflict in northern Uganda has resulted in massive
displacements of the population, now exceeding 800,000 people. As an
example, Acet IDP camp in Gulu District has become even more congested due
to the continuing influx of displaced people. More than 250 new households
are reported to have entered the camp recently, increasing the number of
households from 3,199 to 3,449. The visibly unplanned settlements present
a health hazard for the camp population. WFP and the Norwegian Refugee
Council (NRC) are re-registering and verifying new arrivals before the
start of the next monthly distribution cycle.

(b)  WFP has released a second monthly tranche of 1,000 tons of food aid
for 59,000 of the most vulnerable drought-affected pastoral households in
Karamoja region, northeastern Uganda. Distributions are carried out at the
parish level (lowest level administrative unit) to ensure appropriate
targeting. WFP is planning to conduct a nutritional status assessment in
the three Districts of Karamoja in April in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health, District authorities and UNICEF.

(c)  WFP, together with district authorities, AVSI and Catholic Relief
Services (CRS) will conduct a food needs assessment in Chwa County,
eastern Kitgum District in April. The assessment aims to address increased
humanitarian needs as a result of prolonged drought, Lord's Resistance
Army (LRA) incursions and incessant raids by Karamojong warriors into the
district. WFP will establish the net food needs and intervene with a
one-off distribution of food aid assistance to the vulnerable population.
AVSI will distribute seeds for March/April planting season together with
WFP rations.

(d)  The food pipeline situation has improved somewhat, thanks to recent
cash and in-kind contributions. As a result of the increasing food needs
in northern Uganda, WFP will face pipeline shortfalls of 28,193 tons of
commodities, including 12,835 tons of cereals, 6,781 tons of corn-soya
blend, 3,329 tons of pulses, 3,031 tons of vegetable oil, 1,778 tons of
sugar, 429 tons of salt and 60 tons of high energy biscuits, to meet the
needs of IDP's, refugees and other vulnerable groups from April to
September.


3)  DR Congo

(a)  During the first half of March there were several reports of Rwandan
troops crossing the border into South Kivu province. On 06 and 07 March
fighting broke out between Ugandan troops and soldiers from Union du
Peuple Congolais (UPC) over control of Bunia, ending with the defeat of
the UPC soldiers. According to the latest OCHA report on displacement in
DRC, 80 percent of the Ituri population, amounting to 3.8 million people,
have been displaced since 1999. The positioning of a significant number of
DRC troops to the south east of Bukavu is raising fears of new clashes
between DRC troops, backed by Rwandan soldiers, and militia troops under
Commandant Masunzu. This could cause further displacement in Uvira in
South Kivu province and could risk having a negative impact on WFP's
supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes in the area.

(b)  A joint Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC), UN Mine
Action Coordination Centre (UNMACC) and OCHA assessment team discovered
7,000 IDP's in Kabalo area, who had been hiding in the forests in North
Katanga for four years. According to OCHA, preparations have been made for
the return of the IDP's to their villages of origin. Their return is
expected to increase therapeutic food needs in Northern Katanga. On 11
March, tremors and flames from the central crater of the Nyragongo volcano
caused panic and spontaneous evacuations from nearby villages.

(c)  WFP operational activities from 01 to 20 March included 11 tons of
emergency food assistance to 553 survivors of a barge disaster near
Lukolela; 121 tons of food to Première Urgence in support of 42,000
returnees in Imese, Libenge, Dongo; 677 tons of food to German Agro Action
(GAA) in support of 60,000 IDP's and nutritional centres; an airlift
operation on 14 March involving 102 tons of food to 5,000 people in
Maniema Province. In Kinshasa, the Ministry of Social Welfare launched an
initiative to coordinate assistance to street children, envisaging WFP in
a lead role. An evaluation mission of the PRRO, which has been extended
until December 2003 with a budget increase of USD 39,8 million to cover
the food needs of 1,1 million people, began on 03 March.

(d)  In the Bas-Congo province, where WFP mainly targets Angolan refugees,
distributions in February were marred by a lack of pulses. Impassable
roads continue to hamper operations and 9,663 Angolan refugees may not
receive their monthly food rations for March due to transport constraints.


4)  Burundi

(a)  Many provinces remained insecure and in some areas planned
distributions had to be cancelled. An important move of FDD fighters was
reported from DR Congo into western Burundi and rebels ambushed several
mini-buses killing seven people. Attacks were also reported in Muramvya,
Kayanza and Cankuzo in central and eastern Burundi. In Bujumbura Rural,
casual skirmishes took place between the army and FNL fighters and
fighting intensified in Mubimbi and Mageyo communes. A growing number of
rebels were reported to have gathered in the outskirts of the capital. The
deployment of African Union (AU) peacekeeping troops and the succession of
leadership is planned for 01 May.

(b)  From 17 to 23 March, WFP distributed 1,543 tons of food to 125,528
beneficiaries. Of this, 44.628 tons of food was distributed to social
centres in support of 1,650 vulnerable people, 592 of whom are HIV/AIDS
victims. However, insecurity and insufficient stocks continued to hamper
distributions. A planned 732.2 tons of food to 66,570 recipients in
Bujumbura Rural, Ruyigi and Gitega provinces could not be delivered due to
insecurity. On 21 March the distribution of Seed Protection Ration (SPR)
came to an end with 5,658 tons of food having been distributed to 528,380
beneficiaries. Targeted distributions resumed in Karuzi province after
having been suspended for 4 weeks due to insecurity and lack of access.

(c)  The pipeline situation improved slightly following recent
contributions and pledges, but availability of commodities in the country
remained very low. 10,850 beneficiaries could not be assisted in Gitega
due to the low stock position. Urgent dispatches from Dar-Es-Salaam are
needed to respond to food requirements. In view of the pipeline situation,
WFP will reduce the frequency of targeted distributions until the pipeline
improves. New Food-For-Work projects remain suspended.



C)  Southern Africa: (1) Madagascar, (2) Mozambique, (3) Zimbabwe, (4)
Malawi, (5) Zambia, (6) Angola, (7) Lesotho, (8) Swaziland

1)  Madagascar

(a)  The drought situation in the South is alarming and food shortages
continue to plague the area. From 18 to 21 March, WFP, Catholic Relief
Services (CRS) and USAID conducted a mission to the affected areas in
order to assess the nutrition and food security situation. Malnutrition
rates at centres and hospitals were estimated at 30 percent. The mission
recommended an immediate nutritional survey along with an increase of
emergency food supplies for the South. A drop in school attendance has
also been observed in the drought affected areas. In response, WFP is
considering an expansion of its school feeding programme. Student protests
continued as a result of poor housing conditions and lack of scholarships.

(b)  From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 366 tons of food in
collaboration with implementing partners.


2)  Mozambique

(a)  During the last phase of the emergency airlift operation WFP
delivered 109 tons of food to 4,000 people in southern Sofala Province. In
other areas now accessible by road, an additional 400 tons of food were
delivered to 24,000 flood victims of tropical storm 'Japhnet'.

(b)  Displaced families, affected by the flooding of the Save river in
northern Inhambane, started leaving the temporary accommodation centre in
Maluvane locality, where a two-month food ration had been provided by WFP.
The local government has provided land plots in Maluvane for resettlement,
and WFP started distributing one-month food rations to 1,200 people during
the week.

(c)  From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 1,775 tons of food in
collaboration with implementing partners.


3)  Zimbabwe

(a)  For two days most of Zimbabwe came to a virtual standstill, following
a workers' stay-away called by the opposition Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC). Violence broke out in Harare and Bulawayo resulting in a
number of arrests. The MDC is threatening renewed mass action. WFP's
planned deliveries could again be affected by renewed unrest.

(b)  WFP's Urban Development Intervention programme, targeting children
under five, is progressing well. The turnout of children in Bulawayo city
has been very high and the programme is expected to include 2,000
additional children in the coming month. WFP's implementing partner Help
Germany reports that 70 percent of the children have tuberculosis and
other related diseases. From 01 to 22 March, WFP distributed 41,900 tons
of food to 3.4 million beneficiaries.


4)  Malawi

(a)  On 24 and 25 March, the National Aids Commission (NAC) organized a
meeting to review the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and overall
operations of the NAC. The NAC, donors and other stakeholders agreed on
the importance of integrating HIV/AIDS issues into humanitarian responses
and on the importance of nutrition in providing care and support to
HIV/AIDS victims.

(b)  From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 6,939 tons of food in
collaboration with implementing partners.


5)  Zambia

(a)  The Minister of Agriculture announced that Zambia expects an
exceptional harvest of over 800,000 tons of maize. WFP expects a
significant reduction in the estimated number of people in need of food
aid from April to June. From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 4,706 tons to
beneficiaries throughout the country.


6)  Angola

(a)  WFP completed pilot exercises for a new beneficiary registration
system in Benguela and Moxico Provinces using hand held computers. The
system uses software especially designed for WFP use. The new system will
allow WFP to monitor beneficiary movements closely and strengthen
targeting assistance.

(b)  From 20 to 27 March, WFP carried out food distributions in Kuando
Kubango Province to 67,700 beneficiaries. In Bie Province, poor road
conditions and heavy rains hampered WFP food distributions to 17,000
returnees. In Huambo Province, poor road conditions likewise hampered
distributions to approximately 26,000 people.

(c)  A total of USD 2,870,428 was received in support of PRRO 10054.1
"Food Assistance to War Affected People". The funds will be used to
purchase urgently needed maize and pulses. The PRRO is currently funded at
52.6 percent, leaving a shortfall of USD 114.5 million. A total of USD
250,000 was also received in support of SO 10149.1 "Logistics Services to
the Humanitarian Community" which now remains 65 percent funded. A
donation of USD 500,000 was made towards WFP's air passenger transport
operation SO 10146,0.


7)  Lesotho

(a)  During the week heavy rainfall throughout the country disrupted
distributions in some districts. (b)  WFP distributed 826 tons of maize
meal, pulses and vegetable oil to 75,203 beneficiaries in 7 districts. An
additional 6.4 tons was distributed to ten schools in Mafeteng District.


8)  Swaziland

(a)  From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 262 tons of food to 16,328
beneficiaries. Training of Women's Relief Committees (WRC) continued at
distribution sites in the Red Cross and Save the Children's operational
areas. Training included roles and responsibilities of WRC's in relation
to food distribution and proper preparation and use of Corn Soya Blend
(CSB). WFP met with the Minister of Health and WHO to discuss the
Ministry's proposal on food assistance to the chronically ill and
vulnerable through health clinics and outposts, and on a proposal to use
Ministry of Health staff to train Women's Relief Committee members as peer
counsellors.



D)  Asia: (1) DPR Korea

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  In response to an urgent appeal last month by the UN
Secretary-General, new contributions were pledged or confirmed this week.
A contribution of 9,170 tons of dried skimmed milk, valued at USD 17.32
million, was confirmed and is expected to arrive in June. The contribution
will be used for the local production of fortified blended foods and
biscuits to be distributed to pregnant and nursing women and children. On
27 March, WFP, WHO and UNICEF welcomed another pledge of almost USD 20
million for emergency feeding and healthcare programmes in DPR Korea.
100,000 tonnes of maize valued at USD 18 million will be provided to WFP
for food aid, USD 500,000 will be provided to UNICEF for child health and
nutrition programmes and USD 700,000 will be provided to WHO for malaria
prevention.

(b)  Following recent confirmed contributions, food distribution needs for
all beneficiary groups will be met until the end of April and for some
groups well into May. Additional pledges of about 241,600 tons are
required for the remainder of 2003, including 207,800 tons of cereals,
11,000 tons of corn soya milk, 4,300 tons of sugar, 15,500 tons of pulses
and 3,000 tons of oil. The level of funding secured by UN agencies,
non-governmental organisations and the Red Cross movement still remain
short of the USD 225 million required to fully implement humanitarian
programmes in DPRK. WFP and UNICEF have repeatedly warned that the
considerable improvements achieved in child malnutrition rates since 1998,
could be lost without continued, substantial aid. Survey results announced
last month indicated that the proportion of young children underweight had
dropped from 61 percent to 21 percent; wasting, or acute malnutrition,
fell from 16 percent to 9 percent; and stunting, or chronic malnutrition,
was down from 62 percent to 42 percent. But the underweight rate remained
"high" and the stunting rate "very high", according to WHO criteria.



E)  Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Ecuador

1)  Colombia

(a)  The security situation remains volatile. Armed clashed between
illegal groups were reported in Atrato Medio River area and Uraba
Antioqueño, affecting food availability and access. Two WFP staff members
were intercepted by four men while completing a survey in schools in the
"Communa 13" neighbourhood of Medellin. This neighbourhood has recently
been the scene of clashes between illegal groups. The men identified
themselves as members of an armed group and confiscated the WFP driver's
HF radio, which was returned after WFP staff members explained the use of
the radio and WFP's relationship with UNHCR. The staff members were
subsequently allowed to leave.

(b)  Local authorities reported a significant displacement of rural
communities in San Francisco municipality in the Department of Antioquia,
caused by clashes between armed groups. A total of 1,150 displaced people
from 8 different rural localities, including 200 children, arrived in the
urban centre of San Francisco and are now settled in provisional shelters
or in homes of friends and family. WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery
Operation has provided assistance to more than 900 persons in this
municipality in the past two years to address continuous displacements and
critical nutritional conditions. Other new displacements were reported in
the department of Choco, in Cundinamarca, and in Dabeiba, Antioquia,
affecting especially children. Food shortages and limited fuel
availability was reported in the municipality of San Luis, in Antioquia.


2)  Ecuador

(a)  The intensity of tremors at Tungurahua volcano and the number of
volcanic explosions decreased notably in the past week. WFP and the Civil
Defence continue to monitor the effects on the affected population. At El
Reventador volcano, tremors continued over the past week, with a daily
average of 15 volcano-tectonic events and 120 events of long duration. The
events of long duration are possibly associated with gas emissions. WFP is
currently assisting 3,500 people whose food security was affected as a
result of the November 2002 eruption.


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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 13).


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