This report includes: A) East Africa: Regional Operations for Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons in Rwanda, Zaire, Burundi and Tanzania B) West Africa: Liberia Region C) Former Yugoslavia
From B. Szynalski, Director, Operational Policy and Support Division. For any information regarding resources donors are requested to contact Ms. B. Karlstrom Dorph, Director, Resources Division, WFP Rome (Ph. 39 6 5228 2500)
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in part II)
A. EAST AFRICA : REGIONAL OPERATIONS FOR REFUGEES/IDPs IN RWANDA, ZAIRE, BURUNDI AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi
a) Further grenade explosions take place in Ngozi following the evacuation of WFP and NGO international staff from northern provinces as a result of attacks of 21/22 December. All WFP activity in the provinces of Ngozi, Kirundo, Kayanza and Muyinga suspended. Food deliveries to refugee camps and some internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Ngozi temporarily undertaken by UNHCR in the absence of WFP. Distributions being made by camp committees as WFP and UNHCR implementing partners not present.
b) The High Commissioner for Refugees, Ms. Sadako Ogata, arrives in Burundi 7 December as personal envoy of UN Secretary General.
c) Conditions remain tense in much of the north-west and central provinces as well as in the northern provinces.
2. Rwanda
a) Security situation in Cyangugu worsens.
b) More NGOs reinstated.
3. Zaire - Goma
a) Exchange of gunfire and looting by Zairian soldiers on Christmas Day. Various security incidents reported, seemingly not connected to presence of refugees, but affecting security for relief workers in the area.
4. Zaire - Uvira
a) Population of Uvira camps increases to 170,000 with movement of refugees from villages to camps.
b) Burundi border with Zaire at Gatumba re-opens also permitting food deliveries by road to Uvira camps.
B. WEST AFRICA - LIBERIA REGIONAL
1. Liberia
a) Deployment of ECOMOG troops to upcountry regions continues and should be completed by mid-January, but serious violation of the cease-fire occurred in the western Bomi County at the end of last month.
b) Large numbers of new displaced result from serious fighting in Tubmanburg.
c) Assessment missions to previously unaccessible areas in central and southern Liberia carried out during recent weeks.
2. Sierra Leone
a) Security situation remains tense throughout the country at in the period leading up to the end of the year; the main supply routes remain officially closed.
b) Joint ICRC/WFP cross-border operation from Guinea to the RUF-held Kailahun district to commence soon.
c) The UK Minister for Overseas Development visits relief projects in Sierra Leone.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
a) NATO forces and equipment have continued to move into Bosnia-Herzegovina over the Christmas and New Year period, in difficult weather conditions.
b) Food aid convoys have been fewer over the holiday season and have moved to all areas of Bosnia without hindrance, until 4 January, when operations in Metkovic were halted.
PART II - COUNTRY AND REGIONAL OPERATIONS DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATIONS FOR REFUGEES/IDPs IN RWANDA, ZAIRE, BURUNDI AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI
1.1 As reported in the last WFP Emergency Report, 22 December 1995, several attacks recently took place in Ngozi in northern Burundi, specifically targeted at WFP and NGOs working in the area. As a result of the attacks most international UN and NGO staff have been evacuated from the north, with the exception of UNHCR, who have temporarily arranged for transport of WFP food to refugee camps and some internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Ngozi province.
1.2 In the events previously reported, a grenade was thrown into the living room of the WFP residence in Ngozi on 21 December, injuring a UNHCR staff member and causing extensive damage to the house. Several NGOs were also targeted with grenade attacks (IFRC, MSF/B). Subsequently a WFP vehicle, which was parked in the UNHCR compound was damaged after a grenade was placed under the car. The explosion caused damage to the UNHCR compound and UNHCR and Belgian Red Cross vehicles as well. The WFP logistics officer was threatened outside of the WFP warehouse the next day. More grenades were thrown in Ngozi town on 25 December 1995.
1.3 A total of 78 international UN/WFP/NGO staff members were evacuated to Bujumbura using the WFP Twin Otter plane on 22 December. Only UNHCR has maintained a full staff presence in the north, with 12 officers in Ngozi and 5 officers in Muyinga. UNHCR's implementing partner for refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also evacuated all its international staff. CARE, WFP's implementing partner for assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), announced the termination of its operations as WFP implementing partner as at 1 January 1996. MSF-F and IHA also evacuated from Kirundo, where they had been the only operational NGOs in that province.
1.4 The new Special Representative of the Secretary General in Burundi, Mr. Marc Faguy, and the UNDP Resident Security Coordinator, Mr. Khan, conveyed a message to the Government of Burundi on 4 January that certain guarantees for the safety of humanitarian staff must be met for relief operation to continue. The High Commissioner for Refugees, Ms. Ogata, was due to arrive in Burundi on 7 January, as the Secretary- General's personal envoy.
1.5 UNHCR is temporarily handling the transport of WFP- supplied food to the refugee camps in the north and has been given complete access to WFP food stores. Distribution is done by camp committees, as NGOs previously handling distributions have been withdrawn.
1.6 Other areas of the country:
a) Bujumbura town: An ad hoc distribution was completed on 19 December to displaced populations seeking refuge at the Monument of Unity in Bujumbura to a total 20,230 persons. WFP and CARE staff were threatened by the beneficiaries on this occasion, and had to abandon the distribution.
b) Some 100 persons were reported killed by rebels in Bujumbura rural on the evening of 21 December.
c) Groups of people from Bubanza province in the north-west of Burundi continue to cross the border to Uvira. WFP activity is limited to a 7-8 kilometre radius around the centre of Gihanga. Food distribution to displaced people in this area took place over a four day period, starting on 20 December, to a total of 3,762 families, but as in Bujumbura, was eventually abandoned due to threats made against WFP personnel.
d) In the central province of Gitega, all WFP operations have been on stand-by since the first grenade attacks of 13 Dec.
2. RWANDA
2.1 Security Situation
a) Security has worsened in the Cyangugu area, close to the Zaire border, where two bridges on the main Cyangugu-Kibuye road were destroyed by rebels. In the commune of Karengera three people who were in possession of explosives and hand grenades were killed by soldiers on 27 December, and one civilian and one soldier injured by an anti-personnel mine. The main road crossing the forest reported to be increasingly dangerous, as people from camps in Zaire infiltrate the area.
b) Security in the north-west is improving due to tighter roadblock controls.
2.2 Results from the WFP/FAO annual crop assessment mission, indicate that food aid assistance for 1996 will be needed for some one million people. Emergency food aid is expected to be provided to the most vulnerable (566,000 people).
2.3 Repatriation: During the past two weeks, transit centres in Rwanda received a total of 8,877 returnees from neighbouring countries. 2,713 returnees arrived from Zaire, 5,688 returnees arrived from Burundi, 75 returnees arrived from Tanzania, and 400 arrived from Uganda. 3,686 arrive during the week from 14-12 Dec and 5,191 from 22-28 Dec.
2.4 Several more of the suspended NGOs have been reinstated to work in Rwanda. As of 15 December, nine NGOs were reinstated, of which three work with WFP (ADRA, Food for the Hungry, and the Belgium Red Cross).
2.5 During the past two weeks, WFP Rwanda assisted 56,986 beneficiaries in all Prefectures of Rwanda, distributing a total of 1,821 mt.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 In an incident not connected to the presence of the refugees, the commander of the 21st brigade in charge of security in Masisi was killed in a grenade attack in Goma on 25 December, following which random shooting between military units took place, resulting in several deaths among both soldiers and civilians. Senior army officers arrived in Goma to investigate, and armed forces were sent to Masisi to stop any movement of the 21st brigade towards Goma. A UNHCR curfew was imposed for international staff working in the camps on 25 and 26 December, and some NGO staff were pulled out.
3.2 Mine explosions and gunfire occurred near the airport on 20 and 21 December, and a large explosion occurred on 31 December, in incidents connected to a local feud.
3.3 The arrests on 17 December of eight refugee leaders in Katale camps on suspicion of intimidating other refugees has caused alarm among refugee leaders in the neighbouring camp of Kahindo. Those arrested have been transferred to Kinshasa.
3.4 Zairian authorities have removed all rights of access to refugees from Kahindo to the national park, where refugees were formerly allowed the right to gather fuel wood two days a week. Unauthorized collection of firewood continues, with some arrests reported. There are also on-going reports of attacks on refugees collecting firewood near other camps, inolving beatings and rapes.
3.5 Food supply situation: 72 trucks crossed by the Ishasha border point this week, delivering a total of 1,984 mt.
4. ZAIRE - UVIRA
4.1 The Uvira camp population has increased to some 170,000 persons. Many of the new arrivals in Uvira camps were already living in Uvira, but only recently forced into camps by the military. Caseload is expected to increase further.
4.2 The Burundian border with Zaire at Gatumba was re-opened on 26 December. WFP dedicated trucks from Bujumbura made three rotations to Uvira carrying a total of 500 mt. However, border crossing procedures are still extremely cumbersome and continue to delay food deliveries to both Uvira and Bukavu.
C. WEST AFRICA - LIBERIA REGIONAL (LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE, COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA)
1. LIBERIA
1.1 ECOMOG deployment commenced on schedule on 14 December and is continuing smoothly in most of the country. Additional logistic support of USD 10 million has been granted by the USA to ECOMOG. Disarmament expected to start at end January with WFP food assistance for demobilized ex-combatants. However, the security situation has not fully stabilized countrywide.
1.2 On 28 December, serious fighting broke out in Tubmanburg, Bomi county, between ECOMOG and ULIMO-J fighters who apparently refused to withdraw from economically strategic sites. Civilian casualties are reported and a new influx of 3,000 displaced persons are being resettled in Klay on the main road to Monrovia. A further large evacuation of the civilian population is expected. UNOMIL observers have withdrawn from Tubmanburg, where fighting continues as ECOMOG conducts house-to-house clearing of armed militia.
1.3 On 29 December, an OXFAM relief convoy to Vonjama, Upper Lofa, was hijacked by ULIMO-K fighters; vehicles and items had not been returned by 3 January, even after intervention by the ULIMO-K faction leader and councilman Kromah.
1.4 In the last weeks of December, WFP, along with UN agencies and NGOs, conducted assessment missions to Zwedru- Greenville (Grand Gedeh/Sinoe) and to Harper (Maryland county), thus reopening main roads which had been closed during the last few years. Food-for-work activities for road clearing and bridge repair have been undertaken in these areas with the participation of both civilians and fighters.
1.5 CRS reported the arrival of a relief vessel in Greenville on 1 January with 1,039 tons of food commodities being utilized for general distribution and targeted feeding programs.
1.6 LWS reports over 1,200 refugees returning to Ganta, Nimba county from Guinea at the end of December. LWS reception committees are on standby at crossing points on the borders with Bong and Nimba to handle growing numbers of returnees.
1.7 Total food stocks as of beginning January were at 11,705 mt of which 4,691 for WFP and 5,986 for CRS. This does not include WFP commodities (9,000 mt of cereals, 1,500 mt of CSB and 200 mt of veg oil) which arrived in port on 2 January.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 The British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Minister for Overseas Development, Baroness Chalker, was due to visit Sierra Leone 4-7 January as part of a visit to Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal. Baroness Chalker will be discussing preparations for the forthcoming elections, and will be briefed on current efforts by the international community to bringing relief assistance to populations affected by the civil strife.
2.2 A tense security situation has prevailed throughout the country over recent weeks, and the main supply routes have remained officially closed. Rebel attacks took place last week on the Tayama-Bo road and the Mile 91-Magburaka road.
2.3 A new influx of 20,000 displaced persons has been reported in Bo town. The three-week closure of the main Freetown-Bo road is hampering transport of relief commodities. Only a half ration of cereals without vegetable oil could be distributed to the displaced in Segbwema in December.
2.4 WFP is making arrangements for an airlifting operation to commence in the near future for delivering urgently needed food commodities, particularly CSB, for therapeutic feeding centres in Bo and Kenema.
2.5 Security clearance obtained from both parties in the civil conflict for a joint ICRC/WFP cross-border operation from Guinea to the RUF-held Kailahun district. Preparations are under way to deliver food aid to an estimated 30,000 civilians who have not been accessible for relief assistance during the last few years.
2.6 Emergency food supplies have been sent by ship to Bonthe island in the south, to be distributed by CARE.
2.7 WFP current food stocks are 2,972 mt of cereals, 180 mt of vegoil and 480 mt of CSB. An additional 4,063 mt of cereals and 1,310 mt of CSB are expected by mid-January.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
1.1 Following the smooth transfer of authority and in difficult weather conditions, NATO forces and equipment have continued to move into Bosnia-Herzegovina over the Christmas period and during the past week. IFOR have reported good progress and cooperation with local authorities and the army.
1.2 Military situation stable with only minor violations and celebratory fire over the New Year in most areas. Prisoner, body and information exchanges have continued. On 31 December, the pontoon bridge over the Sava had been erected and was in operation, allowing US deployment to proceed.
1.3 WFP trucks and WFP supplied UNHCR convoys have delivered as planned throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina, including Gorazde Zenica, Bihac, Sarajevo and Banja Luka. The predicted shortfall in January is now a reality, but has been palliated by draw-down on the 6,800 mt contingency stocks kept in Zenica. Flour milled in situ from WFP-supplied grain is also being put into distribution.
1.4 The airlift to Bosanska Gradiska was halted when a UN helicopter was hit by a bullet. On 3 January this operation restarted. As of 4 January, UNHCR convoys from Metkovic carrying WFP food have been suspended due to unacceptable demands from Herzeg-Bosna authorities that humanitarian freight vehicles pay a border tariff of 50 kuna each. This issue is expected to be settled speedily and should not adversely affect January distribution. There are also problems with heavy vehicles using the new ferry in the Orasje pocket.
1.5 Return from the Kuplensko camp to Velika Kladusa has continued at a much diminished and diminishing pace. UNHCR estimate that some 10,000 refugees remain. Little population movement reported either into or out of the Banja Luka area.
1.6 Sarajevo remained generally quiet during the reporting period, with no casualties reported. On 29 December, Admiral Smith made clear that handover of Serb-controlled Sarajevo would take place as planned. This has precipitated some movement of population out of the area. WFP has contingency plans in place to cope with the effects on food aid provision of possible acceleration of this process. In December 92 percent of need in Sarajevo was met with the distribution of 6,109 mt of food aid.
2. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2.1 Two vessels have arrived in Bourgas, on 26 and 31 December respectively, carrying 5,995 mt of wheat flour destined for both the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Deliveries to Bosnia-Herzegovina have continued with food aid sent to Banja Luka, eastern Bosnia Herzegovina and Trebinje. ECHO have confirmed their next bulk food programme of 6000 Mt to cover 4 months and reach 385,000 refugees and social cases.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 01 of 1996, January 5, 1996)