WFP Emergency Report
Issued weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme
Report No. 20 / 2006 - Date 19 May 2006


This report includes:

(A) Highlights
(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Algeria
    (2) Pakistan
(C) East & Central Africa: (1) Burundi (2) Djibouti (3) Ethiopia
    (4) Kenya (5) Rwanda (6) Somalia (7) Sudan (8) Tanzania (9) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Cote d'Ivoire (3) Guinea (4) Senegal
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Angola (2) Lesotho (3) Madagascar (4) Malawi
    (5) Swaziland (6) Zimbabwe
(F) Asia: (1) Indonesia (2) Korea (DPR) (3) Laos (4) Myanmar (5) Nepal
    (6) Timor Leste
(G) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Colombia (2) Ecuador (3) Guatemala




(A) Highlights

(a)  The government of Djibouti announced the first case of Avian Human
Influenza.

(b)  Nearly 12,000 Burundians entered Tanzania during the first three
months of 2006.

(c)  In Somalia, preliminary results of the inter agency nutrition
assessment indicate high malnutrition rates in Afmadow, Sakow\Buale and
Jillib.

(d)  In Sudan, between 1 to 14 May, WFP dispatched a total amount of
16,839 tons of food from logistical hubs to Darfur.

(e)  In Sudan, between 2 to 15 May, WFP dispatched a total of 2,013 tons
of food by road to locations in the South from El Obeid (1,515 tons),
and Lokichoggio in Kenya (499 tons) including 103 tons airdropped to
Thonyor in Unity State.

(f)  In Chad, the WFP/UNHCR targeted caseload is estimated at 211,100
refugees registered in twelve camps in the month of May.



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

(1) Algeria

(a)  The pipeline situation of the refugee feeding operation for the
five Saharawi refugee camps, reflects an immediate break for June 2005
for cereals and sugar.  Additional pledges of 5.5 million USD for the
remainder of the year are urgently needed to avert food shortage for the
targeted 125,000 beneficiaries (90,000 most vulnerable and 35,000 flood
affected).

(b)  In April, WFP provided 1,687 tons of wheat flour, 115 tons of
vegetable oil, 250 tons of pulses and 125 tons of sugar to the targeted
caseload.  Additionally, nearly 32 tons of cheese was provided to the
camps as a supplement to the monthly ration.  School Feeding, targeted
to 34,000 students received 26 tons of High-Energy Biscuits and 57 tons
of wheat soy blend, 5 tons sugar and 5 tons of vegetable oil was made
available for the Supplementary Feeding Program in the camps' clinics.

(c)  Some 500 tons of fresh produce (apples, oranges and onions) was
distributed among the refugee camps by CISP NGO in a effort to increase
the micronutrient consumption and diversify the diets of the refugees.
The 2005 joint WFP-UNHCR nutritional survey revealed high levels of
anaemia and chronic malnutrition rates for both women and children.

(d)  New forms for distribution and post distribution monitoring and a
geo-code system are being introduced as part of an overall M&E
improvement strategy focused on capturing RBM aligned data that indicate
percentage of actual distribution versus planned, utilization of the
monthly ration and dietary diversity.  A distribution monitoring
checklist form is to be tested to assist the food-monitoring unit in
assessing the efficiency; gender protection and management of the
distribution system employed by Algerian Red Crescent Society, the
implementing partner.

(e)  WFP and UNHCR are also planning a de-worming project for
implementation in the 2006-2007 school year. The collaboration and
co-funding of UNICEF, as part of UNICEF's new 2006 nutrition and
education initiative has been requested.


(2) Pakistan

(a)  During the reporting period (29 April-12 May), the general security
situation in Pakistan and earthquake affected areas remained stable.

(b)  Sources in the Meteorology Department in Islamabad, confirmed that
six districts of Balochistan are gripped by drought conditions,
affecting 1..1 million people and hundreds of thousands of livestock in
those areas. Given the dry conditions, the drought is likely to extend
to other parts of the Balochistan and parts of Sindh. According to the
sources, the next two months prove severe as these will be the driest
and hottest of the season.

(c)  Selection of Cooperating Partners (CPs) for the implementation of
PRRO activities in the earthquake affected area is proceeding well. As
of the reporting period, 18 NGOs submitted their proposals in the CO.
Agreements have thus far been signed with 2 partners.

(d)  WFP is planning to distribute food to vulnerable returnees,
especially widows, disabled, women headed households, identified with
the support of Social Welfare Departments of AJK and NWFP.

(e)  In Muzaffarabad, an orientation on Warehouse Management, Food
Handling, Distribution and Reporting was held by WFP at UN Camp on 3 May
at Muzaffarabad for local and field staff of Social Welfare Department
especially the Headmistresses of 23 Vocational Training Centres. A
considerable quantity of food was distributed directly by WFP during
this period, involving Community Based Organizations (CBOs), small NGOs
and laborers/volunteers with the support of WFP Food Aid Monitors in
order to cover vulnerable groups and training centres. Food is being
distributed to almost 90 percent of the areas identified by the Social
Welfare Department as food for returnees and food for training in its
vocational training centres.  A meeting was held with Director General
(DG), States Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Agency (SERRA) to
discuss the project proposal submitted by WWF/Machiara Park Project,
nine Government Line Departments and NGOs. The DG was appreciative of
WFP's programme interventions in AJK recalling the early 70s when
implementation of WFP Food-for- Work (FFW) projects started in AJK. The
DG advised that FFW and Food-for-Training (FFT) activities be given
priority and recommended to include construction of school boundary
walls in the plan. The polythene bags procured are larger than the
desired size for Nursery activity. There is a great demand of rub halls
by majority of partners due to scarcity of storage places/buildings.

(f)  In Bagh, meetings are being held with various line departments to
identify further PRRO activities with communities targeting vulnerable
groups. The activities that were finalized during last reporting period
are now being followed-up to deliver food and non-food items. During the
reporting period, 13 green houses (three small and 10 large) were issued
to communities for nursery raising activities. Decision regarding
shifting of the UN-Agencies from the UN-compound is under consideration.
The camp is being extended until end of August for UN-Agencies other
than WFP. Confirmation of this decision is yet to come from the CO.
Proposals from Help in Need and Social Welfare Department were sent to
the CO for review and approval. PRRO activities with communities
previously identified with line departments have commenced. Food
delivery under these activities has begun. Programme staff is making
daily visits to target areas to identify and assess communities for
further PRRO activities.

(g)  In Mansehra, a mission of WFP SO visited Kohistan district for
assessment of Seo Area Development Organization (SADO) to confirm their
capacity in the area. The mission reported that SADO is registered with
Government of NWFP, Directorate of Social Welfare under Voluntary Social
Welfare Agencies, and has been actively involved in this area for the
last five years. The organization has successfully completed the
projects of tree plantation, health/education awareness campaign and
construction of water channels. During the reporting period, UNICEF &
OCHA representatives visited SO Manshera and discussed the issue of
vulnerable groups' returned/returning back to their original places. FAO
representative visited WFP office; FAO is conducting a survey for
partners who are currently involved in livelihood sector or intending to
work for livelihoods. WFP is in process of selecting CPs for all its
working area. Field Level Agreement (FLA) for United Nations
Associations of PAK has been signed for four Union Councils in Balakot;
detail work plan was jointly developed by UNAP and WFP for the month of
May.  Rashang Union Council in Allai was visited to follow up with
Action Against Hunger (ACF) regarding preparation for food distribution
among the returnees and vulnerable group. A comprehensive market survey
was carried out in Mansehra and Shinkyari..

(h)  The PRRO is currently 17.1 percent resourced against the appeal of
$US 67,849,078.

(i)  A two days Warehouse Management Training initiated by Logistic was
conducted on 5-6 May 2006 in Abbottabad. The objective of this training
was to ensure effective management of warehouses and to minimize losses.
A new rub hall was erected in Boys College Bagh to separate food items
from NFIs in Bagh.

(j)  Under the Special Operations-Project no: 10493, construction work
of warehouse at the new logistics base in Baldher has commenced.

(k)  During the reporting period, UNHAS helicopters airlifted 12 tons
food, 79 tons non-food and 530 passengers.

(l)  During the reporting period, a Monthly Operational Meeting was held
at CO with the participation of all CO programme staff including Heads
of Sub Offices. The Country Programme and PRRO activities were discussed
in detail highlighting the progress, issues and strategies to speed up
the planning and implementation process of PRRO and Country Programme.



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

(1) Burundi

(a)  No military confrontations were reported during the reporting
period (12-19 May).

(b)  The floods resulting from heavy rains over the past three weeks
affected crops (beans, rice, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.) in some
areas and destroyed several households in Bujumbura rural, Cibitoke and
Bubanza provinces. In other provinces, the media reported the
deterioration of farms, especially those in swamps.  WFP is monitoring
the situation and assessing food needs in affected areas.

(c)  The government announced the increase in fuel price by 9 percent.
Moreover, basic staple food items like beans, rice, manioc flour and
palm oil are becoming progressively scarce and very expensive in the
market of the capital, Bujumbura.

(d)  WFP distributed 2,269 tons of food aid to 290,936 beneficiaries
during the reporting period. However, the shortfall of pulses persists
and some distributions were carried out without this commodity.  In
April, some 8,000 tons were distributed by WFP and its partners and
around 10,000 tons are planned to be distributed in May (pending pulses
availability).

(e)  WFP has completed the second round of "Crisis Indicators
Monitoring" in the drought affected provinces.  The final report of the
assessments on crisis indicators concluded that the return of rainfall
coupled with regular food distributions and the strong will to
capitalize the coming season 2006B have reduced migrations. However, the
prevailing negative coping strategy reported in some hunger affected
zones is the sale of farms and land properties by poor households
leading to a situation where the poorest will remain dependent on food
aid even after the lean periods and the actual crisis. The relatively
good coffee production in the northern provinces is expected to generate
additional resources to rural households. There is also concern about
negative coping mechanisms adopted at the household level, including
erosion of the traditional social assistance, increase of prostitution,
theft and begging. Food aid needs remain necessary until the harvest of
season 2006 B.


(2) Djibouti

(a)  On 12 May 2006, the Government of Djibouti announced the first case
of Avian Human Influenza (AHI). Following activities of national
surveillance, a person with symptoms of seasonal influenza tested
positive for the deadly H5N1 virus.  Other tests performed on three
domestic chickens in the same sector have also been found positive. The
laboratory tests were conducted through the reference laboratory of
NAMRU III in Cairo (Egypt). Djibouti becomes the first country in the
Horn of Africa where human and bird cases of H5N1 virus have been
detected and confirmed.

(b)  Immediately following the detection, a meeting between all
stakeholders, including the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and
government partners was held at WHO offices in order to activate the
contingency plans for both the nation and the UN members.  WFP is deeply
involved in the observance and application of the contingency plan to
minimize the impact on the health and safety of staff.

(c)  During the reporting period, WFP started to pre-position 812 tons
of mixed commodities for May 2006 distribution to drought-affected
pastoralists in the livelihood dependant areas. It is expected that food
distributions will be completed within the next two weeks and about
48,000 people assisted.


(3) Ethiopia

(a)  Rainfall for "belg" (minor season) cropping areas and "gu" (main
season) for southern pastoral areas continue to be generally favourable,
though the seasons are not yet over. An assessment in late June/early
July will assess the impact of these rainfall seasons. Nearly all zones
in Oromiya region had well-distributed and good quality rainfall
recently; North Shewa was the exception. In the western half of the
region, farmers are well advanced with land preparation for "meher"
(main rainy season) crops and planting of long-cycle crops such as maize
and sorghum. In Amhara, there have been moderate rains in Wag Hamra,
North and South Wello zones, favouring vegetative growth of "belg" crops
in Wello, though crops are later than normal due to delays in planting.
Recent rains have helped regeneration of pastures, replenishment of
water and initiation of land preparation for the main season planting.
In Somali region, Jijiga and Shinile zones reported no rains for the 2nd
week of May. Warder zone received some light showers in the first half
of May with Warder district having one day of heavy rainfall that
destroyed houses and property. In Fik zone, Hamero, Fik and Lagahida
districts had one day of normal rainfall on 14 May but the remaining
districts were dry. In Degehabur zone, most districts had moderate rains
while the northern part of Aware and Gunagado received light showers.
Gode, Korahe and Afder zones had mixed fortunes, with moderate to good
rains around mid-May in several districts - including East and West
Imey, Denan, Chereti, Gode, Kelafo and Adadle - with light rains
reported from Hargele, Bare and Kebridehar. Large areas in Southern
Nations Nationalities and People's Region (SNNPR) had moderate rainfall
with the whole of Hadiya, low and mid-altitude areas of Gamo Gofa and
Sidama receiving light showers while the rainfall in South Omo was
moderate to heavy. Only Alaba Special District and Silti and Gurage
zones reported no rains in SNNPR during the past week.  Afar region is
already in its dry season and there has been no rainfall since the
beginning of May; overall, the recent 'sugum' (short rainy season) rains
have been better than in the past few years. There is improvement in the
conditions of browse and the browsers; thus milk production from goats
and camels is showing substantial improvement but that of cattle remains
very poor.

(b)  The federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency's (DPPA)
daily relief food dispatches continue in the drought affected areas.
Food movement to Somali, the most affected region continues to be slow
due to security problems and difficult road conditions as a result of
the heavy rains in some areas. From the 23,500 tons of WFP relief food
allocated for Somali region in February, 93 percent has been dispatched
to date. DPPA is still moving allocations made in March for the zones of
Afder and Liben and for the other zones of Somali region dispatches are
expected to start this week. For Borena zone of Oromiya region, the DPPA
has dispatched 98 percent of the 2,500 tons of food aid allocated in
February and 98 percent of the 2,500 tons food allocated in March. The
federal DPPA has finished transporting the 875 tons of relief food
allocated for Afar in March and is in the process of starting to
dispatch the allocation done in April.

(c)  The Ethiopian Productive Safety Nets Programme (PSNP), which plans
to reach 7.2 million beneficiaries in 2006, is well underway. After
initial delays in resource transfers, many of the PSNP districts have
received food or cash for the first two months.  While food resources
for the third month payment have been dispatched to PSNP districts,
preparations are being made to channel financial resources through the
banking system to those PSNP districts handling cash transfers to
beneficiaries.  According to a recent report released by the Federal
Food Security Co-ordination Bureau, in many districts grain prices have
continued to increase progressively and this has negatively affected the
purchasing capacity of safety nets cash beneficiaries.

(d)  One of the essential thrusts of the PSNP in general and its Public
Works (PWs) component in particular is to build a range of assets of
communal value, including maintenance and/or construction of social
service facilities, land and water conservation structures and related
physical infrastructure such as feeder roads.  Public Works have,
however, been implemented with varying levels of seriousness and
commitment.  Cognisant of this, a government and multi-donor technical
team has been fielded to undertake a technical review of Public Works in
different parts of the country.  The field findings are being collated
and as soon as these are finalized, regional workshops will be conducted
to discuss on the findings and to agree on the way forward.


(4) Kenya

(a)  In April, WFP programmes reached 3.71 million food insecure people
in Kenya. A total of 26,088 tons of food was distributed to
drought-affected people, school children, refugees and people affected
by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. The plan was to distribute 41,413 tons to 4.48
million people. The lower than planned achievement was mainly
attributable to delays in food deliveries.


(5) Rwanda

(a)  Heavy rains were recorded during the reporting period (12-19 May).
Crops, especially those planted in swampy areas were flooded. A bridge
at Akanyaru connecting Rwanda and Burundi was washed away and stopped
all traffic for several days, which disrupted the flow of food aid to
Burundi.

(b)  The government has started its second one-month free food
distribution with the assistance of Red Cross. The first government's
general food distribution was carried out in February. Now an estimated
274,111 most vulnerable persons in 14 districts of eastern and southern
regions will be assisted. A total of 4,239 tons of maize, beans and
cooking oil were be procured locally and food deliveries to be completed
this week.

(c)  An Immediate Response Account (IRA) request for USD 3 million was
approved for Rwanda to cover the food needs of the most vulnerable
population as recommended in the Emergency Food Security Assessment
(EFSA) report and to complete the assistance provided by the Government.
The USD 1.5 million contribution received completes the funding needed
for local and regional procurement of food. One part of the food will be
taken as a loan from other regional arrivals.

(d)  The current number of asylum seekers at Nkamira Transit Camp after
verification is 1,145. The total number of Congolese and Burundian
refugees in Rwanda now stands at 41,063 and 2,557 respectively.

(e)  Delivery of food to Gihembe and Nyabiheke camps started and
distributions will be carried out next week. No food distributions took
place in other camps.

(f)  Some 120 returnees from DRC passed through Nkamira and Nygatare
Transit Centres and were provided with a three-month ration consisting
of 6.3 tons of food commodities before being transferred to their home
communities.

(g)  A total of 1,213 out of the 19,000 asylum seekers in Burundi since
October-November 2005 returned during the reporting period. In Burundi,
the 8,300 asylum seekers originate from Huye district and another 8,216
from Gisagara district in the southern region of Rwanda. The returnees
received one-month rations from refugee camps in Burundi before their
departure. UN is jointly planning an assistance programme together with
local authorities for the concerned returnee communities.


(6) Somalia

(a)  The security situation in Mogadishu remains tense after fighting
increased between rivalling militia groups, resulting in civilian
casualties. Reports indicate fresh fighting is expected and people are
escaping from the city. An inter agency mission left for Jowhar town to
assess the magnitude of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to
determine the nature of any assistance.

(b)  Gu rains continue to be received throughout the country, with less
rain received during the reporting period in south Somalia. Good rains
were seen in the northwest regions while the northeast received less
rain. However, some increase in rainfall is projected in the next week
with some 20 - 50mm of rainfall in most part of the country.

(c)  Localized floods have been reported along Juba Valley and lower,
and middle Shabelle regions. More floods are also predicted in the
coming week as rains will increase. Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping
(VAM) continues to monitor the situation closely, especially in the
riverine areas, where floods are most likely.

(d)  The Inter Agency nutrition assessment lead by Food Security
Analysis Unit (FSAU) in middle and lower Juba regions has been
finalized. Preliminary results indicate high malnutrition rates in
Afmadow (Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) 22 percent Severe Acute
Malnutrition (SAM) 4.2 percent); Sakow\Buale (GAM 18.5 percent SAM 5.5
percent) and Jillib (GAM 16.5 percent SAM 4.2 percent). Further analysis
is being done to advise the best option of response.

(e)  Gedo, middle Juba and parts of lower Juba regions are
inaccessible.. Despite WFP preparing a special operation to deliver
commodities by airdrops and riverboats as a contingency measure for this
purpose, no funding indications have been received from the donors.
Urgent funding is required if WFP is to succeed in delivering food to
these areas.

(f)  The second round of food distributions is on-going in Qansahdere
and Burakhaba districts in Bay region, and Rabdhure district in Bakool
region. A total of 4,000 tons of food commodities will be distributed.


(7) Sudan

(a)  During the reporting period, the security situation in North Darfur
remained tense particularly in Tawilla and Abu Shouk IDP camps in El
Fasher, following violent demonstrations against the Darfur Peace
Agreement. The AU was targeted in these attacks and although government
forces acted quickly to contain the situation, tensions remain high. WFP
field missions out of El Fasher to locations in North Darfur continued
to be affected by movement restrictions, and denial of access at
checkpoints, as authorities continue to contravene the SOFA agreement
that allows freedom of movement for UN workers. Sporadic violence,
attacks, and harassment of residents by militia were meanwhile reported
in Marega, Sarafaya, Jonjona and Birka areas. These incidents of
insecurity raise concerns about the potential disruption in humanitarian
activities of NGOs operating in these areas.

(b)  In at least three IDP camps in the region, the signing of the
Darfur Peace Agreement increased tensions in West Darfur. Government of
Sudan police and army reinforcements were deployed to the area to
control the violent demonstrations, which negatively impacted the
ability of humanitarian actors to operate routinely. JEM- controlled
areas remained relatively calm despite an unconfirmed attack on Kulbus
and their disapproval of the peace agreement. Meanwhile, the UN
temporarily suspended helicopter flights to Arara following Chad-Sudan
cross border clashes between the Chadian army and suspected militia
cattle raiders.

(c)  Tensions remained high in South Darfur during the reporting
period.. The signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement was received with
mixed feelings in South Darfur with peaceful demonstrations in Nyala
town and violent demonstrations in Zallingi, Hassa Hissa, Kalma, and
Kass IDP camps. WFP security assessments in over ten locations in the
State have indicated likelihood for deterioration of the security
situation in IDP camps in the coming days with increasing mistrust of AU
forces and in some cases targeted attacks against humanitarian workers
and property. In Nyala town, the harassment of a UN staff member in a
SOFA-related incident was reported. Banditry incidents against
commercially hired trucks also continued. Militia and SLA clashes were
reported in Baraka, Labado, Arto, and Abu Jabra areas affecting access
to roads. A peaceful demonstration turned violent during UN Under
Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief
Coordinator Jan Egeland's visit to Kalma IDP camp, prompting a temporary
closure of the camp. Jan Egeland was not a target in the attacks and the
situation has since been resolved.

(d)  The Security Level in Wuror, Ayodnand Duk counties (Jonglei)
remained at Phase Four due to the volatile situation in these areas
attributed to the disarmament of local communities by the Government of
South Sudan. Consequently, a WFP planned distribution to 25,000
beneficiaries was suspended until the situation normalizes. Meanwhile,
activities are expected to resume in Pochalla following a relative
stability in the area.

(e)  Intensified fighting between the Government of South Sudan and an
ethnic group from Ulang in Nasir resulted in suspension of deliveries of
WFP food in Ulang, Torbar and Wafa in Upper Nile.

(f)  A clash took place between a group of 300-400 student demonstrators
and police forces in Port Sudan, Red Sea resulting in three casualties.
UN Security precautionary measures have been undertaken.

(g)  A group of 120 men, who claimed to have been excluded from
verification and registration in Geisssan town in March, looted WFP food
from a distribution site in Giessan. The group threatened to beat or
kill WFP staff, enumerators and community leaders. Local authorities
intervened and brought back the majority of the looted food and promised
to take the necessary action to prevent reoccurrence of similar
incidents.

(h)  The Darfur Peace Agreement between the Government of National Unity
and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Minawi faction was signed on 10
May in Abuja, Nigeria. Throughout Darfur, mixed feelings have greeted
the signing of the Agreement. Peaceful demonstrations were reported in
Nyala town South Darfur while violent demonstrations were reported in
several IDP camps in North, West and South Darfur. Following the signing
of the Peace Agreement, the Special Representative for the Secretary
General Jan Pronk, in a meeting with UN agencies heads highlighted the
need for humanitarian agencies to plan for population returns into
Darfur.

(i)  WFP welcomed an announcement by the Government of Sudan this week,
to contribute some 20,000 tons of cereals for the Darfur operation. This
generous contribution will help to meet some of the food gaps created by
the ration cuts that were implemented by WFP in May. The contribution
will be used to cover cereal gaps in food rations in Darfur from June
and August, and along with other recent contributions will help to
increase the net daily caloric intake of the vulnerable population from
the present 1,050kcal to 1,770kcal per day per person.

(j)  The Second Forum for South Sudan Governors was held on 9 May. The
Forum, chaired by the Vice President of South Sudan, Dr. Rieck Machar,
was attended by Governors of all Southern States and State Ministers, UN
agencies, donors and NGOs. Main issues of discussion included de-mining,
returnees and food aid in South Sudan. WFP South Sudan Coordinator
briefed the forum on WFP activities by state, food pre-positioning as
well as encountered challenges, including security. WFP requested
support from the government to ensure reaching targeted beneficiaries
and to also find means to reduce food aid dependency and promote local
economy. The Vice President urged all States to ensure stopping of
looting food aid, harassment of humanitarian workers, commandeering UN
and NGO vehicles and to ensure that food assistance is reaching needy
populations.

(k)  An armed group looted about 27 tons of WFP food commodities in Alek
in Warrap State on 12 May. Another three tons of WFP food was looted in
Mayen Abun in Twic County, resulting in suspension of food distribution
in the location. Both incidents are under investigation by WFP and local
authorities. Looting incidents have been on the rise since the beginning
of the month affecting the implementation of distribution plans.

(l)  A cholera outbreak in Narus and Kapoeta was reported to be on the
rise affecting ten WFP fleet drivers. Meanwhile, seven death cases
related to the disease were reported, including one WFP staff. Another
89 cases were reportedly admitted to health centers in Kapoeta County.
An inter-agency task force comprising of UN agencies and local partners
was formed to follow up on the situation and decide on necessary action.

(m)  WFP staff continue to experience movement restrictions to all WFP
distribution and project sites due to the Government non-respect of the
Status of Forces Agreement that grants the UN freedom of movement. Food
dispatches and distributions to IDP and refugee camps in Kassala are
still suspended due to lack of access.

(n)  A joint team comprising of WFP, UNHCR and the Commission of
Refugees undertook a mission in refugee camps in Kassala to sensitize
refugees on WFP ration cuts. The teams visited all the camps, except Wad
Sharifey, without major incidents. However, they were stopped by
security authorities at Shagarab checkpoint upon their return and
demanded to obtain local travel permits for future field visits.

(o)  Between 1 to 14 May, WFP dispatched a total amount of 16,839 tons
of food from logistical hubs to Darfur region realizing 39 percent of
planned dispatches for May. Pre-positioning efforts have commenced in
South Darfur to cover the July-September 2006 food requirements.
However, dispatches are still on hold for some locations owing to
security constraints. In West Darfur, although arrival of food from
logistical hubs declined during the reporting period, pre-positioning
efforts in anticipation of inaccessibility during the rainy season are
ongoing. In Foro Buranga and Mornie, new rub halls have been completed
to increase facility storage capacity to 2,000 tons and 4,500 tons.

(p)  Between 2 to 15 May, WFP dispatched a total of 2,013 tons of food
by road to locations in the South from El Obeid (1,515 tons), and
Lokichoggio in Kenya (499 tons) including 103 tons airdropped to Thonyor
in Unity State. Heavy rains continued to affect delivery of WFP food to
intended locations. In Nasir, 70 tons of food could not be delivered to
an MSF-H project and around 30 trucks carrying WFP food to different
locations in Upper Nile returned to Kapoeta due to the poor road
conditions caused by the heavy rain.

(q)  Pipeline constraints prompted a suspension in Food for Education
programmes in North Darfur. Security constraints continue to affect
implementation and monitoring of activities.

(r)  The lean season has begun in earnest with decreased supply of
seasonal vegetables and on the other hand, relative improvement in the
flow of consumer goods from central Sudan to North Darfur, good stocking
of consumer products in the markets during April to May, and inflow of
local produce. After a workshop by FAO to start data collection for food
security surveillance from 11 locations, in the coming months, the
ministry of Agriculture will issue a monthly bulletin highlighting food
security indicators. WFP and FAO will provide technical support in the
initial months of the project.

(s)  Following last week's MSF Spain phase out of their health and
nutrition interventions in Zamzam camp owing to funding shortfalls, the
Cooperating Partner is scheduled to commence discussions with the
Ministry of Health and WHO regarding another imminent phase out of Dar
Esalaam. No nutrition Cooperating Partner has been identified for Zam
Zam camp.

(t)  An assessment team comprising WHO, the Veterinary Department and
the Ministry of Health confirmed the absence of the Avian and Human
Influenza in Zamzam area.

(u)  UNHCR commenced the relocation of approximately of 5,500 Chadian
refugees from Habilah to Um Shalaya, near Morni in West Darfur. First
convoy of 480 refugees left on 11 May.

(v)  WFP's Cooperating Partner - Concern - developed a monitoring tool
in five of their nutrition program areas to monitor the progression of
the nutritional status of IDPs.

(w)  Population movements into camps, prompted by escalating insecurity,
was observed in several IDP settlements in South Darfur. WFP and
Cooperating Partners continue to facilitate verification, registration
and voluntary return of IDPs, particularly to the South. A joint WFP and
the Samaritan Purse team proceeded to former NRC locations to carry out
general food distributions in five areas and monitor activities.

(x)  In Gereida ACF plans to erect rub halls and WFP plans to dispatch 3
rub halls with a total capacity of 1,500 Mts. Food deliveries for a
two-month half ration food delivery is planned between May 23rd- and
30th. Meanwhile, ICRC also plans to continue food distributions up to
July and to supplement the half ration provided by WFP from
August-September. ACF will take over food distributions from August.

(y)  A WFP distribution exercise in Koch, Unity State was suspended when
local authorities demanded that residents and IDPs get rations
equivalent to that of returnees. Food commodities were handed over to
the Sudan Rehabilitation and Recovery Commission until the issue is
resolved.

(z)  WFP and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) signed a Field Level Agreement
(FLA) for implementation of general food distribution in Western Bahr el
Ghazal. The two partners immediately deployed teams to Raja and Nyiwara
and distributed 101 tons to 7,710 residents and 7 tons to 1,088
returnees in Nyiwara.

(aa)  WFP resumed support of institutional feeding programmes
implemented by NGO Cooperating Partners and the Ministry of Health after
a one-month suspension following outstanding project proposals. A total
of 11 tons was dispatched to programmes run by these organizations.
Meanwhile, in Rumbek, Lakes State, WFP distributed 42 tons to various
development projects targeting 5,010 beneficiaries in Lakes state.

(ab)  WFP hosted a Women Protection forum with the participation of
UNICEF, UNDAP, Okenden International, Ministry of Social Affairs, GOAL,
FAO, Plan Sudan and the Ministry of Education in Kassala. Participants
agreed on strengthening coordination and information exchange between
the members and the necessity of implementing training targeting policy
makers, planners and humanitarian workers. WFP was nominated as the
forum's focal point supported by a technical committee. Participants
appreciated WFP's efforts related to women protection issues.

(ac)  WFP completed food dispatches to Cooperating Partner, CARE, in
Kadugli except for a few locations with no adequate storage facilities.
In Kauda, food dispatched is currently being completed. Heavy rains have
started during the reporting period making roads almost impassable in
some areas. WFP is expediting surface delivery of food stocks to these
locations (Ardikanan, Longan, and Liri) that will soon be inaccessible.
Food stocks in South Kordofan total 14,993 tons; 6,979 tons in Kadugli
and 8,014 tons in Kauda

(ad)  The Commissioner of Lagawa informed WFP that a convoy of 25 buses
carrying returnees is expected to arrive in Lagawa, South Kordofan in
the coming week. The majority of these returnees are expected to remain
in Lagawa and its surrounding villages while the rest will proceed to
Tulushi. In addition, he indicated the presence of returnees and
vulnerable groups in urgent need for assistance in Kadam and El Sunut
administrative units. There is no information on the number of these
vulnerable groups.

(ae)  A joint team comprising of WFP, Humanitarian Aid Commission and
the Sudan Rehabilitation and Recovery Commission visited a group of an
unverified number of returnees (250-400 persons) who have temporarily
settled in Cahwere area, as according to them, there are no water
sources or shelters in their areas of origin. The returnees indicated
that they will proceed to the villages after the rainy season. The team
recommended an inter-agency joint assessment to determine the immediate
needs of these groups. WFP's Cooperating Partner will register these
returnees in the coming week and will provide them with one-month food
rations upon proceeding to their villages.

(af)  During the reporting period, WFP distributed a total of 434 tons
of food to 25,008 returnees in Talodi, Abu Gebeiha, and Rashad through
general food distribution. Teams will proceed to Karkar and Ferish in
the coming week.

(ag)  Damazine and it surroundings experienced heavy rains during the
reporting period. WFP, meanwhile, dispatched a total of 429 tons of
assorted food commodities from Damazine warehouse to villages in Geissan
and Kurmuk localities for general food distribution and pre-positioning,
as these areas will be cut off during the rainy season.

(ah)  UNHCR's exercise for repatriating returnees from Bonga camp in
Ethiopia to Chalie village, Blue Nile was temporarily suspended during
the week due to the start of rains. UNHCR plan to repatriate 455
refugees in its next convoy from Sharkole camp to Yabus Village, located
91 km south of Kurmuk. WFP will continue to provide food assistance to
returnees in Chalie reception center. In May, WFP will pre-position food
stocks to cover the requirements of returnees in villages from August
through October 2006.

(ai)  WFP distributed a total of 333 tons of food to 14,920 returnees
and vulnerable local residents in Blue Nile through general food
distribution. Three-month rations were distributed to cover the
requirements of the beneficiaries during the rainy season when roads
become impassable. Additionally, another 95 tons was pre-positioned in
Khor El Dahab and Bakori villages for distribution in August.

(aj)  Under the General Food Distribution, Save the Children-US (SC-US)
distributed about 24 tons of food to 2,718 beneficiaries in Damployah,
one of the six nomads' villages. In addition, SC- US distributed
one-month half rations to 17,006 vulnerable residents and IDPs in Abyei
town.

(ak)  According to OCHA, some 568 returnees (231 households) arrived
during the reporting period in Abyei en route to different locations in
South Sudan. Of the total, 84 percent of these returnees are on transit
and 14 percent are returning to Abyei town and its surrounding villages.

(al)  WFP established a new partnership with the Sudanese Environmental
Conservation Society (SECS) in Kosti, White Nile state under
institutional feeding activities. SECS will provide wet feeding for 200
caretakers in 3 therapeutic feeding centres in Rabak, Kosti and Tendelty
hospitals under a joint programme with UNICEF targeting malnourished
children under the age of five.

(am)  To date, the Emergency Operation 10503.0 had received
contributions totaling US$310million, 42 percent of the US$746m
requirement. WFP should have received 80 per cent of its resource
requirements. WFP has been alerting donors as early as November 2005 on
the urgent need for timely donations to ensure provision of sufficient
food assistance to the affected population at the right time and for
pre-positioning purposes before the rainy season. Dire funding
shortfalls however forced WFP to cut rations in March, affecting 3.5
million people throughout Sudan and again further cuts in May, affecting
populations in Darfur, central areas and the East.

(an)  The Humanitarian Air Service (WFP-HAS) Special Operation
10181.3requires a total of US$27 million in 2006. With monthly operating
costs of over 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. Initially, the consequences of the funding shortfall
will lead to an imminent and sizeable reduction in both the fleet size
and the frequency of flights. Ultimately, the air service will be
suspended cutting off access to remote areas, which are not covered by
commercial operators and in many cases where humanitarian assistance is
most needed. This will include the helicopter service in Darfur, which
provides access for the humanitarian community to locations inaccessible
by land due to current and prevailing insecurity.

(ao)  Phase III of WFP's Emergency Road Repair and Mine Clearance
Special Operation 10368.0:  in South Sudan faces a funding shortfall of
US$66.5 million. In the absence of funding, the project is now missing
the beginning of the dry season for works under Phase III contracts.


(8) Tanzania

(a)  In April, UNHCR recorded the arrival of some 150 asylum-seekers
from Burundi and DRC in western Tanzania. This marked the end of an
influx of nearly 12,000 Burundians who entered Tanzania during the first
three months of 2006.

(b)  Furthermore in April, UNHCR facilitated the voluntary repatriation
of 221 Burundian refugees, continuing with the very low number of
returns during the first months of 2006. By comparison 2,006 people
repatriated in April last year and 9,127 in April 2004. UNHCR also
reported the voluntary repatriation of 772 Congolese refugees who passed
through the transit facility in Kigoma in April (2,610 in March). With
elections in DRC on the horizon and political developments
unpredictable, interest in repatriation remains low among the refugees.

(c)  A government proposal for WFP School Feeding programmes under COBET
project (Compulsory Basic Education of Tanzania) is being finalised by
all district authorities in Kigoma region. So far 20 pilot schools in
each of the three districts in Kigoma have been identified for the
project by district authorities in cooperation with WFP. The COBET
programme is already implemented in Ngara district where 30 schools are
enrolled under COBET.

(d)  The WFP refugee operations (PRRO) continues to distribute reduced
rations in order to extend resources in anticipation of shortfalls
expected in June 2006. Refugees were provided with a daily intake of
1,588 kcal, which is 76 percent of the approved ration level of 2,100
kcal. It is expected that WFP will continue distributing reduced rations
until additional resources are contributed to WFP.

(e)  General distribution covers 351,845 registered refugees. During the
reporting period, WFP distributed 1,243 tons of food through general
distribution, supplementary and therapeutic feeding in refugee camps in
western Tanzania. Around 8,573 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, home based care,
Food-for-Training and vulnerable feeding.

(f)  A shortfall of 19,624 tons (USD 12 million) exists up to the end of
December 2006. New contributions have not been received since the last
update on 10 May.


(9) Uganda

(a)  The British Secretary for International Development, Mr. Hilary
Benn, visited Uganda from 14 to 16 May. He visited northern Uganda,
where he met officials and aid workers in Kitgum district, before
meeting camp residents in Padibe Internally Displaced Person's (IDPs)
camp. In his talks with the President of Uganda on 16 May, he stated
that the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) conflict was a regional problem
that requires action from Uganda's neighbours. The President expressed
his willingness for a high-level envoy to address the regional aspect of
the conflict. Further, the President announced that the Government of
Uganda had reached an agreement with the Government of Southern Sudan to
give the leader of LRA a peace offer that will expire in July 2006.

(b)  The Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Allan Rock,
visited northern Uganda on 8 May to familiarize himself with the
humanitarian situation among IDPs. In Pader district, he visited Omot
IDP camp, where he met with women's groups, formerly abducted children
and visited WFP-supported recovery activities.

(c)  WFP will hold this year's Fight Hunger-Walk the World Campaign on
21 May in Kampala and WFP operational areas where WFP supports
conflict-affected people, drought-affected people, refugees and other
vulnerable persons. An estimated 50,000 are projected to participate.

(d)  WFP food distribution continues to reach 1.45 million displaced
persons, 165,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the past
two weeks, WFP distributed 4,050 tons of food assistance to 392,610
persons including IDPs sheltering in camps in Gulu, Pader, Kitgum and
Lira districts, refugees, children in nutrition centres and other
vulnerable persons.

(e)  WFP's pipeline shortfall through December 2006 is 64,000 tons (USD
35 million).  Grain prices in Uganda remain high, limiting the scope for
local purchase of cereals until the next harvest in late July 2006.
Regional demand for cereals also remains high due to the dry spell that
affected neighbouring countries. Rainfall has been well distributed
during the current growing season and the next harvest appears
encouraging. WFP relief distributions continue without oil and CSB, due
to temporary pipeline shortfalls.




(D) West Africa: (1) Chad (2) Cote d'Ivoire (3) Guinea (4) Senegal

(1) Chad

(a)  During the reporting period (4-17 May), the security situation in
the country remained calm. However, the overall atmosphere continues to
be volatile and unpredictable. In accordance with the latest SMT
decision, all relocated non-essential staff have been authorised to
return to Chad as of 15 May. Following the announcement of the results
of the presidential elections on 14 May, with the current President,
Idriss Deby Itno, winning 77.5 percent of the vote, there were reports
of shooting in the air to celebrate the victory, but the calm was
resumed shortly after.

(b)  In eastern Chad, the situation remains relatively tense, namely
along the border with the Sudan. There are continued reports of banditry
acts and cattle thefts by armed men, mostly in the areas of Farchana and
Goz-Beida.

(c)  Due to the prevailing insecurity, food deliveries to some
WFP-assisted schools under the CP in eastern Chad have been postponed.

(d)  The WFP/UNHCR targeted caseload is estimated at 211,100 refugees
registered in twelve camps in the month of May. Screening and
registration operations are ongoing. The general food distributions for
the month of May are ongoing and should be completed during the current
week.

(e)  The suspension of soap distributions by UNHCR since January 2006
due to shortage in stock has led to many protests among the refugees in
the Touloum and Am Nabak camps. This led to delays in the WFP food
distributions as the refugees demanded that soap be distributed before
the food. The lack of soap combined with scare water could lead to
deterioration in the health and sanitary conditions in the camps, which
would have a negative impact on the nutritional status of the refugees.

(f)  The problem of water scarcity in the Touloum, Iridimi and Am Nabak
camps has not yet been resolved. In Iridimi, the refugees are receiving
9.74 L per day, in Touloum, 8.35 L, and, in Am Nabak, 12.3 L in instead
of the recommended daily quantity of 15 L.

(g)  Shortages in firewood continue to raise concerns in the camps and
are increasing tensions with the local population. Despite firewood
collection activities by NGO partners and UNHCR in some camps, many
refugees decide to sell the wood they receive. Consequently, the
refugees continue to leave the camps in search of firewood and, in many
cases, are harassed or attacked.

(h)  Under WFP Food-for-work, WFP provided 3,381 tons of food to partner
Africare for the rehabilitation of a road in the Amleyoune region. The
working plan with CCF on FFW activities in Guereda remains on hold due
to security concerns in the area. Monitoring visits to the FFW sites of
IRD, ADESK and AFDI have also been postponed due to the prevailing
insecurity. In the Goz-Beida area, discussions are underway with
partners CHORA, INTERSOS and IRD in the prospect of launching new FFW
projects.

(i)  The second food deliveries to WFP-assisted schools under WFP School
Feeding in the Goz Beida area continue to be suspended as a result of
the unstable security situation. A training session on de-worming was
organised by UNICEF in Abeche during the reporting period. The activity
will cover 46 schools and will be conducted jointly by UNICEF, WFP and a
local health and education delegation. The schools assisted fall under
both the Emergency Operation and the Country Programme.

(j)  The final report of the WFP-led Emergency Food Security Assessment
(EFSA) mission for IDPs is expected to be released before the end of May
2006. The first part of the assessment was carried out in northern areas
of displacement (Adre-Alacha-Leyouna) from 25 to 28 April, while the
second part took place in southern areas of displacement
(Goz-Beida-Goz-Amir, Dogdore-Tur) from 5 to 8 May, excluding the Koloye
area for security reasons.

(k)  Preliminary findings indicate that security is the primary concern
for the IDPs, whose villages and lands were attacked and occupied by
armed militias. As regards their nutritional status, the mission found
that malnutrition rates were within low levels, with global acute
malnutrition at 7 percent and severe acute malnutrition at below 2
percent. Most of the severe cases are not related to lack of food but
rather to diseases that have an impact on food. Although nutritional
indicators are not alarming, they do however point towards an eventual
crisis that could happen if assistance is not provided very soon.

(l)  In all border areas, land is available with possibilities to
plant.. The yield is expected to be lower than usual, as most fertile
lands are inaccessible to the IDPs. With appropriate programmes to
support food security (seeds, seed protection and safety nets for
malnutrition), the situation should be under control. However, in order
for these programmes to be effective, WFP and ICRC plan to start
assistance as of late May. General food distributions are not envisaged
but rather targeted short and medium term interventions, such as seed
protection and food-for-work activities (estimated tonnage: 3,000 Mt).
WFP is identifying partners, such as Premiere Urgence and IRD for
small-scale activities, and possibly MSF-France in the area of
supplementary feeding.

(m)  The IDPs in Gouroukoune village (Goz-Beida) have opposed their
transfer to another site, which was scheduled to take place on 8 May
2006, despite efforts by WFP and various partners to dig wells in the
new sites and to sensitize the concerned IDPs. Nevertheless, the IDPs in
the Goz-Amir area have accepted to be reinstalled in Habile village,
near the Koukou-Goz-Beida axis. The operation is expected to start in
the upcoming days.

(n)  In country stocks in Abeche and the Extended Delivery Points (EDPs)
as of 15 May 2006 total 11,500 tons. This includes some 9,100 tons of
cereals and 2,400 tons of non-cereal commodities.

(o)  Pre-positioning of food for the rainy season is ongoing. As of the
reporting date, WFP has reached 63 percent of the planned
pre-positioning (April-October), including stock at EDPs and ongoing
dispatches. Pre-positioning in all 12 refugee camps is expected to be
completed before the end of June 2006.

(p)  Libyan Corridor, a convoy of 44 trucks carrying 1,150 tons arrived
in Iriba on 14 May and is being discharged. Another convoy carrying
1,300 tons is expected to arrive in Touloum shortly. Three convoys
carrying a total of 2,494 tons for Farchana, Abeche and Bredjing
departed from Kufra on 7 May 2006 and are currently en route to Chad. A
consignment of 2,250 tons for Oure Cassoni, Am Nabak and Kounoungou
departed from Kufra on 15 May. A total of 1,219 tons of CSB has arrived
in Benghazi and dispatched to Kufra, pending its allocation to the
central and northern camps. A consignment of 3,490 tons of sorghum is
expected to arrive in Benghazi shortly. For the Sudan operation, a total
of 2,485 tons are currently in stock in Abeche due to the closure of the
border, following the rebel assault on the capital in mid April.

(q)  In Douala Corridor, a total of 1,523 tons of cereals, 283 tons of
pulses, 71 tons of vegetable oil and 41 tons of CSB is expected to
arrive in Chad shortly. Some 810 tons of pulses are expected in Douala
by early June.

(r)  WFP has a contract with CST (Ets Compagnie Sucriere du Tchad) for
the local purchase of 366 tons of sugar. The first 80 tons have already
arrived in Abeche. Another 76 tons were dispatched from N'Djamena on 13
May.. CST expects to send another 40 tons later this week.

(s)  MSF-Holland released the results of a nutritional survey conducted
in the refugee camps of Farchana and Bredjing in March 2006. Findings
indicated that malnutrition rates have dramatically dropped since a
similar survey in March 2005, with Global Acute Malnutrition currently
at 5.79 percent as compared to 12.8 percent, and Severe Acute
Malnutrition at 0..4 percent as compared to 1.7 percent.Three cases of
meningitis were reported by MSF-Luxembourg in the Touloum refugee camp.

(t)  During the reporting period, WFP HAS transported a total of 264
passengers on the N'Djamena-Abeche routing (UN 21W) and 300 passengers
on the Abeche-eastern strips routing (UN 23W). A total of 3,042 kg of
light cargo was also uplifted.

(u)  EMOP 10327.1 has so far received a total of US$52.8 million,
representing 60.79 percent of the total requirement. Slow donor response
to the appeal has obliged WFP to borrow a total of US$8 million from its
internal emergency account to be able to pre-position enough food stocks
for the rainy season and cater to the needs of the refugees when most
camps are inaccessible. To date, WFP has only revolved US$3.2 million.
Funding is urgently required to allow WFP to revolve the outstanding
balance of US$4.6 million, which is equivalent to some 4,500 tons of
food.

(v)  WFP also need to mobilise additional funds to provide emergency
food assistance to the IDPs and host populations in eastern Chad. As the
'hunger season' approaches, it is certain that many of the displaced
will run out of food and require immediate assistance. WFP is also
concerned that further instability in the east will lead to the
displacement of a greater number of Chadians from their villages. This
will put additional pressure on both the financial resources available
to meet their needs and on WFP's ability to deliver food to them. To
this effect, a request for accessing CERF has been submitted through the
HC/RC following the completion of an Emergency Food Security Assessment
in early May.

(w)  Given the long lead time of food delivery to Chad (4 - 6 months),
contributions need to be confirmed urgently in order to avert a pipeline
break in November. This will allow WFP to maintain regular food supply
to the refugees and host communities in eastern Chad and to meet the
needs of the IDPs in the area.

(x)  The WFP Humanitarian Air Service, SO 10338.1, continues to face
serious under-funding, with a shortfall of US$4.8 million. Despite a
recent contribution of US$1.2 million from ECHO, WFP still needs to
revolve a total of US$1.8 million, which it borrowed from its own
emergency account to continue providing air services to the humanitarian
community until May 2006. The absence of additional confirmed
contributions will force WFP to suspend the air service very shortly.

(y)  The UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan
Egeland, visited eastern Chad on 10 May 2006. Accompanied by WFP Head of
Eastern Operations and WFP Head of Programme, Mr. Egeland visited the
Goz Beida area and met with refugees from the Djabal camp as well
internally displaced Chadians settled in the area.

(z)  WFP Regional Security Officer, Alain Pietrantoni, visited the areas
of Iriba Goz-Beida between 9 and 12 May 2006. Mr. Pietrantoni discussed
security issues with staff, inspected security items and installations
(radios, vehicles, fire security) and examined security procedures in
place, including staff travel, convoy movements and Minimum Operating
Security Standard (MOSS) compliance.


(2) Cote d'Ivoire

(a)  During the reporting period (11-17 May), the security situation
remained fairly calm overall the country. However, it is unpredictable
with the International Working Group meeting due to be held on 19 May at
the Headquarters of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cote d'Ivoire
(UNOCI). The demonstrations against UN and the French peacekeeping
forces announced for the 15th of May didn't take place. President
Laurent Gbagbo called for calm and full support to the Prime Minister
programme to not hinder the peace process.

(b)  On 14 May, the Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny announced in that
the process of identification to provide documents for people with no
proof of identity was due to start on 18 May through a pilot phase that
will last one week. Public trial hearings will be rolled out in seven
pilot sites which have been chosen to be a representative sample of what
will be done on a large scale in both Forces Nouvelles and Government
held zones.  The identification process, either under pilot phase or
under the nationwide operation will enable people over 13 years old born
in Cote d'Ivoire to obtain birth or identity certificates once village
chiefs, religious leaders and relatives confirm their origins. Ivorian
nationals can later use these certificates to obtain identity cards
while immigrants will be entitled to permits allowing them to reside in
the country.

(c)  The humanitarian agencies - OCHA, FAO, WFP, Caritas and MSF Belgium
- working in the western zone of Man joined the visit of the Minister of
the National Reconciliation to Bangolo on 12 May. From their discussions
with the displaced and some of their representatives, it has been
brought out that 4,444 displaced would have been registered in Bangolo
and the surroundings villages. Out of these 4,444 displaced 214 would be
hosted in the Catholic Church of Man. The displaced also expressed their
will both to resume dialogue with the other communities and to return
home provided the security is guaranteed.

(d)  Preliminary data collected by WHO as of 14 May showed that the 11th
round of the National Vaccination Days against the poliomyelitis
launched from 12 to 15 May 2006 all over the country reached 2,465,935
children and that 1,622,185 children were administrated with vitamin A.

(e)  Convoys of refugees to be repatriated to Liberia under the UNHCR
voluntary repatriation programme are going on a weekly basis.  Since
September 2004 an approximate 15,100 refugees have been repatriated to
date.

(f)  Cooking demonstrations started one month ago in the Regional
Directorate of Education of Man were going on in primary schools of
Ouronne and Kouibly villages. They aim at accommodating maize meal and
other commodities to make maize meal based menu part of the food habits.

(g)  Preliminary missions were conducted in the Northern West
(Bondoukou) and the Centre North (Katiola, Boniere, Niankaramandougou,
Botro, Broukro and Sakassou) to identify beneficiaries under the lean
season campaign that is due to start in June. The identification phase
of beneficiaries in the region of Korhogo under the WFP/FAO agriculture
project is completed. Joint WFP/FAO committees are set up. Final
beneficiaries' listings were being established by the 2 cooperating
partners ARK and ILES to be validated by WFP and FAO.

(h)  As of 17 May 2006, the regional PRRO operation (Cote d'Ivoire,
Burkina, Ghana, Mali) has received a total of 36.8 million US dollars
against the operational needs of 50.1 million US dollars (26.4%
shortfall or 13.2 million US dollars against operational requirements).
Additional funding is requested in order to avoid pipeline breaks.

(i)  A WFP unit has been opened in Odienne, North West of the country..
Two staff reassigned from Guiglo sub-office are sharing premises with
OCHA, UNICEF and UNDP. It intends to closely monitor WFP activities in
that area, mainly the school feeding activities and the agriculture.


(3) Guinea

(a)  During the reporting period, (1-14 May), a new increase in oil
prices was announced. The price of gasoline, gas and kerosene has been
fixed at 5,500 Guinean Francs per litter, while it previous cost was at
4,100 and 4,200. No violent reactions have been reported yet. As a
consequence, the cost of transport has suffered a sudden increase of
over 40%. The price of staple commodities has equally increased.  There
is a hostile environment and rumors of possible protests and strikes are
circulating. A heavy presence of military forces has been observed in
the streets of the Guinean capital.

(b)  Attacks on private houses and businesses continued to be reported
frequently in Kissidougou and N'Zerekore. Gun shots are heard frequently
at nighttime and a number of people have been reportedly killed.

(c)  The N'zerekore region, in the south of Guinea, risks of being
isolated, especially during the rainy season, if the government does not
take measures to repair the Gueckedou-Macenta road. UN security officers
will assess an alternate route for the passage of small vehicles. The
poor conditions of roads are affecting the dispatch of food in the
Forest region.

(d)  During the reporting period, under the Protracted Relief and
Recovery Operation (PRRO), WFP distributed 195 tons of food to 22,148
beneficiaries.

(e)  A total of 1,252 Liberian refugees were voluntary repatriated
during the reporting period. WFP provided food for the preparation of
hot meals for refugees participating in the convoys. Additionally, in
order to accelerate the repatriation process, the 355 participants of
the convoy which took off from Kountaya camp on 12 May, received next
month's food distribution in exchange of their beneficiary cards.

(f)  Guinean refugee camps host currently over 46,345 individuals who
are being assisted by WFP. The present count includes 3,119 refugees
from Ivory Coast and the balance from Liberia. During the reporting
period, a total of 265 tons were distributed to 20,555 beneficiaries
during the February General Food Distribution in Kouankan 1 and 2,
Kountaya and Telikoro camps.

(g)  During the coordination meeting of 2 May, UNHCR informed its
partners that a door to door verification exercise would be conducted
from 3 - 6 May in Kola camp. The preliminary conclusions of this
exercise confirmed that many families are no longer in the camp or are
partly gone.

(h)  During the reporting period, joint mission composed of ACF, CRS,
UNHCR and WFP delegates was conducted to Kola camp, to present the
composition of the rations to be distributed in the coming general food
distributions.

(i)  WFP and the general distribution partners continued to put in place
additional controls in general food distribution points in camps in
order to strengthen the control of beneficiaries and avoid
irregularities.

(j)  The food distributions for the third trimester of the 2005-2006
school year continued in Youmou prefecture despite the problems
encountered with the N'Zerekore transporter union. On 11 May, the food
dispatching to participant schools in Beyla prefecture started. The
preparation of the dispatch plan for Lola and Gueckedou prefectures was
also completed during the reporting period. During this last dispatch,
the quantities of food distributed to schools are being carefully
measured in order to avoid left over at the end of the school year. The
food dispatch to Lola and Gueckedou prefectures will take place after
distributions in Beyla and Youmou prefectures are completed.

(k)  Food distributions continued to be challenged mainly due to the
lack of compliance by the N'Zerekore transporter union. As an
alternative, WFP is negotiating agreements with the transport unions at
the level of prefectures. Meanwhile, the sub-office is making use of all
its logistical capacities to accelerate the distribution process.

(l)  Monitoring visits were conducted to the therapeutic nutritional
centers in Gueckedou hospital and Macenta hospital. A mission of USAID
officials went to N'Zerekore to do an assessment of the ongoing HIV/AIDS
related activities in the area. On 5 April, they met with WFP
N'Zerekore.


(4) Senegal

(a)  On Wednesday 15 March 2006, the Guinea Bissau army started to
exchange fire with Senegalese separatist rebels based in Guinea Bissau
territory.. Several people were reportedly killed and wounded in the
campaign waged by Guinea Bissau army troops to uproot the rebels from
its territorial borders. A mission report in the affected zones,
estimated the number of displaced people at 2,100 people most of them in
the city of Ziguinchor where they have found kin and friends to turn to
for support. A transit camp was set up in Bourgardie.  The number of
people that found refuge in various villages in Casamance was at first
roughly estimated at 500 but this number could have increased given the
departure of some people from the Bourgardie camp; the announcement of
the transfer of the camp to Guerina might have led some people to find
another way to remain close to the border and thus to their villages and
productive assets in Guinea Bissau.

(b)  Attacks of the Bissau Guinean army against the Senegalese
separatist rebels ardently resumed last week after the end of the
ultimatum which was not met by the rebels. Senegal is under security
phase 0, with the exception of the regions of Kolda and Ziguinchor which
are under phase 1.Two vehicles (one from UNICEF) were highjacked near
Bignona (region of Ziguinchor) on 14 April.

(c)  The worsening of the security situation for civilians is compounded
by the allegation that the rebel group has been planting more landmines
and looting the belongings of villagers in the areas they occupy. The
presence of landmines in the regions of Ziguinchor and Kolda has limited
WFP and other partners' access to contaminated areas within the context
of the PRRO and seriously undermines the overall rehabilitation process
and the economic development of Casamance.

(d)  ICRC is preparing a project aiming at assisting IDPs and host
families affected by this conflict; the planned number of IDPs to be
assisted is estimated by ICRC at 12,000, including 2,500 in Ziguinchor.
WFP Senegal is ready to continue its partnership with ICRC, pending the
finalisation of the intervention modalities, however interventions
should be coordinated within the Regional Committee for the Coordination
of the Management of Refugees, Repatriates and Displaced Persons.

(e)  The displaced wishing to settle permanently in the Casamance could
eventually be assisted by WFP in the context of the ongoing PRRO in
Casamance. For the time being, since most displaced persons have
expressed the willingness to return home at the end of the conflict,
WFP's assistance will depend on the daily evolution of the security
situation as well as on the strategy to be established in coordination
with the UNCT, the Government of Senegal and other development and
humanitarian partners.

(f)  Donor response to the WFP ongoing PRRO in Casamance has been far
below expectations: the PRRO in the Casamance has been funded at only 28
percent of its 2005-06 budget of $18.6-million USD. Despite this low
funding level, the PRRO assisted 329,206 people in 2005 with an overall
tonnage of 2,932 tons. The beneficiaries of WFP assistance are the most
affected populations by the Casamance conflict.

(g)  The implementation of the PRRO in Casamance has been hampered by a
serious lack of resources. To help the WFP Senegal Country Office better
cope with the current crisis and the potential larger crisis, WFP is
appealing for donors to sustain and increase their support to its PRRO
in Casamance. If warranted by the humanitarian context, WFP could borrow
some resources from its development Country Programme 2002-2006 for the
PRRO in Casamance, in the case of a life-saving operation.

(h)  WFP VAM (Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping) analysis and the
latest household budget and consumption of Senegal indicated that the
Casamance region (Ziguinchor and Kolda in particular) is highly
vulnerable to food insecurity and is the poorest of Senegal. The
incidence of poverty in Ziguinchor and Kolda is, respectively, 67.1
percent and 66.5 percent. Given its limited resources and the
potentially high influx of refugees and IDPs, the vulnerability of
targeted households to food insecurity in the region could reach a
worrisome level if the ongoing skirmishes do not quickly come to an end.




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

(1) Angola

(a)  The joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment Mission (CFSAM) have
concluded its field assessments.  Preliminary findings indicate that due
to erratic rains in south-eastern and central Angola, which began in
December 2005, this year's cereal production will be significantly lower
than last year's.  The mission is still working on production estimates.

(b)  WFP's programme aimed at improving maternal and child health will
start in June with 10,000 people in Luanda and 5,000 in Huambo. The
programme was designed to work as an incentive for pregnant and
lactating women to take advantage of the medical services in the country
and to improve the nutrition of mother and child through the
distribution of take-home rations at hospitals.  Pregnant and lactating
mothers will receive food from the third month of pregnancy until twelve
months after delivery.


(2) Lesotho

(a)  From May 2006, WFP and Cooperating Partners provided food to just
over 20,000 people.  Beneficiaries were participants in HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, mother and childcare, orphans and other vulnerable
children programmes, as well as Food-for-Work and Food-for-Assets
projects.


(3) Madagascar

(a)  The average price of rice on the market remains relatively stable
in the majority of the countries 22 regions. The stability corresponds
to regular market supply from various origins, such as remaining stocks
from the previous year, the first and second season harvest, and the
wide availability of imported rice. However, in the western region of
Melaky, the price of rice has increased due to the fact that the harvest
will take place in June and last year stocks are nearing depletion.

(b)  Seasonal rains have ended six to eight weeks early across the
southern portion of the country and have resulted in the development of
drought conditions. There is growing concern that the situation may
generate food shortages during the next lean season.  According to SAP
(Systeme d'Alerte Precoce), erratic rainfall has affected 21 counties in
seven districts in Tulear Province. Irregular rainfall has also been
reported in the southeast, and to a lesser extent, in the south-western
part of the country. In areas where the SAP is not present, an
assessment will be conducted to quantify the population in need of food
and non-food assistance.

(c)  WFP's nutritional interventions in Vangaindrano will come to a
close at the end of May. Global malnutrition rates have reportedly
dropped to 10 percent, well within the norms for Madagascar at this time
of year. Strategies are under review in order to improve the coping
capacity of this vulnerable region during the next lean period before
the harvest.


(4) Malawi

(a)  The food security situation is generally stable with people
consuming their own harvest. Those small numbers of people who are
purchasing maize are predominately from peri-urban areas that had no
land for cultivation. However, food prices remain affordable due to low
demand and abundant market supply. Some farmers are still harvesting
maize, sorghum and millet as well as making preparations for winter
planting. ADMARC markets do not have maize grain for sale however maize
seed is available for winter cropping.


(5) Swaziland

(a)  Harvesting of maize is ongoing in the Lowveld. Reports from farmers
indicate they expect a yield of about 250 kilos per hectare. According
to agriculture extension officers, a rain- fed field would normally
produce a harvest of approximately 1 ton per hectare. The decline in
maize production has been attributed to erratic weather during the
farming season. However, some farmers in the area who planted their crop
as late as April still have their crop at the vegetative stage. Although
the rainy season has passed, these farmers are hopeful that they will
receive a good harvest.


(6) Zimbabwe

(a)  According to Zimbabwe's national newspaper The Herald, the
Government has announced that the expected maize harvest for 2005/06
will be 1.8 million tons, meeting the country's food requirement as well
as supplying national strategic reserves. Other sources have placed
maize production at 700,000 to 900,000 tons, as reported by the Zimbabwe
Grain Producers' Association (ZGPA), a commodities body of the
Commercial Farmers' Union, and the United States Department of
Agriculture. According to FAO, the national, human consumption
requirement of cereals is estimated at 1.4 million tons.

(b)  According to the Central Statistical Office, the annual rate of
inflation has risen to 1,043 percent from 914 percent, with food prices
accounting for a greater part of the increase.  WFP price monitoring has
shown year on year food inflation at nearly 2,000 percent, outpacing
inflation in other sectors.

(c)  Harvesting is at the peak in most parts of the country, with
increased availability of maize meal on the open market. Field reports
indicate that the price of maize is generally stable or on the decline,
with the exception being the Bulawayo area, where price increases are
attributed to transportation costs.

(d)  On Monday, more than 10,000 people, identified as squatters, were
rounded up by the Police, under "Operation Round Up". According to local
officials, most adults and street vendors collected during the round up
have since been released, while children and homeless people were
relocated to orphanages and shelters.




(F) Asia: (1) Indonesia (2) Korea (DPR) (3) Laos (4) Myanmar (5) Nepal
(6) Timor Leste

(1) Indonesia

(a)  Some 12,000 conflict affected people in Central mountainous part of
Aceh received food aid, upon special request of the Government.

(b)  Some 16,526 people in Langsa Barat and Langsa Timur of Aceh Timur
district, who were affected by the repeated floods, received food
ration. A follow-up assessment concluded that the population would not
require additional food aid. However, since recurrences of floods can be
prevented by rehabilitating and maintaining irrigation channels, the
possibility of implementing Food-for-Work (FFW) with the local
government is under discussion.

(c)  From April, WFP launched the School Feeding (SF) programme with
Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Aceh Barat district, reaching 20,000
primary school students and teachers.

(d)  Mother and Child Nutrition (MCN) programme commenced in Aceh Utara
and Aceh Barat Daya districts, also in cooperation with the PMI. In
Aceh, the remaining stocks of canned fish were distributed and from May
2006, the Targeted Food-for-Recovery (TFFR) monthly food basket will be
comprised of rice (10 kg), fortified vegetable oil (0.75 kg) and
fortified noodles (being planned). In April, 336 villagers in Aceh Utara
received food under Food-For-Training (FFT) on Water and Sanitation, in
cooperation with CordAid.  Meanwhile, Some 544 persons from 136 posyandu
were trained by WFP in Aceh Utara regarding the modalities of the
implementation of the MCN programme.

(e)  In Calang, under FFW, an existing 21 kilometers of irrigation canal
filled with debris was cleaned. With 160 participants, the project was
completed in five days. With its irrigation system repaired, villagers
have begun to plant seeds in their rice field. Meulaboh Sub Office
started FFT in two sub districts in Aceh Barat with World Vision
International providing 935 trainees with rice ration.

(f)  In East Java, the Sub-Office plans to phase out of 60 urban schools
under SF and would expand to food insecure districts of Bondowoso and
Sampang, in consultation with the local authorities. A similar phase out
from urban schools in Jakarta and covering more rural schools is being
planned.

(g)  Children's Art for the School Feeding Design Competition for 2006 -
Sub Offices of Surabaya, NTT, Banda Aceh, as well as schools under SF
programme in South Sulawesi, NTB and Greater jakarta selected 60
drawings that were displayed in Jakarta Office for voting by all Jakarta
staff.  The final selection of 7 drawings was sent to headquarters.
The selected 60 drawings will be presented at the exhibition of Walk the
World on 21 May 2006.

(h)  The final report of the second Nutrition and Health Assessment in
Aceh Province and Nias Island in September 2005 was shared by UNICEF.
The nutrition survey served as a tool for better targeting of WFP's
programme especially for SFP and MCN for 2006. The report concluded that
"the Emergency Relief efforts seem to have positive impact on at-risk
groups and to have reduced the potential impact of the tsunami on acute
under nutrition". At the same time, however, the report noted the need
to provide adequate micronutrients to younger children.

(i)  New construction of permanent warehouse is on-going in Aceh Besar
near the military airport. 2,500 square meters of warehouse is expected
to be completed in July. This initiative is to establish alternative
storage facility inland.

(j)  In Sulawasi contracting was finalized for WFP's high-profile
project supporting the rehabilitation of 5 churches, 5 mosques, and one
hospital in the Poso-Tentena area, which has been affected by religious
violence. This project supports the Government's efforts at peace and
reconciliation in the region.  The Coordinating Minister and WFP
representatives will attend a ceremony for the start of construction in
May.

(k)  In Papua, work also began in Yakuhimo on the construction of 17
community and food storage centers.  This high visibility project is in
support of the Government's efforts to reduce hunger in this remote
province.  The President of the Republic of Indonesia is scheduled to
visit the progress of this WFP project in June.

(l)  Construction of a center for approximately 150 street children in
Jakarta is expected to be completed in June.

(m)  A total of 24 people have now died as a result of Avian Influenza.
The Country Office continues to monitor closely all developments related
to Avian Influenza, and is working with the UN Country Team to prepare
for any possible outbreak.

(n)  WFP will need a total of USD160 million for the current PRRO
10069..1 in 2006-2007, which is comprised of USD 88 million for Aceh and
Nias and USD 72 million elsewhere.  As of April 2006, only 36 percent of
the operation has been funded, leaving a 64 percent or USD 125.09
million shortfall against total PRRO requirements.  For the central and
eastern parts of Indonesia, including Greater Jakarta, East Java, South
Sulawesi, NTB and NTT, where malnutrition is highly prevalent,
especially among women and children, only 60 percent of the planned
beneficiaries are receiving assistance due to lack of funding.  If no
fresh contribution is announced soon, the CO will be forced to cut the
operation further by reducing assistance for the most needy people in
the most food insecure areas of Indonesia.


(2) Korea (DPR)

(a)  In the DPRK, the Letter of Understanding (LoU) between WFP and the
Government, outlining the conditions for the implementation of WFP's new
PRRO, was signed in Pyongyang on 10 May 2006 by the WFP Regional
Director for Asia, Anthony Banbury and Mr. Ri Hung Sik, in his capacity
as Secretary-General of the National Coordinating Committee for WFP
(NCC), enabling WFP to proceed with its food aid programme.

(b)  Under the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 10488.0,
approved on 23 February 2006 by WFP's Executive Board, WFP plans to
provide 150,000 tons of commodities to 1.9 million North Koreans over
two years..

(c)  The LoU underlines WFP's commitment to providing food to those most
in need - especially women and young children, while at the same time
supporting the recovery efforts of the Government.  The health and
nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups will be promoted
through Mother and Child Nutrition programmes, School Feeding and Local
Food Production (LFP). The Government's long-term goal of achieving food
security will be supported through community-based initiatives under the
Food-for-Community-Development (FFCD) component.

(d)  While in years past WFP's resources were spread across all
accessible counties - 160 out of 203 for much of 2005 - the new
programme envisages a more focused approach.  The LoU has detailed where
the programme should begin, building in flexibility for scaling up
assistance to further vulnerable areas in the future through newly
instituted quarterly joint programme review meetings between NCC and
WFP.

(e)  Thirty focus counties have been agreed upon for the start-up phase
of the operation.  A further 20 focus counties should in principle be
agreed in the future, and added to the operation as resources become
available.. Both sides have agreed not to allocate WFP assistance beyond
50 counties for the time being in the belief that initial resources
should be concentrated in order to produce the greatest benefit.

(f)  Food distributions and associated monitoring stopped, as did WFP's
support for 19 factories that had been producing enriched foods for
undernourished children and women. The agency's five sub-offices outside
the capital were shut down, and many international staff members were
reassigned to other duty stations.

(g)  Since the signing of the LoU last week, a local food production
factory resumed production of rice-milk-blend (RMB) on 11 May.  RMB is a
micronutrient- fortified food that goes to WFP's most vulnerable
beneficiaries - hospital inpatients and children in orphanages, and will
start being delivered to these children within a week of the factory
re-opening.

(h)  Preparations are being made for an additional seven factories to
resume production in the days ahead.  In total, the new operation will
start with 3 biscuit factories for primary school students and 5 blended
food factories producing fortified blended foods to meet the special
nutrient requirements of pregnant/nursing women, and young children in
kindergartens, nurseries, orphanages and hospitals.

(i)  WFP ended ten years of emergency assistance to the DPRK on 31
December 2005 after the government, citing better harvests and domestic
concerns about the emergence of a dependency culture declared it would
in the future accept only assistance that addressed medium- and
long-term needs.


(3) Laos

(a)  No security phase is currently in place in the Lao PDR; however
travel is restricted to the following areas: Saisomboun District
Vientiane Province, Thathom District and Phoukout District Xiengkhuang
Province, Viangthong District Houphan Province, Khop and Xianghon
Districts, N/W of Xayabouri Province.

(b)  During the month of April, WFP Laos distributed 113 tons of rice to
3,753 people affected by floods and chronic food insecurity of which
2,721 were women and children. This follows comprehensive food needs
assessments which were carried out in three provinces during this period
by WFP and government counterparts and which will continue in two
additional provinces during the month of May.

(c)  Following the assessments, WFP intends to continue providing relief
food to flood affected villages and other villages that suffer from
immediate food shortages. Additionally, the targeting of villages for
Food-for-Work (FFW) schemes to be implemented in the first half of 2006
has been completed and FFW activities have started.

(d)  WFP has submitted a request for clearance from Unexploded Ordnance
(UXO) in approved and affected villages for 2006 implementation to three
clearing companies (UXO Lao, MAG and FSD). A detailed list of approved
schemes in these villages will follow. It is hoped that the clearance
capacity is sufficient to clear all WFP approved schemes prior to the
FFW implementation.

(e)  Some 2,000 tons of rice is needed to assist households that have
been seriously affected by floods during the last rainy season or which
are facing severe food shortages due to recent resettlement and other
shocks. As most farmers are subsistence farmers with one single rice
harvest per year using the monsoon rain, affected people are facing food
shortages of their staple food until the next harvest at the end of
2006. Current rice stocks will be depleted after distributions to the
second round of flood affected villages are complete.


(4) Myanmar

(a)  A Field Level Memorandum of Understanding between the United
Nations Children's Fund and the World Food Programme in Myanmar was
signed on 28 April in Yangon by UNICEF Representative and WFP Country
Director. An action plan for increased cooperation in the fields of
education and nutrition is being finalized between the two sister
agencies.

(b)  The UN Task Force on Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) met on 3 May
and finalized the vaccination campaign for seasonal flu for all UN staff
and dependents. AHI Contingency Plan for WFP Myanmar is underway to be
completed within two weeks.

(c)  Following the recommendations of the WFP Evaluation Missions for
both the PRRO and the EMOP, budget revisions to extend both operations
in time through 31 December 2006 are under preparation. The EMOP is
currently 78 percent resourced and the PRRO resources stand at 68
percent, hence, there are outstanding resource requirements for the
extension period.

(d)  Tropical Cyclone Mala formed in the Bay of Bengal reached Myanmar
on the morning of 29 April. Local communities were reported to have been
alerted to the arrival of the cyclone on 28 April through national early
warning systems; as a result, many citizens and tourists visiting the
coastal areas were relocated to safer shelters. On 30 April, WFP joined
assessment missions to Irrawaddy and West Bago Divisions as well as
Southern Rakhine State together with the International Federation of the
Red Cross (IFRC), UNICEF and ADRA. On 8 and 9 May, WFP also carried out
a joint assessment with World Vision, Metta Development Foundation and
Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Baw Mi area where the affect
of the cyclone was most severe.

(e)  The rapid assessments indicated needs in the following sectors:
shelter, food, and non-food items (blankets, clothes, mosquito nets,
etc.). National authorities rapidly started providing relief to affected
households. Although assistance from the international agencies has not
been officially requested, at the local level authorities welcome relief
assistance to affected populations. WFP and other agencies are closely
coordinating their possible assistance through the coordination group
and plans are underway to provide support for shelters and restore
damaged infrastructure (schools/bridges and dams).

(f)  Under EMOP 10345.1, a total of 740 tons of rice was dispatched to
Taunggyi, Lashio, Laokai and Pang Kham Sub-Offices for Food-for-
Education, Food- for- Work and Food- for- Training activities. Over the
past two weeks, WFP staff have been monitoring of Non Food Items
projects and Food- for- Work projects before the onset of the rainy
season.

(g)  Under PRRO 10066.2, a total of 15 tons of mixed food commodities
was dispatched to Maungdaw where pre-positioning of food for the
Vulnerable Group Feeding and Food-for- Education activities that are
scheduled to begin in June.

(h)  Implementation modalities for the pilot Mother and Child Nutrition
project are being negotiated with Cooperating Partners to start in July
in Northern Rakhine State, Magway and Kokang in Shan State.


(5) Nepal

(a)  With road travel severely curtailed, schools shut and major cities
under curfew during the 20 days strike, WFP has not been able to deliver
critically needed food aid to communities around the country during this
period. However, a full resumption of the activities started immediately
after the proclamation of a 3 month ceasefire.

(b)  After food shipments to the Bhutanese refugees were disrupted
following the start of the general strike on 6 April, WFP and UNHCR
organized food convoys to the camps and appealed to all parties for safe
passage.  The convoys have been traveling without hindrance since 18
April.

(c)  Preliminary investigation has confirmed a particular difficult
"hunger gap" for some mid-west and far-west districts where the last two
harvests have been successively much lower than average due to an
exceptionally dry winter and very poor/erratic monsoon rains of last
summer. After collection of pre-EFSA data, it appears that additional
external food assistance will be needed on an emergency basis. WFP, in
collaboration with FAO, is currently preparing to launch a new EMOP to
respond to the drought.

(d)  The Country Programme Evaluation / Appraisal mission will take
place from 21 May to 16 June. As for the PRRO, a Joint HCR-WFP
Assessment Mission (JAM) will be fielded from 29 May to 9 June.

(e)  Despite sizeable donor contributions mobilized locally, WFP Nepal
is still experiencing serious resourcing constraints to cover
requirements of the second quarter of 2006 for activities under the
Country Programme. It is likely that WFP Nepal will not be in a position
to provide complete food basket to the beneficiaries and/or that
consequent pipeline break will bring the implementation of the
activities to a standstill.  In order to avoid a pipeline break for the
PRRO, USD 3.26 million is required to resource an additional 9,026 tons
of food commodities for the remainder of the operation.


(6) Timor Leste

(a)  Social unrest broke out on 28 April resulting in a mass movement of
Dili residents both inside and outside of the capital city looking for
safe haven.  Approximately 14,500 people left their homes and sought
refuge in schools, churches and other areas.  Security Phase I is still
in effect despite disturbances.

(b)  In response to the potential crisis, an in-country humanitarian
response team was established on 1 May. Led by the Ministry of Labor and
Community Reinsertion and supported by the International Federation of
the Red Cross and Cruz Vermilion Timor-Leste (national Red Cross), the
team was comprised of UN agencies including WFP, IOM and various NGOs.

(c)  Although movement out of camps and back to Dili has been low, the
situation in camps and in Dili is stable. Many people in the camps are
returning home in the day but returning to the camps at night. Water and
sanitation have become a concern and groups are working to provide fresh
water, soap and portable toilets to the camps. The situation is reported
to be less stable, however, in surrounding district, particularly in
Ermera.

(d)  The Government says that they have enough food (rice) to distribute
to displaced persons for one month; however, WFP has provided food to
supplement Government rations. Upon request from the President of
Timor-Leste and the Minister of Labor and Community Reinsertion, WFP
provided high energy biscuits (BP5) for IDPs at the end of April, and
again in May (most recently on 18 May where 2.5 tons of BP5 were
distributed to 5,000 of the most vulnerable IDPs in camps). Overall
during the past weeks 14.5 tons of BP5 have been made available by WFP.
WFP continues to work closely with the Ministry of Labor and Community
Reinsertion, UN team, IFCR and NGOs for humanitarian assistance
coordination.

(e)  Travel advisory for all regions is as follows: no movement at
night; no travel without communication; travel plans are submitted for
approval to the Regional Security Officers, and security clearance must
be obtained before traveling to countries where security phases are in
effect.

(f)  As a result of the disturbances, planned food deliveries for MCH
and SF activities in Liquica and Ainaro districts have been temporarily
halted. Activities will be resumed as soon as the situation returns to
normal and security clearance for travel outside of Dili is permitted.

(g)  WFP, with the Ministry of Education and Culture had distributed 47
tons of mixed commodities to students in Oecussi district during the
month of April. Monitoring activities are underway Ainaro, Liquica and
Oecussi Districts.

(h)  The Ministry of Health and WFP recently launched the Maternal and
Child Health in Oecussi District.  Food delivery totaled 41 metric tons
of CSB, oil and sugar for 471 pregnant and lactating women and 1,881
children under the age of five. MCH activities in the remaining two
districts, Bobonaro and Covalima, are under preparation, with food
delivery planned for mid-May.




(G) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Colombia (2) Ecuador (3) Guatemala

(1) Colombia

(a)  The rainy season is affecting all provinces of Colombia; however,
over the past several days there has been particularly heavy rainfall in
the provinces of Antioquia, Choco and Boyaca. Colombian authorities have
reported that 95 people have died and some 217 are severely wounded due
to landslides, floods. The National Emergency Agency reported that more
than 79,450 people (about 16,000 families) are affected by the heavy
rains which began mid March. According to the Colombian Red Cross, the
rainy season has affected 134 municipalities in 21 of the 33 Colombian
Provinces. In all affected areas, the Colombian Government, with support
from the Colombian Red Cross, are providing support to the affected
population through distributions of Food Items and Non-Food Items.

(b)  At least 680 people from the indigenous community of Conondo, Alto
Andagueda (Municipality of Bagado), Province of Choco, are facing
blockades and threats issued from members of an illegal armed group
located in the area. No further information has been issued about this
situation but WFP local office will monitor the situation in order to
provide a humanitarian response if required.

(c)  Massive displacements have been reported in the southern Province
of Narino. More than 1,400 people from remote villages and rural areas
have been forced to flee due to strong clashes between the Colombian
Army and illegal armed groups. Displaced families have temporarily
settled in the village of Sanchez (located near the Municipality of
Policarpa).  Affected families have received humanitarian assistance and
emergency supplies from the Government and from international
organizations. WFP is about to open a Satellite Office in this province
as part of Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 10366.

(d)  The province of Antioquia has also reported individual
displacements from different municipalities towards the city of
Medellin.  According to the Presidential Agency for Social Action, at
least 110 people from the towns of Chigorodo, Ituango, Granada, San
Carlos, Dabeiba, Carmen de Viboral, El Bagre, Medellin, Uramita, Canas
Gordas, Campamento, Taraza, Yolombo, Segovia, and Remedios were forced
to flee due to threats from illegal armed groups.

(e)  Situation remains tense in the southwestern Province of Narino. The
Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining (Ingeominas) maintains the
"level two" alert issued on 27 March due to increased activity of the
Galeras volcano. Several communities around the volcano are at high risk
and many of them have been temporarily relocated. National and local
authorities are making progress in upgrading 12 temporary shelters in
the Municipalities of Pasto, Narino and La Florida. According to
information provided by the Colombian Red Cross, an estimated 489
households (2,366 persons) are now hosted in five temporary shelters in
the Municipality of Pasto. Another 7 temporary shelters remain empty
because reluctance of the population to move from high risk areas. The
authorities have asked the UN system to help persuade the communities at
risk to move to safe locations. WFP does not develop any food aid
activity in this province; however, an emergency plan of action among
WFP and other UN agencies has been prepared in case the volcano erupts
and emergency humanitarian aid is required.  WFP Colombia is planning to
open a new satellite Office in this province as part of PRRO 10366.

(f)  During the reporting period, WFP carried out field visits as part
of a pilot study regarding possibilities to enhance security and dignity
of its beneficiaries.

(g)  Under the new PRRO 10366, "Assistance to People Displaced by
Violence", WFP delivered 447 tons of food in 14 provinces to 32,637
beneficiaries, especially in, Food-for-Work, Food -for-Training, School
and Preschool Feeding, Nursing and Expectant Mothers and Emergency Food
Aid as part of PRRO 10366.


(2) Ecuador

(a)  On 10 May, thousands of protesters from the Amazonian Provinces of
Orellana and Sucumbios and the indigenous organization Conaie,
demonstrated in Quito against Oxy Oil Company. The government said the
Oxy's contract could be renegotiated. Political leaders have stated that
if the government renegotiated the contract, indigenous organizations
will launch a nationwide uprising.

(b)  Santa Rosa, La Calerita, Shobol, and Shobol Llinllin communities
were declared in emergency last week as the Baisan hill is at risk of
more landslides.  400 families have been evacuated and two deaths were
reported and several people wounded. Evacuated families are reluctant to
live in temporary shelters.

(c)  The Red Cross and Civil Defense continue to assist affected
communities in coordination with the Emergency Operation Committee.

(d)  Since last week, villages along the province of Carchi, bordering
with Colombia are in alert regarding confrontations between Colombian
troops and Frente 48 FARC's guerrilla. Ecuadorian troops have reinforced
their presence in the area; however, they are concerned that this
situation might force Colombian population to flee to Ecuadorian
villages along the border.

(e)  According to the National Geophysical Institute, volcanic activity
at Tungurahua Volcano has increased alarmingly as strong explosions and
hundred of tremors are registered several times during the day, with
moderate and strong emissions of steam and gas, and very low ash fall.
Permanent loud roars coming from the volcano and incandescent rocks were
reported also.  Volcanic activity has affected several communities in
the Provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo, which are in high risk, as a
result of volcanic explosions broken windows have been reported in
several cantons near the volcano. The Emergency Operation Committee is
activated and several families have been evacuated.

(f)  According to the Contingency Agreement between WFP, the Ministry of
Agriculture, the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Civil Defense, WFP
continues to coordinate and distribute food rations with Emergency
Operation Committees to flood affected families in the coastal Provinces
of Guayas, Los Rios, El Oro, and Manabi.

(g)  A WFP Team continues to update information and monitoring flood
affected areas.

(h)  Red Cross continues to collaborate with WFP, and also continue to
coordinate with provincial COE's and other institutions.

(i)  Results of the assessment undertaken by the Civil Defense and the
Red Cross determined that communities are in a vulnerable situation as
the Baisan hill is at risk to fall down.  However, at the moment needs
are covered and the situation is under control.

(j)  WFP will assist immediately approximately 10,000 beneficiaries
(2,000 families) who were affected by the floods in the Province of Los
Rios. As the main house-hold activity in this province is agriculture,
which has been severely affected by the floods, these families have lost
their main source of income.  This number continues to be updated
through monitoring missions.

(k)  ECU EMOP 10381.0 - "Food assistance for the refugee population
affected by the armed conflict in Colombia", some 376 tons of
commodities (33,000 food rations) were delivered to provincial
warehouses in Quito and Lago Agrio. Food ration elaboration process will
start on 17 May. Food distribution to UNHCR's local distribution
agencies will start on 24 May.

(l)  According to the Food Contingency Agreement between WFP, the
Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and the Civil
Defense in coordination with the Red Cross, 50 food rations were
delivered to assist victims of the Calerito Santa Rosa community
landslide.

(m)  ECU IR - EMOP 10524.0 has been approved to assist flood affected
families in Los Rios coastal province.  This operation will be financed
by contribution of US$145,000. The duration of this operation will be
three months (5 May to 6 July).

(n)  Ecuador EMOP 10381.0 has received US$100,000 contribution to
continue its operations.


(3) Guatemala

(a)  On 15 May, a meeting with the participation of Mesoamerica Famine
Early Warning Systema (MFEWS) and the Secretariat of Food and
Nutritional Security (SESAN) was held to arrange the presentation of the
EFSA final results that will be on 26 May. The institutions that will
take part on this activity will be the UN agencies, Ministry of Health
(MoH), Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA), SESAN, and PROSAN (Food and
Nutritional Security Program) as well as to the main NGOs which are
working on food security matters.  Margarita Lovon, Emergency Food
Security Specialists, from the Regional Bureau will impart the report.

(b)  In some areas of the highlands, heavy rains have caused some
landslides preventing the normal traffic of vehicles.  Along the coastal
line (south coast), some flooding has been reported; fortunately,
without consequences on human lives. The Committee for Disaster
Reduction (CONRED) is monitoring these areas.

(c)  The first draft for the implementation of an "Emergency Response
Interagency Plan" prepared by a UNDMT technical team (UNICEF, WFP, UNDP
and OCHA) was finalized and will be discussed on 18 May prior to be
submitted to the UNDMT.

(d)  Food aid monitors were supporting distributions in three
Departments (Santa Rosa, Solola, and Totonicapan). They were also
involved in monitoring temporary shelters to guarantee that all people
are assisted with food. In some departments, some shelters are located
very scatter and it has been difficult to obtain the information on
their exact location..

(e)  On 15 May, during the Weekly Coordination Meeting on the situation
of temporary shelters, the SCEP (Executive Secretariat of the
Presidency) announced that due to several reasons the temporary shelters
will be open at least until December 2006.  A donation of US$1 million
to improve the living conditions in the shelters.  Nevertheless, the
permanence of people in temporary shelters will be a challenge for the
humanitarian organizations.  It was mentioned that shelters will be
assisted by WFP with food rations until October 2006.

(f)  On 12 May, a plan for the reconstruction of San Marcos, for the
most affected areas, was presented to the international community,
including the achievements and challenges as for the municipality of San
Marcos.

(g)  On 13 May, during the weekly meeting at the EMOP's Coordination
Information Center (ICC), it was agreed that a workshop will be
scheduled for the first week of June, in order to analyze the
achievements of the EMOP 10497 as well as to discuss and revise the
guidelines for the Food-for-Work (FFW) approach.

(h)  During the reporting period, 312 tons of food was distributed in
the Departments of Santa Rosa, Solola, and Totonicapan.  A total of
3,401 families were assisted.

(i)  A total of 246 tons were repaid by the EMOP 10497 to the PRRO 10212
and to the CP 10092.  To date, the total repaid from the EMOP 10497 to
the CP 10092 and the PRRO 10212 is 1,806 tons, representing 66 percent
from the total borrowed (2,733 tons). The EMOP 10497 borrowed an
additional 38 tons of beans, 10 tons of vegetable oil and 46 tons of CSB
from the PRRO 10212. As of 09 May, the amount resourced for the EMOP
10497 continues at US$9,224,349 or 65.4 percent of the appeal made to
the international community in October 2005. ODMP has confirmed new US$
400,000 in multilaterals funds for the EMOP 10497.0.


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


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