World Food Programme Emergency Report 2004
Issued Weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 38 of 17 September


(A) Highlights
(B) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan,
     (2) Russian Federation
(C) East and Central Africa:  (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo,
     (3) Djibouti, (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia,
     (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Sahel region, (2) Chad, (3) Cote d'Ivoire,
     (4) Liberia
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho,
     (4) Madagascar, (5)  Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia,
     (8) Swaziland, (9) Zambia, (10) Zimbabwe
(F) Asia: (1) DPR Korea, (2) Indonesia
(G) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Caribbean subregion,
     (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 (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)  Highlights

First food convoy of 20 trucks via the Libyan corridor arrives ineastern
Chad

Somalia freelance militias hijacked trucks with over 42 tons of WFP food
commodities.

WFP's airlift operation from Bukavu to Kama in DR Congo has been suspended
due to unruly soldiers.

Regional WFP operation expected to reach 2,1 million beneficiaries in
Southern Africa in 2005.

WFP carries out preparedness and response activities upon development of
Hurricane IVAN and JEANNE in the Caribbean.



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

1)  Afghanistan

(a)  The security situation remained fluid during the week, particularly
in the southern and western regions of the country, with incidents
targeting the government, coalition forces and aid workers. In the west,
hundreds of people rioted in Hirat on 12 September, burning and looting
United Nations offices, including UNAMA, WHO, UNMACA, and IOM and two
international NGOs, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and
the Danish Afghanistan Committee (DAC), in protest to the removal of
Ismail Khan as provincial governor. The demonstrations resulted in the
death of seven people and several injuries. In the centre, five rocket
propelled grenades landed in Kabul on 9 September, injuring two civilians.
In the south, a government security post came under attack in Helmend on
13 September, resulting in the death of eight security personnel.

(b)  During the reporting period, almost 496,700 beneficiaries received
over 2,122 tons of food.

(c)  WFP completed a food security assessment in Zarang district of Nimroz
province. The assessment was carried out to determine the food security in
the area, the nutritional status of the people and livestock conditions.
Preliminary findings of the assessment show that the area is highly food
insecure.

(d)  Provincial Authorities, UNHCR, the Provincial Reconstruction Team
(PRT) and WFP agreed to provide assistance to new returnees in Bamyan.
UNHCR will provide clean drinking water, while WFP will collaborate with
food assistance for the repatriates through several food-for-work (FFW)
interventions. In addition, they will benefit from on going school feeding
activities in the area by enrolling their children in local schools.


2)  Russian Federation

(a)  The terrorist attack in the school of Beslan, North Ossetia, on 1
September and the following tragic outcome on 3 September resulted in
approximately 338 people killed including 155 children. Some 350-400
wounded children were taken to hospitals mainly in Belsan and Vladikavkaz.
In response to requests from doctors and upon a rapid needs assessment,
WFP began initial one-week distribution of various food commodities
urgently purchased on the local market. Three hospitals in Beslan and
Vladikavkaz, where the majority of the victims were taken, received sugar,
wheat flour, yoghurt, milk, rice, pasta, condensed milk, dried fruits and
jam (a total of 90 tons). WFP has had an influx of donations to continue
the assistance for three more weeks. Upon WFP's request the Ministry of
Emergencies of Russia (EMERCON) transported food commodities
free-of-charge on an IL-76 to North Ossetia, where WFP received the
shipment and distributed it immediately to the victims of Beslan.

(b)  As of 15 September, according to Danish Refugee Council database,
there were almost 44,340 IDPs from Chechnya in Ingushetia, including some
26,430 living in private accommodations and about 17,910 in spontaneous
settlements.

(c)  During the first fortnight of September, WFP cooperating partners
(CPs) finalized the 8-th distribution cycle with some 197 tons distributed
to 28,500 beneficiaries in Chechnya and 118 tons distributed to 10,700
Chechen IDPs registered in Ingushetia. The 9-th distribution cycle will
start in the second half of September.

(d)  WFP CPs continued FFW activities in Grozny city, Grozny Rural,
Achkhoi-Martan, Shali and Gudermes districts. The total number of FFW
participants working in September is 3,100, representing 15,500
beneficiaries.

(e)  With the start of the new school year, WFP CPs also commenced
providing about 70,500 primary school children with hot meals, and
continued the programme for some 3,500 pre-school children. The food
commodities for the first half of September were distributed to
institutions in May, commodities for the second half of the month and
October will start in the second fortnight of September. A total of 81
schools and 3 kindergartens of the two new regions, Nozhai-Yurt and
Vedeno, with about 5,620 children, are planned to be included into the
programme in October.

(f)  In September WHO, WFP's partner in the TB programme in Ingushetia,
provided 251 TB in and out patients with 3 tons of food. Medecins Sans
Frontieres (MSF)?Holland is implementing the similar programme in Chechnya
for about 100 patients and distributed about 3 tons. Caritas
Internationalis continued providing hot meals for the most vulnerable
population (1,600 beneficiaries) in Grozny city. In September WFP released
some 12 tons of food commodities to support this activity.



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

1)  Burundi

(a)  Insecurity persisted in Bujumbura Rural province due to either the
Front for National Liberation (FNL) attacks on the Burundian army and
Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie-Force pour la Defense de
la Democratie (CNDD-FDD) positions, or the offensive by these troops
against FNL. Isolated killings and violent robbery acts are still a
concern in Bujumbura and throughout the country.

(b)  UNHCR reported that some Congolese refugees have started returning to
eastern DRC, despite the insecurity there. UNHCR was not in a position to
closely monitor the situation, as full access to the border area has yet
to be granted. The relocation of the remaining refugees further from the
border has commenced.

(c)  Last week, the WFP provided "returnee packages" for three months,
benefiting 2,117 returnees from Tanzania, arriving through transit points
at the border province of Muyinga.. The distribution, which was done in
collaboration with GTZ and UNHCR, totaled 110 tons,.

(d)  Between 6 and 12 September, WFP distributed a total of 1,500 tons of
food aid to over 147,100 beneficiaries through different programme
activities. Provision of cooked rations for IDPs in some specific areas
around Bujumbura and for refugees in transit centres is being tested.

(e)  WFP finalized plans for the Seeds Protection Programme as a support
and complement to FAO's seeds and tools distributions. Food monitors
assisted with the public validation of distribution lists for the Seeds
Protection Rations (SPR) in several communes in Muramvya and Mwaro
provinces. The distribution of SPR is due to start this week, however,
planning will be negatively affected if the deliveries are not hastened.

(f)  The nation-wide Vulnerability Assessment Baseline Survey continued
according to plan. Data analysis has started and the preliminary findings
are being shared with partners.

(g)  WFP participated in the inter-agency IDP assessment and registration
exercise, organized in Kabezi and Mutambu (Bujumbura Rural Province). The
objective was to down-size the lists of beneficiaries and to ensure
appropriate targeting of the assistance. The assessment teams also
conducted assessments in Bubanza province where they participated in the
setting up and organization of local committees.


2)  D.R. Congo

(a)  The security situation remained volatile in the eastern part of the
DRC. With the launching of the disarmament programme for 15,000 children
associated with armed forces and groups, UN military observers reinforced
their patrols in Bunia and environs. Patrols were carried out jointly with
the local police to secure the area. Reports from Bukavu indicated that
civilians were increasingly harassed by armed soldiers. The military
operations of various militia groups resulted in the looting and burning
of several villages in both North and South Kivu.

(b)  WFP's airlift operation from Bukavu to Kama in Maniema province has
been suspended pending a confirmation from the military authorities that
soldiers in Kama are now disciplined.  This follows an incident at the
start of the third rotation of the airlift in which soldiers in Kama
demanded that their families be flown to Bukavu. After hours of
negotiations, the aircraft departed for Bukavu.  This situation resulted
in the delayed delivery of 40 tons of food to the WFP supported
nutritional centre in Kama. The nutritional centre provides health and
supplementary feeding to some 130 malnourished children.

(c)  Despite tension and insecurity in eastern DRC, WFP distributed
approximately 3,070 tons of food commodities to over 111,300 beneficiaries
from Mbandaka, Bunia, Kalemie, Kindu, Bukavu and Kisangani.


3)  Djibouti

(a)  Following the 15-day Seasonal Assessment mission undertaken by the
FEWS-Net Representative in Djibouti it was observed that drought,
originated by the failure of the Karan rains, threatens the food security
and livelihood of the population in some rural areas of Djibouti. As a
result the hot spots are the southeast border sub-zone and the northwest
pastoral zone, which are heavily dependant on their livestock. FEWS-Net
will document the findings in its next monthly bulletin.


4)  Eritrea

(a)  The energy crisis in the country persists, as gasoil and diesel are
still not available at the fuel stations. WFP and UN sister agencies have
managed to obtain fuel from the Ministry of Energy and Mines. In Gash
Barka region, which is also a security Phase III area, the local governor
has agreed to provide the WFP Barentu sub office with 600 litres of fuel
per month for each vehicle so that monitoring activities can continue. In
addition to the gas and petrol shortage, basic food commodities such as
milk, sugar and bread remain scarce in the country.

(b)  Satellite images supported by reports from ground stations indicate
erratic rainfall in most parts of the country during the first ten days of
September. Below average rainfall in the main cereal producing areas of
Gash Barka, Debub and Anseba regions is expected to have adverse effects
on crop production. Gash Barka and Anseba regions are also reported to
have global acute malnutrition rates of 18.6 and 19.1 percent respectively
according to the recent nutritional survey, which was conducted in
June/July 2004 by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WFP, UNICEF
and NGOs. Acute water shortages for human consumption in Northern and
Southern Red Sea two regions remain a major problem. Water shortages also
persist in certain sub zones of Debub and Gash Barka regions. Water
trucking is the only alternative source of water for the local communities

(c)  Improvements in the livestock pasture have been noted in most parts
of the country. In Anseba region, agro-pastoralists who had migrated to
other regions in search of pasture have now returned to their villages
where the rains have relatively improved water points and pasture for
their livestock.

(d)  The season for planting the short-cycle crops such as chickpeas
covers August and September. During last week, the price of chickpeas had
increased by 50 percent making it difficult for poor farmers to afford.
The second round of weeding for the long-cycle crops has commenced in
areas where crop development was normal. However, where planting was
delayed due to late rains, the first round of weeding has just begun.

(e)  The WFP and FAO Representatives met with the Minister of Agriculture
on 10 September to discuss the crop prospects for 2004. The Minister
confirmed that he would be working on an official request for an FAO/WFP
Crop and Food Security Assessment mission.

(f)  Confirmed pledges for the drought EMOP 10261.01 amount to USD 28
million or 90,426 tons (representing 85 percent of the total project
requirement). This amount includes 7,514 tons of commodities, which were
carried over from the previous EMOP. The PRRO 10192.0 is resourced for 61
percent of the total project requirement (USD 31 million or 65,522 tons).
WFP will continue to mobilize resources in order to offset the remaining
shortfall of 57,878 tons for both operations.


5)  Ethiopia

(a)  WFP has been working with the Government's Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness Commission (DPPC) to ensure that supplementary food is
included in general rations in the badly drought-affected Somali Region.
The original distribution plans for August and September have been
adjusted, and allocations of micronutrient-fortified blended food have
been added to the dispatches of WFP/DPPC food sent for all districts. The
blended food is used for blanket feeding to particularly vulnerable
groups, an estimated 35 percent of the total beneficiaries. A total of
16,000 tons of cereals, 1,663 tons of blended food, and 1,578 tons of
pulses were dispatched for August distributions. NGOs working in Shinile
and Fik zones have been providing supplementary food as part of their
rations on a regular basis; for August, the totals dispatched by the NGOs
were 4,570 tons of cereals, 457 tons of pulses, 480 tons of blended food
and 152 tons of vegetable oil. The combined total food aid dispatched for
Somali Region by NGOs and DPPC in August was 24,900 tons.

(b)  The number of people in need in Somali Region for August to December
was assessed at 1.4 million in the mid-year multi-donor assessment, based
on very poor "gu" rains this year. "Gu" rains usually fall in the seven
southern zones of Somali Region between late March and May, but this year,
although they started well in early April, they were erratic, uneven and
ended early. No rain at all was received in May. As a result, many of
these pastoralist areas are under severe stress, with migration of
livestock herds reported to be for longer distances than normal, and
earlier than usual. Women and children who do not accompany the migrating
herds are especially vulnerable at this time, as milk supplies are very
limited. Conditions have not improved in areas already of concern at the
time of the "Gu" assessment in July, and water shortages are increasing.

(c)  The two northern zones of Somali Region, Shinile and Jijiga zones,
receive "Karan" rains between the last half of July and late September.
While some rain has been received in these zones over the last two months,
it has been late and/or erratic in some areas. Crop performance in the
limited cropping areas of the two zones is poor, and further rain is
required for full regeneration of pasture. A more detailed picture of
conditions in these zones will be available when the results of the
mid-meher (main season) assessment are released in the near future. In the
meantime, contingency planning continues in Somali Region to deal with a
further deterioration of conditions, especially if the October/November
"deyr" rains do not come on schedule or if they perform badly.

(d)  Nationally, the main season "meher" or "kiremt" rains continue in
most parts of the country. Many areas in the east and south need the rain
to continue well into October to compensate for late onset.

(e)  A total of 7.8 million beneficiaries are receiving assistance in
September, and 5.3 million people will need help in October. WFP is
currently preparing a Budget Revision for the Emergency Operation to cover
part of the shortfall to the end of the year. Currently pledges and stocks
cover cereal needs to November, but there is already a pipeline break in
pulses for September distributions. Vegetable oil and blended food
supplies are sufficient for the time being.


6)  Rwanda

(a)  The security situation in Cyangugu town and in the camp was calm.
During the week, transfer of 88 Congolese refugees from Nyagatare transit
camp in Cyangugu to Kiziba refugee camp in Kibuye was facilitated through
the provision of food aid. The relocation exercise is expected to continue
as more Congolese refugees, who fled Bukavu in May and June due to the
fighting, are reluctant to return to DRC.

(b)  Some 45 people who were living with families in Cyangugu are now
taking shelter in the camp. The current caseload at Nyagatare transit camp
stands at 2,062 Congolese refugees.

(c)  Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development &
Social Affairs (MINALOC) and UNHCR facilitated the repatriation of 38
Congolese refugees to Bukavu.

(d)  Since the beginning of the Congolese influx in May this year, some
109 tons of food commodities have been distributed by WFP.


7)  Somalia

(a)  Although the peace process in Mbagathi is progressing, the security
situation remains unpredictable in Somalia. The UN Resident Coordinator
for Somalia accompanied by the Heads of UNICEF and UNSECOORD for Somalia
visited the central region of Galgaduud and south Mudug regions. The
mission members presented their concerns regarding the overall security
situation and the deteriorating food security in the two regions.

(b)  In Lower Juba, tension remains very high over the presence of General
Morgan and his militias in the region. Humanitarian NGOs left the region
and food security is deteriorating. Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) is making every possible effort in preventing attacks
on the port city of Kismayo and is attempting to bring back both opponents
to the reconciliation conference in Nairobi.

(c)  In Bossaso, tensions remained high after Puntland coast guards, who
have not received their salary for several months, blocked access to the
airport. Subsequently, humanitarian and commercial flights were cancelled.

(d)  In Bakool region, freelance militias hijacked trucks with over 42
tons of WFP food commodities in Rabdhurre town on 13 September. The
traditional elders in the area later recovered both the trucks and WFP
food commodities.

(e)  Even though the deteriorating security situation frustrates WFP's
humanitarian relief assistance to the drought-affected population in
Somalia, WFP continues to reach those in desperate need of food aid. In
August, a total of 1,230 tons of relief food commodities were distributed
to some 120,000 drought-affected beneficiaries in northeast and northwest
regions of Somalia.


8)  Sudan

(a)  Due to security concerns in North Darfur, humanitarian organizations
were prevented from operating in areas south of Zamzam, west of Taweila
and north of El Fasher towards Malliet and Malha. However, the El
Fasher/Taweila/Kabkabia road has since been opened for the UN. North of
Malliet is a no-go area for UN staff.

(b)  WFP carried out the first airdrop in Um Dukhum, West Darfur, bringing
much needed food assistance to over 17,300 beneficiaries. Following a
joint WFP-CARE headcount exercise, the airdrop of over 270 tons of
cereals, CSB and pulses was finalized on 12 September. Food airdrops for
the camps in El Geneina and Sawani were completed on 5 September.

(c)  Humanitarian agencies raised serious concerns over the rising number
of internally displaced persons (IDPs) arriving in Muhajiria Camp, South
Darfur. A recent assessment by Solidarites estimates that the camp
population has increased from 12,000 to 46,000 IDPs. Working in
consultation with Solidarites, WFP is preparing distribution plans to
provide food aid to IDPs later this month.

(d)  From 1 September, WFP dispatched some 8,300 tons of food to an
estimated 472,000 beneficiaries

(e)  The Food Security and Nutrition assessment in Darfur is proceeding
smoothly. The team, which comprises of UNICEF, FAO, Ministry of Health,
Center for Disease Control (CDC) and NGOs, had accessed 25 locations as of
13 September. Although several locations remain inaccessible due to
insecurity, the team is expected to visit 45 locations and complete the
field work around 22 September.


9)  Uganda

(a)  The northern districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira affected by
the protracted Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and faced with massive
displacement and loss of livelihoods, continue to experience relative calm
with few reported security-related incidents. Over 1.6 million displaced
persons, forced to seek shelter in 188 congested protected camps, continue
to depend on WFP food assistance for survival.

(b)  The Donor Group on Northern Uganda, Amnesty and Conflict, visited
Gulu district from 8 to 10 September to assess the humanitarian situation
among the displaced population. The delegation held discussions with the
district leadership and the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative
(ARLPI). It was recommended that an inter-agency mission should conduct a
verification exercise to determine the number of persons in the camps,
followed by a one-off assistance to the population in the 12 un-registered
camps in Gulu district. The delegation expressed concerns about the
humanitarian situation in the Acholi sub-region.

(c)  Under the Tripartite Agreement between UNHCR, the Governments of
Uganda and Rwanda, for the voluntary repatriation of Rwandan refugees, a
further 35 individuals (15 males and 20 females) were repatriated on 2
September. WFP provided high-energy biscuits to the former refugees. To
date, over 1,950 former Rwandan refugees have been repatriated.

(d)  WFP food distributions continue to reach over 1.6 million displaced
persons, 145,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the period
from 6 to 14 September, some 3,040 tons of WFP relief food were
distributed to approximately 228,700 persons including IDPs, refugees and
vulnerable persons.

(e)  WFP faces a shortfall of 27,650 tons of food commodities representing
a funding gap of USD 16 million through March 2005.



D)  West Africa Region: (1) Sahel region (2) Chad, (3) Cote d'Ivoire, (4)
Liberia

1)  Sahel region

(a)  So far, the most affected countries by the desert locust are Mali,
Mauritania, Niger and Senegal, whereas Burkina Faso and Cape Verde are
moderately affected. Gambia is not affected yet, but invasions are
probable.

(b)  Up to now, less than 10 percent of infested surfaces have been
treated in the different countries. This very low rate, if maintained,
will result in serious humanitarian consequences in the region, especially
with regards to food insecurity. Damage on crops in flowering-maturation
seem unavoidable in the infested zones of south-eastern Mauritania,
north-central Senegal, west-central and eastern Mali. The locust swarms
are getting closer to the heart of the agricultural zones. Extensive
breeding is still on-going in southern Mauritania, north-central Senegal,
northern Mali and western Niger. The new formation of swarms will coincide
exactly with harvest time, which could be devastating for the
agricultural-based economies in the Sahel.

(c)  At the country-specific level, emergency mechanisms already set-up to
tackle the locust issue from an inter-agency perspective (especially in
Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal) are functioning well.
At the regional level, the working group on locusts set-up in Dakar will
hold a meeting on Monday 20 September. FAO is sending a locust expert to
be based in Dakar, the main task of which will be to lead this group and
ensure operational coordination for the regional response to the locust
invasions. It is hoped that the expert will be in place before the end of
September.

(d)  A USAID mission from the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and
Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), covering Food-for-Peace and OFDA, is
traveling to the Sahel (Mali, Mauritania and Senegal) from 19 to 29
September to take a closer look at the locust situation and to link up
with the main partners involved in the response.

(e)  The joint FAO/CILSS crop assessment mission, with the participation
of WFP and FEWS-Net is scheduled from 10 to 31 October. The mission will
be divided in five teams. Mali, Niger, Gambia is scheduled from 10 to 16
October; Burkina Faso, Chad and Guinea Bissau from 17 to 23 October;
Mauritania and Senegal from 17 to 30 October; Cape Verde from 24 to 30
October.

(f)  WFP is still updating its contingency plans in all affected or
potentially affected countries in order to help define the modalities of a
potential intervention and the resources required for it.

(g)  In order to estimate the extent of damage on crops and consequences
on food security, WFP will carry out thorough needs assessments. Those
will be two-fold. First, WFP will participate in the FAO/CILSS crop
assessment mission (10-31 October). Second, WFP will carry-out its own
food security and vulnerability assessments (1-31 October), which will
link up with the FAO/CILLS mission. WFP is very much in favour of the
participation of other key humanitarian actors in its food security and
vulnerability assessments. The aim of the assessments will be to estimate
the degree of vulnerability of populations, the erosion of their coping
mechanisms and to determine the hardest hit locations.

(h)  During the first week of November, a meeting will be held in Banjul
to present the results of the FAO/CILSS mission. Right after that meeting,
WFP will finalize a regional EMOP, provided the results of its assessments
point towards the need for such operation.


2)  Chad

(a)  The security situation in eastern Chad remained volatile, with an
incursion of armed men, pursuit of rebels and increasing violence in
N'Djamena attributed to the upcoming referendum.  On 11 August a military
aircraft flew over the area of Tissi (south-eastern Chad).  The aircraft
is believed to be Sudanese. It seemed that a small group of armed men were
proliferating in Guereda and Tissi area.  A curfew has been set in
Guereda, where potential clashes are predicted between Chadian regular
forces and Sudanse rebels.

(b)  The estimated refugee population indicated by UNHCR as of 15
September stood at 180,572, comprised of the camp population (over 173,560
people), spontaneous arrivals and those registered for transfer at the
border (over 7,010).  About 8,596 refugees are located at border sites and
do not wish to be transferred to the camps.

(c)  Rainfall in eastern Chad has decreased, so that camps in the central
zone were fully accessible during the last week.  August is considered to
be the worst month of the rainy season, after which gradual decrease is
expected.  For the camps in the south, airlift of food remains the only
solution until November.

(d)  On 9 September, WFP announced the arrival of the first convoy of food
via the Libyan corridor. The food was trucked across the Sahara desert
from Libya during a period of 23 days covering some 2,800 kilometres.
The 20 trucks, carrying 440 tons of wheat flour, arrived into the town of
Bahai, after which 11 trucks were immediately dispatched to Oure Cassoni
camp. The other trucks remained in Iriba to service the other camps in the
area. Though long and difficult, this first trip has proved to be a viable
alternative to transport food to the refugee communities during the rainy
season.

(e)  Distributions have commenced in all the camps for the month of
September.  From 8 to 15 September, 1,591 tons were distributed under
general distribution activities to about 101,665 refugees.  Distributions
are completed in the camps of Mile, Kounoungou, Iridimi, Touloum, and
Farchana. Blanket supplementary feeding distribution was planned to take
place between 13-18 September in Farchana, Iridimi, Djabal, Goz Amir and
Oure Cassoni. Distribution was interrupted due to nutritional screening
training. Sudanese refugees, who had previously rejected rice for not
being part of their staple food, are now requesting this commodity for its
market value.  The rice measure is sold in the local market at 800 CFA
(more than USD 1.50) while sorghum is sold at CFA 200 (less than USD .40).
Rice is sold to buy equivalent quantity of sorghum, firewood and other
non-food items.

(f)  Total in-country stocks total 8430 tons and will be sufficient to
cover distributions for September.  Delivery to the Extended Delivery
Points is in progress. French forces have completed an airlift of 30 tons
of CSB and 6 tons of sugar to Goz Beida on Saturday.  The airlift of High
Energy Biscuits has been rescheduled to 16 September. To better serve the
humanitarian operation in eastern Chad, WFP-HAS will provide a Twin Otter
that should be ready for operation between 20 and 22 September

(g)  Seventy severe malnutrition cases were reported in Goz Amir Camp
where 19,026 refugees have settled. Nutritional screening has been
conducted by COOPI in Goz Amir and Djabal camps, preliminary results are
expected this week and will be used to ascertain the need for a Blanket
Supplementary Feeding programme in the southern camps. UNHCR is looking
into possibilities to have firewood available for refugee women in the
camps.  Those women have to walk all day to collect firewood and therefore
cannot attend the nutritional centre to feed their children.

(h)  Data collection for the vulnerability and mapping exercise has been
completed. With regard to the EMOP, data has been collected in the refugee
camps and host communities. The final draft of the secondary data analysis
will be available next week. Survey findings will be used to design
programme interventions for the Sudanese refugees and host communities in
eastern Chad and for the country programme. The Joint Assessment Mission
for eastern Chad has now been scheduled for mid-October as the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees is expected in the country in last week of
September.


3)  Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  From 8 to 14 September, 670 tons of various food commodities were
distributed to 55,000 people.

(b)  On 2 September, a health center built through a joint project of WFP
and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) was inaugurated in
Georgetown. WFP provided FFW rations for the workers who constructed the
health center, and IRC will provide medical care at the center through
weekly missions.

(c)  WFP is partnering with the Centre Traitement Ambulatoire (CTA) in
Bondoukou for a project to assist people living with HIV/AIDS. At the CTA
center, beneficiaries receive counseling as well as a full family ration
of food from WFP.

(d)  Activities through the "Projet d'Amenagement des Bas-Fonds (PBF)" are
being initiated in Tabou. The principal objective of the PBF is the
promotion of small scale rice cultivation in Cote d'Ivoire with modern
farming techniques in reclaimed lowlands/swamps. The villages of Oueguire
and Tabou 3 have already cleaned their fields and will receive seeds and
tools.


4)  Liberia

(a)  From 8 to 14 September, 660 tons of food were distributed to 65,000
beneficiaries.  Distributions included support to the demobilization,
disarmament and re-integration programme, by providing 35 tons of food to
4,500 ex-combatants at the various cantonment sites in Zwedru, Bomi, and
Montserrado Counties.

(b)  WFP participated in an assessment of Voinjama in Lofa, a county
heavily affected by years of civil war in Liberia. Lofa has seen a high
number of spontaneous returnees; ICRC data indicate that the returning
population has increased by more than 11,000 people from February to July
this year (i.e. from 6,700 in February to nearly 18,000 in July), and the
increase is expected to be much higher next year.  WFP and ICRC are
currently discussing possible WFP support for a Food for Agriculture
distribution in February next year, with a one time food distribution to
ensure that the farmers do not consume their seeds. WFP considers
agriculture support to be a major priority in the resettlement process,
but the intervention will depend on the status of the pipeline and
availability of resources.  The assessment also found that schools have
been largely destroyed or severely damaged, and are lacking properly
trained and paid teachers and essential requirements. WFP is coordinating
closely with UNICEF, UNHCR, and other key partners on school activities.
Once sufficient resources are available, WFP will extend its School
Feeding Programme to this hard hit county.

(c)  The food pipeline in Liberia continues to face critical shortages,
and since June, WFP has been forced to distribute reduced rations to
refugees, returnees and IDPs.  Food in Support of Local Initiative
projects are also being limited this month due the pipeline constraints.
New contributions equaling USD 6.6 million are urgently needed in order
for WFP to be able to provide full rations and continue all programmes
through December.


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


1)  Regional

(a)  For next year, some 2.1 million beneficiaries are targeted for
assistance with 237,000 tons of food under the regional PRRO 10310
"Assistance to Populations in Southern Africa Vulnerable to Food
Insecurity and the Impact of AIDS". This number includes 510,000
short-term emergency recipients in Lesotho affected by drought, together
with 1,170,000 in Malawi and 165,000 in Swaziland all of whose needs were
identified by the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Missions in
those countries.  The PRRO will be submitted for approval to the third
session of WFP's Executive Board in October this year, and is expected to
start in January 2005.


2)  Angola

(a)  UNHCR and IOM opened a transit center for returning refugees in
central Huambo province on 7 September. In the past week, 335 refugees
have been repatriated from Mayukwayukwa in Zambia.  Overall, a quantity of
11,600 returnees, of which 7,500 will be arriving from Zambia and 4,100
from Namibia, is foreseen for 2004.  WFP is providing food assistance in
both repatriation processes. In northern Zaire province, UNHCR has
repatriated 500 returnees from DRC into the Kiowa transit camp and 210
returnees from DRC into the Manse Marina camp in the past week.

(b)  Road access to the communities of Cerca, Cacanga and Cabinda do
Golungo in northern Kwanza Norte province has been opened by the Office of
the UN Security Coordinator. Humanitarian operations can now be undertaken
in these communities where access roads had been closed since 1998.

(c)  The bridges over the rivers of Membia, Cuime, Cutato and Nyango
located on the road between Andulo and Calucinga in central Bie Province,
were officially inaugurated and turned over to the Government on 14
September.  The bridges were rebuilt with support from Special Operation
10149.1, Logistics Services to Humanitarian Community.

(d)  PRRO 10054.2 for food assistance to returning Angolans continues to
be severely under funded.


3)  Lesotho

(a)  From 3 to 9 September, WFP and implementing partners distributed
about 1,200 tons of food to some 111,000 beneficiaries. The supplementary
feeding programme provided food to about 15,000 children under five years
of age; 9,000 people suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS and
Tuberculosis; 2,000 pregnant and nursing mothers were reached through
health centres; 57,000 beneficiaries under Vulnerable Group Feeding;
28,000 orphans and 260 beneficiaries under FFW.

(b)  WFP's EMOP is facing food shortfalls of some 9,000 tons of cereals;
1,800 tons of pulses; 200 tons of CSB and 72 tons of vegetable oil through
December.


4)  Madagascar

(a)  WFP is monitoring the impact of the continuing rise in the price of
rice on food security situation in Madagascar.  In Fort Dauphin south of
Madagascar, the cost of one kilogram of rice has increased from FMG 2,400
(USD 0.24) in February to the current FMG 5,500 (USD 0.56). In the
southern district of Betioky, the price of alternative food such as
cassava is reported to have increased sharply in recent weeks.

(b)  The European Union Early Warning System has classified 13 wards of 4
districts in southern Madagascar as food insecure. WFP will assist over
100,000 vulnerable people with some 4,000 tons of maize and rice from
October to March 2005.


5)  Malawi

(a)  Luwani Refugee Camp in the south received 103 new arrivals. Some 86
moved from Dzaleka Camp while 17 entered Malawi through Mozambique.  The
group of refugees is expected to receive their first food rations this
month under PRRO 10309 , Assistance to Refugees in Malawi.

(b)  WFP's EMOP is facing a shortfall amounting to 11,000 tons of cereals;
600 tons of pulses; 220 tons of vegetable oil, and 280 tons of
Corn-Soya-Blend (CSB) to allow distribution to continue through December.


6)  Mozambique

(a)  In southern Inhambane province a heavy storm hit Panda district
causing serious damages and losses in seven villages. According to a
report from local authorities, urgent assistance is required after some
200 hectares of crops were destroyed. WFP and the provincial directorate
for agriculture will this week carry out an assessment of the situation
and prepare appropriate interventions.

(b)  During the month of August, WFP distributed over 1,600 tons of food
under EMOP 10290 to 78,000 beneficiaries. About 4,000 tons of cereals are
still required to meet distribution needs through December.


7)  Namibia

(a)  EMOPs 10334.0, Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Affected by Food Insecurity and Impact of HIV/AIDS, and EMOP 10145.1,
Assistance to Angolan Refugees in Namibia, remain critically under-funded.
WFP urgently requires the outstanding USD 4.1 million to ensure continued
food assistance to OVC and Angolan Refugees in Namibia.


8)  Swaziland

(a)  The Government of Swaziland, through the National Disaster Task
Force, has proposed to extend the bilateral agreement with WFP, and is
ready to contribute a further 7,000 tons of maize to support the hungry
poor during the 'lean season'.


9)  Zambia

(a)  In August, under the urban intervention programme food was
distributed to some 57,000 vulnerable children in community schools and to
9,600 food insecure families with a take-home ration.

(b)  Some 42,000 tons of WFP food assistance is targeted at refugees under
PRRO 10071.0, Food Assistance for Refugees from Angola and Democratic
Republic of Congo. Since the beginning of September, approximately 100,000
refugees in six designated camps have received food assistance under a
monthly and bi-monthly general distribution.


10)  Zimbabwe

(a)  WFP food security monitoring continued in all the provinces of the
country.  Focus group discussions were carried out on 16 sentinel sites in
the Mashonaland provinces in the north of the country. Increasing food
insecurity was noted in Rushinga, Lower Guruve and some parts of Centenary
valley districts. In Masvingo province, southeast Zimbabwe, reports show
that food security is better in resettled areas than in communal areas.
Some major Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots in the province are not
selling cereal due to non-availability. In the traditionally dry
Matabeleland province, Bulilimangwe, Lupane, Matobo and Gwanda, Tsholotsho
and Nkayi districts reported low availability of food.

(b)  Meanwhile, the state owned GMB informed the Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee instituted to look into food security that it had "received
298,000 tons of maize from this year's harvest". The GMB said it expected
to receive 20,000 tons per month until the end of the year.  GMB also said
it intends to import 140,000 tons of grain. Current GMB retail price for
maize ranges from Zim$600 (USD0.10) to Zim$1,100 (USD 0.19) a kilogram.

(c)  WFP has a program to distribute 4,000 tons of food to around 800,000
highly vulnerable people including orphans and home-based care patients
during the month of September. WFP continues to monitor the food situation
and remains willing to discuss with theGovernment any further support that
may be needed to meet the food needs of its population.


F)  Asia: (1) DPR Korea, (2) Indonesia

1)  DPR Korea

(a)  From 11 to 17 September, 17 Local Food Production factories operated.
The production for the week totaled 1,300 tons.

(b)  All but 900,000 beneficiaries will receive their cereal rations in
September. With the expected arrival of new contributions at the beginning
of October, WFP will be able to provide rations to all its beneficiaries
throughout October with the exception of some 700,000 elderly persons. By
November, further arrivals should allow WFP to feed all its beneficiaries
with planned rations until the first months of 2005, and pay-back
outstanding loans.

(c)  The annual joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment Mission will take
place between 28 September and 9 October this year, whereas the joint
UNICEF/WFP bi-annual nutrition survey will be carried out between 4 and 16
October.


2)  Indonesia

(a)  The security situation across the country during August remained
peaceful with few isolated incidents. In Ambon City, two bombs exploded in
two different locations on 11 August but no causalities were reported.
There were four bomb threats in business center areas in Jakarta.
Campaigns for the 2nd round of the Presidential elections scheduled for 20
September are underway throughout the country.

(b)  The Government of Indonesia's ban on rice imports was extended until
the end of 2004. WFP met with key Bulog officials, parliamentarians as
well as with various instrumental Ministers to seek their support for the
exemption of humanitarian aid. WFP, thus far, has received exemption for
11,986 tons of rice from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The total
awaited quantity of WFP rice for exemption is 20,000 tons. On 10 August, a
Food Aid Coordination meeting provided attendees with an update on the
rice ban and WFP Indonesia's efforts to get the exemption for all
humanitarian assistance.

(c)  In August, approximately 1.2 million beneficiaries under the various
PRRO activities received WFP food assistance amounting to 3,408.00 tons. A
quantity of 1.75 tons of rice was distributed free for fire victims in
OPSM area in Jakarta. Due to the rice import ban, distribution of WFP rice
was delayed by 2.5 weeks. The distribution resumed after receiving the
loan from Bulog. OPSM (Subsidized Rice Program) NGO partners and
beneficiaries raised much concern about the disruption in the rice
distribution which provides a critical input to people's food security. In
this connection, on 16 August, a demonstration was staged by several NGO
partners and beneficiary communities in front of the building of the Trade
Ministry.

(d)  WFP has closely coordinated with the National TB Program to select
areas for programme expansion in Banten, East Jakarta and East Java. The
National TB Programme recommended further assessment in 4 areas in Banten.

(e)  Regarding the Posyandu school feeding program, WFP has started
pre-assessments to prepare for activities in the new PRRO in January 2005.
First assessments were conducted in Greater Jakarta and East Java.

(f)  Some 31 pre-proposals fro community development projects (CDP) are
with NGOs for finalization. A total of 33 projects have been completed
since the start of the CDP program in December 2002.

(g)  All provinces submitted data on selected indicators for the
preparation of a Food Insecurity Atlas, which will be prepared at the
district level, covering 268 districts in 30 provinces.

(h)  The Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has started working on nutrition
mapping. The pilot phase will cover East Java and Nusa Tenggara Timur
provinces. BPS has set up a Nutrition Mapping Secretariat with 10
personnel working exclusively on the project.



G)  Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Caribbean region, (2) Colombia,
(3) Guatemala, (4) Haiti, (5) Nicaragua

1)  Caribbean Subregion

(a)  Hurricane IVAN hit Grenada last week leaving more than ninety per
cent of the population and livelihood affected. Between 5,000 to 8,000
persons are in temporary shelters while shortages of food and water and
poor sanitation conditions have been also reported. Hurricane IVAN reached
the southern part of Jamaica on 10 September, severely affecting the
southern towns of Old Harbour Bay,Michell Town,Portland Cotagge, and Rocky
Point, in the Clarendon Department. Some 12,000 people were initially
reported in 285 emergency shelters. WFP does not have an office or
logistic infrastructure in Grenada and Jamaica but is providing the
expertise needed to carry out food needs assessments, by participating in
UNDAC (United Nations Assessment and Coordination) missions.

(b)  In Cuba, the hurricane touched the western tip of the island
affecting the province of Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud. Initial
damages are reported in housing, the agricultural sector, with citrus, and
banana crops suffering a large amount of losses. Fish industry
installations in La Coloma were also severely damaged. Power and water
cuts are affecting the population of the Provinces of Pinar del Rio and
Isla de la Juventud, and it is estimated that it will take several weeks
to normalize those services. During the emergency the Cuban authorities
evacuated over 2,266,065 people. No casualties have been reported until
now. A UN Mission conducted in coordination with the Cuban government
returned from the field on Sept 15th and a full report is expected soon.

(c)  Heavy rains pounded the southern part of the Haitian peninsula, as
Hurricane IVAN passed and destroyed or damaged the homes of 2,500 people,
while another 4,000 were moved to emergency shelters. WFP office prepared
stocks and response capacity to address a potential disaster, including
2,000 tons of commodities available in warehouses, trucks and vehicles for
transport of humanitarian assistance, and non-food items.

(d)  A hurricane warning is in place for the eastern and northern coasts
of the Dominican Republic, as Tropical Storm Jeanne reached hurricane
force which sustained winds of 80 mph. (A tropical storm becomes a
hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph). WFP office in the Dominican
Republic is participating in the emergency coordination meetings organized
by the UN system to prepare for a possible intervention to assist affected
people once the hurricane leaves the island's shores. A contingency plan
that contemplates different scenarios including the possibility of food
assistance to worst affected areas has been prepared and initial damage
reports are expected over the weekend.

(e)  At the regional level, WFP has been following the developments of
IVAN and JEANNE since the onset, in coordination with other regional
delegations based in Panama (GRGRD Disaster Preparedness and response
inter-agency group) Daily meetings have been held with UNICEF, IFRC, OCHA
and Plan International linked via conference call with Geneva and New York
to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency actions.


2)  Colombia

(a)  Colombia's security situation remained volatile. The countries
military says that during the last two months, it has killed or captured
nearly 300 rebels in an offensive ?dubbed Plan Patriot- in the south of
the country.

(b)  At least 5 children were injured by a land mine in rural areas of the
municipality of Argelia, province of Antioquia. WFP Colombia develops
various implementation activities in rural areas of this municipality. On
13 September, an illegal armed group released five university students and
a professor who had been kidnapped the week before. The kidnapping
occurred in the northwest of the country, in the rural zone of the
municipality of Frontino, province of Antioquia, where WFP Colombia
develops eight different implementation activities

(c)  A WFP truck was assaulted last 10 September by members of an illegal
armed group in Barranquilla, province of Atlantico, where WFP has a
special distribution warehouse. The truck was transporting WFP food
supplies for different projects in the nearby province of Bolivar. The
driver was released immediately by the rebels and no further information
has been issued.

(d)  Indigenous people in Colombia have begun a march against violence in
the province of Cauca. They are demanding that the warring factions in the
country's long-running civil conflict respect their autonomy and keep out
of their reserves.

(e)  Colombian truck drivers started an indefinite strike in protest at
increasing fuel prices and road tolls and at the lack of security on the
country's roads.

(f)  In the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by
Violence, from 6 to 12 September, WFP distributed 583 tons of food in 12
provinces to over 108,015 beneficiaries.  These commodities were
distributed under pre-school and school feeding activities, nursing and
pregnant mothers, and as part of nutritional recovery activities. Some
other activities that were supported included community kitchens, food for
work activities directed to support agricultural purposes, skills training
on nutritional and health issues, IDPs housing improvement and
environmental protection.


3)  Guatemala

(a)  Several hundred farmers took control of the Chixoy hydroelectric dam
which provides around 35 percent of Guatemala's energy.  The farmers
demanded compensation for displacements and killings occurred when the dam
was constructed, more than 20 years ago. The control over the plant
returned to the authorities after negotiations with the Office of the
Human Rights Attorney.

(b)  The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and
Hydrology reported volcanic activity at the Santa Maria and Fuego
volcanoes which are currently in orange alert.  The city of
Quetzaltenango, situated below the Santa Maria Mountain, is at risk of a
lava-dome's collapse.

(c)  The Vice-Minister for Food and Nutrition Security announced that the
Ministry of Agriculture has invested USD 750,000 to provide food
assistance to some 20,000 families affected by the drought. Wheat and corn
were donated to the government.  These commodities will be monetized to
support agricultural projects and the government's school feeding
programme.

(d)  A total of 118 tons of maize, beans, CSB and vegetable oil were
distributed in the provinces of Chiquimula, Chimaltenango, Huehuetenango,
and Quiche, under the relief component of PRRO 10212, to contribute to the
nutritional recovery of children, pregnant and lactating women, and their
families, all suffering from recurring shocks.

(e)  On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Nutrition Institute
for Central America and Panama and as a follow-up to the Hunger Forum held
by WFP and CEPAL in Panama last December, a two-day workshop was held to
assess progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals and suggest strategies to better fight hunger, malnutrition and
poverty in the region.


4)  Haiti

(a)  On 11 September, a peaceful demonstration of about 1,500 Lavalas
supporters marched from downtown Port-au-Prince to the gates of the
UN-compound. The situation degenerated into violence when some of the
participants fired their guns. Several wounded people were taken to the
hospital.  Nevertheless, the current security situation continues to allow
WFP to carry out operations in the areas covered by the Country Programme,
the PRRO and the EMOP.

(b)  During last week, WFP delivered a total of 235 tons of food to almost
42,350 beneficiaries.

(c)  WFP and six partner organizations in the educational sector met to
plan school feeding activities for the academic year of 2004 ? 2005,
review the management of the cantinas, and discuss the results of academic
year 2003 ? 2004.


5)  Nicaragua

(a)  During last week, WFP and FAO conducted a joint monitoring mission in
the departments of Leon, Chinandega, Madriz, Esteli and Matagalpa to
evaluate the food security situation of the families who lost their
harvest due to the drought, flooding and plagues. The mission concluded
that a significant number of small farmers lost all their first harvest
and that the situation might aggravate in the coming months as the second
harvest is threatened by the drought.

(b)  The third distribution under the IRA/EMOP to affected families of the
Cerro Musun mudslide in Rio Blanco and Matiguas has concluded.

(c)  WFP continued to distribute food under PRRO 10212.0 covering a total
of 78,960 school children in the RAAN and the municipality of Matagalpa.
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 are also
being assisted in the northern and central regions of the country.

(d)  The Regional PRRO 10212.0 in Nicaragua will face shortfalls through
February 2005, beginning in September, of beans (199 tons), rice (199
tons) and of vegetable oil (100 tons). If no commodities are announced in
the coming months or those that are announced arrive late, the PRRO will
face serious pipeline breaks in January 2005.


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

End WFP Emergency Report No. 38, 2004


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