WFP Emergency Report
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 34 / 2005 - Date 19 August 2005


This report includes:

(A)
(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan
     (2) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (3) Occupied Palestinian Territories
     (4) Pakistan (5) Russian Federation (Caucasus)
(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Eritrea
     (4) Ethiopia (5) Kenya (6) Rwanda (7) Somalia (8) Sudan
     (9) Tanzania (10) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Liberia (3) Mauritania (4) Niger
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Angola (2) Lesotho (3) Malawi (4) Swaziland
     (5) Zambia (6) Zimbabwe
(F) Asia: (1) Bangladesh (2) Korea (DPR)
(G) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Bolivia (2) Cuba (3) Ecuador
     (4) Guatemala (5) Nicaragua


(A)

(a)  In the Palestinian Territories, the disengagement in the Gaza Strip
is proceeding with no major incidents. WFP have completed preparations
including pre-positioning stocks and advance distributions to
beneficiaries most likely to be rendered inaccessible during and
immediately after the disengagement process.

(b)  In Chad, general food distributions are underway in northern camps
with some disruptions arising from reduced access due to heavy rains and
swollen rivers.

(c)  In Niger, preparations under under way for the visit of the
Secretary General of the UN next week (week 34). The Special Operation
for a WFP humanitarian air service (passenger service) in Niger has been
approved..

(d)  A peak of some 3.3 million people in Ethiopia will require
emergency food assistance until the end of the year, bringing total
requirements to 600,000 tons. The food situation of another 2.5 million
people will remain under close monitoring.

(e)  Around 5,400 refugees repatriated from Tanzania to their home
countries in July and a much higher number is expected for August.

(f)  A recent United States donation of nearly USD 50 million, the
second largest contribution ever made towards WFP's operations in
southern Africa, will give WFP the opportunity to provide food to the
region's poorest households, including those affected by HIV/AIDS before
the lean season begins in December 2005.



(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan (2)
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (3) Occupied Palestinian Territories (4) Pakistan
(5) Russian Federation (Caucasus)

(1) Afghanistan

(a)  The general security situation in Afghanistan remains unstable,
with increased deterioration in eastern, southeastern and southern
regions. Armed clashes involving coalition forces, Afghan troops and
anti-government elements were reported on daily basis. The rest of the
country remained relatively calm with some factional tension in parts of
the north and northeast. Threats of suicide attacks remain very high in
the southern and southeastern regions. Explosions in Herat forced WFP
staff to enhance security measures, with some monitoring missions
curtailed.

(b)  The Government of Afghanistan has imposed a new road tax without
prior warning leading to delays of WFP trucks at the borders and
increased cost; this issue is being discussed with the Government.

(c)  Prices for wheat in the wheat producing areas of the north are
holding firm, with no major differences between major markets observed.
WFP is monitoring the price of wheat closely in order to make
recommendations as needed.

(d)  During the reporting period (Aug 11 - 17), 126,000 beneficiaries
were assisted with more than 2,400 tons of food.

(e)  Access to the local market and provision of potable water was
improved when 45 unit wells were dug and 13.5km road was rehabilitated
through WFP's food-for-work (FFW) projects in Pashton Kot district of
Faryab province in the north region.


(2) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

(a)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), WFP continued to
supply food aid to Sudanese refugees in Chad and the war affected
populations in Darfur via the Libya corridor. The corridor provides a
flexible surface transport and air bridge capability. Commodities are
received at the port of Benghazi and trucked on hardtop roads up to
WFP's logistics hub in Khufra, an oasis town in the Libya's southeastern
desert. At Khufra commodities are either transshipped onto desert trucks
to make the cross Sahara journey to Chad, supplying refugee camps in
eastern Chad and also West Darfur, or they are transferred to IL-76
aircraft to be airlifted to North and South Darfur.

(b)  Since the end of April 2005, WFP has dispatched 12,882 tons of
commodities by surface means to Chad. Due to exceptionally heavy rains
experienced in Chad during August, no convoys have been dispatched from
Libya to Abeche. Dispatches are expected to resume to North Eastern
refugee camps in Chad within the coming week. The airlift operation
began with one IL-76 aircraft on 7 May and a second aircraft started on
13 June. At 18 July 2005, some 9,909 tons had been dispatched by air to
Darfur.

(c)  A vessel carrying 14,000 tons of bulk Sorghum for Sudan berthed in
Benghazi on the 15 August. The discharge operation is ongoing.  Funding
levels for Special Operation 10417.0 remain critically low with only 5%
of the USD 4.5 million budget resourced.


(3) Occupied Palestinian Territories

(a)  The Israeli disengagement began in the Gaza Strip during the
reporting period (August 12 - 18), and is proceeding with no major
incidents. WFP have completed preparations including pre-positioning
stocks and advance distributions to beneficiaries most likely to be
affected. UN and International organisations are being kept fully
informed of the situation on the ground throughout the disengagement
process so that any adverse humanitarian impact on the Palestinian
population is minimised.

(b)  The Security Management Team confirmed a heightened Security phase
3 for Gaza Strip. UNRWA is temporarily reducing its administrative staff
in that area. ICRC has restarted its operation in Khan Younis (GS) after
a one week break.

(c)  Since the Netaniya suicide bombing on 12th July, there has been an
external closure on the West Bank, and workers and traders from that
area have been prevented from entering East Jerusalem and Israel for
work (only medical missions and international organisation staff can
enter). This closure has eased in recent weeks. Land levelling and house
demolitions to make way for the Barrier construction continues.

(d)  Food distribution to Social Hardship Cases (SHC) in the West Bank,
SHC and New Poor (NP) in Gaza Strip, and institutions throughout oPt
continues. Monitoring of distributions to SHC and assessment of
institutions continued.  WFP completed the Gaza disengagement mapping
and are now completing the West Bank mapping, highlighting the most
vulnerable villages for a possible emergency intervention in the event
of extended curfew/closure.  Discussions are ongoing with OCHA and ICRC
for data sharing to monitor future changes related to the impact of the
Barrier on WFP beneficiaries.

(e)  In the West Bank, WFP is still short of olive oil for the WB
distribution owing to price increase (it has only been collected from
Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqilia and Salfit); there is no longer a surplus of
olive oil in the West Bank. Donors will decide whether to purchase at
the higher price or to replace with vegetable oil. In the Gaza Strip,
all food commodities are available in the market and no shortfall has
been reported. Prices of basic foods are stable.

(f)  The September and October allocations have been delivered targeting
the hardship social cases in the Gaza Strip to cover the disengagement
period. As part of Cooperating Partner logistics capacity building, WFP
continues to intensively monitor the warehouses in the West Bank.  In
terms of coordination, ECHO/WFP conducted a joint monitoring visit to
completed FFW/T programmes Tulkarem (West Bank). Discussions are ongoing
between WFP and Medecins Sans Frontieres on exchanging preparedness
information related to the disengagement and possibility of future
cooperation if needed.


(4) Pakistan

(a)  The Emergency Operation (EMOP) was extended in time until 17
September 2005 in order to finalize the distribution of 14 tons of food
to 220 families in Jabba and Alam Zeb Koroona villages in Nowshera
district, delayed after WFP's cooperating partner, the International
Rescue Committee (IRC) received an anonymous fax message accusing its
staff to be biased in the targeting and distribution of food. The IRC
was requested to delay distributions until after the local elections,
which were held on 18 August. WFP and IRC, after consultations with the
UN Department for Safety and Security and local authorities, decided
that the last distributions would be resumed after the local elections,
held on 18 August.

(b)  During the reporting period (Aug 11-17), food commodities were
distributed to 100 families in Gilgit district (in the Northern Areas),
completing the distribution to a total of 850 families severely affected
by floods.


(5) Russian Federation (Caucasus)

(a)  A military commander and four officers were killed on 14 August in
a militant attack on one of the Chechen villages. On 14 August three
people were killed and 11 injured in a car blast in Grozny.

(b)  During the first two weeks of August, WFP and cooperating partners
completed the 7th general food distribution cycle. 28,685 IDPs residing
in Ingushetia received 318 tons of food. In Chechnya, WFP provided 1,226
tons of food to 110,768 beneficiaries to complete the distribution
cycle, which was previously postponed due to the delayed arrival of food
commodities..

(c)  The school feeding programme in Chechnya will resume in late August
with a new logistics arrangement that foresees transportation of WFP
food commodities from 17 district centres to each of the targeted 400
schools by trucks provided by the Chechen Ministry for Education or the
local administration.

(d)  In August, some 1,634 participants (representing about 8,170
beneficiaries) participated in food-for-work (FFW) projects, which in
urban areas focused on the repair of school buildings while in
mountainous districts water, gas pipelines, and roads were repaired.
WFP, through its cooperating partners, distributed 356 tons of food for
the work implemented in June. This distribution was also delayed due to
the late arrival of food commodities.

(e)  During the first fortnight of August, WFP continued supporting the
dining hall project for the neediest people in Grozny, with 1.6 tons of
food being distributed. The Tuberculosis project implemented in
Ingushetia and Chechnya continued in August: 644 in- and out patients
undergoing treatment received 18.4 mt of food.

(f)  Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10128.1 is 78% resourced. Additional
resources are required to avert shortfalls during the 4th quarter of
2005.



(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Congo, DR (3) Eritrea (4)
Ethiopia (5) Kenya (6) Rwanda (7) Somalia (8) Sudan (9) Tanzania (10)
Uganda

(1) Burundi

(a)  Intense military operations by the Government against Front for
National Liberation (FNL) rebels took place in the north-eastern
provinces during the reporting period (August 13 - 19). Casualties have
been reported, and criminality and related violence are still on the
rise throughout the country.

(b)  There has been a major increase in the number of Burundian refugees
returning from camps in Tanzania and Rwanda. In June and July the number
of Burundians returning to the country was ranging from 600 to 800 a
week but last week more than 4,200 (3,600 from Tanzania and 600 from
Rwanda) returnees were registered. UNHCR has increased the number of
convoys from Ngara, Kasulu and Kibondo camps in Tanzania. Since 2002,
more than 250,000 Burundian returnees mostly from Tanzania have come
home.

(c)  WFP distributed 771 tons of food aid to 70,886 beneficiaries.

(d)  Monitoring and assessment activities have been particularly intense
in the Northern provinces. A faster return of Burundian refugees from
Tanzania and the presence of asylum seekers from Rwanda in the context
of the recent poor crops are worrying factors as the lean season
approaches.

(e)  Market prices for beans and cassava flour, recorded at the peak of
the harvest, showed 52 percent and 45 percent increases, respectively,
compared to 2004. As a result, households are forced to spend more than
50 percent of their income on food purchases alone. Conversely, the
daily rural wage has been stagnant and in some cases it is not
sufficient to purchase a kilogram of flour. Previously, vulnerable
households relied on food aid and community support to make up the
difference.

(f)  Traditionally, the lean season also coincides with a period of high
expenditures due to reopening of schools, the planting season and
increased health care needs (period of epidemics). In view of the
current expenditure pattern, mainly focusing on food, it is anticipated
that household resources will be strained even further this year.

(g)  In August, WFP continues to face serious food pipeline constraints
due to the very low level of food stocks in the country. Various food
aid activities have been put on hold or their rations decreased.
Suspension of targeted distributions and ration cuts will continue until
the end of the month. Recently confirmed contributions have improved the
pipeline forecast for the coming months and WFP will be able to resume
its activities on a much larger scale from September to November. There
could be, however, a shortfall of 300 tons of CSB in September. More
substantial food shortfalls are expected again in mid-December and will
continue thereafter.


(2) Congo, DR

(a)  Insecurity still prevailed in eastern DRC, where the displacement
of population continued due to military operations of various armed
groups and acts of violence on civilians.

(b)  In North Kivu province, the United Nations Mission in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) reported militia attacks on
government troops' positions, which included the displacement of
surrounding villagers. Near the border between Ituri district and North
Kivu province, the local population were reportedly the victims of
militiamen from the National Army of the Liberation of Ugandan (NALU).

(c)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), in South Kivu the
local population suffered acts of violence from Front Democratique pour
la Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) militiamen. MONUC Iron Fist campaign
against FDLR continued.

(d)  In the western part of the country, unpaid soldiers are alleged to
be looting from the local population.

(e)  Regarding the spontaneous return of Congolese refugees from
neighbouring countries reaching Uvira territory, UNHCR indicated the
weekly caseload of newly returnees stood at 1,400 and was expected to
increase in the forthcoming weeks.

(f)  WFP airlift operations from Goma and Kalemie supplied eight
nutritional centres in Kongolo, north Katanga area, with 126 tons of
food. Food distribution in Kongolo had been suspended for three weeks
due to a food pipeline rupture. In Nkosa village, located at 15 km from
Kalemie, 8 tons of WFP food was distributed to 620 returnees through
Cooperating Partner Caritas. The food intervention was part of a joint
relief assistance including tools and seeds from FAO, kitchen-sets from
CARITAS and clothes from the Salvation Army.

(g)  With the improvement of security in Bunia, at least 2,400 persons
left the Aero internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp. With the reduced
activities of NGO's in Ituri district, WFP provided two-month rations to
880 IDPs who had returned to Mongbwalu. The caseload of IDPs in Bunia
Aero camp stands at 3,115 and they are expected to return home within
the coming weeks.

(h)  In South Kivu, WFP had planned to assist 960 households of recently
displaced persons who had sheltered in Munzinzi village. However, food
distribution activities could not take place as planned because the
village was attacked by FDLR militias and IDPs had dispersed again to
unknown areas.

(i)  From its warehouse in Goma (North Kivu province), WFP delivered 620
tons of assorted food commodities to feed 50,913 beneficiaries, some of
whom received three-month food rations.


(3) Eritrea

(a)  The Eritrean Minister for Labour and Human Welfare announced on
Monday, 15 August that about 540 tons of relief food, which has been
held up since July at Eritrea's Massawa port under the new laws that
required aid to be taxed, are to be released. The Minister told
reporters in the capital, Asmara, that the standoff over taxes had been
resolved and the Ministry would pay any taxes due.

(b)  The proclamation to determine the administration of
non-governmental organisations of 11 May 2005 requires registration of
all national and international NGOs; imposes strict reporting
requirements on their operations; imposes taxes on all goods imported by
NGOs including food aid; and bans NGOs from receiving funds from UN
agencies or bilateral agencies.

(c)  USAID has been verbally requested by the Government of Eritrea to
terminate its operations in the country.

(d)  Recent reports of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) indicated that
up to 80,000 hectares of pasture in the Northern Red Sea area were
infested with desert locusts. The MoA applied pesticides for immediate
pest control. According to MoA officials, the situation is under control
but needs to be closely monitored as new swarms could develop with the
rains that are expected during September and October. Thus, it is hoped
that crop losses due to locust infestation will be limited during this
cropping season.

(e)  Fuel prices in Eritrea increased again as world crude oil prices
continue to rise.  This fourth increase in less than a year brings
petrol prices to 38.00 ERN per litre and the price of diesel to 16.00
ERN per litre. With this recent increase, the coupon scheme that had
been in place for diesel fuel was abolished. (1USD = 15.00 ERN (Nakfa)

(f)  WFP commitment coverage for all operations has remained unchanged.
The coverage for Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10261.01 has reached
approximately USD 60 million or 80 percent of the total cost to WFP.
Coverage for the PRRO 10192.0 remains at USD 44.1 million representing
85 percent of operational requirements. The contributions registered
under the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations (PRRO) 10192.1, due
to start on 1 September, stands at approximately USD 42.6 million
representing 20 percent of the total cost of the project.


(4) Ethiopia

(a)  Findings of the recently concluded Belg (short rain season) and
pastoral areas joint assessment, led by the Disaster Prevention and
Preparedness Commission (DPPC) from 22 June to 7 July, which were
released during the reporting period (August 13 - 19), show that a peak
of some 3.3 million people in Ethiopia will require emergency food
assistance until the end of the year. The purpose of the assessment was
to evaluate the performance and the impact of the Belg rains on crop
production and the rains in pastoral areas and establish emergency food
assistance needs for the second half of the year 2005. Although of
relatively smaller importance for national agriculture production than
the long-cycle season (Meher), the Belg season is of high importance to
the rural population in short-cycle crop producing areas as well as in
the pastoral communities of the country.

(b)  The mission concluded that Belg rains were largely favourable in
most areas of the country with respect to timeliness, cessation, amount
and distribution of rains. However, in some pockets of the
belg-producing districts, late onset of Belg rains, extended dry spells
at the beginning of the season, hailstorms, flooding and some occurrence
of pests has resulted in a poor harvest and continued requirements for
relief assistance. Moreover, the food security situation of a portion of
the population that was under close monitoring for the first half of the
year due to failure of last year's Meher harvest, was found to be poor
and these populations will require relief assistance for the second half
of the year.

(c)  In pastoral areas, the performance of the February/May rains known
as "Sugum" in Afar, "Gu" in Somali and "Gena" in the other pastoral
areas of the country were, with some exceptions, reported to be normal.
However, in Afar the performance of the rains in Zones Two and Four was
very poor and below average. In addition, the Gu rains performed poorly
in parts of Shinile and Liban zones of Somali region.

(d)  Water and pasture availability were reported to be good or normal
in most parts of the country. The availability of water for human and
animal consumption this year has improved significantly compared with
the same time last year in Afar and Somali regions. Exceptions were
found in Zone Two and Four of Afar region and in some woredas of Gode
zone in Somali region, where water and pasture was reported to be
scarce.

(e)  As a result of these findings, it is estimated that a peak of 3.3
million people will require food relief assistance from August-December,
translating into needs for a total of 235,000 tons of cereals, pulses,
oil and blended food. This amounts to an additional 165,000 tons to the
70,000 tons already considered for the August-December period in the
previous version of the Humanitarian Appeal, released in December 2004
and May 2005, and brings the total emergency food aid requirements for
2005 to over 600,000 tons. In addition, the food situation of another
2.5 million people will remain under close monitoring.  For the
January-July period, the peak number of beneficiaries per month reached
3.8 million in June.

(f)  Generous contributions already committed by donors will allow
emergency food requirements to be fully covered until the end of 2005,
and relief distributions will now continue to be implemented on a
monthly basis.


(5) Kenya

(a)  In August, food distributions under the WFP emergency operation for
people affected by drought included mainly food-for-work (FFW)
activities. The FFW activities are being implemented in six districts
i.e., Isiolo, Laikipia, Narok, Mwingi, Machakos and Malindi, as part of
the exit strategy from the emergency operation in areas where there is
considerable recovery from the drought.  Overall, 136 projects, mainly
water harvesting (construction/de-silting of water pans and dams) and
soil conservation projects are underway, and are expected to be
completed by end of August. Some 2,100 tons of food have been
distributed thus far to 30,133 households, reaching out to over 180,000
beneficiaries.

(b)  The resource situation of the WFP supported refugee operation in
Kenya is bleak for the second half of 2005. For the 15 July and 1 August
general food distributions, the amount of food that was distributed was
reduced from the recommended 2,167 Kcal/person/day by 15 percent to
ensure availability for future distributions. During the 15 July
distribution, refugees in Hagadera, one of the refugee camps in Dadaab
hosting 53,000 Somali refugees, failed to appear at the food
distribution points in protest of the reduced food ration. The food
distributions resumed after the refugee leaders held consultative
meetings with WFP, UNHCR and the partner NGOs in the camp. In Kakuma,
the reduction resulted in the throwing of stones at aid workers and the
temporary suspension of food distribution for two days. Should the food
reductions persist there may be deterioration in an already fragile
nutritional situation.

(c)  As a result of a loan from WFP's Immediate Response Account (IRA)
and new donor commitments, WFP has sufficient food for the refugees
through October/November 2005. This followed WFP's appeal in June 2005
for new donor pledges to cover food needs for nearly a quarter of a
million refugees in Kenya. Thus far, WFP requires at least USD 2 million
to cover food needs until end of 2005. An additional USD 15 million is
needed for the first six months of 2006. Without food resources, there
is the potential for continued insecurity in the camps and eventually
outside the camps, as the refugees will start looking for food
elsewhere.


(6) Rwanda

(a)  During the reporting week, 315 asylum seekers, 85 from DRC and 230
from Burundi arrived at Nkamira, Nyamure and Gikonko transit camps.
After increased voluntary repatriation of 520 Burundians last week, the
opposite is now happening. It seems that some of the previously
repatriated Burundian refugees are returning to Rwanda to be registered
as new refugees to receive food assistance. UNHCR and the Ministry of
Local Administration have now decided to stop registration of any new
arrivals in Nyamure and Gikonko camps. Currently Rwanda shelters 44,908
Congolese refugees. Only five Burundians were repatriated voluntarily
and the Burundian refugee population is now 6,347.

(b)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), a total of 156
returnees crossed from DR Congo to Rwanda through Cyangugu and 57 others
via Gisenyi. They were transported to their respective places of origin
after receiving a one-month reduced returnee food package from WFP. Due
to pipeline constraints, returnees can still not be provided with the
originally planned three-month food packages. However, an additional
ration of 500 grams of BP5 biscuits will now be given to all returnees
from WFP emergency stocks.

(c)  Monthly food distribution was completed in Gihembe camp with 355
tons distributed to 20,576 refugees. Another 82 tons of food commodities
was distributed to 4,739 people in Nyabiheke camp as well as 322 tons to
18,425 people in Kiziba camp.

(d)  UNHCR, in cooperation with the Rwandan Government and WFP, will
conduct a verification exercise in two of the Congolese refugee camps
from 24 August to 09 September 2005. The exercise will try to determine
the exact number of refugees and to issue identity cards to all
registered.

(e)  WFP visited Kibungo and Umutara provinces and found that the food
security situation was not alarming, except for Rwinkwavu sector in
Cyarubare district in Kibungo were food supplies in markets are low and
food prices very high. The quarantine imposed in Gabiro district in
Umutara province due to foot and mouth disease in cattle has been
lifted. This will improve food security in the area since most of the
inhabitants depend on the sale of animal products.


(7) Somalia

(a)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), clashes between rival
militias left 12 people dead and displaced hundreds of residents from
their villages around Qansaxdhere district of Bay region; the latest
clashes occurred on 13 August.

(b)  In the first organized repatriation from Kenya in two years, 43
Somali refugees flew home on 16 August 2005. The refugees, mostly from
Dadaab camp in northeast Kenya, chose to settle in northeast Somalia.

(c)  Hijackers are still holding the m.v. Semlow, the crew and cargo off
the shores of Harardhere despite an agreement reached on 5 August 2005
for their release. The vessel loaded with relief rice intended for
tsunami victims in Somalia was hijacked on 27 June 2005.  There is
danger of the 10-men crew running short of fresh water.

(d)  Somalia's first-ever nationwide HIV/AIDS Sero-prevalence was
conducted in June and July 2005 and the report is due to be launched
soon. UN inter agency report stated that HIV/AIDS would soon become a
major health problem without concerted efforts to contain the factors
fuelling the pandemic such as low rates of education, transfusion of
unsafe blood, prostitution and negative cultural practices like female
genital mutilation.


(8) Sudan

(a)  DARFUR

(b)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), the security
situation in Darfur remained precarious with ambushes, attacks, and
robberies on humanitarian and commercial vehicles across Darfur. In one
incident in West Darfur, a convoy of nine WFP trucks, carrying food from
El Geneina to Mornie, was stopped by armed men who fired guns in the
air. While the convoy was allowed to continue without further incident,
the Government of Sudan (GoS) police was immediately notified and the
convoy was escorted from Sisi onwards. The UN Department of Security and
Safety (UNDSS) have made a strong appeal to the Humanitarian Aid
Commission (HAC) to increase security along the Geneina-Mornie road.
Similarly, in North Darfur, armed men ambushed a truck transporting 20
tons of WFP sugar from El Obeid to El Fasher on the Um Kedada road on 9
August. Local police are investigating the matter.

(c)  In South Darfur, there were also fears of new clashes between the
Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and GoS during the week. Three large SLA
checkpoints have been reportedly established in a GoS-controlled area
between Nyala and Donkey Deresa, prompting the UNDSS to close the road
to UN movement on 9 August. Gunshots and sounds of explosions have been
reported in the area between Donkey Deresa and Ladob. The GoS and
African Union (AU) continue to conduct investigations.

(d)  A group of Janjaweed opened fire on the village of Surman Jago,
located approximately 25 km north of Nyala, on 13 August. While there
were no reports of injuries, the incident may spur the internally
displaced persons (IDPs) to return to Kalma. Elsewhere, bandits looted
food from Halloof village, approximately 20 km south of Nyala and
despite police interventions, the bandits escaped and the food has not
been recovered.

(e)  Between 1 and 13 August, WFP dispatched 16,025 tons of food to an
estimated 843,421 beneficiaries in Darfur (based on dispatches). WFP
reached 1.99 million beneficiaries in July, a slight decrease from
June.. More locations, however, were covered. Main constraints consisted
of insecurity, shortage of fuel and limited access due to the rains.

(f)  WFP delivered 2,733 tons of food into Darfur via airlifts and
airdrops during the first week of August, representing 30 percent of the
plan for August. Some 1,406 tons of food were airlifted from Al Khufra,
Libya and is included in this figure. Shortages in jet fuel supplies in
El Obeid and Khartoum continue to hamper WFP's aid operation. This comes
at the onset of the rainy season and increased requirements to move food
and non-food commodities into the Darfurs. The shortage is largely a
result of delays in transporting fuel from Port Sudan to logistical
hubs. In an effort to improve the situation, WFP approached the Sudan
Petroleum Company to increase allocations of WFP's two jet fuel
suppliers so that they adequately meet WFP's requirements.

(g)  Humanitarian organisations can resume assistance in Zam Zam camp,
North Darfur following assurances by the SLA of unimpeded access.  WFP
distributed food to beneficiaries in Zam Zam camp after SLA denied a
national NGO, Sudanese Red Crescent access to the camp.  A
post-distribution monitoring exercise in Zam Zam camp had indicated that
47 percent of those interviewed reported under-scooping in cereals and
sugar. In addition, 67 percent of those surveyed reported selling 10-25
percent of their cereal allocations to purchase other food items, while
all other food items distributed were consumed. Ninety percent of those
surveyed also reported that they unwillingly made in-kind payments to
transport their food entitlements.

(h)  Final registration figures by the Sudanese Red Crescent of rural
Kebkabiya indicate that some 44,207 people are in need of food
assistance. African Humanitarian Action (AHA) also completed
registration exercises in rural El Fasher, Garni and Sarafaya clusters,
and reported an increase in estimated figures. Action Contre la Faim
(ACF) undertook a verification exercise in Korma and reported a
beneficiary figure of 39,150. In Malha, no significant changes were
recorded on beneficiaries registered. However, distribution sites will
now be clustered in order to carry out food distributions more
efficiently. German Agro Action (GAA) is currently in rural Mallit to
undertake their last verification and registration activities.

(i)  As of 12 August, WFP faces a shortfall of USD 152 million,
representing 27 percent of USD 561.5 million required for the
operation.. Contributions are still required to re-pay all outstanding
internal loans as well as loans from other operations in Sudan.

(j)  The Special Operation for logistics support in Darfur continues to
face a shortfall of USD 23 million. One hundred long-haul trucks must be
procured urgently to augment current logistics capacity.

(k)  WFP-Humanitarian Air Services (HAS) still faces severe funding
shortfalls, which led to the cancellation of non-food item deliveries in
June. The funding shortfall remains critical at USD 15 million out of
total requirements of USD 24 million in 2005.


(l)  SOUTH, EAST AND TRANSITIONAL AREAS (SETA)

(m)  The security situation across the country stabilized and remained
calm in most parts following the violence that broke out after the news
of Dr. John Garang's death, Sudan's First Vice President. Mr. Salva Kiir
Mayardit, former deputy to the late John Garang, was appointed as the
new leader of the autonomous administration for southern Sudan. He was
sworn in as the country's First Vice President on 11 August.

(n)  Mabia returnees, travelling through Zangabara road for the past
three months, continued to arrive in Diem Zubier and Bili. A joint WFP,
OCHA and International Rescue Committee (IRC) team have so far
registered a total of 3,541 returnees in Bili with an estimated 600
returnees still expected to arrive in the coming days. WFP's Cooperating
Partner, Care International, began distributing full rations to all
registered returnees to initially cover requirements for two weeks, as
the number of returnees was higher than expected. An inter-agency
mission also travelled to Diem Zubier to assess the situation and
conduct distribution of non-food items that had been pre-positioned in
the location.

(o)  The inter-agency cross line barge mission on the upper Sobat
corridor in Upper Nile remains temporarily suspended as per advice from
the Military Intelligence and Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). Prior
to 31 July, the barge had continued along the upper Sobat corridor where
the mission distributed 472 tons of food to 28,537 registered
beneficiaries. Distributions in Gael, Mariel, Yomding, Kerchoat and
Dhuoriding remain.

(p)  In Port Sudan, WFP met with humanitarian agencies participating in
the planned rolling assessments due to commence on 24 August. NGOs and
HAC have agreed on the necessity to conduct the assessments, which will
determine the needs of the state. The next inter-agency meeting will
take place next week to discuss technical issues, participants and
schedule.

(q)  Rolling assessments will also cover Kassala, White Nile, West and
North Kordofan. The objectives of the rolling assessments are to (1)
assess seasonal household food security and vulnerability and provide
early warning on potential shocks to the food security and access
situation, (2) estimate the level of humanitarian assistance needed to
mitigate the potential shocks and (3) streamline operational response by
periodically updating the findings of the Annual Needs Assessment and
FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission.  Preparations are also
underway for rapid needs assessments in Bahr El Ghazal. Assessments in
Unity State are subject to security clearance.

(r)  The nutritional status of children under-five in Wau internally
displaced persons (IDPs) camps remains at alarming levels and has been
further aggravated by an increase of malaria and other diseases. WFP's
Cooperating Partner Action Contre la Faim (ACF) also reported that
admission of children to supplementary feeding centres in Wau continues
to increase.

(s)  A joint WFP, OCHA and HAC assessment team confirmed that recent
floods in Kuajok, Wun Kuel and Lukluk, Bahr El Ghazal displaced some 454
people (91 households) in Marila Ajith and the Eastern bank IDP camps.
HAC and OCHA have requested assistance from WFP, UNICEF and other
agencies for the affected households.

(t)  The report of the inter-agency rapid needs assessment of returnees
in Central Equatoria (Juba, Lainya, Yei, Morobu and Kajokeji) carried
out in June/July 2005 indicated that the number of returnees has
increased in all five counties. However, landmines are posing a threat
to their re-settlement, and the food security situation was precarious
in all the counties. In addition, the lack of farming tools and seeds
resulted in farmers cultivating small sizes of land.

(u)  As of 15 August, Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10048.3 valued at USD
302 million, has received USD 177 million, representing 59 percent of
total operational requirements. The United States confirmed a new
contribution of USD 12 million during the reporting week, bringing the
total US contribution to EMOP 10048.3 to USD 110 million, more than 36
percent of the total requirements.

(v)  The emergency operation still requires contributions to ensure
continuous supply of food assistance to the most vulnerable people
during the current hunger season as well as for expected food needs of
returnees after the rainy season. Cash contributions, in particular, are
needed to repay outstanding internal loans of USD 34.7 million.

(w)  To date, the Special Operation (SO) 10368, emergency road repair
and mine clearance of key transport routes in Sudan in support of this
emergency operation, has received a total of USD 71 million.  A budget
revision for this operation was recently approved for 2006 to raise
operational requirements to USD 182.6 million. In addition, WFP is
seeking funds to augment barge capacity under the Special Operation
10412, emergency repairs and upgrading of rail and river transport
infrastructure in support of WFP food aid operations in Sudan. The SO,
valued at USD 23 million, has not received contributions to date.


(9) Tanzania

(a)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19), UNHCR has confirmed
that 5,399 refugees repatriated to their home countries in July, and it
is expected that a much higher number will depart in August. The
successful election process in Burundi is considered the most important
factor causing the increase, although refugees have mentioned movement
restrictions and food reduction in Tanzania as other factors. However,
repatriation trends may be affected when the Burundi Presidential
elections are held on 19 August 2005 and the president is installed on
26 August.

(b)  Due to improvements in the food pipeline from 15 August 2005, WFP
has increased the maize portion of the ration to 100 percent. WFP is
currently providing refugees with a general distribution ration
equivalent to 1,813 Kcal, or 86 percent of the approved ration level.
Assuming timely arrival of incoming shipments, it is anticipated that
between 86 - 93 percent of the normal ration can be provided between now
and the end of October 2005. Some 1,100 tons of food commodities were
distributed to over 396,750 refugees. WFP continues to implement
therapeutic, supplementary and camp-based hospital feeding with 100
percent ration levels. Due to resource shortages, however, food-for-work
and food-for-training activities in the host communities surrounding the
camps remain suspended.

(c)  While the pipeline situation for the coming six months has
improved, WFP is not yet in a position to provide full rations.
Significant shortfalls in the first half of 2006 will also need to be
addressed.


(10) Uganda

(a)  The security situation in northern Uganda remains unpredictable,
especially in Gulu, Kitgum and Pader districts. Lord's Resistance Army
(LRA) insurgents continue to move in small groups abducting civilians,
looting household items and taking crops from fields. During the past
week, the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) engaged the LRA rebels in
a number of confrontations, resulting in the killing of a senior LRA
commander in Kitgum district on 12 August. The Ugandan army also reports
killing over 20 LRA rebels in Southern Sudan over the past week.

(b)  In Karamoja region, the security situation remained precarious,
with heightened ethnic clashes, cattle raids and attacks on military
detaches. Three civilians were killed following a clash between
Karimojong warriors and the UPDF in Lotome sub-county in Moroto district
on 8 August.

(c)  Following an assessment of the needs of the population that
voluntarily returned to their villages in Batta, Lira district, WFP
provided 87 tons of food as a three-month resettlement package to 9,512
persons.

(d)  Under the WFP/FAO partnership providing support to formerly
displaced persons for sustainable food security, 7,978 households
received seeds and agricultural tool kits in Katakwi district during the
past week.

(e)  During the reporting period (August 13 - 19) WFP food distribution
continued to reach 1.4 million displaced persons, 192,000 refugees and
other vulnerable persons. During the past week, WFP distributed 4,024
tons of relief food assistance to 394,522 persons including internally
displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering in camps in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and
Lira districts, refugees, children in nutrition centres and other
vulnerable persons.

(f)  WFP faces a shortfall of 28,927 tons of food commodities with a
funding gap of USD 13 million, required to maintain the food pipeline
necessary to continue providing relief assistance to IDPs and refugees
through January 2006. Unless new contributions are confirmed urgently
the nutritional status of 1.4 million IDPs in northern Uganda, mostly
women and children, will be jeopardized.



(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Liberia (3) Mauritania (4) Niger

(1) Chad

(a)  During the reporting period (Aug 12 - 18), the security situation
remained fairly calm in the refugee camps and border areas, with no
major incidents reported. Heavy rains and swollen rivers (wadis) are
disrupting all travel by road to the eastern region.

(b)  The estimated target caseload as agreed by WFP and UNHCR stands at
198,500 refugees, pending further regularisations by registration
committees. In Farchana, the second phase of the census exercise, which
consists of determining the composition of households and photo
collection, is expected to commence on 1 September. A meeting was held
between WFP and UNHCR to address a number of issues related to
registration uncertainties and ration cards. A deadline was fixed for
the 15th of September to complete the head count in Oure Cassoni camp,
in order to resolve discrepancies in the caseload figures. It was also
decided that all ration cards are to be replaced during registrations,
and that WFP guidelines as regards the attribution of ration cards to
polygamous families should be respected.

(c)  WFP general food distributions are underway in northern camps, with
complete rations of 2,070 Kcal/person/day. Some problems were
encountered in Touloum and Amnabak camps where distributions were
delayed due to access difficulties caused by a swollen river (Wadi
Absounout).

(d)  WFP Food Basket Monitoring is currently ongoing in all refugee
camps. Results will be presented shortly. WFP cooperating partner ACF
(Action Contre la Faim) conducted Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) of
45 households in Mille camp from 6 to 8 August. Findings indicate that
most refugees believed that the rations they are receiving are
insufficient to meet their needs. The main reasons stated include: the
presence of un-regularised/registered persons who depend on other
people's rations; trade of food rations to acquire other products; and
giving up part of the ration to cover milling expenses. Refugees also
complained about the difficulty of obtaining firewood for cooking.

(e)  A joint WFP/UNHCR/UNICEF meeting was held in Abeche to work on
supporting a number of schools in various local communities, the list of
which will be released shortly. While WFP will provide school feeding
programmes, UNICEF will take charge of education and UNHCR of
construction of new classrooms.

(f)  Under the Seed Protection programme, WFP commenced distributions of
sorghum in the Iriba zone, which should be completed by 21 August.
Preparations are underway to conduct Seed Protection distributions in 52
villages in the Guereda zone following the completion of general food
distributions. WFP's cooperating partner SECADEV will take charge of
distributions, while UNHCR will provide logistics support.

(g)  In Iriba, WFP and IRD (local development association), completed
the identification of Blanket Supplementary Feeding (BSF) beneficiaries
in the villages surrounding Tine area. Distributions are scheduled to
commence as of September 2005.

(h)  In country stocks on 1st August total 12,285 Mt, sufficient to meet
beneficiaries' needs. A shortfall in cereals is expected in October due
to late arrival of cargo. WFP is exploring ways to speed up delivery or
make loan arrangements to avert a possible pipeline break.

(i)  A WFP convoy (Convoy W009), carrying some 1,400 tons of wheat and 4
Wiikhalls for Sudan, arrived in Biltine (95 km north of Abeche) on 29
July but was blocked by local authorities on the grounds that the roads
are closed for trucks over 10 tons during the rainy season. A second WFP
convoy (Convoy W010), carrying some 1,900 tons of wheat for Sudan, is
currently blocked in the Kalait area (260 km north of Abeche) due to the
heavy rains and swollen rivers. A meeting was held on Monday, 15 August,
with the Minister of Transport to resolve the issue of the blocked
convoys. The Minister reiterated that trucks of over 10 tons should not
be allowed to use the roads during the rainy season. However, a special
authorisation was obtained to let the convoys use the main road from
Biltine to Abeche on the condition that the convoys are escorted by a
local government representative.

(j)  The nutritional situation remains relatively stable in the refugee
camps. Cooperating partner MSF Luxembourg has completed a nutritional
screening in Touloum and Iridimi where preliminary results indicate a
global acute malnutrition of about 12.5%. However, a rise in the number
of diarrhoea cases continues to be reported in both camps. Cooperating
partner MSF H completed a nutrition survey in Farchana and Bredjing
camps. Preliminary results indicate an improvement in the nutritional
situation since March-April 2005, with a global acute malnutrition rate
of 7-12%.

(k)  During the reporting period, WFP HAS served a total of 93
passengers on the N'Djamena-Abeche routing and a total of 178 passengers
on the Abeche-eastern airstrips routing (Iriba, Guereda, Farchana, Bahai
and Goz Beida). A special flight is scheduled to take place next week to
Goz Beida in support of the Kerfi emergency operation (Hepatitis E
outbreak) led by UNICEF, WHO, WFP and UNHCR.

(l)  The new phase of the EMOP 10327.1, covering the period July 2005 -
December 2006, has so far received some US$19.6 million against a total
US$87 million requirement.

(m)  Although commodity requirements are almost covered for the next six
months, additional contributions are urgently needed by September to
allow WFP to maintain adequate food supply to refugees and host
communities given the extended time of delivery to Chad.

(n)  WFP's Humanitarian Air Service (SO 10338.1) remains severely
under-resourced with only US$1 million so far confirmed against a US$7.2
million requirement. Funds are urgently required to permit the air
services to continue running and meet the operational requirements of
the entire humanitarian community in Chad.

(o)  WFP also requires funding for its logistics Special Operation (SO
10390) to reinforce its warehousing as well as operational and technical
support, and to enhance supply corridors. While some generous
contribution has been recorded recently, the SO remains under-resourced
at 35.9%, equivalent to a US$4.1 million shortfall.


(2) Liberia

(a)  Campaigning began on Monday 15th August 2005 for Liberia's first
election since the end of its bitter civil war. There are 22
presidential candidates ranging from from a former footballer to
ex-rebels to veteran opposition leaders - all vying to be elected
president in the 11 October 2005 poll.

(b)  242,337 IDPs and Liberian refugees have been repatriated and
reintegrated.  This includes 37,049 Liberian returnees and 205,288 IDPs
since the beginning of the exercises in October and November 2004,
respectively.

(c)  During the period August 7 - 13, 2005, several convoys, with a
total of 1,469 returnees, from Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra
Leone, disembarked in Cape Mount, Lofa, Maryland, and Montserado
counties. WFP distributed 48.92 Mt of assorted relief food commodities
as 1st tranche ration to the resettled returnees.

(d)  In Bong county WFP distributed 14.145 Mt of food to 820
beneficiaries out of the target of 1,019 Gbarnga Flood victims.

(e)  WFP Japan, World Vision Japan and Japan Platform will visit Liberia
from 14-21 August 2005 to assess the feasibility of the implementation
of the collaboration between WFP, JPF, and World Vision Japan.


(3) Mauritania

(a)  During the reporting period (August 1 - 18), a military junta took
power in a bloodless coup on August 3. The junta named a new government
and pledged to lead a transition to democracy within a two-year period.
In the aftermath of the coup d'etat, the ruling military council
dismissed the incumbent government ministers. A new government was
formed on 10 August. A new food security commissioner, Abdellahi Ould
Ahmed Damou, was named on August 11. The coup did not significantly
disrupt commodity distributions. The UN System in Mauritania went to
security Phase 2, limiting missions to essential travel only, for a week
following the August 3 coup. A return to Phase 1 has since occurred.

(b)  According to FEWS-NET's latest report, food security levels have
either stabilized or improved in areas that have benefited from WFP
interventions. The situation is deteriorateing in non-targeted areas
that have not received significant rains. Elsewhere, the start of the
rainy season has improved the terms-of-trade for pastoralists.

(c)  According to WHO, over 850 cases of cholera have been reported in
Nouakchott since July 20. The Ministry of Health and its partners
responded rapidly to the situation and the number of new cases is now
declining. Close monitoring of the situation is necessary as rains could
favour the spread of the disease.

(d)  Localized flooding is reported in the Rosso and R'kiz areas,
located in the Tarza region, following downpours that occurred in
mid-August. WFP has sent a team to the affected areas to investigate.

(e)  As of mid-August, the agro-pastoral regions of the country have
benefited from above average rainfall. Agricultural and pastoral
activities are benefiting from favorable meteorological conditions.

(f)  Since the start of the relief distributions in April 2005,
approximately 18,600 tons of commodities worth over US$ 9 million have
been distributed. A total of 400,000 most vulnerable people have been
reached in the regions of Brakna, Gorgol, Tagant, Assaba and Hodh El
Gharbi. In spite of the rains, food distributions continued during the
month of August in target regions and for the supplementary feeding
activities of the Country Programme. Distributions are carried out by
NGOs such as World Vision, Oxfam-GB and Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

(g)  Distribution to 16,000 children and nursing mothers are underway in
over 200 WFP-supported supplementary feeding centres under the Country
Programme's nutrition activity. Schools are closed for the summer
vacation. School feeding activities will resume with the start of the
new academic year in October and will include 17,000 additional
beneficiaries compared with the previous academic year.

(h)  On 16 August, WFP initiated a Protracted Relief and Recovery
Operation (PRRO) distribution in the Fassala and Bassikounou communes of
Hodh El Chargui, where cases of severe malnutrition have been confirmed.
A total of 6,300 vulnerable people are to receive a 30-day ration. WFP
is in contact with Medecins Sans Frontieres/Belgium to collaborate in
further interventions in the area.  WFP has initiated a survey that will
gather data on household-level indicators, including child malnutrition.
Survey results are to be published in September. The survey is being run
in collaboration with the national food security observatory, UNICEF and
NGOs.

(i)  The onset of the rainy season has slowed commodity distributions in
the South of the country. Parts of Maghama, Mbout, Barkeol and Kankossa
districts are cut off from WFP warehouses by seasonal rivers that
overflowed because of recent rains. The WFP fleet is operating in Tagant
and in Hodh el Chargui to deliver commodities to areas unreachable
through private transportation. Fuel shortages in Tidjikja have slowed
distributions to central and eastern portions of the Tagant region.

(j)  As of July 31, PRRO 10359.0 was resourced at 47.68% from 2005 to
2008. It has received US$ 14,769,214 against operational requirements of
US$ 30,974,523. The PRRO food pipeline is relatively healthy for 2005;
however, there will be a pipeline break of 1,600 tons of cereals as of
September 2005 should no new contribution be confirmed by then.


(4) Niger

(a)  No security incidents during the reporting period (August 12 -
18).. Preparations are underway for the visit of the Secretary General,
Koffi Annan, next week.

(b)  The Government's National Early Warning system has added around
20,000 people in the region of Agadez to the number of people in urgent
need of food aid. The total number now is 2.7 million. The National Food
Security Mechanism (DNPGCA - Dispositif National de Prevention et de
Gestion des Crises Alimentaires- an institutional mechanism made up of
the Government, donors and UN agencies responsible for the management of
the national reserves of food and cash) will cover these new additions
using their own pipeline.

(c)  In order to reach all 2.7 million people as quickly as possible,
the DNPGCA, WFP and the NGOs 'Plan International' and 'Catholic Relief
Services' (CRS) are coordinating their pipelines and a jointly designed
distribution plan has been prepared. The coordinated distribution plan
itself is a database from which information on distribution locations,
partners, tonnage and beneficiaries can easily be manipulated and
extracted. The distribution plan contains information down to the
village level for the more than 2,500 villages that will receive food
from all four pipelines involved. For the first round of general
distributions, WFP food will reach 1.89 million beneficiaries and the
rest will be covered by the DNPGCA, PLAN International and CRS
pipelines. In September, WFP will conduct a second distribution to the
1.7 million most food insecure beneficiaries.

(d)  As of 15 August, the DNPGCA announced that it had received a total
of 9,330 MTs of cereals and of this quantity, it has already dispatched
6,110 tons. The distributions committees will begin distributing this
week.

(e)  Distributions by WFP cooperating partner HELP in Tillaberi, World
Vision in Maradi and Zinder, ABC Ecologie in Tillaberi and PDR/ADM in
Tahoua are ongoing.  GOAL will begin distributions in Zinder on Friday,
19 August. IFRC will also begin distributions this week in Tillaberi.
World Vision International (WVI) in Maradi report that they completed
the first round of food distributions in Guidan Roumji whereby 110 tons
of food was distributed to 6,405 beneficiaries.

(f)  WFP is finalizing transport contracts for the moving of food from
EDPs (Niamey, Maradi, Tahoua, Zinder) to dispatch villages. These
transport contracts will only concern distributions in partnership with
CRS, Caritas and CARE as the other CPs will pick up the food from WFP's
warehouses themselves.

(g)  WFP and UNICEF are collaborating on the design of a 'protection
ration' for children in supplementary feeding programmes who are living
with their families (not staying at a therapeutic feeding centre). The
severely and moderately malnourished children would be fed with
therapeutic food provided by UNICEF while WFP would provide a ration of
CSB to the family thereby lessening the pressure to share the
malnourished child's therapeutic ration with the rest of the family.

(h)  The Heads of Sub-Office (HSO) of Maradi and Zinder are now in place
and the HSO for Tahoua will take up his position on Friday. The fourth
Head of Sub-Office will arrive in Niger on Friday. A Field Coordinator
is now based in Niamey to support the Heads of Sub-Office.

(i)  Full radio services now operational in Maradi as well as Zinder and
Tahoua. VSAT installation will be completed in Maradi today and then the
team will move on to Zinder and Tahoua. The VSAT equipment has already
arrived in Tahoua and Zinder.  Niger EMOP 10398.0 requires a total of
57.6 million US dollars. Overall, the operation is 43% funded, having
received 24.8 million US dollars in contributions. The current shortfall
is 32.8 million US dollars, corresponding to 42,564 metric tonnes of
food. No new contributions have been received since the 11 August.

(j)  The Special Operation for a WFP humanitarian air service (passenger
service) in Niger has been approved by headquarters. This service would
operate for a short period (September/October) to facilitate the travel
of humanitarian staff between Niamey and the field. The Beechcraft 200
will arrive in Niamey on 19 August.

(k)  On Friday, 19 August, WFP will host the next coordination meeting
for all Cooperating Partners on the general emergency distributions.
These meetings will take place each week between WFP, the Government's
Cellule Crises Alimentaires and NGO Cooperating Partners.



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

(1) Angola

(a)  At least 16,000 former Angolan refugees have returned since the
voluntary repatriation exercise resumed at the beginning of 2005. UNHCR
is planning to repatriate more than 500 people from the Republic of
Congo (Brazzaville) to the province of Cabinda during the first week of
September. Angolan returnees continue to receive food aid from WFP,
although rations have been reduced by 50 percent as a result of
commodity shortfalls. Food distributions could be further affected in
September due to an anticipated pipeline break.

(b)  During 11 to 17 August, a WFP mission visited Chibia Municipality
(Huila Province) to monitor projects and register newly arrived
returnees. The registration process took place in Lufinda Village, where
a group of new returnees have chosen to resettle. The mission also
visited Tchiambangala Health Centre, where WFP's collaborating partner,
the Angolan Evangelical Churches Union (UIEA), provides medical
assistance and food rations to tuberculosis patients and accompanying
relatives. Approximately 140 of the tuberculosis patients and 10 leprosy
patients are assisted at the centre. Accompanying relatives of the
patients also receive WFP food rations. At least 40% of the patients
being treated for tuberculosis are HIV positive.


(2) Lesotho

(a)  During the period 10 to 16 August, food distributions to targeted
beneficiaries took place in all 10 districts of the country.  The lack
of corn-soya-blend (CSB) continues to affect the food basket for
chronically ill patients and undernourished children.  WFP and
cooperating partners distributed food aid to over 27,000 beneficiaries
registered in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and home-based care programmes,
mother and child health clinics, programmes for orphans and other
vulnerable children, and participants in food-for-work and
food-for-assets projects.


(3) Malawi

(a)  The national Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) has released
the April - May 2005 food security assessment report.  According to the
findings 4.2 million people will require food assistance estimated at
270,000 tons if food prices remain stable.  However, should prices
increase, the number of vulnerable people will increase to 4.6 million
with a requirement of 415,000 tons of food.  FAO forecasts harvest
production at just under 1.3 million tons - the lowest in a decade - or
approximately 26 percent less than last year's relatively poor harvest.

(b)  Maize prices in markets throughout the country are on average 37
percent higher than the same period last year.  Maize continues to be
unavailable in most Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation
(ADMARC) markets in the central and southern regions. Maize supplies in
local markets are small and erratic, which has resulted in increasing
prices for most food commodities.  This has critically affected poorer
households purchasing abilities. Coping mechanisms for most households
include petty trade and fishing, selling firewood and vegetables, casual
labour and increased livestock sales.  However there is a fear that
these coping mechanisms will be exhausted earlier than normal. OCHA has
already noted increasing malnutrition rates, particularly in the areas
hardest hit by the shortages.  UN agencies in Malawi are in the process
of preparing a donor alert, and plan to channel funds towards the
procurement of food, agricultural inputs and nutrition supplies during
the critical period from October 2005 to March 2006.

(c)  During June through July 2005, WFP and cooperating partners
distributed 4,280 tons of food to 474,000 people.


(4) Swaziland

(a)  Findings from the 2005 national Vulnerability Assessment Committee
mission indicate that the country will face a 25,000 ton food deficit,
which will affect approximately 260,000 people.

(b)  During 9 to 15 August, WFP and cooperating partners distributed
food to 10,013 beneficiaries.  Following the initiation of the
anti-retroviral supplementary feeding programme in six major hospitals,
the number of beneficiaries participating in the "Support to Households
Affected by HIV/AIDS" project increased from just under 1,440 to 7,200
people.

(c)  Field reports from the Hhohho and Lubombo regions (Northwestern and
Eastern areas of Swaziland) reveal a severe infestation of an invasive
weed.  The weed smothers and replaces indigenous vegetation and is
affecting forestry in the North and drought-stricken grasslands in the
East.  The government has organized a task-force to devise effective
control measures to suppress the weed and eliminate the imminent threat
posed to livestock.


(5) Zambia

(a)  Food access is becomingly increasingly difficult in most parts of
the country as the price of maize continues to rise.

(b)  Due to commodity constraints, the Country Office has been forced to
reduce beneficiary rations. According to current projections, there will
be a pipeline break in maize and corn-soya-blend by the end of August.


(6) Zimbabwe

(a)  The food security situation remains worrying. While there are some
reports of maize meal being available in several districts of
Manicaland, Matabeleland and Masvingo, generally maize remains sparse on
the official and parallel markets. In Nyanga District (Manicaland) there
are reports of people selling cattle, goats and household goods to
generate money for food. Maize grain was available in Masvingo town,
although at approximately ZW$3430/kg (US$0.19).  However, the price is
beyond the means of vulnerable households. Bread, milk and salt are
scarce in shops around Bulawayo, with long queues in shops and bakeries
in the central business district.

(b)  According to Zimbabwe's Central Statistical Office (CSO), the price
of goods and services rose by an average of 47 percent in July compared
with the previous month, the highest monthly increase ever recorded in
the country.  The increase in the cost of living has grave implications
for already vulnerable households. At the end of June, the annual rate
of inflation reached 164 percent; July's record increase has driven the
rate to 255 percent. Economic observers report the increase in prices
has resulted from the scarcity of foreign exchange. The largest
increases were recorded in school fees, which soared to 1,264 percent,
while rent climbed to 157 percent.  The rate for food and non-alcoholic
beverages reached 226 percent, and non-food items rose to 274 percent.

(c)  For those displaced people who have been affected by the
government's urban "clean up" operations, WFP's collaborating partner,
IOM dispatched food to 2,189 households in Harare and surrounding areas.
This included Christian Care distributions to 1,056 households in Hopley
Farm, where access had been denied previously. Displaced residents of
Caledonia Camp and the demolished settlement at Porta Farm are now
residing at Hopley Farm and are largely dependent on WFP food.

(d)  The U.S. Ambassador to food and agriculture organizations, Tony
Hall, visited Zimbabwe from 11-13 August. He was briefed by WFP
officials and visited a WFP project in Manicaland, a home-based care for
orphans and other vulnerable children scheme in Mutasa District, which
is being implemented in partnership with Africare.  The project supports
an estimated 70,000 orphans, home based care beneficiaries and their
families. Ambassador Hall also took the opportunity to witness WFP food
distributions and visit beneficiary households.



(F) Asia: (1) Bangladesh (2) Korea (DPR)

(1) Bangladesh

(a)  More than 300 bomb blasts that left 100 people injured and caused
at least two deaths took place throughout the country on 17 August 2005.
None of the bombs were targeted at UN premises and all SMT members
agreed that Security Phase I remain in place for the entire country. UN
Offices (WHO, ILO, FAO, IMF) located in the affected areas were closed
on 18 August 2005 until further notice. Staff in the field offices were
requested to report to their duty station and refrain from travelling in
the field until further notice.

(b)  The current flooding situation is normal and remains within the
local response capacity.

(c)  All necessary formalities about the issuance of 3,770 tons of wheat
from Government of Bangladesh have been completed. The Supplementary
Feeding Programme (SFP), a joint venture between UNICEF and WFP, is
running according to schedule and will be completed end of August 2005.

(d)  The Primary School Feeding programme is ongoing, with over 600,000
primary school students continuing to receive High-Energy Biscuits
(HEBs) on a daily basis; the programme will continue until end of
November 2005

(e)  Food For Work/Food For Asset (FFW/FFA) programme is ongoing in four
districts through various micro-level livelihood activities; the
programme will continue to end of August 2005. The Rural Livelihoods
Support programme will commence in September 2005.

(f)  Negotiations to resolve disagreement over commodity (cereals)
swap-ratios between WFP and the Government of Bangladesh are ongoing.


(2) Korea (DPR)

(a)  Some 926,000 poor urban households and elderly people will not be
receiving cereal rations for August, and without new donations this
number will increase to 2.1 million in September, 2.3 million in October
and 3..3 million in November/December. These figures will include
nurseries, kindergartens, primary schools, Pregnant and Nursing Women
(PNW), poor urban household and elderly people.

(b)  With the arrival of 17,302 tons of wheat purchased from WFP's
Immediate Response Account (IRA), WFP will be able to provide rations to
a total of 5.0 million beneficiaries.

(c)  As the US donated consignments of 2,200 tons of oil and 6,000 tons
of pulses are not due to arrive in country before January 2006, the
shortfall of oil continues to be severe. In October up to 2.7 million
elderly people, PNWs and children in nurseries, kindergarten and
hospitals will be without oil to December. Distributions of pulses have
been cut to all beneficiary groups for both August and September and
500,000 children will be without pulses in November and December. Wheat
and sugar are urgently needed to keep LFP factories running.



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

(1) Bolivia

(a)  Protests began in the Yungas area of the Department of La Paz due
to the almost final construction of the police drug-control
establishment. The protesters are coca farmers who are opposed to any
control of their production. No WFP projects are located in this area,
so operations are not affected.

(b)  Civic leaders in three municipalities in El Chaco region have
announced a strike in support of the redefinition of the electoral
district boundaries. Civic leaders in three other departments support
this measure, while other municipalities have announced that they may
join the strike.. If the situation worsens, it may affect WFP's EMOP
distributions in El Chaco.

(c)  There were no distributions during the reporting period (August 10
- 16). Counterparts in the Departments of Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca will
start distributions to the Municipalities of Charagua, Machareti and
Huacaya within the next few days.


(2) Cuba

(a)  Only one third of the dams and reservoirs in Cuba have been filled
to their maximum capacity by recent rains. Holguin is currently the most
critical city affected by the water scarcity.

(b)  During mid August until the end of October, more hurricanes are
expected to affect Cuba. Forecasts indicate that this season is likely
to be one of the most active hurricane seasons in the region.

(c)  A three-month Emergency Operation for Cuba, Emergency Operation
(EMOP) 10423.0, approved on 28 April 2005, will reach 773,000 people by
providing assistance to vulnerable groups (pregnant and nursing women,
children under five years old and elderly people) affected by the
drought, with a complementary food ration of rice, beans and vegetable
oil. The total cost of this operation will be US$3,725,522. Distribution
of food to beneficiaries has not begun yet. A shipment of 1,141.80 tons
of rice from Montevideo is expected to arrive to Havana, with ETA August
29. The rest of the commodities will also be arriving towards the end of
August.

(d)  The Country Office is working on the implementation of the
Immediate Response Account (IRA) 10473.0, approved on 2 July 2005, which
will reach 110,900 vulnerable people affected by Hurricane Dennis, with
particular attention to pregnant women, children under five years old
and elderly people. The total cost of this operation is US $492,264.
Food purchased in the region is expected to arrive in September.

(e)  Resources for both operations are not been granted yet, and no
contributions have been confirmed so far. Multilateral funds have been
allocated to cover one month's needs of the EMOP.


(3) Ecuador

(a)  According to the National Geophysical Institute, the eruption
activity level of Tungurahua and Reventador volcanoes is currently low,
as has been the case for the past few weeks. Tungurahua Volcano only
registered low emissions of steam, gas and ashes. However, it is
important to raise awareness among the population about possible changes
of the volcanic activity as a preventive measure. On August 14, the
National Geophysical Institute reported minimal ash fall in the area of
Puela, with loud noises coming from the volcano reported in Juive and
Pillate.

(b)  For the past weeks, a continuous increase in the seismic activity
of Cotopaxi Volcano has been registered. The seismic activity is related
to long period events generated by flows inside the volcano.

(c)  People living in the communities of Chical and Maldonado, located
in the Province of Sucumbios (northern border) are concerned about the
presence of the guerillas in the area. The guerrillas often undertake
intelligence work and tax collection from small business owners and also
confiscate food supplies.

(d)  The Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES -
"Consultoria para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento") confirmed a
massive movement of Colombians to Ecuadorian communities along the
northern border.  The main reason is the increasing fights in Putumayo
between the army and the guerrillas. Ecuadorian citizens have reported
the presence of the guerrilla and the Colombian army in Ecuadorian
territory.


(4) Guatemala

(a)  Food prices have been affected by the unstable oil rates and this
will seriously hinder access to food, particularly, for the poorest and
most vulnerable sectors of the population.

(b)  The National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and
Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) confirmed that the rainfall level during July 2005
reached its highest level in the last 15 years. Rainfall forecasts for
the quarter August-October 2005 indicate that heavy rains, and
consequently more damage, is expected. The National Coordinating
Committee for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) maintains shelters to
accommodate the affected population if evacuations take place. Mayors
and community committees established networks to inform the most
vulnerable population on preparedness and response measures.

(c)  President Berger announced a new effort to combat delinquency and
criminality in the country. Sheriff Lee Baca of Los Angeles City, who
visited the country upon the President's invitation, met with National
Police authorities and will act as special adviser on security.


(5) Nicaragua

(a)  During the reporting period (August 10 - 16), prolonged power cuts
were experienced in Managua, Masaya, Granada and Carazo due to heavy
rains and strong winds. According to press reports, several families in
the Municipality of Wiwili located in the Northcentral part of
Nicaragua, have been evacuated as the continuous strong rains have
increased the risk of landslides. Several roads in the northern and
central part of the country have been damaged due to the sustained rain,
which is affecting the capacity of the farmers to market their
agricultural products. Demonstrations demanding the repair of the
deteriorated road system have been announced for the coming week.

(b)  A joint mission composed by WFP, the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (MAGFOR) and local authorities, have initiated a rapid
assessment on the situation along Rio Coco at the border with Honduras,
in the Municipality of Waspam in the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region
(RAAN) of Nicaragua. Preliminary results of the mission indicate the
need for agricultural inputs rather than food aid. WFP continues to
monitor the situation.

(c)  A total of 10,363 pregnant and nursing women; 11,159 children under
two years old; 1,792 vulnerable rural families and 69,746 schoolchildren
in the Central and Northern Atlantic Region (RAAN) continue to benefit
of food distributions under Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation
(PRRO) 10212.0.

(d)  Accumulated shortfalls of vegetable oil (64 tons) and beans (26
tons) will occur in November and December, respectively. Commodities are
required in order to avoid a pipeline break during the last quarter of
the year.


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

WFP Weekly Emergency Report


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