World Food Programme Emergency Report 2004
Issued Weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 49 of 3 December


(A) Highlights
(B) Global: WFP and World AIDS Day
(C) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan,
     (2) Iran, (3) Russian Federation
(D) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3)  Eritrea,
     (4) Ethiopia, (5) Republic of Congo, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia,
     (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
(E) West Africa: (1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Guinea, (4) Liberia,
     (5) Sierra Leone
(F) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Malawi,
     (5) Mozambique, (6) Namibia, (7) Zimbabwe
(G) Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Myanmar
(H) Latin America and the Caribbean:  (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia,
     (3) Guatemala, (4) Haiti, (5) Nicaragua.


>From David Kaatrud, Director of the Analysis, Assessment and Preparedness
Service (ODA).  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 (ODAP).  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)  Highlights:

- From a WFP conducted mission in western Cote d'Ivoire, it appears that
most Ivorians who fled to Liberia have now returned to their homes. The
mission also found that the crisis has had no major and immediate impact
on the food security of the population in the area, thanks to the ongoing
harvest.

- The UN Work Plan for Sudan for 2005 has been launched, requiring USD 1.5
billion for relief, recovery and development activities in the entire
country.  WFP's requirements in Darfur amount to approximately USD 460
million.

- Due to the unavailability of fuel in Eritrea, no distributions of
WFP-supplied food aid took place during November, and WFP's routine field
monitoring trips remained suspended.

- It is reported that floods in Somalia have resulted in thousands of
victims. WFP, other agencies and local authorities have assessed food
needs as a consequence of the floods, and WFP has continued to assist over
32,000 flood victims.



B)  Global:  World AIDS Day

(a)  WFP celebrated World AIDS Day (1 December) in many of its country and
regional offices worldwide with speeches, films, drawing competitions and
other activities.

(b)  In the lead up to World AIDS Day (1 December), the heads of WFP and
World Vision joined forces to urge a massive increase in donor funds for
school feeding. There is growing evidence linking the level of education
to a stable or lower incidence of HIV.  In addition, in areas of extreme
poverty and high HIV prevalence, overstretched families who are forced to
spend their increasingly scarce resources on health care, find it
difficult to keep their children in school unless they have the incentive
of school meals and take home rations.

(c)  The HIV/AIDS pandemic is affecting young people disproportionately;
WFP and World Vision aim to help protect this vital age group as part of
their strategic, long-term relationship which involves a joint response to
the epidemic at present being piloted in Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
Uganda and Mauritania.  WFP, as part of the activities, provides food
assistance, while World Vision provides complementary activities, such as
life skills training.



C)  Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2)
Iran, (3) Russian Federation

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  In the southwest, the compound of the Voluntary Association for the
Rehabilitation of Afghanistan, a local NGO, in Nimroz province came under
attack on 25 November. Three guards and one staff member were killed. On
28 November armed men attacked the United States Protection and
Investigation (USPI)  and local police camp on the Kandahar-Hirat road in
Nimroz. Two policemen were killed and four wounded in the attack.  The
security situation remained relatively calm throughout other areas of the
country.

(b)  During the past week, over 629,950 beneficiaries received some 4,080
tons of WFP provided food.

(c)  As part of the Government capacity building initiative, the United
Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) handed over a newly constructed
waiting room at Fayz Abad airport to local authorities, on 29 November.
UNHAS is committed to the reconstruction and improvement of the country's
airfields and is working closely with Ariana Airlines at the Kabul
International Airport.

(d)  To facilitate transportation and provide access to surrounding areas,
some 27 km of roads in Dara-I-Suf of Saman, were constructed or
rehabilitated through food-for-work (FFW) projects. Some 68 shallow wells
were dug in Samangan province to provide local population with clean
drinking water.

(e)  In Kandahar on 28 November, 82 staff of the Department of Education
(DoE)  received training in deworming.  The second round of the campaign
started in Kandahar and Helmand provinces on 29 November. Phase-two is
targeting more than one million children in 14 major cities across the
country.


2)  Iran

(a)  UNHCR and the Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs of the
Ministry of Interior (BAFIA) have reached an agreement to close 12 Iraqi
camps by the end of December this year. Some of them have already been
evacuated by the refugees. The decision to close the 12 Iraqi camps is the
result of the repatriation of the camp refugees and the consolidation of
the refugees in the remaining 6 camps. Between 26 October and 1 December,
over 12,535 Iraqi refugees were repatriated with UNHCR assistance.

(b)  The total number of Afghan refugees who have returned home since 2
April 2002, amounts to some 1,096,925, of which about 776,650 were UNHCR
assisted and over 320,270 returned spontaneously.  From 26 October to 1
December, UNHCR assisted almost 8,985 returnees, while some 570 returned
home spontaneously. No camp refugees were repatriated during the period.

(c)  WFP, under its Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO)
10213.0, Food Assistance and Support to Education of Afghan and Iraqi
Refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran, is currently providing food
assistance to 8,100 Iraqi and 31,500 Afghan refugees in 23 camps. Some
8,985 Afghan returnees received a WFP bread ration at border exit
stations. In addition, 5,000 vulnerable orphans receive a monthly food
ration from WFP through the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Furthermore, as
an incentive for school enrolment and attendance, 4 kilos of oil are
distributed to about 3,520 girls, on a monthly basis.


3)  Russian Federation

(a)  During the second half of November, the overall security situation in
the region remained the same. It has been noted that federal and local law
enforcement agencies have carried out a number of successful operations
aimed at eliminating militants and their bases.

(b)  According to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), on 30 November, in
Ingushetia there were 39,285 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from
Chechnya;  of whom 24,721 reside in private accommodation, and 14,564 in
spontaneous settlements.

(c)  During the second fortnight of the month, WFP Cooperating Partners
(CPs)  completed the November relief distribution cycle in both Ingushetia
and Chechnya. During that fortnight, over 145 tons of food commodities
were distributed to some 13,700 vulnerable persons in Chechnya, and about
175 tons to some 16,230 IDPs registered in Ingushetia.

(d)  In addition, over 315 tons of food commodities for the implementation
of the School Feeding (SF)  programme in November were distributed in
October.  In November, the SF expanded to Nozhai-Yurt ? a south-eastern
mountainous district of Chechnya ? to include some 3,850 children in 56
school institutions.  Currently the WFP SF programme assists some 75,080
children in 379 primary schools and kindergartens in four districts of
Grozny city and 9 other districts of Chechnya.

(e)  The Food-for-Work programme was continued in the city of Grozny and
districts of Achkhoi-Martan, Gudermes, Shali, Kurchaloy and Urus-Martan by
WFP (CPs)  People in Need (PIN), Center for Prevention of Humanitarian
Catastrophes (CPHC)  and Open Continent. The total number of participants
involved in the implementation of the programme in November was 2,800
(representing 14,000 beneficiaries).

(f)  Furthermore, in the beginning of October some 4 tons of WFP food
commodities for the Tuberculosis project were distributed to 350
in-patients and out-patients in TB hospitals of Chechnya and Ingushetia by
WHO, the WFP partner in the TB programme in Ingushetia, and MSF?Holland,
the partner in Chechnya. (g)  During November, WFP also provided some 13
tons of food to complement the efforts of Caritas International in
providing daily hot meals for 1,600 most vulnerable persons in Grozny
city.



D)  East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4)
Ethiopia, (5)  Republic of Congo, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia, (8) Sudan, (9)
Uganda

1)  Burundi

(a)  Insecurity and incidents of banditry have continued. A WFP staff
member was attacked and robbed at gunpoint at his residence in Ngozi town.
In Bujumbura town, a night guard at the residence of a WFP contractor was
shot and killed during an act of robbery. Fighting between the members of
the rebel group Front for National Liberation (FNL) and the National army
was reported in Kanyosha commune, Bujumbura Rural province, as well as
several road ambushes in different areas.

(b)  On 29 November, demobilization activities for approximately 70,000
combatants from former rebel movements and the national army were
launched, with a workshop to explain the roles of all partners in the
demobilization process.  WFP has already delivered 12 tons of food to
Gitega and Muramvya demobilization centres to be used during the next two
weeks.  Food distribution started on 30 November in Muramvya and should
follow in the other two centres by early next week.

(c)  Between 22 and 28 November, WFP distributed a total of some 1,100
tons of food aid to almost 112,000 beneficiaries through different
programme activities.  Around 71,400 beneficiaries received about 560 tons
of targeted food assistance in Gitega, Bujumbura Rural and Ngozi
provinces. Emergency wet feeding was also organized for more than 1,300
most vulnerable displaced persons in Bujumbura Rural province.  All
distributions were conducted without problems.  In Karusi province,
distributions planned for 43,450 persons were postponed because
beneficiaries and the local authorities were involved in registration for
the referendum and forthcoming elections.

(d)  Nearly 800 returnees from Tanzania arriving through transit points at
the border provinces of Muyinga, Ruyigi and Makamba received a three-month
returnee package, The number of returnees from Tanzania increased compared
with the numbers in recent weeks.

(e)  A joint mission by WFP, CARE and local authorities was carried out in
two communes of Makamba province to review the number of people in need of
food aid.  Public validation of beneficiary lists was conducted and the
number of beneficiaries formerly registered increased from some 4,820 to
over 5,565.  This increase was due to the presence of recent returnees in
both communes.  Public validation was also conducted in four communes of
Bururi and Mwaro provinces.  In Mwaro and Bujumbura Rural provinces,
distribution committees were set up to facilitate forthcoming
distributions.

(f)  Deliveries of food commodities from the regional purchases increased.
They need to continue at the expected pace to prevent stock ruptures.
Pipeline breaks are still anticipated for various commodities in the
coming months.  WFP has been adjusting distribution plans and using
commodity substitution in order to address the gaps and to ensure that
planned distributions continue to the fullest extent possible.


2)  D.R. Congo

(a)  The international community's efforts to promote and support a
durable peace in the Great Lakes Region are endangered by the mounting
political crisis between DRC and Rwanda. The presence of Rwandan troops in
North Kivu has been confirmed by military observers from the United
Nations.  The same source also confirmed that Rwanda is massing troops at
the border with the town of Goma. According to OCHA, some ten thousand
people have started to move to the north (Kayna, Kirumba and Lubero),
fearing clashes between DRC government troops and their allies (all
militia groups are hostile to Rwanda).

(b)  In the Equateur province, WFP started food assistance to the first
batch of returnees from the Central African Republic. In the north of
Katanga province, WFP resumed an airlift operation from Kalemie to various
remote locations to supply partners involved in supplementary and
therapeutic feeding activities.  In the Maniema province, a joint UN/NGO
needs assessment mission in Kama expressed dismay at the low attendance at
the supplementary feeding centre in November.  This had been caused by
delays in food deliveries which occurred when cargo companies decided to
increase their prices after being awarded the transport contract.

(c)  The growing tension resulting from the political crisis in eastern
DRC remains a major concern. According to humanitarian sources, as many as
150,000 people in the North Kivu province may require food assistance
should the security situation in North Kivu deteriorate. It feared that
other eastern areas (South Kivu province, Maniema province, Ituri district
and north of Katanga province)  will also be badly affected.  In such a
case, WFP will need to revise upwards the total monthly food needs for
eastern areas from some 5,000 tons to almost 10,000 tons.


3)  Djibouti

(a)  The 14th repatriation convoy to Somaliland this year left Djibouti on
24 November, with 511 persons (79 families). This brings the total number
of persons repatriated to Somaliland this year from the two camps in
Djibouti ?  Ali Addeh and Holl-Holl - to about 8,085 persons (1,632
families).  The total number of refugees remaining in three camps in
Djibouti amounts to 17,585 ( Ali Added 6,955; Holl-Holl (6,855); and Aour
Aoussa (3,775).The next repatriation is scheduled for December.


4)  Eritrea

(a)  The Government of Ethiopia announced that it accepted an independent
commission's ruling on its border with Eritrea. Subsequently, Ethiopian
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called for immediate talks with Eritrea on
implementing the commission's decision. The proposal, presented by Prime
Minister Meles Zenawi and approved by parliament, also includes the
country's decision to resume payment of its dues to the Ethiopia-Eritrea
Boundary Commission (EEBC), and to appoint field liaison officers to work
along the border with the Commission on the demarcation process of the
disputed border.

(b)  During a debriefing at the Ministry of Agriculture for the FAO/WFP
Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) in Keren in Central
Eritrea, the regional head of the Ministry of Agriculture ranked this year
as one of the worst in terms of poor harvest, increasing food insecurity
to dramatic levels.  Even those regarded as "well off" have slid down the
social ladder and have started to "share" relief food aid with the
targeted food aid beneficiaries.

(c)  Whatever crops matured, have been harvested. Even crop residues,
which are usually gathered as animal fodder, are scarce this year.
Herdsmen continue to criss-cross the region in search of water and
pasture; many have migrated to the Northern Red Sea or Gash Barka regions
hoping for better grazing lands.

(d)  Due to the prevailing fuel shortage the availability of public and
private transport, especially in the rural areas, is very poor. Large
numbers of people keep thronging the bus stations, with most of them
returning home either because they could not find transport, or because
the fares have reached levels which are unaffordable. WFP's routine field
monitoring trips remain suspended, and there were no distributions of
WFP-supplied food aid in November due to the unavailability of fuel.

(e)  The resourcing situation for both WFP's operations remained
unchanged.  EMOP 10261.1, Emergency Food Assistance to Victims of Crop
Failure and Drought in Eritrea, is resourced for 77 percent now. About 50
percent of the planned food requirements for PRRO 10192.0, Food Assistance
to War and Drought affected Persons in Eritrea, are covered.


5)  Ethiopia

(a)  Teams of the multi-agency pre-harvest main season (meher) assessment,
led by the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), gave a
debriefing on 30 November. With some exceptions, good harvests are
expected in most of the central and western crop producing parts of the
country. Production details will be confirmed once the findings of the
concurrent FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission are published,
expected by early January. The DPPC-led teams focused on issues affecting
expected food aid needs.  Additional rains in early October eased the
situation somewhat in cropping areas of eastern Amhara Region (except for
areas bordering Afar Region) and in the midlands of East and West
Hararghe. However many lowland areas of the country remain of concern,
including parts of East and West Hararghe, the Bale lowlands and Borena,
all in Oromiya Region, and South Omo and lowlands of Gama Gofa in Southern
Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR).  Eastern Tigray and
parts of Southern and Central Tigray, areas of chronic food deficits, have
had poor harvests, though the situation is alleviated in part by
widespread food security measures put in place in recent years. Good
harvests are expected in the western surplus areas of Tigray.

(b)  In Somali Region, further rain in late November has eased the
previously critical situation in Gashamo and Aware districts of Degehabour
and the southern districts of Boh and Geladin in Warder zone. However, for
pastoralists who lost a lot of animals in the extended severe dry season,
even these rains will not relieve a very difficult situation in which
livelihoods are threatened.  Rains have not been sufficient in Denan and
East Imi in Gode zone, and needed flooding for agriculture has not
happened along the Shabele River and rivers in Afder and Liben zones,
despite heavy flooding further downstream in Somalia.

(c)  There is growing concern for conditions in the pastoralist Afar
region, where the June-September rains were very poor, especially in Zones
1, 2 and 4.  Already, unusual livestock movements are taking place much
ahead of the usual end of the dry season migration. As in other
pastoralist areas, the most vulnerable will be those who have suffered
large animal losses in recent years.

(d)  Currently WFP is covering approximately half of the needs of the
total beneficiaries for November (3.7 million people, 70,000 tons) and
December (2.8 million people, 57,000 tons).


6)  Republic of Congo (RoC)

(a)  During the period 9-12 November a joint Logistics/Programming
assessment mission was carried out in the South Pool region which has
recently been classified as UN security phase III. The mission aimed at
assessing conditions before launching the School Feeding programme in this
war-ravaged part of the country. The School Feeding programme was hampered
in this area by problems related to security, access and availability of
teachers.  A total of 22 schools were visited in the districts of Kinkala,
Louingui, Boko, Mbandza-Ndounga, and Goma-Tsetse. All these schools could
be deemed ready to start school canteens if the cooking utensils and
equipment were provided. Teachers' and Women's Committees are available in
most of them, but need to be trained in food storage and handling, as well
as in data collection and reporting. No major logistics challenges were
noted as localities covered by this assessment can be supplied through
Kinkala, via the Matoumbou railway station.


7)  Rwanda

(a)  The security situation in all camps remained calm. No repatriation
was reported during the week. No major changes were seen in the number of
refugees in the four camps of Kiziba, Gihembe, Nkamira and Gikonko.
However, an increase in the refugee numbers was noted in Nyagatare transit
centre (TC)  by about 315 and in Ngenda TC by some 110. The increase in
Nyagatare was mainly due to members re-uniting with their respective
families.  The new arrivals at Ngenda TC claim that they have left Burundi
due to insecurity there, but there are also signs that they have come to
Rwanda because of food insecurity.  Ex-refugees and other food insecure
people were among the new caseload at Ngenda. This will be further
followed up with UNHCR.


8)  Somalia

(a)  Heavy rains continued in most parts of Somalia and humanitarian
workers in that country have reported that flash floods have resulted in
thousands of victims.  A joint mission of aid agencies and members from
the Local Authority visited affected villages in Middle Shabelle Region.
Most roads in the area are completely impassable and thousands of Somali
are reported to be in need of food assistance. The team, travelling by
boat on the Shabelle River, visited six of the most affected villages
along the river and reported that some 2,000 families are in need of
immediate assistance, including food.

(b)  The Flood Working Group established by the Somalia Aid Coordination
Body (SACB) sustained its work inside and outside Somalia reviewing
reports on the floods coming from the field and taking appropriate
measures. WFP continued to assist the flood victims in Somalia, reaching
some 31,000 beneficiaries in Puntland with 550 tons of food and also
assisting around 1,080 beneficiaries in Hudur town, South Central Somalia.

(c)  The lower/middle Juba region in South Somalia remained with limited
access to humanitarian workers due to high insecurity and poor road
conditions.  Despite these difficulties, WFP continued its efforts in
assisting the population.  Thus far, more than 1,050 tons of food
commodities have been delivered to Kismayo.  The final delivery to
distribution points in Merere is pending improved road conditions.

(d)  The School Feeding Survey carried out by WFP in Somalia for the
expansion of the School Feeding programme is completed. A total of 10,000
additional pupils in 44 schools will be supported by WFP starting January
2005.

(e)  A high-level UN mission led by Mr Jan Egeland, the
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief
Coordinator, will visit Somalia between 3 and 6 December. The mission
plans to visit Hargisa in North Somalia, Growe in Puntland and Wajid in
South Somalia and to hold meetings with local authorities, UN Agencies and
NGOs. The mission programme also includes site-visits of returnees, IDP
settlements and drought-affected areas.


9)  Sudan

(a)  The UN Work Plan for Sudan 2005 was launched on 30 November in
Geneva, Nairobi and Khartoum. The UN requirement covering relief, recovery
and development activities totals USD 1.5 billion of which Darfur
represents around USD 620 million. WFP's requirements in Darfur amount to
approximately USD 460 million.

(b)  The security situation in North Darfur seems to have improved
slightly.  The road between Kass ? Zallingei in South Darfur has now been
open for UN movements.  However, in West Darfur, operations are still
suspended north of El Geneina. In West Darfur, the security situation in
Jebel Moon remains unstable.  Operations are still suspended north of El
Geneina (Sileah, Jebel Moon and Kulbus).  In addition, there have been
indications of cross border movements by elements of the Chadian Army.

(c)  In South Darfur, following the attacks on a police station outside
Kalma camp on 21 November by Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) (that led to
casualties on both sides), reports indicate that there have been two
shooting incidents in the same area but of a lesser intensity. Banditry
and looting remain a concern in South Darfur, particularly along the
roads. The road between Nyala ?  Kass ? Zallingei is now open. Previously,
only the road between Nyala ? Kass was open for UN movements.

(d)  At 28th November, a total of 27,125 tons of food had been despatched
by road, rail and air from hubs in Khartoum and El Obeid to the Darfur
state capitals.  Some 20,150 tons of food were despatched to an estimated
1,151,485 beneficiaries (based of despatches) from Area Offices (AOs) to
Cooperating Partners (CPs).

(e)  Despatches by road accounted for 19,145 tons of mixed commodities,
transported from El Obeid, Gedaref and Khartoum to the Darfurs.
Transporters continue to express reluctance to operate along road
corridors where security incidents have taken place. In October, a total
of 17,967 tons were despatched. In November, beneficiaries have been
receiving more complete food baskets, compared with previous months. This
week, Save the Children US, Sudanese Red Crescent and Christian Relief
Services distributed food to some 130,000 beneficiaries in 11 localities
in South Darfur including Fur Burunga, Kirinding, Keranic and Gemeiza
Babiker.

(f)  Following a rapid nutrition assessment in Sandia Fandu and Marla in
South Darfur, Action Contre la Faim (ACF)  will start a supplementary
feeding programme in the area. ACF also plans to conduct a nutrition
survey in Geredia next week.  CARE is planning to open a supplementary
feeding centre in Nyala town in support of pregnant and nursing women.

(g)  The GOAL nutrition survey, carried out in Kututm in North Darfur,
indicates a deterioration in the nutritional status of the population
compared with the survey done by Save the Children UK in March. The rate
of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM)  recorded by the GOAL survey was 23.9
percent and the rate of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) was 1.7 percent,
The report recommendations included continued general food distribution,
improved pipeline, continued therapeutic and supplementary feeding
programmes and improved coverage and health promotion activities. The
survey will be repeated in January/February and will cover rural Kutum as
well.

(h)  Confirmed contributions received to date against the current EMOP
amount to USD 181,201,841, representing 89 percent of the total
requirement (project ends 31 Dec 2004). The majority of the Special
Operations are well funded (92 percent resourced).


10)  Uganda

(a)  The ceasefire declared by the Government of Uganda (GoU) on 14
November continues to hold, although the major concern now is that it will
expire on 3 December, before the follow-up actions are clear. A number of
Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders are reported to have already moved
into the designated 300 square mile ceasefire zone. Ms Betty Bigombe, a
former Minster for Northern Uganda, who is mediating between the GoU and
the LRA, has met two top level LRA commanders for the second time.

(b)  For the time being, the security situation is gradually improving.
However, LRA rebels continue low-level attacks on civilians. Nine people
were reported abducted in Awach in Gulu district; two of the abducted
civilians were reported murdered.

(c)  Mr Haile Menerios, UN Director of Political Affairs, visited Uganda
from 29 November to 3 December and travelled to Gulu and Kitgum districts
in northern Uganda. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, will visit Uganda
from 7 to 8 December to follow up the humanitarian situation among the
displaced population in northern Uganda and assess progress on the peace
effort.

(d)  Results of the MSF-Holland October nutrition survey in selected camps
in Lira and one camp in Pader highlight extremely high Crude Mortality
Rates and under five mortality.  This was attributed to the poor health
service and equally poor health seeking behaviour, poor living conditions,
congestion and inappropriate sanitation and water facilities. The report
indicates a GAM rate of 8.3 percent. Results from the African Humanitarian
Action (AHA)  October/November nutrition survey in Adjumani district
indicate a GAM rate of 8.6 percent among children under five years.

(e)  WFP food distribution continues to reach over 1.4 million displaced
persons, 154,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the period
from 22 to 27 November, some 4,170 tons of WFP relief food assistance were
distributed to 344,000 persons, including IDPs sheltering in camps in
Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts in the northern Acholi sub-region;
refugees, school children and other vulnerable persons.

(f)  WFP faces a shortfall of some 17,810 tons of food commodities (8,839
tons cereals, 3,439 tons pulses, 5,453 tons fortified blended foods, 64
tons vegetable oil and 17 tons sugar) with a funding gap of USD 10
million. Contributions are required to enable WFP to continue providing
relief assistance to IDPs and refugees through April 2005.



E)  West Africa: (1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Guinea, (4) Liberia, (5)
Sierra

1)  Chad

(a)  An update on WFP's operations in Chad will be available in WFP's
Emergency Report of 10 December 2004.


2)  Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  As part of an African Union peace mission, South African President
Thabo Mbeki arrived in Cote d'Ivoire on 2 December, for his second trip in
less than a month to help steer the country towards peace.  Mbeki's trip
of several days is to take him both to the commercial capital Abidjan and
to Bouake, the central stronghold of the Forces Nouvelles.

(b)  WFP conducted a mission to western Cote d'Ivoire, near the Liberian
border, to evaluate the humanitarian situation and the movement of
Ivorians seeking refuge in Liberia; part of the mission included other
humanitarian organisations such as OCHA, UNHCR, Save the Children and IOM.
It appears that most Ivorians who fled to Liberia have now returned to
their homes.

(c)  WFP's mission also found that there is no major and immediate impact
of the crisis on the population's food security in the area, thanks to the
ongoing harvest.  However, in some areas there are concerns about the
marketability of the cash crops (due to insecurity, lack of traders
because of difficult access in the area, and other circumstances).
Problems associated with marketing cash crops will have medium and
longer-term negative impacts on the population's food security.


(d)  All WFP sub-offices are open and functional. Distributions have been
limited to the towns for the past weeks; however, security clearance is
gradually being given for distributions in outlying areas.  In Korhogo and
Bouake, distributions have commenced outside of the cities. From 23 to 30
November, 330 tons of various food commodities were distributed to over
23,000 people.

(e)  WFP has not yet resumed its humanitarian air service flights to Man,
following the harassment of crew and passengers by armed elements of the
Forces Nouvelles on 25 November.

(f)  WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation for 2005, PRRO
10372.0, Cote d' Ivoire Crisis and Regional Impact, was approved at the
October session of WFP's Executive Board. However to date no contributions
have been confirmed.  The regional operation will target over 900,000
beneficiaries in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali with 34,000
tons of food (USD 28 million).  Donors are requested to urgently confirm
contributions, in order to allow adequate time for procurement and
transport, and to avoid pipeline breaks in early 2005. Pipeline breaks
early next year would be particularly serious, considering the unstable
political situation in Cote d'Ivoire, and the possibility of population
displacements within the country and the sub-region.


3)  Guinea

(a)  A second convoy of 209 Liberian refugees left the Laine Refugee Camp
on 18 November through UNHCR's facilitated repatriation process (bringing
the total number of returnees to 516 since the beginning of the process on
10 November). Some 1,000 Liberians are expected to return home in
December.

(b)  From 15 to 28 November, 490 metric tons of various food commodities
were distributed to over 43,000 people.

(c)  Due to the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, a UN interagency mission, along
with SENAH (the governmental humanitarian agency), visited the
surroundings of Kankan (Upper Guinea) in order to assess preparedness for
emergencies. WFP, UNHCR, WHO and UNICEF participated in the mission.

(d)  WFP published the results of a baseline survey for a pilot project
targeting People Living with HIV/AIDS in Conakry and N'Zerekore. The
objective of the baseline was to determine the food security situation of
the beneficiaries. According to the study, 78 percent of the 256
households interviewed cannot adequately meet their basic food needs.

(e)  WFP's food pipeline in Guinea continues to face critical breaks, and
a shortfall of approximately 3,300 tons is expected through the next six
months.  Additional contributions are required in order to avoid an
interruption in the distributions.


4)  Liberia

(a)  On 26 November, the National Transitional Government Chairman lifted
the curfew that was imposed in and around Monrovia on 29 October,
following riots in the city. The Chairman warned that security will remain
tight in and around Monrovia despite removal of movement restrictions.
However, UN staff are still under the UN curfew regime (midnight to 06h00)

(b)  From 24 to 30 November, 850 tons of food were distributed to 139,000
beneficiaries.

(c)  In preparation for the expansion of school feeding activities to
counties in the south?east, WFP in Zwedru commenced an assessment of
schools in the area, to identify schools that meet the basic criteria for
the feeding programme. Advice is also being given to those schools that do
not meet the minimum requirements, on how to improve their facilities in
order to become enrolled in the school feeding programme. Most schools
visited so far have fairly good structures, latrines and water pumps.

(d)  The food pipeline continues to face critical shortages, and since
June, WFP has been forced to distribute reduced rations to refugees,
returnees and IDPs receiving WFP support.  New contributions continue to
be needed in order for WFP to be able to provide full rations and complete
programmes in the coming months.


5)  Sierra Leone

(a)  From 16 to 29 November, WFP distributed 560 tons of assorted food
commodities to 79,000 beneficiaries.

(b)  During this period, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
supported by WFP, organized a Conference in Freetown with the theme 'From
War to Classroom; From Crisis to Recovery.' The aim of the meeting was to
draw attention to the needs and conditions of the war-affected children in
West Africa.  Over 350 delegates, including dignitaries from 14 African
countries as well as of the Italian Parliament, attended the two-day
event.

(c)  The food pipeline continues to face critical shortages.  New
contributions continue to be needed in order for WFP to be able to
complete programmes in the coming months.



F)  Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Malawi,
(5) Mozambique, (6) Namibia, (7) Zimbabwe

1)  Regional

(a)  The Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 10310, Assistance
to Populations in Southern Africa Vulnerable to Food Insecurity and the
Impact of AIDS, which will start in January 2005, has received USD 4.1
million against USD 171 million required to purchase food for its first
year operations.  Further contributions are urgently sought to purchase
158,000 tons of food for distribution in the first half of the year.


2)  Angola

(a)  Two food security baseline surveys are currently being undertaken in
the central highlands of Angola. Over 2000 households are being
interviewed to better understand their livelihoods and food security
situation. The results of the survey, which should be completed by March
2005, will be important inputs to the development of the next PRRO for
Angola, which is scheduled to start in 2006.

(b)  WFP's Ndalatando sub-office in Kwanza Norte province closed on 30
November.  The 15,000 formerly displaced beneficiaries in the area, who
returned to the province over one year ago, will receive the last general
food distribution in December.  Vulnerable beneficiaries will continue to
get food and will be monitored from WFP's Uige Sub-office.

(c)  The ongoing PRRO 10054.2, Support to Return and Resettlement,
continues to be severely under funded.  The operation still needs about
USD 60 million, or 90,000 tons of additional food through the end of 2005.


3)  Lesotho

(a)  In November, the Government of Lesotho opened two centres in Leribe
and Mafeteng to administer Anti-Retroviral Treatment to HIV/AIDS patients,
as part of the national roll-out programme. The Government expects to
reach 28,000 HIV infected people by the year 2005.


4)  Malawi

(a)  WFP's pipeline broke and the Government of Malawi, through its
National Food Reserve Agency, made a loan of 10,000 tons to WFP, based on
future pledges being completed in country.

(b)  During December, WFP with Joint Emergency Food Aid Programme partners
will be distributing 7,000 tons of mixed commodities to ensure that the
food insecure people who were identified by the Malawi Vulnerability
Assessment Committee, receive adequate support. This represents an
increase from the approximate 4,500 tons that were distributed in November
and it is expected that food aid needs will continue to grow as the lean
period approaches.


5)  Mozambique

(a)  WFP chaired the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) Working Group
last week, to discuss the UNDMT workplan for 2005, as well as the results
of the vulnerability assessment in northern Mozambique. The team also
reviewed the National Government Contingency Plan and the UN Emergency
Preparedness Plan.


6)  Namibia

(a)  WFP provided some 13,000 orphans and vulnerable children with food
under EMOP 10334.0, Targeted Food Assistance for Orphans and Vulnerable
Children Affected by Food Insecurity and the Impact of HIV/AIDS" in
Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions, from 24 November to 1
December.


7)  Zimbabwe

(a)  About 600,000 beneficiaries in Zimbabwe received WFP aid in October
and November.  During December, WFP will distribute food to about 1.6
million vulnerable people in the country, mostly in rural areas. This
distribution will increase the amount of food available to vulnerable
households at a time when their own stocks are running low. Targeted
beneficiaries include the chronically ill, child-headed households and the
disabled.  About 25,000 tonnes of food will be distributed during the
month.

(b)  This month's assistance to vulnerable people will be carried out
alongside WFP's ongoing primary school feeding, supplementary feeding for
under-fives and home-based care support programmes for households affected
by HIV/AIDS.



G)  Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Myanmar

1)  Bangladesh

(a)  Lean season conditions, including high food prices; limited labour
opportunities for the rural poor; forced sale of assets; and
rural-to-urban migration, continue to affect most parts of the country.
There are conflicting reports of the extent of harvests in some areas. The
ongoing harvest of Aman-paddy crop has created some job opportunities
among unskilled labourers, but fewer than usual, owing to extensive crop
damage.

(b)  Since September, under EMOP 10380, Assistance to Flood Affected
People in Bangladesh, a total of 600,000 primary school children have
continued to receive High Energy Biscuits, and the monthly utilization is
around 1,000 tons.

(c)  Preparations for the Supplementary Feeding Programme are ongoing.
Distribution is expected to start on 15 December and to continue for 6
months.  A one-off distribution of vegetable oil from the Government of
Bangladesh will be carried out either on or before this date

(d)  Plans to continue Vulnerable Group Rehabilitation distributions for
December have been dropped, owing to the unavailability of resources.

(e)  Resourcing levels of the EMOP remain largely inadequate, representing
only 32 percent (up 2 percent since last week) of the total programme
needs.


2)  DPR Korea

(a)  Under EMOP 10141.02, Emergency Assistance for Vulnerable Groups, some
17 factories out of 19 Local Food Production factories were operational
during the reporting period.  However, monitoring of the CMB factory in
Huichon was not possible due to the inaccessibility of Chagang province.
Production for the last week of November was 1,300 tons, which is below
the weekly EMOP average.

(b)  In accordance with the strict 'no access, no food' policy, WFP has
informed the Government that starting from 1 December, all food deliveries
to Chagang Province will be suspended for three months.

(c)  With the recent arrival of large contributions, WFP is for the first
time in two years able to feed all 6.5 million targeted beneficiaries with
planned rations.  Substantive new pledges will allow WFP to continue this
support through May 2005, with the exception of oil that will run out as
early as January for some beneficiary groups. However, shipments of rice
should be expedited to avoid pipeline breaks in December-January.


3)  Myanmar

(a)  Last week, WFP opened a new sub-office in Magway for PRRO 10066.2,
Assistance to Returnees and Vulnerable groups in North Rakhine State and
Magway Division (Dry Zone) of Myanmar, in Magway Division. The opening was
followed by an induction workshop for the potential cooperating partner
NGOs and new WFP staff who will start the operation in six selected
townships.  Eight potential partners attended the workshop and a tentative
plan for division of project area and selection of project activities were
agreed upon between partners.

(b)  In Northern Rakhine State, a total of some 475 tons of rice has been
distributed to over 9,025 beneficiaries through vulnerable group feeding,
food-for-education and food-for-work activities. Under food-for-education,
school children were given a three months ration of food due to pipeline
problems.  In addition, in Northern Shan State (NSS), under EMOP 10345.0,
Emergency Food Assistance to Ex-Poppy farmers in Northern Shan State, a
total of 475 tons of rice was distributed to 31,325 beneficiaries during
the month of October, through food-for-work, food-for-education and
vulnerable group feeding.  Under the community home based care project, a
total of 12 tons was distributed to about 905 beneficiaries (181
households)  living with HIV/AIDS and other chronically ill patients in
central Dry zone.

(c)  WFP organized a HIV awareness programme for 23 volunteers, with the
technical support from AMDA in Laukkai. The Cooperating Partners sent 2 or
3 volunteers for each distribution point, and these have been trained as
HIV awareness workers.  A drawing competition for school children was
organised by WFP to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and formed part of the 1
December-World AIDS Day campaign of the Ministry of Health.

(d)  WFP also conducted a technical workshop for the forthcoming
food-for-work activities, especially for Cooperating Partners, at Laukkai
areas.



H)  Latin America and the Caribbean:  (1) Bolivia, (2) Colombia, (3)
Guatemala, (4) Haiti, (5) Nicaragua.

1)  Bolivia

(a)  Despite the denials of the military intelligence service and judicial
sources, rumours about a possible coup in Bolivia were strong, following a
series of explosions. The security situation in Bolivia may get tense, as
Municipal Elections are approaching (December 5th).

(b)  Since 29 November, the national strike of the international freight
transport sector, requesting value added tax exemption, has blocked roads
close to four strategic national borders:  Chile (Tambo Quemado),
Argentina (Yacuiba), Brazil (Puerto Suarez) and Peru (Desaguadero).  The
strike and road blockades may affect WFP commodity deliveries, mainly
wheat flour, to warehouses in several departments.

(c)  The announced El Alto civic strike was suspended as this city reached
an agreement with the Government last weekend.

(d)  WFP finalized the distributions of the El Chaco drought and
Cochabamba frost IRA-EMOP on 28 November, assisting approximately 8,600
families with food that is expected to last until the first half of
December. Distributions in the El Chaco region will be continued under
EMOP 10392.0, Prolonged Drought in the El Chaco region. The tender process
to purchase the commodities locally has been initiated. It is expected
that food will be delivered to the counterpart's warehouses by mid
December in order to be able to continue the distributions to the affected
families without interruptions.


2)  Colombia

(a)  New displacements were reported in the province of Antioquia.  At
least 950 people from rural areas, mainly children, were forced to flee to
the municipality of Ituango for fear of being trapped in the warfare
between armed groups.  Killings due to clashes between rival illegal armed
groups were also reported from the department of Choco. A bomb planted by
suspected rebels exploded at a city office in Bogota killing one person
and wounding six.  WFP Colombia develops activities in these areas, but no
security incidents affecting its operations have been reported.

(b)  Colombia's worst rainy season since 1996 and a Pacific earthquake,
keep causing floods and landslides, leaving some 20 people dead and over
335,000 homeless in 25 of the 32 provinces. At least 8,000 people in Santa
Marta, capital city of the Magdalena Province, were affected in the last
two days, as well as an undetermined number of families in the province of
Choco.

(c)  Some 450 Colombian paramilitaries handed over their weapons as an
initial gesture in a peace deal in the north-eastern town of Turbo,
Province of Antioquia.

(d)  In the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by
Violence, WFP distributed a total of some 175 tons of food to 18,935
people in 11 provinces.  These commodities were distributed in Pre-School
and School Feeding activities, Community Kitchens and Food-for-Work
activities. Kitchen utensils for school and preeschool feeding projects
and community kitchens were distributed in the Province of Santander.


3)  Guatemala

(a)  Two tremors of 3.9 and 3.3 magnitude in the Richter scale were felt
in Guatemala's central region, including the provinces of Sacatepequez,
Chimaltenango and Guatemala. No damage or injuries were reported.

(b)  In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women, several hundreds of women marched in Guatemala's
capital, demanding protection and justice for the victims of violence.
During 2004, around 450 women died as victims of violent incidents,
noticeably more than the previous year.

(c)  WFP assessed the performance of the second harvest or "postrera" in
drought-prone areas with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Agriculture, the Social Investment Fund, FAO, the Mesoamerican Food
Security Early Warning System, and local authorities. Then assessment
reported losses of corn and bean crops.

(d)  The Ministry of Agriculture and private organizations have responded
with food aid to the affected areas and the local response capacity seems
to be adequate.  There is concern, however, that the accumulated impact of
crop losses this year, and possible additional losses next year as a
result of an announced, albeit weak, "El Nino" phenomenon, may have a
significant impact on vulnerable sectors of the population.

(e)  The Government School Feeding Programme will contribute 1 quetzal
(approximately USD 0.13 cents) daily for each child during the school year
January-October 2005 for school breakfast and snacks. In addition, parents
will be trained on food and nutrition.


4)  Haiti

(a)  The entire country remains in UN security phase III.  Reports note
increasing common crime and/or political violence in the areas of Port au
Prince, Gonaives, Port de Paix and the North West of the country.
Humanitarian activities have been affected by insecurity during most of
the month of November: such as an incident with a WHO car that was held up
at gunpoint and robbed. Various attacks on schools, banks and cars took
also place.  In and around Gonaives, attacks and looting of different NGO
vehicles affected several CARE pick-up and trucks;  a CARE ambulance
carrying drugs for the Red Cross; an ACF Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
truck; as well as an ADRA truck. In Cap Haitien, tension between the
population and the Haitian police resulted in two civilians being killed.
(b)  Because of the strike among the custom authorities of the port of
Port-a-Prince since 30 November, WFP still has some 200 containers of food
at the port.

(c)  During the past week, WFP food convoys continued to reach Gonaives,
without any incidents, at a rate of two convoys per week. Each convoy
included 20 trucks carrying a total of 150 tons of food. WFP's
implementing partner, CARE, distributed 150 tons of food to about 28,490
beneficiaries, affected by the floods in Gonaives.  Also during the past
week, a total of some 335 tons of food were distributed at health centres
and schools in the West, North and North-East Departments. A modified
ration was used in order to use the stocks available within the country
(CER was reduced and CSB was increased).

(d)  Implementing partners in Cap Haitien, Mont-Organise, and Capotille
were trained in organizing school feeding and de-worming activities.


5)  Nicaragua

(a)  The country is facing another political crisis as the Parliament
approved a constitutional reform which reduces the executive power of the
Government.  The reform has to be ratified in another parliamentary
session to become effective.  Due to the country's long-lasting
institutional crisis, the international community expressed its concern
and conditioned the continuation of its financial support on improved
governance and independence of the legal system.

(b)  During the past week, a WFP mission to the municipalities Matagalpa
and Jinotega found a worsening food security situation in the areas
affected by the coffee crisis, caused by rising prices of the food basket
and lack of job opportunities in the coffee plantations.

(c)  According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the prognostics of the
second harvest are positive. Nevertheless, the Mesoamerican Food Security
Early Warning System (MFEWS) reported reduced levels of soil moisture in
the north-eastern area. These were a consequence of the drought during the
first planting period and could negatively affect the harvest. WFP is
monitoring the situation.

(d)  WFP continued to distribute food in the context of PRRO 10212.0,
covering a total of 78,960 school children.  In addition, over 10,025
vulnerable children under 2 years of age, some 8,730 expectant and nursing
women, and 2,000 poor rural families in the northern and central region of
the country are being assisted under the regular programme.

(e)  WFP in Nicaragua will face shortfalls for its PRRO through April
2005, beginning in January, of rice (470 tons) and beans (280 tons) in
March;  of vegetable oil (130 tons)  and maize (some 570 tons). If no
commodities are announced in the coming months or those that are announced
arrive late, this PRRO will face serious pipeline breaks during the second
quarter of the year 2005.


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

END WFP Emergency Report No. 49, 2004


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