WFP Emergency Report
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 50 / 2005 - Date 9 December 2005


This report includes:

(A) Highlights
(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan
    (2) Pakistan
(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Ethiopia
    (4) Rwanda (5) Sudan (6) Tanzania (7) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Cote d'Ivoire (3) Liberia (4) Niger
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Angola (2) Comoros (3) Lesotho (4) Malawi
    (5) Namibia (6) Swaziland (7) Zambia (8) Zimbabwe
(F) Asia: (1) Korea (DPR)
(G) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Bolivia (2) Colombia (3) Cuba
    (4) Ecuador (5) Guatemala (6) Haiti



(A) Highlights

(a)  WFP commences the General Food Distribution cycle for the month of
December in the central and southern camps of eastern Chad.

(b)  WFP together with other partners reviewed targeting mechanisms in
the northern provinces of Burundi in order to improve its response to
the food shortages.

(c)  According to preliminary findings of WFP/FAO Crop and Food Supply
Assessment Mission (CFSAM) in North Sudan, the 2004/05 season has been
marked by above-average conditions including well-distributed rainfall
and increased availability and access to agricultural inputs. Crop
production during the 2005 season is therefore observed to be higher
than in 2004, with more areas cultivated, and above the ten-year
average.

(d)  In Pakistan, from 1 to 6 December, WFP dispatched 2,866 tons of
food. The cumulative food dispatches are 25,056 tons.

(e)  In Niger, a total of 7,488 tons of cereals are still required for
Emergency Operation activities through March, which will help to ensure
increased food security and prepare vulnerable populations for the
upcoming lean season.



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

(1) Afghanistan

(a)  The security situation remained relatively calm across the country
except in southern and south-eastern regions, where threats of suicide
bombing and improvised explosive devices (IED) attacks against the
coalition forces, government and humanitarian community were reported.

(b)  Under the ongoing winterization programmes, to date, WFP has
pre-positioned nearly 23,300 tons of food (97 percent of the plan) to
reach 379,800 beneficiaries in the targeted areas, particularly in the
food deficit northern, central and western regions.

(c)  On 1 December, the Ministry of Public Health, WHO, UNDP, UNFPA,
Global Fund and WFP observed the "World AIDS Day" to raise public
awareness of the disease. Although, Afghanistan has a low HIV/AIDS
prevalence rate, huge population displacements, poor social and public
health infrastructure, drug trafficking, use of drug injections and lack
of proper blood safety practices makes it a high-risk country for the
spread of HIV/AIDS. WFP has launched a series of training sessions to
raise awareness of the disease among staff and plans to train staff
families, government counterparts and cooperating partners' staff
beginning 2006.

(d)  From 1 to 7 December, WFP assisted 475,900 beneficiaries with 4,970
tons of food.


(2) Pakistan

(a)  A commercial truck loaded with WFP food was looted by unknown
people near Havelian on the way to Mansehra. A WFP Food Monitor was
threatened by a gunman at a distribution point within a tented camp in
Muzaffarabad; the gunman left with twelve bags of wheat flour and the
WFP staff was unharmed.

(b)  During the reporting period (1 - 6 December), WFP dispatched 2,866
tons of food. The cumulative dispatches are 25,056.15 tons.

(c)  During the reporting period, in Muzaffarabad, WFP will work in 19
Union Councils in Lower Neelum, Upper Neelum, Jhelum and Leepa Valleys
with a total caseload of 287,143. In Mansehra, the closure of office has
begun. In Bagh, according to the new plan of implementation, Cooperating
Partners are changing their areas of operation. In Shangla/Batagram,
after recent changes in agreed-upon beneficiary numbers, WFP Cooperating
Partners are conducting door to door surveys, compiling lists of
beneficiaries in their operational areas on a daily basis parallel to
the distribution process. The population in Mera Camp is rising day by
day, with the current population estimated to be around 14,000 persons;
the camp management has started looking for a new site to accommodate
the new arrivals. In Ghari Habibullah, following the division of
responsibilities there are 60,000 new caseloads among seven Union
Counsels; transport capacity has been increased in the area, having a
direct impact on the quantity of food delivered.

(d)  Many local assessments have been conducted by WFP. The assessments
include storages capacities, roads, tented camps, union councils.  The
main purpose is to increase the food distribution before the snowfall
and to allocate properly the food to the affected people after the
division of the areas of distribution between WFP and the Government of
Pakistan.

(e)  The new demarcations of the areas for respective NGOs/Cooperating
Partners are in the process of being finalized.

(f)  The main hubs that will be used for air transport would be
Muzaffarabad, Abbottabad, Chaterplain and Ghari Habibullah. Mansehra
will remain only a logistics center and reinforce Chaterplain and Ghari
Habibullah. So far 48 rub halls have been erected for WFP and
interagency purposes and 22 are either in the process or expected to be
erected soon.

(g)  The Emergency Operation (EMOP) is resourced 45.55% against the
appeal. Special Operation (SO) 10493, "WFP Logistics Support to Relief
Operations for the Pakistan Earthquake" is resourced at 43% against the
appeal; UNHAS SO 10494 is resourced at 35% against the appeal; UNJLC SO
10495 is resourced at 81% against the appeal

(h)  During the reporting period, UNHAS airlifted 637.39 tons of food
items, 178.8 tons of non-food items (NFIs) and 816 passengers. Since the
start of air operations, UNHAS has airlifted 2,504.17 tons of food
items, 970.89 tons of NFIs and 9,375 passengers.

(i)  Mr. James Morris, WFP Executive Director, visited Muzaffarabad Area
Office and also observed Emergency School Feeding and General Food
Distribution activities in Jhelum and Neelum Valleys respectively on 3
December.



(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Ethiopia (4)
Rwanda (5) Sudan (6) Tanzania (7) Uganda

(1) Burundi

(a)  The security situation has not changed. Military actions are still
ongoing in Bujumbura Rurale against Front for National Liberation (FNL)
troops. Arbitrary execution and killings perpetrated by both sides are
reported.

(b)  The Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN
Peacekeeping Operation in Burundi (ONUB) until 15 January 2006.

(c)  In addition to the US$350 million that the World Bank has allocated
to Burundi for reconstruction and development, the Bank announced that
it has pledged an additional US$170 million over the next two years. The
money saved from the debt cancellation will be used in social sectors
such as education, health, public works and HIV/AIDS prevention and
control.

(d)  WFP distributed 1,641 tons of food aid to 214,138 beneficiaries
during the period 28 November - 04 December.

(e)  WFP together with other partners reviewed targeting mechanisms in
the northern provinces in order to improve its response to the food
shortages. Ad hoc and limited in time measures have been put in place.
WFP is extending targeted distributions, including families having a
member in therapeutic or supplementary feeding centres. Thanks to food
loans, quick dispatch of food en route to Burundi, preventive ration
cuts and adequate donor support, the current pipeline forecast will
enable WFP to seriously reduce shocks in these regions.

(f)  Last week, WFP monitored distributions in different provinces and
reported that they were conducted without major incidents. However, some
fictitious names were noticed at one distribution site in Bururi
province and immediately taken off the lists. The case was reported to
the local authorities to discourage such behaviour. Several provinces
have been visited in order to sensitise the local administrators and
distribution committees on the targeting criteria. This activity was
carried out to prepare for the forthcoming targeted distributions. In
Rugazi, where distribution committees were not active, WFP assisted in
the election of the committee members.


(2) Congo, DR

(a)  The lull in the security situation in Mahagi, Ituri, district,
allowed for a slow resumption of humanitarian activities in the area.
However, the flow of IDPs' resettlement remained very low compared to
the weeks before the clashes between Forces Armees de la Republique
Democratique du Congo (FARDC) and militias. South of Bunia, 16 Forces de
Resistance Patriotique en Ituri (FRPI) militia reportedly surrendered
their weapons to FARDC.

(b)  On the Bunia-Komanda axis, the NGO Cooperazione e Sviluppo (CESVI)
reported 4,300 displaced households, i.e. 21,000 people, in need of food
and non-food items. However, food assistance cannot be provided due to
the prevailing insecurity linked to FARDC military operations against
militias.

(c)  In the evening of 05 December, a WFP driver in Goma, North Kivu
province, was shot dead by men in uniform. The incident occurred around
19:30 hours when the staff member had just come back home.

(d)  The Bukavu-Bunyakiri axis, South Kivu province, remained highly
unsafe due to wandering men in uniform. Passengers of four vehicles were
reportedly ripped off of their belongings and six were kidnapped and
taken into the bushes. In Shabunda, a recently created self-defence
group of 500-700 villagers reportedly attacked FARDC positions, killing
7 soldiers.

(e)  In the Katanga province, FARDC troops continued to chase the
various armed bands in Pweto, Manono and Mitwaba.

(f)  By the end of the reporting week, 204 tons of WFP food commodities
were provided to over 16,000 displaced people who had managed to reach
Malemba Nkulu and surrounding territories. WFP food was distributed
through the NGO Association des Agriculteurs sans Frontieres (AASF).

(g)  Despite the volatile security situation in the Ituri district, WFP
delivered 159 tons of food to ten cooperating partners. Close to 60
percent of the food was provided to 8,300 IDPs and returnees in Aru,
Djugu, Batama and Ot-Maber through the international NGO German Agro
Action.

(h)  During the reporting period, 22 Angolan refugees were repatriated
by UNHCR. The total caseload of repatriated Angolan refugees since
October 2005 now stands at 1,311. WFP pre-positioned enough food with
UNHCR in Kahemba, Bandundu province, to provide three-month resettlement
food packages to 6,045 persons.

(i)  From its warehouse in Gemena, Equateur province, WFP released 108
tons of food to feed over 9,000 beneficiaries. These were mainly
malnourished children under five and their families in Gemena and
Gbadolite. The total targeted caseload also included 305 returnees in
Dongo, Gemena and Libenge, as well as 164 resettling IDPs who arrived by
boat from Kinshasa.


(3) Ethiopia

(a)  The Federal Disaster Preparedness and Response Agency (DPPA) has
allocated food aid for 221,500 beneficiaries in the Somali region. For
the past two months DPPA has allocated food only to identified areas of
concern as the region has not submitted a complete report on the use of
previously allocated food. The food security situation in most of the
seven deyr-rain-receiving zones of Somali Region is worrying, with poor
pasture and livestock conditions emerging due to poor rainfall. The deyr
rainy season that usually starts in early October and extends to at
least end of November has so far been below normal in most of the rain
receiving areas. The situation is worse in the districts that had poor
rains during the last long gu-rainy season including Fik, Gode, Afder,
Liban and parts of Korahe zone. Access to pasture and water is currently
insufficient to sustain both human and herds needs until the main rainy
season starts in March-April 2006. Unusual livestock migration has also
been observed within the Southern zones of Ethiopia but also across the
border to and from Kenya and Somali.


(4) Rwanda

(a)  In addition to the 167 Congolese (DRC) asylum seekers from Kiziba
camp reported last week, 11 persons were received in Nkamira transit
centre, which brings the total number to 1,144 persons. A verification
exercise is planned for Thursday, 8 December, after which official
figures will be communicated.

(b)  No voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees was carried out
last week. Kiziba, Gihembe and Nyabiheke camps remained stable with
17,205, 17,248 and 4,753 refugees respectively. The number of Congolese
refugees currently sheltered in Rwanda stands at 40,350.

(c)  The number of Burundian refugees in Rwanda is currently 2,633. No
voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees occurred last week and
Kigeme camp remained stable with 728 refugees.

(d)  A total of 105 returnees from DRC crossed the border to Rwanda and
were received in Nkamira and Nyagatare transit camps. The returnees were
provided with around 9 tons of mixed commodities before departing to
their home communities.


(5) Sudan

(a)  Darfur:

(b)  Fighting between government and rebel forces was reported in Um
Gunya, to the southeast of Nyala, on 3 December. Casualties are as yet
unconfirmed. An INGO working the area relocated to Nyala the same day as
a direct result of the hostilities.

(c)  WFP Security confirmed reports of a banditry attack on Marla
village on 29 November. Six villagers were reported to have been killed
during the incident and a further 19 wounded. A large number of
livestock were looted following the attack and the remaining villagers
forced to flee from the area.

(d)  An AU patrol travelling between Kulbus and Sileah was ambushed by
armed rebels during the week. One of the convoy's vehicles was taken by
the rebels and five soldiers injured, four of whom required medical
evacuation to El Fasher.

(e)  Between 1 and 4 December, WFP dispatched a total of 1,489 tons of
assorted food from logistical hubs to Darfur realising four percent of
the delivery target for the month. The average dispatch for the period
is 372 tons per day which is again a reflection of the low stocks
available in the hubs. Secondary deliveries so far in December have
focused on non-cereals with cereal deliveries anticipated to increase
following the arrival of one of the expected shipments in Port Sudan in
the coming week. Record dispatches in October ensured healthy stock
balances in the Darfur region.

(f)  In West Darfur, the nutrition situation remained stable during the
week with partner SC-US reporting declining admissions to its feeding
programmes, especially of severely malnourished children. The few
admissions were due, in the main, to respiratory tract infections which
can be attributed to the current onset of cold weather. Elsewhere in the
state, Concern and TearFund also reported stable admissions to their
nutritional feeding centres. Similarly in Tawilla, North Darfur, Relief
International reported a net decrease in admissions to both its
supplementary feeding and outpatient therapeutic programmes, as did
MSF-E in its feeding programmes in Zam Zam. PAI in Khazan Tujur,
however, reported a slight increase in admissions due mainly to an
influx of people from Tawilla and Zam Zam with the harvest. In
Kabkabiya, MSF reported a decrease in cases of malaria with 46 reported
during the week against 135 three weeks ago.Improvements in nutritional
status were likewise reported by partners in South Darfur during the
week. WVI in Nyala town noted a decrease in cases of malnutrition from
1,950 reported in the first week of November compared with 1,531 in the
last, a drop of 21 percent.

(g)  In various locations across South Darfur, WFP and partners
distributed around 2,800 MT of food to almost 95,000 beneficiaries
during the week. SC-US in West Darfur meanwhile distributed around 3,500
tons of food to over 160,000 beneficiaries. In addition to which,
distributions were ongoing in Krindling II, Sultan House and Riyadh camp
with figures yet to be finalised. A total of 1,400 MT of food was
distributed to over 53,000 beneficiaries in 16 locations covered by CRS
in West Darfur. CRS was only able to distribute the planned two month
rations in six of the 16 sites, however, due to prevailing insecurity.
In the remaining ten locations, beneficiaries only received food for
November. WFP and CRS are working together to identify how best to
ensure the distribution of December rations at these locations. SRC
meanwhile distributed over 1,900 tons of mixed WFP food to around 75,000
beneficiaries in Um Tajook, Kerenik and surrounding areas while almost
38,000 beneficiaries received over 750 tons of mixed WFP food in Mukjar.
In North Darfur, distribution of food for two months was completed in
Kabkabiya town during the week. Dispatches to Seraf Omra are currently
ongoing with distributions expected to start in the coming days. Food
distributions were meanwhile completed to the 8,715 new IDPs in Zam Zam
camp.

(h)  WFP and partner GAA undertook post distribution monitoring in Malam
El Hosh, North Darfur during the week. The major conclusions from the
exercise were that the beneficiaries were satisfied with the
registration process and that beneficiaries were observed to still
depend largely on food aid and wild foods. Their ability to access
markets and income-generating opportunities remains limited. Some 70
percent of the households receiving food in Malam El Hosh are female
headed.

(i)  As of 6 December, WFP's Emergency Operation in Darfur (EMOP
10339.1) had received a total of US$436 million. Cash contributions of
US$28 million are urgently needed to repay outstanding loans.

(j)  The WFP Humanitarian Air Service (HAS) Special Operation (SO),
valued at US$24 million in 2005, faces a funding shortfall of US$6
million. With monthly operating costs of US$2 million, donor support is
vital to allow WFP-HAS to continue to provide services to the
humanitarian community in Darfur and throughout Sudan.

(k)  South, East and Transitional Areas:

(l)  WFP food assistance in most locations remains suspended
indefinitely since early November because of suspected insecurity in the
region. GTZ, WFP's subcontractor, has slowed down construction works on
Kapoeta-Torit road as a result.

(m)  The security situation in Mundri County in Western Equatoria and
Yei, Lainya and Morobo in Bahr-el-Jebel remains tense following
inter-clan conflict that occurred in the first two weeks of the month.

(n)  A WFP intervention team scheduled to move from Motot to Pieri was
temporarily suspended from operations following fighting in Pieri
between Murle cattle rustlers and local communities.

(o)  While the general security situation appears to be calm in Kassala,
tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. According to the Commission of
Refugees and the Sudanese Red Crescent, daily arrivals of asylum seekers
continued to enter Sudan during the week with the highest number (84)
registered on 30 November.

(p)  According to reports by the UN Mine Action Office, a landmine
incident took place in Hamadyiet (a potential entry point for Ethiopian
refugees), bringing the total number of incidents to four. A team
arrived from Khartoum to investigate and assess the situation.

(q)  According to preliminary findings of WFP/FAO Crop and Food Supply
Assessment Mission (CFSAM) in North Sudan, the 2004/05 season has been
marked by above-average conditions including well-distributed rainfall
and increased availability and access to agricultural inputs. Crop
production during the 2005 season is therefore observed to be higher
than in 2004, with more areas cultivated, and above the ten-year
average.  Expectations of a good harvest is now being reflected in the
rapid decline in prices of sorghum (SD5,000-SD6,000), which attained a
record high of SD 12,000 earlier in the year. However, in spite of this
positive outlook, the mission warned that the crop production may be
hampered by a deterioration in security, particularly in Darfur. The
mission also reported that yields may be impacted by increasing wage
rates in view of inflation and a shrinking supply of casual labourers
who are increasingly working for the urban sector in Sudan. Returns to
the South from the North have also depressed the labour market.

(r)  In terms of vulnerability, the mission identified 45 percent of the
population in South Kordofan whom they considered to be food insecure.
In Abyei, the poorest and recently displaced people will remain
vulnerable through 2006. An increase in the number of returnees are
expected into the transitional areas in 2006. In the East, chronic
malnutrition continues to plague the population. The final report of the
CFSAM will be released in January. Meanwhile, preliminary results of the
Annual Needs Assessment will be released in the coming week.

(s)  The first caseload of an estimated 12,000 Dinka Bor returnees
moving from Mundri County Western Equatoria to Bor County started
arriving in Juba during the week. The Dinka Bor were displaced from Bor
County to Western Equatoria during civil war in Sudan. The first group
of returnees crossed the river Nile with thousands of cattle through the
Juba bridge. WFP started providing 7 tons of food to an initial 650
returnees at Lologo transit camp, 4 km outside Juba Town. The returnees
at Lologo will be transported to Bor by barge.

(t)  The first food delivery by road from El Obeid to Leer, South Unity
State took place during the week following a WFP logistics mission which
had previously identified 25 locations in Mayom, Ruweng, Rubkona and
Leer counties to be accessible by road. The first road convoy from
Bentiu to Leer County also started at the end of the month, delivering
84 tons of assorted food for 7,060 beneficiaries (including 2,060
returnees).

(u)  Results of a mines assessment mission by Dan Church Aid in
Mabiorion will be used to formulate a mines awareness programme for
children, cattle owners and the population returning to the area.

(v)  The reporting period (1 - 7 December) saw the completion of the
inter-agency barge operation where 51,364 vulnerable residents and 4,855
returnees in 24 sites received 414 and 101 tons of food.

(w)  As of this week, 546 cases of Yellow Fever were reported in South
Kordofan, including 156 deaths related to the disease. A mass
vaccination campaign commenced during the week targeting 94,000 persons
in Kadugli of whom 78,000 were vaccinated. Vaccinations are currently
ongoing in Talodi and Dilling and will start in Talodi next week. The
UNMIS clinic and staff from Save the Children-US are conducting
vaccinations for all UN staff and their families in Kadugli and Kauda
respectively.

(x)  Fieldwork of the inter-agency nutritional survey undertaken by WFP,
GOAL, SRC and the MOH in IDP camps in Kassala concluded during the week.
The survey included IDPs as well as vulnerable local residents.
Preliminary results indicated a Global Acute Malnutrition of 11.8% for
the areas inhabited by the Bani Amir tribes, although high, is under the
emergency threshold. The full report of the survey findings will be
shared shortly as soon as data entry and analysis are finalized.

(y)  WFP delivered a total of 1,656 tons by air to various locations in
South Sudan during the week. Of the total, the 609 tons dispatched from
El Obeid brought the total for the month to 2,997 tons (81 percent of
the target).

(z)  WFP dispatched a total of 5,320 tons by road to various locations
in Sudan during the week.For the first time since the end of the rainy
season, WFP accessed the Bahr El Ghazal region by road from El Obeid
with some 66 tons dispatched to Malual during the week. A further 1 tons
of salt was dispatched from El Obeid to Leer, Unity completing
November's allocation totalling 83 tons. Dispatches from Koboko (Uganda)
and Lokichoggio (Kenya) totalled 2,287 tons and 404 tons respectively,
while 58 tons was dispatched by road from Rumbek which included 55 tons
of cereals to Wau. In the East, a total of 142 tons was dispatched to
various cooperating partners in Kassala state with cumulative dispatches
for the month realising 54 percent of the allocation for November and
December. Dispatches by road to various locations in the Nuba Mountains
totalled 2,027 tons during the reporting period. Meanwhile, some 65 tons
of mixed food was dispatched to Abyei and a further 128 tons to
food-for-work (FFW) sites in North Kordofan. The dispatch of 42 tons to
Damazine during the week brought the total for the month to 548 tons, 59
percent of the allocation for November and December.

(aa)  During the reporting period, 1,305 tons of mixed food was
dispatched from Kosti by barge. Some 50 tons, 447 tons and 807 tons
destined for Malakal, Bor and Juba respectively. A total of 220 tons
meanwhile arrived in Juba by barge from Kosti which was dispatched
towards the end of October.

(ab)  The Emergency Operation for the South, East and Transitional Areas
urgently requires US$41 million to repay internal loans accessed early
in 2005 to guarantee a healthy pipeline for the affected population.
Cash contributions are specifically required.

(ac)  Phase III of WFP's emergency road repairs and mine clearance
project in South Sudan faces a funding shortfall of US$79.7 million. In
the absence of funding, the project is now missing the beginning of the
dry season for works under Phase III contracts.

(ad)  WFP is also requesting for US$13 million to augment barge capacity
in Sudan under the Special Operation 10412.0. Contributions will be used
to purchase two passenger barges as well as two pushers and eight cargo
barges.


(6) Tanzania

(a)  A strong earthquake struck the Lake Tanganyika region of East
Africa on 5 December. The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8,
has according to UNHCR damaged a few mud huts at the Lugufu I & II
refugee camps in the Kigoma region. No other damages from the refugee
camps have been reported.

(b)  On 2 December, Kibondo District Commissioner held mass meetings in
all refugee camps stating that the Government of Tanzania wants all
refugees to return to Burundi. The Government is immediately imposing a
series of measures in the refugee camps, which will increase restriction
of refugee movement, hindering refugee access to land and employment.
This includes restricting refugees from cultivating, sowing or
harvesting in the camps. Farmers have also been informed to destroy
their farms and plants. In addition, employment of refugees within or
outside the camps is considered illegal and will be enforced strictly by
the Government.

(c)  General distribution covers 360,382 registered refugees. During the
past week, WFP distributed some 1,250 tons of food through general
distribution, supplementary and therapeutic feeding in refugee camps in
western Tanzania. Around 7,046 food insecure and otherwise vulnerable
Tanzanians in the host communities surrounding the camps were also
supported with WFP host community activities, including access to
camp-based health care facilities, school feeding, food-for-work,
food-for-training and food-for-hospital in-patients

(d)  Due to resource shortages, no CSB is being distributed, while
rations of pulses are reduced to 80g/day. The rations provide refugees
with a daily intake of 1,813 Kcal, or 86 percent of the approved ration
level. The current rations will continue to be applied until 2 January
2006.

(e)  A shortfall of 4,605 tons (US$2.8 million) exists up to the end of
May 2006. While the pipeline situation for the coming six months has
improved, WFP is not yet in a position where full rations can be
provided.


(7) Uganda

(a)  Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye submitted his nomination papers
for the February 28, 2006 presidential election from prison on
Wednesday, 7 December 2005. The High Court or constitutional court
should rule by 14 December whether it is constitutional for Besigye to
be tried with the General Court Martial and the High Court. The
political situation remains tense.

(b)  Some donors have reacted to recent political developments by
withholding portions of budget support contributions. The World Bank has
also reduced the budget support by US$ 15 million due to an increase in
the public administration costs resulting from the creation of new
districts.

(c)  In northern Uganda, rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)
abducted 12 people in Kitgum and Lira districts in the past week. On 5
December, a group of about 15 rebels were cited in Gulu Municipality. On
3 December, four rebels were found dead, having been burnt in a bush
fire 10 km southwest of Kitgum town.

(d)  Chief Negotiator Betty Bigombe has been talking with Vincent Otti
(presumed to be in DRC), number two in LRA, by satellite telephone. Otti
indicated over the BBC (through a telephone call), willingness to
discuss peace, despite the International Criminal Court indictment.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), particularity in Kitgum and Pader
districts, remain traumatized by the LRA and are unlikely to venture far
from the camps.

(e)  The UN will launch the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for
Uganda in Kampala on 12 December. The CAP will address the emergency
needs of over 1.5 million IDPs and the recovery and resettlement plan
for IDPs in Lango and Teso, and for the first time, Karamoja. The CAP
appeals for US$223 million.

(f)  WFP, UNHCR, other UN agencies and Government of Uganda (GoU) are
conducting an assessment of villages of origin in Lira region in
northern Uganda to establish feasibility for the voluntary return of
IDPs as proposed by the GoU in Lira district; 26,000 IDPs are expected
to return home in Lira during January 2006, out of 330,000 within the
district. The GoU has acknowledged that the security situation in
Acholiland is unfavourable for the return of IDPs there at present.

(g)  Dry season fires last week razed the huts and property of nearly
4,000 IDPs in IDP camps in Pader, Lira and Gulu districts.

(h)  The WFP/UNHCR Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) completed its
fieldwork and is finalising its report. UNCHR is experiencing
significant resourcing shortfalls, which is impacting negatively on the
self-reliance strategy. This increases pressure on the food sector as
part of the household economy, making it increasingly difficult for WFP
to phase own rations as planned.

(i)  WFP operations continue normally in northern Uganda. Relief food
distribution continues to reach 1.5 million displaced persons, 165,000
refugees and other vulnerable persons. Over the past week, WFP
distributed 5,200 tons of relief food assistance to 323,000 persons
including IDPs sheltering in camps in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira
districts; refugees; children in schools and nutrition centres; and
other vulnerable persons.

(j)  WFP faces a shortfall of 77,000 tons through June 2006, valued at
US$32 million. Access to land around the IDP camps generally increased
over the last 18 months due to a gradual reduction in violent LRA
attacks. IDPs should be able to provide 40 percent of their daily food
needs starting January 2006, but will still require 60 percent from
external sources until at least the July 2006 harvest. Without this
assistance, malnutrition rates would rocket and the death rates of young
children would increase rapidly.



(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Cote d'Ivoire (3) Liberia (4) Niger

(1) Chad

(a)  The overall security situation remains generally stable in the
refugee camps in eastern Chad. The situation near the northern camp of
Am Nabak witnessed marked tension on late Wednesday, 7 December,
following violent confrontations between unidentified armed rebel groups
supposedlyfrom the Sudan and the nomadic guard (GNNT) brigade. The
clashes resulted in a number of casualties. Humanitarian organisations
have stepped up security measures, and road travel between Guereda and
Iriba has been suspended.

(b)  Strong Chadian military presence continues to be signalled around
the Oure Cassoni camp, mainly in the wadis along the border. This may be
attributed to the recent tension reported between the refugee and local
populations in the camp.  (c)  The WFP/UNHCR targeted caseload stands at
201,532 refugees in twelve camps. The registration exercise is still
ongoing in some camps and is expected to be completed by the end of
December 2005.

(d)  WFP General Food Distributions started in the central camps of
Bredjing, Treguine and Farchana on 2 December 2005. Prior to the
distributions in the Goz Beida area, WFP held a meeting with the
concerned Cooperating Partners to better organise the activity, to
ensure supervision over the scooping procedure, and make sure that the
more vulnerable refugees are served first. The distributions began in
the two camps of Djabal and Goz Amir on 5 December 2005. In the northern
camps, the distributions are scheduled to commence on the 14th in
Kounoungou, Mile, Am Nabak, Iridimi and Touloum and on the 16th in Oure
Cassoni.

(e)  NGO Cooperating Partners CARE and SECADEV operating in the Guereda
camps have undertaken the collection of firewood and expect to commence
the distributions shortly. This comes in accordance with the decision
taken last week during the coordination meeting to attribute the
firewood collection/distribution task to the NGO in charge in the
refugee camp. This aims at minimising the tension between refugees and
local populations and averting related security incidents.

(f)  During the reporting period (1 - 7 December), Cooperating Partner
Agence d'Aide a la Cooperation Technique et au Developpement (ADESK)
received a total of 19.15 tons of food to supply to participants working
on the construction of classrooms in the Touloum village (Iriba). In the
Farchana area, a new Food-for-Work (FFW) project to expand the air strip
a further 100 meters is expected to begin shortly.

(g)  Between 21 and 30 November 2005, five teams visited a total of 58
schools proposed by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF to be assisted
with WFP School Feeding (SF). Among those, 41 schools meet the WFP
criteria for the SF programme and will be served instantly. One school
did not meet the necessary criteria. Another 16 schools will be reviewed
during the current school year. A training course for the new committees
managing the School Feeding programme is scheduled to start on 7
December 2005. The schools that will be served with a WFP/UNICEF
'integrated package' will receive a joint training session around
mid-December 2005.

(h)  Cooperating Partner IRD (International Relief Development) is
currently conducting the final distributions of Blanket Supplementary
Feeding (BSF) rations to the local populations in the Ourba, Gaoudji and
Groufou villages (Iriba). The BSF programme will be phased out
thereafter. Meanwhile, WFP is engaged in reinforcing the recovery and
development activities planned under the Country Programme by
implementing safety net programmes under the Emergency Operation through
various income generating and asset creating activities.

(i)  Through the Libyan corridor, the two convoys that had been blocked
in Ounianga Kebir and Kalait, carrying 286 tons of sorghum for the Sudan
operation and 576 tons of sorghum for the Chad operation, were able to
proceed and are en route to Abeche. WFP Representative and Head of
Logistics will be travelling to Faya by the end of the week to meet with
local authorities and resolve these problems. A total of 1,807 tons of
wheat, 576 tons of sorghum, 31 tons of pulses, 58 tons of CSB and 163
tons of oil are currently en route to Chad via the Douala corridor.

(j)  Overall malnutrition levels remain within low levels in the refugee
camps. During the reporting period, 111 beneficiaries among the local
populations in the Kounoungou and Mile areas were assisted with WFP food
rations as part of the mobile clinic initiative run by IMC
(International Medical Corps).

(k)  Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10327.1 has so far received a total of
US$36.9 million, representing 42.58% of the total requirement.

(l)  The overall pipeline situation is sufficient to cover needs over
the next six months. Nevertheless, given the long lead time of delivery
to Chad (4-6 months), it is crucial that additional contributions are
confirmed very soon to allow WFP to pre-position food well in advance
for the upcoming rainy season (July to October 2006).

(m)  During the reporting period, WFP Humanitarian Air Service (HAS)
transported a total of 127 passengers on the N'Djamena-Abeche routing
(UN 21W) and 200 passengers on the Abeche-eastern strips routing (UN
23W). In an effort to facilitate connecting passengers travelling from
the eastern field to N'Djamena (via Abeche), the departure times of
WFP-HAS aircraft have been adjusted to better meet user requirements.

(n)  The WFP Humanitarian Air Service (SO 10338.1) continues to face
severe underfunding, with only US$1,044,634 so far confirmed against a
total US$7.2 million requirement. In the absence of new confirmed
contributions, WFP will be forced to suspend the air service very
shortly.


(2) Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  The political situation has improved, thanks to the nomination of
the Prime Minister, accepted by all parties. There might have some
problems linked to the replacement of ministers in the new cabinet.
Following the nomination of the new Prime Minister, the former Prime
Minister, Seydou Elimane Diarra, and his cabinet resigned subsequently.

(b)  The second meeting of the International Working Group fixed the
road map for the future government, with the agreement of the new Prime
Minister. Gun shots were heard in the area of the military camp of Agban
in Abidjan, on the 1st of December. The event was followed by complete
closure of streets of Abidjan by police/military forces.

(c)  During the reporting period (24 November - 7 December), 653,739
tons of various food commodities were distributed to 95 861
beneficiaries.

(d)  UNHCR repatriated 224 refugees. WFP is continuing to assist both
refugees being repatriated and refugees in camp: rations for 400
beneficiaries have been distributed.

(e)  As of 7 December 2005, the regional Protracted Relief and Recovery
Operation (PRRO), including Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina, Ghana, Mali, has
received a total of 35.6 million US dollars against the operational
needs of 50.1 million US dollars (29% shortfall against operational
requirements).


(3) Liberia

(a)  During the reporting period (28 November-4 December), WFP and its
Cooperating Partners delivered 380 tons of food to 27,000 beneficiaries
in various programmes throughout the country.  This included general
distributions to IDPs living in camps, as well as distributions for the
resettlement of IDPs and returnees, Institutional and Selective Feeding,
and Food for Work programmes.

(b)  During the reporting period, 300 spontaneous returnees from Sierra
Leone and 200 facilitated returnees from Guinea and Ivory Coast arrived
in the country through Cape Mount, Maryland, and Lofa Counties. The
returnees received 16 tons of assorted food commodities as first tranche
of their resettlement food package. In addition, 6,300 IDPs (resettled
through the IOM facilitated transport program for vulnerable IDPs)
received 183 MT of WFP food as first tranche of their resettlement
package.  From the beginning of 2005 until December 45,000 returnees
repatriated by UNHCR and 260,000 IDPs residing in camps in Liberia have
been resettled and provided with their first tranche of resettlement
food assistance and NFIs. Of this population, 25,617 returnees (57%) and
195,706 IDPs (75%) have also received the second tranche of their
resettlement food package.

(c)  The Emergency School Feeding program was suspended during the past
month due to pipeline constraints. It has been resumed during the week
in review, when a total of 34 tons of food commodities for 12,00
students was delivered to schools in Lofa and Grand Bassa counties.

(d)  Breaks in the pipeline are expected as early as December, with
serious shortfalls of cereals. Delays in the shipments are posing
threats to the planning and distribution process. The CO is working
closely with the Regional Bureau and Headquarters to speed up the
expected shipments; additional donor support is needed in order to
ensure that sufficient food is available.


(4) Niger

(a)  In order to meet immediate needs in the country and to bridge
supply through to the upcoming Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation,
(PRRO), WFP extended its Emergency Operation (EMOP) in time through
March. Planned activities through this period will reach a total of over
1.3 million and will include supplementary feeding, a protection ration,
and a family ration along with rural development activities including
support to cereal banks and Food-for-Work (FFW).

(b)  Based on the growing body of data projecting continuing
vulnerability in Niger for the upcoming year, WFP is positioning itself
to launch its PRRO, which will begin in April 2006 and last two years.
The project will contain primarily Nutrition, FFW, and Cereal Bank
activities.  Together with partners and the GoN, the results of current
assessments will be discussed to determine the most appropriate course
of action.  Implementation of the project will also be closely
coordinated with the programs of the Dispositif and other partners.

(c)  In terms of Supplementary Feeding Activities, WFP, working with
close to 20 Cooperating Partners, continues to provide corn-soya blend,
oil, and sugar to approximately 500 centers across the country.  The
food is used to support malnourished children and their families, as
well as malnourished pregnant or lactating women. Targeted blanket
feedings through MSF (Belgium, Spain and Holland) and in collaboration
with UNICEF will be finishing up the second and final round of
distributions in the coming days.

(d)  WFP, UNICEF and WHO in coordination with the Government of Niger
completed a tripartite mission in Niger to elaborate an integrated
nutrition strategy to ensure a complimentary and comprehensive treatment
of malnutrition in Niger in the medium term. Some members of the mission
were able to visit various CRENIs, CRENAS and CRENAMs in the regions of
Tillaberi and Zinder last week, a meeting with partners was held on
Saturday 26 November, and during the reporting period the team has been
in contact with various nutritional partners in preparation for the
document elaboration.

(e)  The results of the FAO/GoN/WFP joint crop and livestock assessment
mission have been released, and will be shared with Cooperating Partners
shortly.

(f)  To date, the WFP Niger EMOP has reached nearly 3 million
beneficiaries, having distributed 53,948 tons.

(g)  FFW deliveries have begun in Tillaberi and will commence soon in
other regions.  In the month of December, over 1200 tons of cereals, 100
tons of pulses and 50 tons of oil will be distributed for projects
designed to recuperate arable land across the country. For the remainder
of the EMOP, another c. 2300 tons will be distributed.  Up to November,
a total of nearly 1000 tons had been distributed for FFW activities.

(h)  Deliveries to partners are nearly complete for Country Programme
School Feeding activities.  A total of over 2,400 tons will be delivered
for the fourth quarter of 2005, and an additional 2,400MT will be
delivered in the first quarter of 2006.

(i)  WFP plans to distribute over 1000 tons of CSB to partners in
December, for protection rations and rations for pregnant and lactating
women.  Similar quantities will be distributed each month under the EMOP
through March of 2006 to provide urgently needed support to vulnerable
women and children.

(j)  Delivery of discharge or 'family' rations has commenced in Tahoua
and Tillaberi and will follow soon in other regions.  The families of an
estimated 200,000 malnourished children will receive cereals, pulses and
salt as an additional support to food security.

(k)  Distribution to vulnerable nomadic populations in the Department of
Abalak began on December 3rd.  Over the current week a total of 350 tons
of cereals is being distributed in the villages of Akoubounou, Azeye,
Abalak and Tamaye.

(l)  WFP and the Government's Agricultural Markets Information System
(SIMA Systeme d'Information des Marches Agricoles) have been conducting
weekly market monitoring since the end of August 2005. This weekly
monitoring showed that the effects on markets of the general
distributions in August-October were minimal, as evidenced by the fact
that cereal prices are still higher than the five year average and
market monitoring has shown that almost none of the food aid has been
sold on the markets.

(m)  The Niger EMOP 10398.0 is 63% funded, having received 37.3 million
US dollars in contributions. The current shortfall is of 21.8 million US
dollars, which includes 12 Million US dollars in IRA funds that were
advanced to the EMOP. WFP is urgently seeking cash contributions
amounting to a minimum of 9.8 million US dollars to avoid a break in the
pipeline.

(n)  Currently, the Niger EMOP has a total of 6,660 tons in stocks.
These stocks, together with new arrivals, will be used toward nutrition
and FFW activities through March and, when possible, for repayment to
the Country Programme.

(o)  Mr. James T. Morris, the Executive Director of the World Food
Programme, conducted his first visit to Niger from the 28-30 November.
During this mission, the ED and the Prime Minister of Niger officially
opened the After Action Review. The ED also met with members of the
local donor community and the UN country team and held a meeting with
the WFP Niger staff to thank them for their hard work during the
emergency intervention. The ED held meetings with Government officials,
including the President and the Prime Minister, and left the country
with the assurance that WFP and the Government are in agreement about
the way forward.

(p)  The After Action Review took place 28 November- 1 December in
Niamey, bringing together Government officials, NGOs, UN agencies and
members of the donor community. Ten priority recommendations have come
out of the After Action review, to be in put in place within the next
six months. The recommendations included the development of a national
emergency plan, including nutrition in vulnerability assessments,
regular monitoring of the food security situation by the National Food
Security Mechanism (DNPGCA) and the revision and harmonization of the
targeting criteria for beneficiaries, including assuring the inclusion
of local communities in the data collection.



(E) Southern Africa: (1) Angola (2) Comoros (3) Lesotho (4) Malawi (5)
Namibia (6) Swaziland (7) Zambia (8) Zimbabwe

(1) Angola

(a)  WFP and UNHCR carried out an evaluation mission in Huambo Province,
central Angola, in order to ascertain the food security situation of
returnees.  The mission concluded that returnees who had resettled in
Huambo did not have the opportunity to cultivate their land in 2005 due
to a lack of agricultural inputs.  As a result, the returnees will
require additional humanitarian assistance.  The mission recommended
that seeds and tools be provided in order to prepare their fields in
time for the next harvest.  In addition, short-term food needs should be
met with general food distributions and Food-for-Work projects.

(b)  The Angola Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation, PRRO 10054.2 -
"Support to Return and Resettlement" - remains significantly under
funded.  The operation will be extended until 31 March, with a new PRRO
scheduled to begin on 1 April 2006.


(2) Comoros

(a)  Heavy rainfall brought desperately needed relief in the aftermath
of Mount Karthala's volcanic eruption on 24 November 2005.  The volcanic
dust and debris covering extensive areas of the Grande Comore island
raised concerns over the health of 245,000 people living in the polluted
area, as well as the effect on agriculture and livestock.  Toxic
volcanic ash had contaminated reservoirs, where water levels were
already low as a result of delayed seasonal rains.  Authorities have
appealed to international agencies and local organizations for support
in addressing the threat of inadequate access to potable water.  WFP
expects to take part in a needs assessment mission in the near future.


(3) Lesotho

(a)  From 30 November to 6 December, WFP and Cooperating Partners
provided food to 170,000 people.  Beneficiaries were participants in
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, mother and childcare, orphans and other
vulnerable children programmes, as well as Food-for-Work (FFW) and
Food-for-Assets (FFA) projects.

(b)  In an attempt to draw attention to and reverse the spread of AIDS,
the Government is offering free HIV testing to all citizens. The
Government considers "door-to-door" knowledge of HIV a key component in
preventing the spread of the disease and plans to employ 7,500
additional health workers to administer the testing.


(4) Malawi

(a)  The food situation in the north continues to deteriorate.  Where
available, maize sales in ADMARC depots are escalating.  Maize prices in
local markets are also increasing.  However, in the south of the
country, the price of maize in local markets has been stable, however at
high levels. Throughout the country, targeted food distributions are
taking place through WFP's Cooperating Partners.

(b)  The Southern Region of the country received a considerable amount
of much needed seasonal rainfall during 1 to 7 December 2005.  As a
result, most farmers have started planting their fields.


(5) Namibia

(a)  The restriction for the import of white maize into the country was
lifted on 21 November 2005.  The Government is planning a feeding
programme for some 50,000 beneficiaries from marginalized communities,
and is currently carrying out a registration exercise but has no plans
for a larger feeding programme this year.  WFP is planning to integrate
some 111,000 food insecure orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) into
the regional operation for Southern Africa as from 2006, pending their
inclusion into the Government safety net programme.


(6) Swaziland

(a)  From 29 November to 5 December, WFP distributed food to just
approximately 56,000 people with the assistance of Cooperating Partners.

(b)  Field reports indicate the Lowveld agro-ecological zone has
received erratic rainfall to date.  Agricultural extension officers
believe the rainfall is unlikely to support crop growth and development.
In other areas below average rains were recorded during the reporting
period.  While the southern part of the country received significant
rainfall, it has been insufficient to improve soil moisture.  Maize and
cotton crops are at the early vegetative stage and remain in fair
condition.  In the Lowveld, farmers are practising inter-cropping of
maize with pumpkin and beans and in other areas the majority of farmers
continue to prepare their fields.


(7) Zambia

(a)  A nutrition survey to determine child nutrition status was
conducted in selected districts of the Eastern, Central, Southern and
Western Provinces. The survey was carried out in November 2005 covering
823 households. A total of 979 children between the age of 6 months to
59 months were measured. Survey results indicate that malnutrition rates
remain high, but are similar to previous nutrition survey results of
2002/03 (OXFAM, CARE. WVI). Thinness among children ranged from 6
percent to 12 percent, while 33 percent of the children were found to be
of short stature or to be chronically malnourished. The report showed a
high prevalence of diseases, especially at this time of year, with
nearly 50 percent of the children reporting either cough (50 percent),
fever (50 percent) and/or diarrhea (34 percent). The report concluded
that the situation is fragile. Both malnutrition and disease incidences
can be expected to be higher, if food/health assistance is not provided
during the lean period from January to April 2006, and until prospects
for harvest improve. A follow-up assessment in the worst affected areas
of the Vulnerability Assessment Committee identified districts will
begin in December 2005.

(b)  WFP field reports reveal that many households have not started
planting for next season's harvest.  While this is the ideal time to
plant, many farmers claim they cannot afford to buy seeds and
fertilizers.


(8) Zimbabwe

(a)  Grain Marketing Board (GMB) distributions remain erratic.  In
addition, parallel market grain availability remains low leaving most
people, who are not benefiting from food aid, with limited food sources.
In parts of Mashonaland East and Central provinces, maize grain prices
increased 56 percent from last week from ZWD 9,143 (USD 0.13) to ZWD
14,286 (USD 0.20) per kilo. The 2005 national Vulnerability Assessment
Committee noted the number of people requiring food assistance could
substantially increase beyond the 3 million people currently planned to
receive food through WFP vulnerable group feeding activities, if the GMB
is not able to provide adequate amounts of maize, or if maize prices
increase dramatically.

(b)  The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland visited Zimbabwe
from 3 to 7 December to review humanitarian efforts in country. During
his trip, he visited urban sites affected by Operation Murambatsvina,
HIV and AIDS projects, and an FAO agricultural project.  He also met
with a range of people in Harare and Bulawayo representing the
Government, humanitarian community, donors, religious groups and civil
society.  WFP participated in several of his meetings and hosted his
mission in Bulawayo. In all of his meetings, Mr. Egeland stressed the
need for the Government to "help the humanitarian community to assist
the people of Zimbabwe" and called for expedited procedures by
Government that would serve to increase the speed and effectiveness of
humanitarian relief. The Government and Mr. Egeland also agreed to
establish a joint Food Security Task Force, including relevant
Government actors, WFP, FAO, and several donors, to discuss and
recommend steps to restore the country's food security. Throughout his
visit, Mr. Egeland noted WFP's success in mobilizing and distributing
large amounts of food to vulnerable Zimbabweans and stressed the need
for additional funding in all the sectors outlined in the 2006 Zimbabwe
CAP.

(c)  Along with ongoing vulnerable group feeding distributions
throughout the country, WFP and Cooperating Partner, Christian Care,
distributed nearly 300 tons of cereals, pulses, and oil to five urban
food distribution points in the Harare area.  Distributions were held in
Hopley Farm, Hatcliffe Extension, Dunstan Farm, Dzivarasekwa Extension
and Goromonzi.



(F) Asia: (1) Korea (DPR)

(1) Korea (DPR)

(a)  No agreement has so far been reached on the status of WFP
operations in 2006, but negotiations will continue next week when WFP's
Executive Director James T. Morris will visit Pyongyang.  If
negotiations are successful, the aim is to implement a more
development-focused programme which centers on asset creation through
Food-For-Work (FFW) projects, nutritional enhancement through
Maternal/Child Health programmes and Local Food Production and
educational development through School-Feeding activities.

(b)  WFP continued to take measures to terminate the current
humanitarian operations: monitoring activities and food distributions to
some beneficiary categories has been suspended although children under
six years of age will be assured rations until the end of the year.



(G) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Bolivia (2) Colombia (3) Cuba (4)
Ecuador (5) Guatemala (6) Haiti

(1) Bolivia

(a)  The city of La Paz continues under Yellow Warning due to last
week's heavy rains.

(b)  Freight transport threatens with a national strike, particularly in
the border with Argentina, Peru, Chile and Brazil. They demand the
appointment of a new Customs President.

(c)  Purchased commodities will be delivered to the warehouses by
suppliers. In the specific case of maize, WFP had to refuse the first
cargos due to quality problems.

(d)  The Emergency Operation (EMOP) evaluation will start on the week of
12 December and results are expected for the end of December.


(2) Colombia

(a)  Strong weather conditions keep affecting more than 180
municipalities in 26 of the country's 32 provinces. According to
Colombian authorities, this has been one of the heaviest rain seasons to
hit the country in quarter of a century. More than 95 people have died
and according to official reports, some 800,000 people have been
severely affected.  Main rivers, including the Magdalena and the Cauca,
have burst their banks, ruining crops and flooding riverside
communities.  Some main roads have been interrupted and floods and
landsides are still being reported in several municipalities. Emergency
has been declared in the worst-hit Provinces of Sucre, Cordoba, Cesar,
Santander, Norte de Santander, Antioquia, Guajira and Magdalena. WFP Sub
Offices in the Provinces of Sucre, Santander and Norte de Santander
delivered emergency food aid for most affected people in these regions.
A special WFP delivered emergency food aid for people affected by the
floods in the Municipalities of Barrancabermeja (Santander), San Pablo,
Simiti (Bolivar), Murindo, Riosucio (Antioquia) Carmen del Darien and
Unguia (Choco).

(b)  WFP, some UN agencies, NGOs and media representatives visited
different communities located on the banks of the San Juan River,
Province of Choco. The purpose of this expeditions was to have an
analysis on the humanitarian situation of afro-Colombian and indigenous
communities located in this region of the country. WFP is the only
agency that implements humanitarian and food aid activities in this
region as part of Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO 10366).

(c)  The situation remains calm in the Province of Narino. The Colombian
Institute of Geology and Mining (Ingeominas) indicated that the risk is
still high for all communities located in risk areas around the volcano.
WFP does not develop any food aid activity in this province; however, an
emergency plan of action among WFP and other UN agencies was prepared in
case the volcano erupts and emergency humanitarian aid is required.

(d)  The situation is tense in the Province of Antioquia. Clashes
between the Colombian army and illegal armed groups have been reported
in different municipalities such as Copacabana and San Francisco. At
least 3 rebels have been shot dead by governmental forces in these
clashes, which have activated alerts for high risk of displacement for
different rural areas close to these municipalities. WFP implements
several food aid activities in this province as part of PRRO 10366.

(e)  In the context of the new PRRO 10366, "Assistance to People
Displaced by Violence", WFP delivered 446 metric tons of food last week
in 10 provinces reaching 41,155 beneficiaries, especially in
Food-for-Work (FFW), Food-for-Training (FFT), Nursing and Expectant
Mothers, Nutritional Recovery and Emergency Food Aid.


(3) Cuba

(a)  Distributions under Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10423.0 and 10473.0
are ongoing.

(b)  EMOP 10423.0 is resourced at 41%. US$ 2 millions are urgently
needed to meet outstanding requirements. EMOP 10473.0 has been funded
with IRA resources; US$ 400,000 is urgently required to fully refund
this project.


(4) Ecuador

(a)  According to the National Geophysical Institute, on November 29, a
low intensity quake of 4.0 in the Richter scale was registered 171 km
south from Quito, in the Amazon Province of Pastaza and another low
intensity quake of 4.4 in the Richter scale was registered 446.63 km
south from Quito, in the coastal Province of El Oro.

(b)  On November 30, a low intensity quake of 4.6 in the Richter scale
was registered 470.53 km south from Quito, in the Amazon Province of
Morona Santiago.

(c)  According to the National Geophysical Institute, the volcanic
activity of Tungurahua Volcano continues to be low with small emissions
of steam and gas.  However, loud roars coming from the volcano were also
registered. Since the past weeks, Cotopaxi Volcano registered low
volcanic activity with small emissions of steam.  However, monitoring
the volcano has been difficult due to bad weather conditions. On the
other hand, Reventador Volcano has registered an increase of the
volcanic activity.

(d)  Emergency Operation (EMOP) 103813.0 food distribution to UNHCR's
local distribution agencies was completed last week. The second phase of
monitoring and evaluation of the operation will start on the second week
of January.


(5) Guatemala

(a)  The Food Aid Coordination Committee (WFP, NGOs and Government
Counterparts) has been established to arrange a joint coordination of
food aid interventions under Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10497.

(b)  New assessments carried out by WFP field teams together with NGOs
and Government counterparts indicate an increase in the number of
beneficiaries for the first phase of the EMOP. Additional 15,700 persons
affected by hurricane Stan will be included in January 2006 food
distributions for the EMOP reaching approximately 301,100 people in the
first phase of the EMOP.

(c)  An interagency (WFP, FAO, UNICEF, MFEWS, PAHO) steering committee
will coordinate and supervise the implementation of EFSA in all 14
affected departments. The committee will define the objectives, scope
and methodology for the implementation. The EU Food Security Programme
in Guatemala has declared its intention to join the assessment.

(d)  A meeting with USAID and PVOs took place December 1st 2005 in order
to avoid overlapping in the field. It was decided that the USAID
programmes will be suspended in the areas were WFP will be assisting
with food aid.

(e)  A meeting was organized with NGOs and Government to define letters
of agreement and logistic issues for the distribution of the EMOP.

(f)  A distribution strategy has been defined with NGOs and Government
counterparts. WFP will dispatch and distribute food rations to
distributions centers in each department. From the distributions
centers, the government counterpart will coordinate the departmental
distributions through the community organizations (Development Community
Committee - COCODE). NGOs and PVOs will directly distribute to assign
communities.

(g)  WFP and an inter-institutional team (NGOs and government
counterparts) continue to monitor the targeted municipalities and
communities in order to verify the information provided by local
partners about families in need of food aid.

(h)  The distributions for December and January will begin with food
deliveries starting on 7 December. The following chart summarizes WFP's
delivery plans for the first part of December.  Food aid activities will
reach 301,100 people, which represent 60,219 families.

(i)  Both the Country Programme (CP) and Protracted Relief and Recovery
(PRRO) will continue loaning food commodities to the EMOP bridging
pipeline breaks. Up to now, the CP and PRRO have loaned a total of 3,555
metric tons to the EMOP.

(j)  To complete the programmed 5,243 metric tons to be distributed by
the Cooperating Partners by January, the remaining 3,804 tons will be
incoming from regional and local food commodities purchases arriving
this month.

(k)  US$ 5,966 million have been received against the appeal for US$
14.1 million, presenting a shortfall of US$ 8,129 million (57.67%) of
the requested funds

(l)  The EFSA terms of reference have been approved to hire a
consultancy firm that will provide technical support in the sampling,
collection of primary data and statistical analysis.


(6) Haiti

(a)  The general security environment continues to be relatively stable.
However, the situation remains volatile and kidnappings continue to be a
high risk factor, especially in Port-au-Prince, with a total of 35 cases
reported during the reporting period (1 - 8 December). MINUSTAH and
Haitian National Police (HNP) continue their joint efforts to reduce the
number of kidnappings.

(b)  Although UN agencies and international staff have not been directly
targeted, the potential threat continues to exist and measures to
mitigate the risk have been taken.

(c)  In Port-au-Prince, criminal actions continued to be centralized in
the Cite Soleil and Cite Militaire areas, where a significantly
increased number of incidents targeting MINUSTAH/HNP occurred during the
reporting period. Criminal activities continue to be widespread in
Martissant, where gangs are fighting to get control of the area, in Cite
Militaire, as well as in Cite Soleil where MINUSTAH has further
increased its operations.

(d)  The security situation during the reporting period continues to
have a non-negligible impact on WFP operations. Administrative,
monitoring and logistic activities are running escorted as required due
to the situation in some areas, while restriction measures continue to
be in place in Port-au-Prince in areas such as Cite Militaire, Route
Nationale 1 and Shodecosa, where WFP main warehouses are located. WFP
operations have run relatively smooth and commodities deliveries
continued through WFP escorted convoys and private unescorted trucks.

(e)  In Cap Haitien, where the WFP sub office is located, the situation
remains calm with only minor incidents being reported. In Gonaives the
situation remained relatively calm with only minor incidents noted
during the reporting period.

(f)  The political environment continues to be relatively stable
throughout the country in spite of the upcoming elections with numerous
peaceful political demonstrations taking place. The new electoral
calendar has been officially announced. Presidential and legislative
elections will, according to the latest announcement, take place on 8
January followed by a possible run off on 15 February.

(g)  During the reporting period, a total of 570 tons of food was
delivered to health centres and schools (PRRO and CP) in the West, North
and North-East departments and in Port-au-Prince.

(h)  The second Government's National Campaign for de-worming in the
North, North-East and West departments, supported by WFP, has been
carried out. About 550,000 school children in primary schools have been
targeted and have received an albendazol tablet. The campaign financed
by WFP is realized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Education. The campaign aims at improving the children's
nutritional status, growth, intellectual development and school
performance.

(i)  In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WFP has trained 1,219
teachers and 162 heads of schools and partner organizations.

(j)  The day to day access to the warehouses and the port/terminals and
industrial area remains subordinated to MINUSTAH escorting, which
continues to hamper logistical flexibility. On December 2 scheduled
operations had to be cancelled due to an initiated military operation.

(k)  Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 10382.0 started
food distribution in May 2005 for a period of two years. Total food for
the duration of the project is estimated at 46,750 tons and the total
cost is estimated at US$ 40.0 million. During 2005 and the first months
of 2006, the operation needs 23,375 tons to meet project requirements.
By the end of September 2005, the PRRO had received US$ 14.2 million
from directed multilateral and multilateral contributions. However, it
is facing a pipeline break and accumulated shortfalls of 7,141 tons in
the next six months; 5,250 tons of CSB and 1,891 tons of rice.
Consequently, more contributions are needed to overcome these shortages.

(l)  The current shortfall of CSB has been overcome by using carry-over
stocks of rice from the operationally closed Emergency Operation (EMOP)
10347.0 and PRRO 10275.0. However, CSB and rice continue being
critically needed in the coming months.

(m)  The total food stocks in the country are estimated at 6,467 tons,
of which 5,880 tons are in WFP warehouses and available for
distribution, while over 587 tons are transiting through the port and
container-terminals.

(n)  As part of the SENAC project (Strengthening Emergency Needs
Assessment Capacity), WFP is setting up a food security monitoring and
early warning system in the North and Northwest departments in
partnership with CNSA and FEWS-NET. This system will incorporate
climatic, agricultural, and market price indicators. A household-level
survey component will be added early next year, providing additional
information on expenditures and dietary diversity, providing additional
information for improved program targeting.


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

WFP Weekly Emergency Report


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