WFP EMERGENCY REPORT
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 9 / 2003 - Date 28 February 2003


This report includes:
(A) Global Food Aid
(B) Asia Region: (1) DPR of Korea
(C) Eastern and Central Africa Region: (1) Ethiopia, (2) Eritrea,
    (3) Uganda, (4) Burundi
(D) West Africa Region: (1) Côte d'Ivoire (2) Sierra Leone
    (3) Central African Republic
(E) Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Lesotho,
    (3) Malawi, (4) Mozambique, (5) Swaziland, (6) Zambia,
    (7) Zimbabwe, (8) Madagascar, (9) Tanzania, (10) Angola,
    (11) Namibia
(F) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Colombia, (2) Guatemala,
    (3) Ecuador
(G) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Pakistan, (2) Afghanistan


>From Carlo Scaramella, Chief of the Emergency Preparedness and Response
Unit, under 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.

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)  Global Food Aid

(a)  On 25 February, the WFP Executive Director James T. Morris, speaking
to the US Congress, called for "stronger and more consistent funding for
humanitarian aid." While WFP funding has risen, global food aid has
dropped from 15 million to 10 million tons from 1999 to 2002. Although the
international community has successfully countered potential famines now
for nearly two decades, more funds are essential. All the major donors
need to make a political commitment to a food aid system that works and is
not dangerously reliant on surpluses, last minute appeals or a single
donor.

(b)  Despite poverty being reduced by 20 percent worldwide during the
1990s, the number of food insecure people (excluding China) actually rose
by 50 million across the developing world.  Added to this, the number of
victims of natural disasters has tripled compared to the 1960s, averaging
136 million a year and the poorest among them need food assistance.

(c)  The scale of WFP's activities has risen in line with increasingly
abnormal weather phenomena.  The past two years have brought the highest
number of weather related disasters in the decade.  Against a backdrop of
declining official development assistance for agriculture, from USD 14
billion in 1988 to barely USD 8 billion in 1999, any hope of food security
for future generations is dependent on massive new investment by
governments. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has also dramatically affected the food
security of Africa.



B)  Asia Region: (1) DPR of Korea

1)  DPR of Korea

(a)  Delays until early March in the expected arrival of about 47,000 tons
of food have resulted in the suspension of cereal distributions to
children in nurseries, kindergartens and pregnant and nursing women, for
some regions since late last year. WFP distributions are expected to
resume in mid-March and will last until April.  In late April however,
distributions on the west coast may have to be suspended again unless
stocks are replenished.

(b)  Despite indications of new contributions arriving in-country in the
year's second quarter, the DPRK EMOP remains heavily under-resourced for
all commodities in the latter half of 2003.  It is imperative that
additional donor contributions, including cereals, pulses, Corn Soya Milk,
oil and sugar, are confirmed as soon as possible.



C)  Eastern and Central Africa Region: (1) Ethiopia, (2) Eritrea, (3)
Uganda, (4) Burundi

1)  Ethiopia

(a)  Food donations are urgently needed for refugees in Ethiopia. At
present, WFP has only received enough donations to cover 44 percent of the
total food needs for refugees in 2003. Unlike last year when WFP managed
to provide full rations to refugees, WFP may now face its most serious
pipeline break in four years for the refugee operation. Cereals represent
the bulk of the daily ration, and the consequences of a shortage would be
devastating to the nutritional state of refugees. WFP urgently requires
13,600 tons of cereals and 1,000 tons of supplementary foods. Additional
requirements for enabling 25,000 refugees to return to their country of
origin, include 900 tons of pulses, 250 tons of oil and 26 tons of salt.

(b)  For the drought emergency operation, contributions through WFP,
Government and NGO channels currently stand at around 800,000 tons, 55
percent of the annual requirements of over 1.4 million tons. The current
contributions can meet requirements until end-June, though at a reduced
ration rate of 12.5 kg/person/month (instead of 15 kg/person/month). For
supplementary food, the pipeline is weaker and only covers around half of
the requirements between January and June.

(c)  Despite some delays in food transportation to the distribution sites
early in the month, dispatches for January distributions reached around
90,000 tons, benefiting around 7 million people. Out of this tonnage,
50,000 tons were distributed by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness
Commission (DPPC) and WFP and 40,000 tons by NGOs.  In February, food
distributions are expected to reach 110,000 tons benefiting around 8
million people. In March, over ten million people are targeted for relief
food assistance. Between April and June over 11 million people will be
targeted and food distributions are expected to total around 160,000 tons
per month.

(d)  Though the Ethiopian Emergency Food Security Reserve has been under
pressure due to increasing requirements and outstanding loans from
late-2002, the accelerated shipments of cereal donations are boosting the
levels of the reserve for the next three months. Current physical stocks,
scheduled repayments and confirmed shipments are sufficient to maintain
distributions at planned levels until May. In addition, the shipment dates
for substantial donations must be confirmed.

(e)  WFP and other relief agencies were able to off-load and transport
114,000 tons of relief food from Djibouti port into Ethiopia in January
and 73,000 tons in February. The highest bulk discharge rate so far
recorded was 6,800 tons per day on a vessel in early January.


2)  Eritrea

(a)  From 17 to 21 February, WFP conducted an assessment to determine the
need for Therapeutic and Supplementary Feeding Programmes (TFP and SFP) in
the Debub region.  The mission confirmed alarming trends in terms of the
prevalence of malnutrition. In the Mai Mine Health Centre, 76 percent of
the children monitored through the Extended Programme of Immunization
(EPI) during January were registered as moderately malnourished according
to weight for age indicators.  In the Mendefera Hospital, 15 of the 25
children admitted in January in the Paediatric Ward were severely
malnourished, up from only two such cases in 2002.  WFP plans to begin
immediate support to the Ministry of Health to initiate TFP in five
hospitals as well as SFP in targeted Health Centres in the Debub region.

(b)  Livestock continue to be seriously affected by the drought. The
Ministry of Agriculture in the northern Red Sea area reported 6,670
livestock deaths in the sub region of Shieb during 2002, which represents
41 percent of the total number of livestock in the sub region. Other
reports confirmed serious livestock problems due to lack of fodder and
water, and an increase in livestock distress sales in the local markets.

(c)  The UN convened a donor meeting on 20 February to share information
on the drought situation, the level of response from the international
community and to appeal for further urgent assistance.  The Deputy
Commissioner of the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC)
indicated that two thirds of the population are facing acute food and
water shortages. Local grain prices have increased by 100 percent in the
last 4 months, while people in rural areas are walking an average of 3-5
hours to collect drinking water.  The Government and the UN Agencies
appealed to donors to continue to contribute the resources needed to
address the ongoing drought crisis. The importance of both food and
non-food inputs should be equally stressed. In particular, ERREC noted the
need for a substantial amount of seeds and basic agricultural inputs for
the 2003 planting season.

(d)  WFP supports 900,000 drought-affected beneficiaries through EMOP
10261 and approximately 500,000 vulnerable people through PRRO 10192.  In
light of both operations' present low level of resourcing and minimal
existing food stocks, various possible scenarios have been determined.  
The first version would allow support to the PRRO beneficiaries and
400,000 of the planned 900, 000 drought beneficiaries, but would leave
stocks at zero level by April/May 2003.  By eliminating support to the
entire 900,000 drought affected population and concentrating solely on
those under the PRRO scheme, stocks would still be entirely depleted by
August/September 2003.


3)  Uganda

(a)  Despite some improvements in the food pipeline situation following
generous local contributions, WFP expects to face further pipeline breaks
over the next six months. Shortfalls of 35,847 tons of food are
anticipated, including 21,148 tons of cereals, 6,691 tons of Corn Soya
Blend, 3,028 tons of pulses, 2,746 tons of vegetable oil as well as salt,
sugar and high energy biscuits.

(b)  WFP, together with the Government and NGO partners, concluded an
emergency food needs assessment in 20 new isolated IDP camps in Pader
District (northern Uganda) to assess the food and non-food needs of the
displaced population. The mission also assessed the security situation and
logistical aspects and envisaged some strategies for addressing the needs
of the IDPs.

(c)  The displaced population in Pader district has been isolated in
congested camps, without any tangible humanitarian assistance due to
fighting in the district. Access to health services and facilities has
been limited as a result of insecurity. The food security situation has
deteriorated due to inadequate coping mechanisms and a lack of access to
the fields. According to a study conducted among 400 children in Kalongo
hospital, 14 percent of the children were found to be acutely malnourished
and 29 percent were at risk.

(d)  A Joint Needs Assessment Mission composed of WFP, UNHCR and the
Department of Disaster Preparedness/Office of the Prime Minister is
planned for early March. In preparation, WFP is conducting a rapid food
needs assessment in Arua, Adjumani and Moyo Districts to provide a basis
for the joint assessment.

(e)  The food security situation in the Karamoja region (Moroto, Kotido
and Nakapiripirit), northeast Uganda, continues to deteriorate due to last
year's poor harvest and drought. Current household food reserves are
likely to be depleted by the end of March. In response, WFP is planning to
expand food assistance in the most affected sub-counties of the region.
The security situation in the Karamoja region remains unstable, with
increasing inter-clan strife. This week, WFP delivered the first
consignment of food aid.

(f)  New refugees from southern Sudan continued to be registered in Morubi
Settlement in Moyo District. Over 1,400 persons were registered by UNHCR
and the Department of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees in January. This
represents a significant increase of the number of new arrivals from
southern Sudan compared to the 110 refugees registered in December 2002.


4)  Burundi

(a)  With the recent confirmation of a 2 million Euro contribution, WFP's
pipeline situation has improved but still remains fragile. In addition to
pipeline constraints, insecurity continues to hamper WFP operations. Last
week, the security situation remained volatile in different provinces,
with regular reports of attacks by various rebel factions on civilians and
government positions.

(b)  Last week, WFP launched the distribution of the Seeds Protection
Rations (SPR) campaign. This programme will reach over 851,500
beneficiaries located in the most food insecure provinces (Bujumbura
Rural, Gitega, Muramvya, Kayanza, Ruyigi, Bubanza, Ngozi and Kirundo).
Almost 9,400 tons of food are expected to be distributed. The first
distributions under the seeds protection campaign took place in Ngozi
province, in collaboration with CARE and covered 14,900 persons.

(c)  In addition, WFP reached over 61,600 vulnerable people through
targeted and emergency distributions in Kirundo, Bujumbura Mairie, Bubanza
and Bujumbura Rural provinces. Almost 680 tons of food were supplied in
collaboration with CARE. Over 8,400 Congolese refugees hosted in Cibitoke
and Bujumbura Mairie provinces as well as 600 returnees from Tanzania
temporarily hosted in Ngozi and Muyinga provinces were also assisted by
WFP, in collaboration with UNHCR and GTZ. The refugees in Bujumbura Mairie
were transferred from Muyinga province to enable their children to attend
school. Finally, WFP continued to provide assistance through a number of
Food for Work (FFW) projects and through its School Feeding Programme.



D)  West Africa Region: (1) Cote d'Ivoire (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Central
African Republic

1)  Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  This week, an inter-agency mission composed of WFP, UNHCR, WHO and
UNICEF conducted a rapid security and needs assessment mission to the
western part of Côte d'Ivoire (Man, Danane and Zouan Hanouen), where
access had been prevented for nearly three months and the humanitarian
situation is a cause of concern. Widespread looting of private homes,
health facilities and shops was reported. Although markets are open,
people have no money and poverty is increasing. Almost all medical
personnel have left. All schools are closed and teachers have fled. WFP
food distributed under the school feeding programme has been looted. Large
movement of people have occurred from urban to rural areas in search of
food. With food stocks expected to be exhausted by end of March, the food
situation is expected to deteriorate sharply, especially for vulnerable
groups (displaced persons including Burkinabés, Malians and Guineans,
Liberian refugees, children, mothers and elderly people).

(b)  To facilitate its response to the humanitarian crisis in the western
area, WFP plans to establish an office in Man. Plans are underway to
assist an estimated 3,000 Burkinabés and other civilians that are
displaced from the Cavally-region along the border with Liberia. In
Danané, an estimated 10,000 people remain in the town, but the security
situation is too volatile to start food distributions. There are
unconfirmed reports of looting of food stocks in villages by armed groups.

(c)  In Bondoukou, the situation of numerous families hosting IDPs is
getting increasingly difficult. Many households have increased from 7-8
people to 12-20 people. The food situation in Korhogo remains stable. The
market is well supplied with stable prices. There is however a pressing
need for cash, as banks remain closed. In Korhogo, some schools have
reopened with volunteer teachers and children attended classes. WFP is
considering assisting health workers involved in the MSF Belgium
programme.

(d)  In Guiglo, food was distributed to a total of 4,900 IDPs. A mission
confirmed the presence of 226 Ivorian IDPs at the Mayor office, and 4,700
Burkinabés in the Prefet Office, the Catholic Mission and at a transit
centre.

(e)  A WFP mission to San Pedro and Tabou assessed the possibilities of
opening of a new office in San Pedro. To address the urgent needs of the
displaced population in the area, WFP has decided to resume food
distributions as soon as possible, in collaboration with CARITAS and Red
Cross. The initial caseload will include 2,600 IDPs staying at the
Catholic Mission or with host-families.

(f)  This week, WFP has delivered 40 tons of food from Yamoussoukro to
several partners, including Red Cross, the Centre Mie N'Gou and the
Catholic Mission in Duékoue. Almost 5,000 IDPs and refuges benefited from
WFP assistance in Duékoue, Yamoussoukro and Tabou. As at 26 February, over
1,500 IDPs were receiving food at the Centre Mie N'Gou, representing an
increase of about 100 people since last week.

(g)  In Daloa, WFP staff has been deployed again after one-month break due
to insecurity. The number of IDPs in the area is being reassessed, and
distribution is planned for the end of this week.


2)  Sierra Leone

(a)  From 10 to 23 February, WFP supported 120,400 people with 733 tons of
food, through vulnerable group feeding programmes, emergency school
feeding, TFP and SFP, mother and child health, food-for-training and
safety net programmes.

(b)  Following renewed fighting in Liberia, a major influx of Liberian
refugees was reported in Sierra Leone. Within a day, WFP provided
assistance to 3,000 refugees en route to the Zimmi Way Station.
Additionally, high-energy biscuits were dispatched to UNHCR for refugees
who would eventually be on convoy movements towards Kenema District.  As
of 23 February, approximately 9,000 Liberian refugees and a few hundred
Sierra Leoneans had entered the country. The humanitarian community
monitored the influxes, with particular concern for child combatants and
separated civilian family members.

(c)  An interagency assessment mission estimated that an additional 17,000
refugees could cross into Sierra Leone over the next few weeks.  If that
should occur, the ability of the humanitarian community to respond
effectively, given the current level of resources, would be severely
handicapped, particularly in the areas of WATSAN and shelter. In addition
to food aid provided to 13,000 Liberian refugee in the Jembe and Gerrihun
camps, WFP also provided resettlement packages to 365 returning Sierra
Leonean refugees from Guinea at the Kailahun Way Station.

(d)  In preparation for the 1 March deadline for WFP to assume
responsibility for food provision to all refugee camps throughout the
country, WFP closely collaborated with UNHCR, OCHA, Catholic Relief
Service, World Vision, CARE and other NGOs.

(e)  The general security situation was calm throughout the country with
normal social and economic activities. However, due to the currently
unstable situation in the Grand Cape Mount County in Liberia, the Pujehun
border crossing in Sierra Leone remained closed to all, except for
refugees on the move.


3)  Central African Republic

(a)  On 26 February, WFP participated into a joint assessment mission to
Damara and Sibut, respectively 70 and 200 km north of Bangui. These areas
have been under the control of rebel groups between November 2002 and
February 2003. Although the situation in Sibut appears to have improved
since the end of February, one third of the 22,000 residents and the local
authorities have yet to return and homes and properties have been
systematically looted.

(b)  The mission observed a high number of malnourished persons in Sibut.
Young children and pregnant and nursing women are among the most
vulnerable groups. The population is also suffering from various diseases
including malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory infections. The paediatric
clinic is treating patients with available materials.

(c)  With the harvest interrupted by fighting in October 2002, the process
of choosing and conserving planting seeds was disturbed. Local markets are
also affected by the limited circulation of commercial vehicles and the
taxes imposed on them by the soldiers. The situation in Damara was found
similar to the one described in Sibut. However, most of the residents have
not yet returned to their homes and no local health workers are present.
MSF is providing services twice a week.

(d)  WFP intends to resume and expand food assistance to the local health
centre and the paediatric clinic in Sibut, targeting malnourished young
children and pregnant and nursing women under a Supplementary Feeding
Programme.



E)  Southern Africa Region: (1) Regional Overview, (2) Lesotho, (3)  
Malawi, (4) Mozambique, (5) Swaziland, (6) Zambia, (7) Zimbabwe, (8)
Madagascar, (9) Tanzania, (10) Angola, (11) Namibia

1)  Regional overview

(a)  Cash contributions of USD 9.5 million towards WFP's Southern Africa
Regional EMOP were confirmed this week. With these contributions, EMOP
10200 is now more than 76 percent funded until March.

(b)  A joint FAO/WFP crop prospect review of the 2002/3 agricultural
season in Southern Africa is currently visiting Malawi, following a
regional tour. The report will be presented in mid-March.


2)  Lesotho

(a)  From 19 to 26 February, WFP distributed 931 tons of food to over
67,900 beneficiaries in seven districts. In addition, 167 tons of food
were distributed under emergency school feeding projects in four
districts.

(b)  The vegetative state of standing crops is reported to be good, while
irregular rains in the southern districts have damaged maize production.
Heavy rain affected access to most areas in Thaba Tseka, and to a lesser
extent in Maseru Rural.


3)  Malawi

(a)  From 19 to 26 February, WFP dispatched 6,470 tons of food to
implementing partners. Parts of Mzimba and Rumphi Districts (Northern
Province) were affected by flooding during the week, particularly areas
located along Rukuru, Luviri, Kasitu and Chagumukili rivers. Extensive
crop damage was reported.

(b)  Estimates predict that 1,500 hectares of various crops were destroyed
and some 3,000 households were affected in Rumpi District. Around 700
hectares of various crops were damaged and 300 households were affected in
Mzimba District. Distribution of the Nelson Mandela Foundation donation
started on 21 February. The donation of 25 tons of assorted commodities
will be distributed to HIV/AIDS affected households in the southern
region.

(c)  WFP, UNICEF, implementing partner Action Against Hunger and the
Consortium for Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE) agreed to
form a working group which will explore possibilities for establishing a
joint sentinel sites system. An agreement has been finalised with UNICEF
for a donation of 85 learning kits and balls to WFP assisted primary
schools under the country and EMOP programmes.


4)  Mozambique

(a)  From 19 to 26 February, WFP dispatched 1,323 tons of food. The food
security situation in the drought-affected areas continues to deteriorate,
with internal areas of Inhambane and Gaza Provinces and southern Tete
Province being most affected. WFP continues to monitor the situation to
ensure that food assistance is reaching the most vulnerable people.

(b)  A joint WFP, National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) and
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) mission visited
four districts in Nampula Province during the week to review the need for
emergency food assistance. The mission found the areas affected by
tropical depression 'Delfina' to be recovering well, and food assistance
in the province is not recommended after April. WFP is currently assessing
the food security situation in two localities in drought-stricken Maputo
Province following reports of deaths from malnutrition.


5)  Swaziland

(a)  From 19 to 26 February, WFP dispatched 717 tons of food to
implementing partners. Four rail wagons carrying 136 tons of maize
derailed at Siphofaneni. The food was recovered and transported by road.

(b)  WFP conducted a training workshop on targeting and monitoring for its
implementing partners, in which WFP Food Aid Monitors, Women's Relief
Committees, the National Disaster task Force and community leaders
participated. On 24 February, WFP started training the Women's Relief
Committees on targeting, beneficiary selection criteria, WFP commitment to
women, roles of responsibility and emergency food aid policies. All seven
implementing partners, covering 179 food distribution sites, will
undertake similar training.


6)  Zambia

(a)  From 19 to 26 February, WFP dispatched 4,650 tons of food to
implementing partners. 1,355 tons of GMO food was dispatched from Zambia
to Malawi during the reporting period where it will be milled before
distribution. WFP is planning to have workshops to refine targeting for
the Western, Southern, and Eastern Provinces as well as Lusaka.

(b)  Former President Chiluba has been arrested on charges of corruption
and the plunder of natural resources. Any allegations implicating the
current Government could intensify calls for new elections.


7)  Zimbabwe

(a)  WFP distributed over 42,000 tons of food through implementing
partners from 1 to 22 February. Fieldwork for the joint WFP, Ministry of
Health, UNICEF and NGO health and nutrition survey was completed on 23
February. The preliminary findings will be presented in mid-March.

(b)  Substantial rains were recorded in most parts of the country during
this period, affecting roads and delaying some food distributions.

(c)  Communities in Hurungwe District (Mashonaland West Province) are
reportedly resorting to the consumption of wild roots and leaves as an
extended coping mechanism. School enrolment is reported to have declined,
and one primary school reported a drop in students from 476 last year to
235 this year, a decrease attributed to hunger by the deputy headmaster.


8)  Madagascar

(a)  As of 18 February, WFP's EMOP 10236 was 55 percent resourced with a
shortfall of USD 4,196,450. Through this EMOP, WFP is responding to the
emergency needs resulting from a combination of various shocks.  Given the
growing needs, WFP is preparing another appeal to donors for additional
support to the EMOP 10236.0.

(b)  In 20 districts of Antananarivo, WFP, in collaboration with CARE, is
assisting flood-affected populations through various FFW activities. In
addition, 40,000 people affected by intense rains and Tropical Storm
"Fari" still require WFP assistance in the South-East. WFP and its
partners have been identifying possible FFW projects to assist the most
vulnerable people. The rehabilitation of a secondary road started and
family rations are expected to be distributed at the end of this week, in
collaboration with CARE. Agro Action Allemande has also identified FFW
activities aiming at clearing agricultural fields and involving the use of
170 tons of food.

(c)  Finally, the situation in the South is worsening due to scarce
rainfall coupled with strong winds impeding planting for the next
agricultural season. The coping mechanisms of beneficiaries such as the
consumption of cactus leaves during the lean period are degrading. In
addition, prices of staple commodities such as rice are on the rise by 60
percent. This rise coupled with the lack of purchasing power at the
household level has had a critical impact of the food security situation.

(d)  Water supplies are also scarce and WFP has already been approached by
community leaders with FFW proposals to assist the most vulnerable people.
The Government through the General Commission for Integrated Development,
has purchased 95 tons of Maize to be immediately distributed by WFP to the
affected population. Distribution of 1,090 tons of maize will start within
the next days in 13 drought-affected communes.


9)  Tanzania

(a)  Due to insufficient cereals and CSB stocks, WFP was forced to reduce
the food rations for refugees by 50 and 75 percent respectively in early
February. This reduction, however, did not affect special feeding
programmes and rations to extremely vulnerable groups. From 27 January to
9 February, WFP distributed over 2,600 tons of food to over 520,200
Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Kigoma, Kasulu, Kibondo and Ngara
Districts. In addition, WFP continued to support an average of 18,000
malnourished persons through a SFP in these areas, supplying almost 80
tons of food.

(b)  Local authorities in Ngara and Kasulu Districts held meetings with
Rwandan and Burundian refugees to encourage them to return to their
country of origin. Refugees were advised not to leave Mtabila and Muyovozi
camps without permission and were warned that those staying illegally in
villages would be taken back to the camps.

(c)  From 11 January to 2 February, over 1,350 refugees from Ngara camps
voluntarily repatriated to Muyinga and Kirundo Provinces in Burundi. At
the same time, almost 800 people were registered in Kibondo. They were
reportedly fleeing fighting in Ruyigi and Cankuzo Provinces.

(d)  Although rains stopped during the first week of February, many roads
are likely to become impassable for heavy trucks due to erosion. In
particular, repairs of the Kidahwe to Lugufu road have become urgent.


10)  Angola

(a)  WFP, in conjunction with World Vision, carried out a rapid food needs
assessment in Bimbe (Huambo province). Given the critical food needs
observed in this area, WFP is planning an emergency intervention shortly.
In Chitata, there is a need for agricultural tools and food rations to
ensure seed protection for the low land planting.

(b)  In Kuando Kubango, the collapse of a key bridge has halted all road
transport between Menongue and Cuito Cuanavale and between Menongue and
Mavinga. As a consequence, WFP will be unable to carry out food
distributions to around 3,700 vulnerable IDPs concentrated in Cuito
Cuanavale for this month.

(c)  After three weeks of heavy rains and logistical difficulties, the
airstrip of Mavinga has been repaired thanks to the joint efforts of WFP,
MSF and a private contractor.  Urgent cargo flights to Mavinga have
resumed and food stocks, which were running dangerously low, are being
replenished and distributed to beneficiaries.

(d)  Under an innovative project to promote long-term food security, WFP,
in collaboration with ADRA-A, began distributing over 1,000 bundles of
cassava cuttings to newly returned food insecure populations in Kiwaba
Nzoji. The cassava cuttings were produced under an agricultural
multiplication project, supported by WFP.

(e)  Despite the recent confirmation of a contribution of USD 500,000
towards the WFP's operation, Logistics Services to the Humanitarian
Community (SO 10149.1), further donations to the PRRO and the two
logistics-related Special Operations are still urgently needed.

(f)  In Huila province, despite transportation difficulties due to the bad
road conditions, WFP and its partners have completed food distributions
for approximately 25,000 people located in Galangue Family Gathering Areas
for the months of February and March. Transport is under way to assist an
additional 20,500 people in Galangue and Vikungo (Kuvango Municipality).
4,400 beneficiaries in Sangueve (Chipindo Municipality) remain out of
reach due to poor access.


11)  Namibia

(a)  UNHCR is currently verifying the number of Angolan refugees willing
to be repatriated from Osire camp to Angola in 2003 and 2004. A number of
Angolan refugees spontaneously repatriating from Zambia are transiting
through Namibia on their way to Angola. This route is reportedly preferred
to southern Angola, due to better road and infrastructure conditions.



F)  Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Colombia, (2) Guatemala, (3)
Ecuador

1)  Colombia

(a)  By the end of February, WFP will have delivered 190 tons of food as
part of its FFW and community kitchen projects under its PRRO 6139. In the
province of Sonson (Antioquia Department), where WFP implements a
complementary nutrition project, local authorities requested additional
food security kits, medicines and tents for provisional shelters,
following the displacement of 400 persons in the area.

(b)  Insecurity continues to hamper WFP operations in various areas. In
Remedios province (Antioquia Department), clashes between armed groups led
to the killing of one and the displacement of 150 persons. As a result,
only 25 percent of WFP's FFW rations could be distributed in the area. In
addition, WFP could not deliver food rations to the municipality of
Murindo in Choco Department, due to road blocks mounted by armed groups.
This may

additionally delay the deliveries of more than 3,000 food rations
scheduled for next week. Finally, in Barrancabermeja, armed groups issued
threats to any organization working with displaced populations, leading to
heightened alerts.


2)  Guatemala

(a)  The continuing crisis in the coffee sector, mainly in the Departments
of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango and Santa Rosa, and some
municipalities of the eastern Departments of Chiquimula and Jutiapa, is
resulting in increased poverty and migration to urban centres.  The
Government has initiated a food assistance programme, planned to reach
5,000 families in the most affected zones.

(b)  WFP has been assisting drought-affected families through EMOP 10174.0
during the months of January and February, using existing stocks. However,
due to shortages of oil, the ration was reduced by half to ensure regular
distributions until the end of the operation on 28 February. From 1 March,
malnourished children and their families affected by recurring natural
disasters and the coffee crisis will continue to receive WFP support under
the new regional PRRO 10212.0 for Central America.

(c)  The nutritional situation among the most vulnerable groups is
expected to deteriorate as a result of the worsening socio-economic
situation. To ensure an adequate response, national hospitals and
Nutritional Recuperation Centres are being supplied with therapeutic
formula to cover the needs of malnourished children for the next 3 to 6
months.


3)  Ecuador

(a)  The number of Colombian refugees and asylum seekers rose to 840 by
mid-February as a result of the intensification of the armed conflict in
the Putumayo Department of Colombia, contiguous to the border with
Ecuador. Over 11,600 Colombian refugees are currently living in Ecuador.
WFP and UNHCR signed an agreement to provide food assistance to Colombian
refugees in Ecuador from January to March. WFP is preparing an expansion
of this operation to cover the increasing food requirements of the
refugees until the end of the year.



G)  West and Central Asia Region: (1) Pakistan, (2) Afghanistan

1)  Pakistan

(a)  The Tripartite Consultations on 20 February between the Government of
Pakistan, the Authorities of the Transitional Government of Afghanistan
and UNHCR, attended by WFP, confirmed the urgent need for donor
contributions to enable WFP to continue to support an estimated 230,000
Afghan refugees at the new camps in the North West Frontier Province and
Balochistan Province in Pakistan. So far only 30 percent of WFP's
requirements under EMOP 10228 have been met.  Recent cash contributions
have enabled WFP to quickly purchase food, particularly wheat and
vegetable oil, to ensure implementation of this EMOP until April or May.  
However, further pledges, either in cash or in kind, are urgently
required.


2)  Afghanistan

(a)  The security situation was calm across the country except in the
Eastern region, where tensions in the five poppy cultivating districts of
Nangarhar province have persisted, and in the Southern region where
fighting was reported in Uruzgan province.

(b)  On 23 February, thousands of tons of food commodities were lost in a
fire that destroyed the warehouse of a local company in Jalal Abad.  It is
anticipated that this incident will impact food prices in the region and
that food shortages might be experienced.

(c)  From 20 to 26 February, 847,880 beneficiaries received more than
3,186 tons of food commodities through various WFP activities. These
included FFW and Food For Asset Creation projects in Hirat, Kandahar,
Kabul, Mazari Sharif and Fayz Abad, where 297,800 beneficiaries received
1,910 tons of food; Food For Education in Kandahar, Kabul and Fayz Abad,
where 291,600 beneficiaries received 272 tons of food; relief and
resettlement of IDPs and refugees, where 59,180 IDPs in Hirat received 111
tons of food and over 5,000 returning refugees in Kabul received 72 tons
of food; urban vulnerable bakery projects, in which 149,800 beneficiaries
in Kabul, Mazari Sharif and Kandahar received 264 tons of food;
supplementary feeding, where 4,000 beneficiaries in Mazari Sharif, Hirat,
Kandahar and Kabul received 37 tons of food; and free food distribution to
40,300 beneficiaries in Fayz Abad and Mazari Sharif, receiving 520 tons of
food.


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

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