World Food Programme Emergency Report 2004
Issued Weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 28 of 9 July


(A) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan,
    (2) Azerbaijan
(B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Djibouti,
    (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Sudan,
    (8) Uganda
(C) West Africa: (1) Chad, (2) Liberia
(D) Southern Africa:  (1)  Regional, (2)  Angola, (3)  Lesotho,
    (4) Madagascar, (5) Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia,
    (8) Zimbabwe
(E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
(F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Guatemala,
    (3) Haiti, (4) Nicaragua


>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
Brenda.Barton@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, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2)
Azerbaijan

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  The security situation continued to deteriorate during the week,
particularly with incidents targeting the government, coalition forces and
aid workers.  The attacks to electoral workers remained to be of a
continuing concern, threatening the successful voter registration process.

(b)  In the northeast, a bomb exploded on 3 July next to a school used as
a voter registration site at Archi district of Kunduz province, causing no
casualties.  An Afghan woman apparently working with the UN to register
voters for elections was killed, and two other persons were wounded when
their car hit a land mine in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday. Also in the
east, many security incidents took place in Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar
provinces, causing unrest in the region. In the south, the police
commander of Qalat district in Zabul province advised Joint Electoral
Management Body (JEMB)  to close the voter registration sites at Mizan
district due to increased insurgent activities.  In the central region,
two improvised explosive devices exploded on 1 July in the residence of
two JEMB staff at Charkh district of Logar province.

(c)  During the reporting period, 453,849 beneficiaries received 2,730
tons of food.

(d)  In Kandahar, the construction of Mohmmand Qala School accommodating
276 schoolchildren was completed with WFP assistance.

(e)  WFP and WHO discussed implementing a joint health education activity
in Bamyan under WHO's basic development needs initiative. Representatives
of the two agencies visited a project site to concretize their
collaboration plan.


2)  Azerbaijan

(a)  Under the PRRO 10168, Targeted Food Assistance for Relief and
Recovery of Displaced Persons and Vulnerable Groups in Azerbaijan, a total
of 2,060 tons of mixed commodities were distributed to some 125,804 IDPs
and 717 other vulnerable people in May and June.

(b)  In addition, a total of 23 tons of the school feeding rations were
distributed to 2,650 children in 44 schools, during the same period. Also,
as part of a WFP/UNICEF initiative on preschool care, a total of 16 tons
of the FFW rations were distributed to 257 women care givers working in 34
preschool centres in IDP settlements.

(c)  During May and June, several employment generation scheme (EGS)
activities were undertaken by World Vision in Agjabedi, Mingechevir and
Tartar districts.  One ton of the EGS rations was distributed to some 300
participants.

(d)  Currently, some 56 percent of the PRRO requirements have been met,
leaving a shortfall of 19,015 tons.



B)  East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Djibouti, (4)
Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Sudan, (8) Uganda

1)  Burundi

(a)  The Government of Burundi (GoB) has proposed to UNHCR several sites
in Rutana and Cankuzo provinces for the transfer and hosting of more than
43,000 refugees who fled the fighting in the eastern parts of DR Congo
since early June.  A joint UNHCR/WFP mission was carried out to evaluate
the suitability of the proposed sites.  In the meantime, a small number of
refugees returned to DR Congo.

(b)  Insecurity continued in Bujumbura Rural province. Three rockets were
reportedly launched at Kabezi commune. Acts of banditry and murder were
reported in different areas of the country, including Bujumbura town.

(c)  Assessment teams continue analyzing field data collected during the
Joint Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (JCFSAM), conducted by FAO,
UNICEF and the Ministry of Agriculture. Preliminary findings estimated a
global deficit in pulses for the Bugesera and Imbo natural regions and
some remote areas in other regions.  Analysis to identify specific
provincial food shortfalls is still underway.

(d)  From 28 June to 4 July, WFP distributed over 500 tons of various food
commodities to some 51,000 beneficiaries through the different programme
activities. Food commodities received by WFP during the week totalled
1,370 tons including cereals, pulses and biscuits. Last week's deliveries
did not include oil, which is essential. However, some oil has begun
arriving from loans obtained in the region to alleviate the critical
shortages faced during the past month. The food pipeline situation of
pulses has improved with the new deliveries.


2)  D.R. Congo

(a)  The security situation remained volatile in eastern DR Congo. South
Kivu province was the most affected. Clashes between various armed
factions continued to occur in rural areas, bringing about the
displacement of peasant farmers and preventing the smooth implementation
of food distribution activities.

(b)  Rural population, who had been displaced recently by the wave of
violence linked with the capture of Bukavu by dissident soldiers, were
reportedly beginning to return to their homes. A joint UN mission carried
out from 29 to 30 June in the Ruzizi Plane revealed that 5,000 returnees
were in need of over 300 tons of food and non-food items.

(c)  In the North Katanga area, a recent nutritional survey carried out by
the NGO GOAL reported that malnutrition rates were still high at 4.2
percent of global malnutrition for Mulongo and Manono and 5.2 percent of
global malnutrition for Kiambi. With the forthcoming planting season, the
nutritional situation of the population in these areas will most certainly
worsen, as people will consume the seeds.

(d)  WFP distribution activities in the areas of the first emergencies
(North and South Kivu, Maniema, North Katanga) were still affected by the
volatile security situation prevailing in these areas. During last week, a
total of 400 tons of food were distributed to some 72,000 beneficiaries.


3)  Djibouti

(a)  A June 2004 food security report of the Famine Early Warning System
Network (FEWS Net)  stated that prices of basic food commodities such as
rice, wheat flour and sugar, had increased by between 25 and 30 percent
since August 2003. This gives some cause for concern, as even quite small
increases are significant for the poorest 10 to 15 percent of Djibouti
households.  Djibouti imports all of its food and the report released on
30 June said the prices had risen because of a declining dollar value
compared to the Euro, lower levels of cereal production in Europe, and
concerns over reduced rice production in the Far East, among other
reasons.

(b)  Following a meeting between WFP and FEWS Net in Djibouti in May on
possible joint collaboration in the field of monitoring food security
indicators, WFP field staff have been collecting and transmitting the
whole sale prices of six main food commodities, namely rice, flour, sugar,
sorghum, vegetable oil and maize to FEWS Net, on a weekly basis,. Other
monitoring indicators to be collected by WFP will be included in future
reports.  WFP also collaborates with FEWS Net on food aid gap and food
pipeline information on a monthly basis.


4)  Eritrea

(a)  UN Secretary General (SG), Kofi Annan, visited Eritrea on Saturday 3
July during his visit to several East African countries. The SG met with
the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and the UN Country Team. He
exchanged views with the President of the State of Eritrea on critical
issues regarding UNMEE, its mandate and work in Eritrea. UN Officials
commented that the exchange had been difficult. The Security Council will
discuss the size and duration of the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea in
September.

(b)  WFP sub-offices have reported rainfall all over the country and
farmers are preparing their land for the forthcoming cropping season.
Prospects for the new harvest depend largely on intensity and distribution
of precipitation, which has been reported to differ from region to region.
In Debub, farmers are sowing barley and maize as planned with prospects of
a good harvest.  Other crops that were sown earlier, such as millet, are
expected to yield less due to lack of moisture during the early stages of
growth.

(c)  On the markets in the northern and southern Red Sea region only
wheat, sorghum, maize and millet are available in small quantities but
continue to be sold at high prices. Also costs of tomatoes, onions,
cabbage and carrots have gone up by 25 percent compared to the previous
week. Sugar, bread and milk are not available in Massawa.

(d)  In Anseba, crop production and water supply continues to be at
critical levels.  Livestock has become emaciated due to the shortage of
fodder and subsequently the selling price as gone down. Six months ago, a
goat fetched approximately 600 to 700 Nakfa, as compared to the present
price of 350 to 500 Nakfa (1USD = 13.55 Nakfa).

(e)  The repatriation of Eritrean refugees from Sudan has been ongoing. A
convoy of 33 households comprising of 68 persons arrived in Tessenay, Gash
Barka region.  Two more convoys are expected in July following which the
repatriation exercise will be suspended for the rainy season.  The
repatriation is scheduled to resume in October of this year.


5)  Ethiopia

(a)  A one-day seminar of UN Millennium Project's Task Force on Hunger
took place in Addis Ababa on the 5 July 2004. The seminar, which was held
one day ahead of the annual UN-African Union (AU) summit, addressed
innovative approaches to meeting the hunger Millennium Development Goals
(MDG)  in Africa.  The importance of protecting vulnerable people from the
devastating effects of natural shocks and conflict-induced emergencies
were highlighted, as was the significance of enhancing nutritional
interventions in response to food insecurity. To this end, the UN task
force on hunger recommended the establishment of a food safety net to
minimize the incidence of acute hunger "without disrupting local commodity
markets". The meeting was attended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan,
numerous heads of state, as well as representatives from the UN Agencies,
including WFP.

(b)  Work is in progress for the joint "Evaluation of Response to the 2003
Emergency in Ethiopia"  led by the Government's Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness Commission (DPPC) and facilitated by UN-OCHA on behalf of the
UN Country Team.  The evaluation is being done in close consultation with
NGOs, regional government authorities, federal line ministries, donors and
the various UN agencies involved in the major emergency operations over
the past year.  A former senior UN staff member leads the evaluation and
team members include staff from DPPC, OCHA and an international NGO.
Discussions with major actors in Addis Ababa and field visits have been
completed, and workshops were held with major stakeholders focusing on
early warning and needs assessment, food and logistics, health and
nutrition, and water and sanitation.  The analysis of the experience of
food aid and logistics operations between July 2002 and the end of 2003 is
drawing on the findings of the recent WFP evaluation (led by the same team
leader), which were circulated among government offices, UN agencies,
donors and NGOs in May of this year.

(c)  The implementation of the joint UNICEF/WFP/Regional Disaster
Prevention and Preparedness Bureau's (DPPB)  Enhanced Outreach
Strategy/Child Survival Initiative in Southern Nations, Nationalities and
People's Region (SNNPR)  is progressing with emphasis on training
activities.  Across the 54 Woredas WFP, Regional DPPB and Regional Health
have jointly trained 100 local officials from the Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness Bureau and health officials from participating Zones and
Woredas.  By the end of July 1,150 food distribution agents (women) will
have been trained in commodity management, nutrition education and
reporting and recording processes, and another 1,150 community officials
will have been trained in the reporting and recording processes. The
training component is an important additional part of this project for
which WFP distributes supplementary food to vulnerable people screened by
UNICEF.


6)  Kenya

(a)  Recent drought assessments done by the Government of Kenya (GoK)
revealed that meager rainfall has seriously affected food production in
several regions. Some 1.4 million people may require relief food until end
of the year or early 2005 if the long rains do not resume, especially in
the coastal areas.  GoK's relief/strategic reserve stocks have been used
to cater to the immediate needs of the affected population, which has led
to significant depletion of these stocks.

(b)  In order to deal with a shortage of food caused by the reduced rains
across the country, the Kenyan President made an urgent appeal for
international food aid last Tuesday, 6 July.  The Kenya Food Security
Steering Group (KFSSG), in which WFP is well represented, completed rapid
food assessments of the most affected districts and is presently
finalizing the results.  Meanwhile, WFP is also working on the preparation
of an Emergency Operation to be submitted for processing shortly.


7)  Rwanda

(a)  Rwanda's border with DR Congo was officially opened on Saturday 3
July.  This was a result of the improved security situation in Bukave,
despite some anecdotal information stating that approximately 50,000
people are internally displaced.

(b)  The security situation in Cyangugu remained calm and the UN security
phases remain unchanged. During the week, only 10 refugees were received
in Cyangugu as new arrivals.  However, close to 80 refugees voluntarily
repatriated to Bukavu, excluding the Banyamulenge refugees who believe
that they risk intimidation from other Congolese ethnic groups. The
refugee caseload in Cyangugu now stands at over 2,400 people.

(c)  Since 27 May, when the conflict began, WFP distributed approximately
50 tons of various food commodities to over 3,200 refugees. In addition to
WFP's food aid, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children Fund,
Good News Church and Adventist Church provide non-food items.


8)  Sudan

(a)  The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and the US Secretary of State,
Collin Powell, visited Sudan during the past week. In a joint communique
with the Government of Sudan (GoS), the UN Secretary General pledged that
the UN would do its utmost to alleviate the humanitarian needs of the
affected population in Darfur and the Sudanese refugees in Chad by being
consistent with its 90-day Humanitarian Action Plan. The GoS agreed to
remove obstacles to humanitarian aid, investigate violations of human
rights and improve security for the protection of civilians. A newly
formed Joint Implementation Mechanism, to be led by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and the Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General, will monitor the progress of implementing the
agreement.  The US Secretary of State said sanctions may be imposed on
Sudan if security in Darfur is not restored:  "It may be necessary for the
international community to begin considering other actions ? Security
Council actions."

(b)  Relief workers reported that several villages in rebel-held areas of
South Darfur were bombed on Thursday, 1 July. Helicopter gunships flew
over Kalma camp, outside Nyala, on Wednesday and Thursday. Reports
confirmed fierce fighting between the Arab and non-Arab groups. The main
access road, El Daein-Nyala was cut off, disrupting food deliveries
transported by 26 WFP contracted trucks.  Clashes also occurred between
tribes supported by the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)  and Janjaweed in Al
Mugren, El Fasher. Forty members of the Janjaweed were reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, on the Zalingei-Nyala road in West Darfur, drivers are being
threatened to hand over money at armed checkpoints.

(c)  Access limitations, insecurity, low on the ground implementing
partner capacity, and weak local transportation network and coverage
continue to impede the delivery of food, and have prevented the full
implementation of WFP's targets. There are 137 IDP camps in total. WFP has
access to 103, has verified and registered 83 and is providing assistance
to 72 camps. Most of the inaccessible camps are in rebel-controlled areas.
WFP continues to intensify efforts with partners to assess and verify
camps. (d)  WFP is in the process of dramatically scaling up its capacity
in Darfur in response to the massive needs of the displaced population and
those affected by the conflict in the region. However, a substantial
increase in available resources is still required for WFP to meet its
targets in Darfur. As of 4 July, WFP has received USD 81,086,005 out of
the USD 195,300,705 required for its emergency operation in Darfur this
year, representing a shortfall of 58 percent.


9)  Uganda

(a)  The humanitarian situation in the northern Acholi and Lango
sub-regions continues to deteriorate.  Limited coping abilities, coupled
with increasing food needs are the result of 18 years of civil conflict by
the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)  insurgency. The displaced population,
currently sheltering in 104 congested camps, with limited access to clean
water, sanitation services and over-stretched education facilities depends
to a large extent on WFP relief food.

(b)  WFP plans to carry out an assessment of the food needs of an
estimated 20,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are scheduled to
be relocated in two newly established camps within Pabbo sub-county in the
northern Ugandan district of Gulu. The proposed two new camps are being
established in an effort to de-congest Pabbo camp, which is home to nearly
60,000 persons.  Pabbo camp in recent months experienced frequent fire
outbreaks;  last week, over 500 huts were burned down, leaving in excess
of 6,000 persons homeless.

(c)  WFP food distribution continues to reach over 1.6 million displaced
persons, 148,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the period
from 25 June to 3 July, around 3,400 tons of WFP relief food assistance
were distributed to some 231,000 persons including IDPs sheltering in
camps in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira districts in the northern Acholi and
Lango sub-regions, refugees and vulnerable persons.

(d)  The US Ambassador, together with a delegation from USAID Washington
visited the northern district of Lira to assess the humanitarian situation
among the population displaced in camps within Lira municipality. In Lira,
the delegation visited Erute IDP camp, one of the 17 camps within the
municipality provided with relief food by WFP.

(e)  WFP faces a shortfall of some 35,000 tons of food commodities
(cereals, pulses and CSB) from July through December this year. A
shortfall in both cereals and pulses is anticipated in September.
Fortified blended food stocks available are sufficient to meet the needs
of the school feeding, nutrition and HIV/AIDS programmes. WFP urgently
requires USD 19 million to continue providing relief assistance through
the end of this year.



C)  West Africa Region: (1) Chad, (2) Liberia

1)  Chad

(a)  Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in N'Djamena on 1 July.  His
visit in the capital included meetings with the President, the UN country
team and press briefings.  The second day of his visit he flew up to
Abeche and Iridimi camp.  Technical complications with Chadian government
helicopters at Iridimi camp required the emergency assistance of the WFP
flight service to ensure the safe return of the SG mission members to
Abeche and N'Djamena and Khartum.

(b)  The security situation remained tense. In the east, the movement of
armed groups were reported from the Sudanese side of the border, near
Tissi.  In addition, two NGO vehicles were attacked by unidentified armed
groups in the region.  In the south, the situation is generally calm.
Movements of some Chadian armed groups called "Liberateurs", former troops
that assisted the current government of Central African Republic to take
power, were reported in southern Chad.  Host populations, and in some
instances refugees, have reported harassment from unidentified armed
groups.

(c)  The estimated caseload for the refugee population by UNHCR is 174,800
comprised of the camp population, spontaneous arrivals and those
registered for transfer at the border. Through the verification exercise
some 15,000 have chosen to remain in their present location or choose
alternative options.  Current refugee caseload in the 9 camps in Eastern
Chad totals over 124,420 people.  The transfer of refugees from the border
continues, and there is an estimated 50,300 refugees waiting to be
resettled to camps in July.

(d)  Under EMOP 10327.0, Emergency Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in
Eastern Chad, some 2,440 tons of food were distributed to over 127,170
beneficiaries.  From 29 June to 6 July, some 650 tons were distributed to
67,000 refugees.

(e)  Flash flooding of rivers have been reported in southern Chad, making
the area increasingly inaccessible for WFP to transport food commodities.
In Om Zoer, a WFP land cruiser was swept up by rushing water, damaging the
vehicle.  Similarly, UNHCR reported damage to two trucks in the area.
The seasonal rains have started forcing the Government of Chad to close
some of the roads and to impose weight restrictions on others. Trucks are
now using the northern route, through the desert, from N'Djamena to
Abeche. Initial reports on the transport of food through this route have
been positive. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has informed
that no road movement will be allowed during August.  WFP will negotiate
some exception for humanitarian commodities. Transport of food from Libya
to northern Chad is expected in early August

(f)  WFP has successfully pre-positioned the majority of the food required
to meet the needs of some 30,000 refugees located in the southern camps
during the rainy season.  The current stocks are short 98 of the required
3,124 tons for a six month period. Logistic staff is now concentrating
efforts to pre-positioning food in the central camps to meet the
requirements for some 55,000 refugees that will be spread out in the camps
of Farchana, Bredjing, and Treguine.  Current stocks are short 3,420 tons
of the more than 4,735 tons required for a 5 month period.  Negotiations
are underway to borrow 2000 tons of cereals from the Government of Chad,
which will allow WFP to meet the immediate pre-positioning needs for the
central camps.  Adding. The current shortfalls in Chad totals an estimated
7,900 tons.

(g)  Final results of interagency nutrition survey indicate serious
malnutrition problems in the camps and local communities, with estimations
of global acute malnutrition at 27% and severe acute malnutrition of
nearly 2 percent in the camps.  The situation outside camps is slightly
worse. Analysis of the source of malnutrition point to the lack of access
and availability of safe drinking water, rather than food availability.
WFP is working with medical and nutritional partners to implement the
recommendations of the survey team, particularly, to open supplementary
and therapeutic feeding centres in camps. The Italian NGO COOPI has
cancelled its nutritional survey in the southern camps, due to lack of
access.

(h)  UNHCR requested WFP assistance to supply milling machines in the
refugee camps as per the Memorandum of Understanding.  WFP is currently
reviewing budget and procurement options.


2)  Liberia

(a)  The security situation in Liberia is relatively calm with isolated
cases of criminal activities in Monrovia and the Southeast. Concerns
remain about growing impatience among combatants in locations where
disarmament has not yet begun, particularly in Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh
counties.

(b)  From 30 June to 6 July, WFP distributed some 2,725 tons of
commodities to over 63,625 IDPs, and 1,950 returnees. WFP also distributed
1,327 tons of commodities to about 267,220 children in 710 schools through
the school feeding programme.  In addition, WFP continues to support the
disarmament and demobilization process: during this week some 235 tons of
commodities were distributed to 9,212 ex-combatants and dependents. As
part of the Food Support to Local Initiatives, a total of 129 tons was
distributed to over 2,725 farmers in 52 agricultural activities in
Montserrado County.

(c)  In Montserrado and Bong counties, 51 schools were visited as part of
the monitoring of school feeding activities. Also during this period, a
hut verification exercise was completed in Montserrado County reducing the
number of beneficiaries by 4 percent from 202,068 to 194,250.

(d)  A joint WFP/CARITAS mission assessed the level of damage and
identified repair needs for feeder roads and bridges ensuring access to
WFP beneficiaries of agricultural activities in Bomi, Gbopolu & Cape Mount
counties.  CARITAS subsequently submitted a project to maintain 140 km of
the affected roads and bridges, that will be supported by WFP.

(e)  WFP expects a pipeline break to begin in August with shortfalls of
622 tons of pulses and 14 tons of salt. Additional pledges, particularly
cash for local purchases, are being sought urgently to avert a shortfall
from August to December of 14,021 tons of cereals, 2,217 tons of pulses,
1,456 tons of vegetable oil, 373 tons of salt, 2,344 tons of corn soya
blend (CSB), and 3 tons of sugar.



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

1)  Regional

(a)  "An estimated 25 million people are living with HIV in sub-Saharan
Africa. Prevalence is still rising in some countries such as Madagascar
and Swaziland", according to the UNAIDS 2004 Global Report on AIDS
Epidemic launched on 6 July. The percentage adult prevalence rate for the
countries in the region is: Angola (3.9), Lesotho (28.9), Madagascar
(1.7), Malawi (14.2), Mozambique (12.2), Namibia (21.3), Swaziland (38.8),
Zambia (16.5) and Zimbabwe (24.6).

(b)  Food remains essential in combating the effects of HIV/AIDS in
southern Africa.  WFP is committed to working with the donor community and
humanitarian agencies to provide food assistance to vulnerable population
groups.  The Southern Africa Regional EMOP 10290, Targeted Relief to
Vulnerable Households in Southern Africa, extended to December 2004, and
the succeeding Regional PRRO, are targeting families and individuals whose
food security is affected by the combination of erratic climate, extreme
poverty and HIV/AIDS.


2)  Angola

(a)  Some 15,700 external returnees (RETE) are expected to be expatriated
from DRC to Angola during the second phase of the repatriation process.
Out of these, about 680 persons have already arrived between 1 and 7 July.
The movement is expected to be on a fortnightly basis.

(b)  The PRRO 10054,2, Assistance to War Affected People, continues to be
severely underfunded.  Due to the food shortfalls foreseen for the months
of August and September, WFP will distribute only 50 percent of the cereal
ration to FFW activities.  This reduction will not be applied to the
vulnerable groups. Other commodities such as pulses, vegetable oil and
salt shall be distributed at a 100 percent of the foreseen ration.
Internal returnees (RETI)  and RETE will receive 100 percent rations of
pulses, vegetable oil and salt, but no cereals.

(c)  A recent donation of 17,250 tons of food includes 14,350 tons of
sorghum, which has been substituted for maize owing to the Government of
Angola's ban on the distribution of unmilled genetically modified (GM)
cereals.


3)  Lesotho

(a)  In order to encourage people to voluntarily test for HIV/AIDS, the
Ministry of Health has launched National Guidelines for HIV Testing and a
Counseling Manual.  The manual is intended to address broad issues related
to HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation. According to UNAIDS, adult HIV/AIDS
prevalence rate between the ages of 15 and 49 years is 28.9 percent.

(b)  From, 30 June to 6 July, WFP and its partners distributed about 850
tons of food to some 63,000 beneficiaries.  The supplementary feeding
programme assisted about 12,500 children under five years of age, 3,500
HIV/AIDS and TB patients;  2,100 pregnant and nursing mothers with food
through health centres; 26,800 beneficiaries under Vulnerable Group
Feeding (VGF); 11,600 orphans; and 6,400 beneficiaries under FFW
activities.


4)  Madagascar

(a)  The July price of rice (staple food) is 4,400 FMG (USD 0.52) per
kilogram compared with 3,850 FMG (USD 0.45) in June. The acute rise in the
cost of living has prompted a series of demonstrations in Madagascar.
According to economists, inflation, exacerbated by rising oil prices, had
averaged 6.5 percent in the first six months of the year and is predicted
to reach 12 percent by December.

(b)  An increasing number of severely malnourished children has been
reported in southern Madagascar.


(c)  On 30 June, the Ministry of Agriculture/FAO/WFP Emergency Rapid Needs
Assessment (ERNA)  results were presented along with the results of the
assessments on nutrition conducted by UNICEF, to Government ministries,
international agencies, NGOs, and UN agencies. One of the major findings
was a reconfirmation that about 110,000 people affected by cyclones and
floods need food assistance.  UNICEF's Nutritional Survey shows that 16
percent of children in areas affected by cyclones were severely
malnourished.  UNICEF will support the Government to set up 19 nutritional
rehabilitation centres and WFP is discussing with UNICEF in order to
collaborate by providing WFP food in this project.

(d)  From 30 June to 6 July, under EMOP 10236.0, Assistance to Victims of
Cyclones, Floods and Drought in Southern Madagascar, WFP provided about
400 tons of food to some 50,000 beneficiaries in the South.


5)  Malawi

(a)  In the Northern region, rice prices now are pegged at MK 300 (USD 3)
per 20-litre bucket, which means a significant increase compared to the
MK180 (USD 2) at the same time last year.

(b)  The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC)  analysis
concluded that about 1.3 million people will require an estimated 56,000
tons of food aid in the period to March 2005.

(c)  Discussions between WFP and key stakeholders on WFP's planned
interventions for this year and the proposed implementation strategy for
food aid and HIV/AIDS programmes are continuing.


6)  Mozambique

(a)  The Ministry of Agriculture released an Info Flash on the recent
Vulnerability Assessment (VAC).  The report indicates that 202,000 people
are vulnerable to acute food insecurity. Of these, 108,000 people require
emergency support until the next harvest. The remaining 94,000 people are
at-risk and may require emergency food assistance from October this year.

(b)  WFP/FAO Crop and Food Supply Assessment (CFSAM)  data analysis
continues in Mozambique, but early indications reconfirm the VAC findings,
estimating that some 219,000 rural people in the districts covered by the
assessment will require emergency assistance.


7)  Namibia

(a)  WFP food distributions to 2,548 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)
started on 30 June in Kavango and Caprivi regions. About 12,200 OVCs are
targeted for WFP food assistance in July.

(b)  On 23 June the Governments of Angola and Namibia and UNHCR agreed to
repatriate some 3,000 refugees to the southern province of Kuando Kubango
in Angola. The repatriation is scheduled to start on 13 July from the
Osire refugee camp. General food distributions for about 12,500 refugees
in Osire camp and Kassava transit centre will be affected by a critical
pipeline situation for EMOP 10451, Food Assistance to Angolan Refugees in
Namibia.


8)  Zimbabwe

(a)  The effects of the recent sharp increase in the government-controlled
price of maize started to be felt, particularly in rural areas. In eastern
province of Manicaland, a kilogram of maize is being sold at the
equivalent of USD 0.15, up from about USD 0.08 two weeks ago. The price of
maize grain on the parallel market has similarly increased by about 50
percent in the same period.  The price of processed maize meal is double
that of maize grain, at the equivalent of USD 0.30 a kilogram. The rising
cost of food has negatively affected living standards of low-income
earners. The average monthly wage for a farm worker is about Zim$ 75,000
(USD 14), enough to buy slightly less than 100 kg of maize at the Grain
Marketing Board (GMB) price. Maize is the staple food and is included in
every meal.

(b)  WFP held discussions on the school feeding programme with the mayor
and education officials in Chitungwiza, a large town about 30 km from
Harare.  WFP is in the process of introducing Christian Care as the
cooperating partner for the programme in the town. The programme targets
primary schools in the poorest suburbs of Chitungwiza.

(c)  The humanitarian community is still waiting for the official release
of a report of the survey conducted in April by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability
Assessment Committee (ZimVAC).



E)  Asia: (1) DPR Korea

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  Currently, more than two million core beneficiaries, including
pregnant/nursing women and children in kindergartens and primary schools
on the west, are left without cereal rations. New pledges of 182,200 tons,
mostly cereals, are required for July to December of this year.

(b)  A contribution of sugar to EMOP 10141.02 was confirmed this week. It
will be used in the Local Food Production factories on the west coast. The
overall output of Local Food Production for the first half of 2004
(January-June)  totals 28,000 tons, almost 80 percent of the EMOP
requirement for the period.



F)  Latin America and the Caribbean

1)  Colombia

(a)  The Colombian government and 10 right-wing warlords began peace talks
on 1 July, at a ceremony in Santafe de Ralito, province of Cordoba. If the
peace talks are successful, some 12,000 fighters would lay down their
weapons and most of the foot soldiers would be reinserted into society, or
perhaps join the legitimate military. The UN Secretary General confirmed
that these peace talks should result in the fighters' disarmament but
warned that the process should not allow for general amnesties or immunity
from prosecution.

(b)  At least 600 families are suffering blockades by illegal armed groups
in rural areas of the municipality of Sonson, province of Antioquia. In
the province of Choco, due to the frequency of kidnappings, blockades and
clashes between illegal armed groups, local authorities officially
requested the President to improve the security conditions in this
province.  WFP develops activities in Choco and although no incidents have
been reported by WFP staff, there are concerns about staff security
especially in the rural areas.

(c)  In the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by
Violence, WFP distributed 211 metric tons of food in 7 provinces to 28,640
beneficiaries.


2)  Guatemala

(a)  During his visit, the UN Special Rapporteur on racism, Mr. Dodou
Diene, acknowledged a serious situation of race discrimination as
evidenced by the match between the poverty map and the indigenous
population areas. His initial recommendations included education reforms
and advocacy campaigns.

(b)  The climate of insecurity prevails as nineteen foreign tourists were
assaulted in the Inter-American road on their way to Atitlan Lake.  In
addition, leaders of the main political party in Congress, GANA, stated
that it will be difficult to meet the 20-day deadline set on 27 June to
release compensation payments to members of the Civil Defense Patrols
(ex-PAC) for services rendered during the civil war.  This issue may
evolve into a potential security threat, as the ex-PAC threatened to carry
out acts of pressure to pursue their demands.

(c)  The downsizing of the Armed Forces, in line with the 1996 Peace
Accords, was completed during the the past week, achieving a reduction of
43%.

(d)  A total of 26.15 tons of maize, beans, CSB and vegetable oil were
distributed to 1,550 beneficiaries in the Therapeutic Feeding and
Community Distribution Centers of the municipality of Jocotan, province of
Chiquimula, under the relief component of PRRO 10212. To contribute to the
nutritional recovery of children, pregnant and lactating women, the food
rations will meet half of the total kcal requirements for a family of 5
for the next two months.


3)  Haiti

(a)  The security environment remains uncertain and volatile. An increase
in the number of kidnappings in Port-au-Prince has been reported. Armed
robberies continue to plague several cities of the North and the North
Eastern Departments.  Nonetheless, WFP continues its humanitarian
operations in the flooded areas of Fonds Verretts and Mapou.

(b)  The use of helicopters ceased on 24 June. WFP humanitarian assistance
is now being transported by road.  On 1 July, 17.5 tons of non-food items
including tents, purification units and water storage tanks were sent to
the flood affected areas of Fonds Verrettes.  On 28 June, the first road
convoy of 10 trucks carrying non-food items for OCHA was sent from
Port-au-Prince to Mapou via Jacmel, taking 10 hours.

(c)  From 24 to 26 June, WFP distributed a total of 70 tons of food in
Mapou to cover the needs of 15,000 persons for 10 days.  WFP is now
initiating a re-verification of the lists of beneficiaries in coordination
with international institutions with field presence to ensure a further
targeted assistance to the most vulnerable households that may still
require humanitarian assistance. Also under the EMOP, a total of some 187
tons of food was distributed among 16,610 beneficiaries in the Northern
and North Eastern Departments between 28 June 28 and 1 July. Current
in-country stocks amount to some 2,043 tons.

(d)  After a 3-week normative assessment, the UNJLC coordinator
recommended the deployment of UNJLC to Haiti to facilitate inter-agency
logistics coordination and contingency planning. A formal request has been
presented to UNJLC.

(e)  The current EMOP 10347 shortfall still stands at 58.4 percent of the
USD 7.9 million required for the emergency operation. While in-country
stock will allow WFP to cover initial needs of the current flood affected
victims, further and urgent contributions are essential for WFP to be able
to respond to additional needs in other areas of the country requiring
emergency assistance.


4)  Nicaragua

(a)  The central Government declared a State of Emergency in the
Autonomous Regions of North and South Atlantic and in the Department of
Matagalpa affected by torrential rains which left a toll of 24 deaths,
5,580 other affected poeple, 171 houses damaged and 11 active shelters.

(b)  On 1 July, WFP participated in an inter-agency (UNICEF, WFP) needs
and damage assessment mission in Rio Blanco to define immediate actions.
Also, on 5 July, WFP visited the disaster areas of North and South
Atlantic and Rio Blanco to evaluate food needs and provide the victims
with appropriate conditions to store the food.

(c)  Food distributions under PRRO 10212.0 continue covering a total of
over 79,460 school children in the RAAN and the municipality of Matagalpa.
In addition, about 10,025 vulnerable children under 2 years of age; some
8,730 expectant and nursing women, and 2,000 poor rural families are being
assisted in the northern region of the country.

(d)  Serious pipeline breaks in PRRO 10212.0 are expected as of July on
beans (415 tons), rice (362 tons), and CSB (809 tons) and in September of
vegetable oil (191 tons). The Country Programme school feeding activities
are also facing serious shortfalls for the next six months. A total of
1,402 tons of rice, 1,087 tons of maize, 537 tons of beans, 446 tons of
vegetable oil and 1,013 tons of CSB are urgently needed.


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

END WFP Emergency Report No. 28, 2004


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