This report includes: A) East Africa: Regional Operations for Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons in Rwanda, Zaire, Burundi and Tanzania B) West Africa: Liberia Regional Operation 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. General
a) WFP 1996 Appeal for the Rwanda/Burundi Regional Emergency Operation launched 16 January 1996, with a total net requirement of 358,050 mt valued at USD 222.7 million.
2. Burundi
a) A large movement of Rwandan refugees from Mugano camp in northern Burundi into Tanzania took place on 18 January. b) Ville Morte (total work stoppage) in Bujumbura; WFP and other aid organizations threatened and movement throughout the city limited. c) WFP work in the north still on stand-by following attacks in Ngozi which started 21 December; discussions at various levels ongoing about conditions for resumption of activities.
3. Zaire - Goma
a) Chairman of the US Senate Sub-Committee for Africa visits Kibumba Camp. b) Zairian brigade commander in charge of border security threatens to deploy anti-personnel mines along the border in the vicinity of Kibumba camp.
B. WEST AFRICA - Liberia Regional Operation
1. Liberia
a) WFP distributes emergency food to some 17,500 IDPs fleeing nine days of fighting between ECOMOG and ULIMO factions in Tubmanburg and Klay areas in Bomi county. WFP assessment team to go to Tubmanburg 20 January following the re-opening of the Monrovia-Tubmanburg highway. b) A joint USAID/EU/WFP/UNHCR/CRS needs assessment mission is in Liberia and will proceed to Sierra Leone. c) ECOMOG deployment exercise temporarily halted because of the conflict in Tubmanburg and Klay in Bomi county.
2. Sierra Leone
a) Head of State, Captain Valentine Strasser, overthrown in a bloodless palace coup on 16 January, and replaced by his deputy, Brig. Julius Maada Bio. b) Visit of U.K. Minister for Overseas Development to Sierra Leone took place on 5 January. c) WFP airlift to Bo and Kenema launched.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
a) IFOR continues deployment in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and implementation of the Peace Agreement proceeding smoothly. Troops of the various Parties to the agreement moving away from former confrontation lines, and IFOR is establishing zones of separation. b) WFP remains concerned about a country-wide shortage of wheat/wheat flour in Bosnia-Herzegovina as early as February unless major deliveries are confirmed soon. c) Freedom of movement improved markedly, as IFOR continued to secure new routes in and out of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
PART II - COUNTRY AND REGIONAL OPERATIONS DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATIONS FOR REFUGEES/IDPs IN RWANDA, ZAIRE, BURUNDI AND TANZANIA
1. GENERAL
1.1 On 16 January 1996, WFP launched its 1996 Appeal for the Rwanda/Burundi Regional Emergency Operation, with a total net requirement of USD 222.7 million.
1.2 WFP's priority areas of assistance to the Great Lakes region will be: assistance to Rwandan and Burundese refugees located in Zaire, Tanzania and Burundi (1,920,000 beneficiaries, representing 81 percent of regional food requirements); assistance to internally displaced, returnees and first stage recovery and rehabilitation in Burundi (170,000 beneficiaries, representing 6 percent of regional food requirements); and assistance to returnees, first stage recovery and rehabilitation in Rwanda (350,000 beneficiaries, representing 13 percent of regional food requirements).
1.3 Total food requirements for 1996 will be approximately 500,600 mt, valued at USD 314.2 million. As a result of a carry-over of stocks and food in the pipeline, the net food requirement will be around 358,050 mt, valued at USD 222.7 million. Owing to the uncertainty regarding repatriation, the requirements may have to be adjusted during 1996.
1.4 Given the complexity of the operation, improvements in the delivery system will be required. In order to achieve this, special operations are planned for 1996 at a cost of approximately USD 7.9 million, and include port rehabilitation in Bujumbura, Uvira and Goma/Bukavu; road rehabilitation in Tanzania; road maintenance in Uvira/Bukavu; additional support to the Tanzanian Railways Corporation; and a logistics base in Kampala.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 Movement of Rwandan refugees from Burundi to Tanzania:
a) Clashes between the Hutu militia and the Burundi army on the evening of 17 January caused between 12,000 and 16,000 Rwandan Hutu refugees in the northern Burundi camp of Mugano to flee to Tanzania at Ngunduz, north west of Kabanaga. An unconfirmed number of refugees in the camp, apparently caught in the cross-fire, were killed and wounded. On the morning of 18 January, only 64 refugees of the original camp population of around 17,000 were in the camp, including some wounded, who were moved to the Mtamba camp for Rwandese refugees near Muhyinga.
b) Although the Tanzanian border is officially closed, authorities made an exception and allowed the new influx of refugees to cross the border.
c) The fighting in northern Burundi has affected both the Rwandese refugee population and the local Burundi population. The Rwandan refugees who arrived in Tanzania brought much of their necessary non-food items for shelter and cooking and were well organized. Pre-existing teams of refugee workers for sanitation, health and social services from the Mtamba camp commenced services at the new location. The Burundi refugees who crossed the border, approximately 500, are in worse shape, not having brought many possessions and not being as well prepared.
d) There is a concern to move the population away from the border as soon as possible due to security considerations. Options for treating this caseload are currently under discussion.
3.2 Activities in Bujumbura have been limited since 15 January due to the decree of a "Ville Morte" (a total strike/ boycott called by opposition groups enforced by threats); although tension has been witnessed in some areas, a high concentration of military forces have been in place to ensure the safety of Bujumbura residents and regular activity. Most private and public businesses, including banks, have remained closed. While WFP and other UN/NGO offices have remained open, the majority of WFP national staff have been unable to reach the office, as exits from several neighbourhoods have been blocked. Pamphlets have also been distributed throughout the city by extremist groups calling for the removal of the President of Burundi.
3.3 On the morning of 15 January, an anonymous phone call was made to the WFP office. The caller threatened that a grenade would be launched into the Bujumbura compound if staff did not stop activities and evacuate the premises immediately. WFP ignored the threat and staff remained in place with no incident. UNHCR and CARE received similar threats.
3.4 A MSF-Holland convoy consisting of two vehicles transporting staff and supplies to Ngozi from Bujumbura on the RN1 highway on 16 January was caught in cross-fire near a site where an ambush had occurred. Staff escaped without injury.
3.5 WFP activities in the north of the country are still on hold following the incidents which began on 21 December in Ngozi. WFP food, however, is still being transported regularly through UNHCR. Some NGOs have returned to Ngozi. WFP presence in the north will only be possible once assurances can be made guaranteeing the safety of all WFP staff.
3.6 In the north-western provinces of Bubanza and Cibitoke, a further distribution in Gihanga is to take place with CRS. Otherwise, all other activities in both Bubanza and Cibitoke provinces are still on hold and access is not yet possible. Reports indicate that the civilian population, some wounded, are fleeing to Uvira at a rate of 200-300 per day.
3.7 In Gitega, all international aid activity has been suspended since 13 December, following incidents targeting NGOs in Gitega. However, as of 17 January, AICF international staff presence was to be reestablished.
4. RWANDA
4.1 There is a constant rate of about 1,000 people per week returning from Burundi, but no mass influx at this time. Food assistance is being provided at the transit station in Butare. Gisenyi has also reported an increase in the number of refugees returning to that area from Zaire.
4.2 The Nasho area in Kibungo prefecture, Butare prefecture, and the Mutara area in Byumba prefecture, are all reporting a poor harvest due to erratic rainfall. WFP is implementing food-for-work programmes in these areas, targeting the most vulnerable segment of the population.
4.3 Overall security situation in country is good. However, there have been some reports from the north-western and western parts of Rwanda indicating that the number of incursions from Zaire is increasing.
4.4 New management procedures are being implemented at the central warehouse in Kigali, which are expected to accelerate the round trip time and decrease transport costs.
4.5 Repatriation: During the past week, transit centres in Rwanda received a total of 4,708 returnees from neighbouring countries. 2,963 returnees arrived from Zaire, 1,254 returnees arrived from Burundi, 229 returnees from Tanzania, and 262 arrived from Uganda.
4.6 Programming - During the past week, WFP assisted 71,986 beneficiaries in Rwanda by distributing a total of 1,009 mt.
5. ZAIRE - GOMA
5.1 Ms. N. Kassebaum, Chairman of the US Senate Sub-Committee for Africa, visited Kibumba Camp on 10 January.
5.2 The Zairian brigade commander in charge of border security has threatened to deploy 500 anti-personnel mines along the border in the area of Kibumba camp to discourage incursions in either direction. This is thought to be the main illegal crossing-point for refugees.
5.3 Food supply situation: A total of 2,062 mt of food commodities was delivered via the new Ishasha road over the past week.
5.4 The repair and rehabilitation of the road leading to the Goma Port is being carried out under a food-for-work programme and will be completed in the next 15 days. This rehabilitation scheme is in collaboration with ADRA.
5.5 During the past week a registered number of 505 refugees voluntarily repatriated to Rwanda from the Goma camps. The figure for the previous week was 244.
6. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
6.1 UNHCR has issued a correction to a recent announcement by the Zairian Government, which wrongly reported that UNHCR was planning the imminent closure of the Rwandan refugee camps in Zaire. UNHCR stated that it stood by the earlier agreement made in Geneva that the camps will be closed according to the rate at which the refugees repatriate, and not before the refugees have left. Local radio reports on the rumoured closures had caused serious insecurity in the camps.
6.2 The non-delivery of fire wood to the refugees, in Bukavu as in the Goma camps, is creating major problems: refugees are reported to have started dismantling certain bridges in order to obtain sufficient fire wood to cook their meals.
B. WEST AFRICA - LIBERIA REGIONAL OPERATION
1. LIBERIA
1.1 In response to the humanitarian crisis created by civilians fleeing the fighting between ECOMOG and ULIMO factions, WFP continues to distribute emergency food ration to the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in three main displaced shelter camps at the Bo river, which is the border between ECOMOG and ULIMO factions. 70 mt of emergency rations distributed to some 17,500 beneficiaries. The UNDHA road assessment mission travelled to Tubmanburg on 9 January 1996 and confirmed that ECOMOG and the factions have ceased fighting and agreed to re-open the Monrovia-Tubmanburg highway to humanitarian relief traffic. WFP along with other agencies will be sending assessment missions to the affected areas by the end of this week (20 January). Reports indicate that the security situation along the road is fragile.
1.2 A joint needs assessment mission is visiting Liberia from 14 to 20 January. The mission comprises representatives from USAID, EU, WFP, UNHCR and CRS, and is reviewing the overall socio-economic and food supply situation of internally displaced persons and refugees in Liberia. The mission will proceed to Sierra Leone on 21 January.
1.3 ECOMOG deployment has been halted amidst growing tensions with factions, to avert further confrontations. There are reports that fighting has flared up between NPFL and the LPC in south-eastern Liberia. People fleeing the areas report massive looting by the fighters.
1.4 The end of fighting around Tubmanburg is reported to have left scores of corpses scattered about the city. Aid workers continue to register thousands of IDPs who have been arriving at the Bo river bridge separating Monrovia from Bomi county. The UNDHA road assessment mission in the area confirmed that large numbers of IDPs are trapped in Tubmanburg, and are in urgent need for food an medicine.
1.5 LWS reports that an additional 5,000 returnees crossed into Ganta, Nimba county, and received a welcome ration of 4 kg of relief food items. CRS reports 853 displaced persons arrived in Kakata, mainly from NPFL held areas.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 A palace coup took place in Freetown on 16 January, in which the Head of State (Capt. Valentine Strasser) was replaced by his deputy (Brig. Julius Maada Bio). No bloodshed was reported and the city remained calm. WFP Freetown reports that it is too early to assess the consequences of this leadership change as regards humanitarian assistance.
2.2 On 5 January, Baroness Chalker, the UK Minister for Overseas Development, paid an official visit to Sierra Leone to be briefed on political and humanitarian developments.
2.3 In the countryside, the situation remains unstable and the roads to eastern and central Sierra Leone remain cut off by rebel activities. On 7 January, WFP started a small airlift, using a local plane, to transport CSB and vegetable oil to Bo and Kenema. This small aircraft operated 17 flights delivering a total of 23 mt.
2.4 From 20 January onward, WFP will increase the scale of this airlift by using an ANTONOV 74 plane which will carry payloads of 9.5 mt to Bo and 7.9 mt to Kenema. It is planned that around 100 hours will be flown during the first month, for a total uplift of 610 mt at a cost of USD 414 per ton, including transport from port and loading.
2.5 At the same time, WFP is pressing the Government for the reopening of the road. Test convoy with escort scheduled for 20 January.
2.6 Plans proceed for the joint ICRC/WFP cross-border operation from Gueckedou in Guinea to provide emergency food assistance to the population in RUF controlled Kailahun district. A WFP special logistics expert has arrived in Guinea and will coordinate the convoys.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
1.1 Thousands of Bosnian Government, Serb, and Croat troops are withdrawing from former front line positions as an IFOR- enforced deadline of 19 January for the creation of zones of separation approaches. Progress on the release of prisoners of war - also mandated by the Dayton Accord - appear to have stalled. Tension within the Federation flared up again, and a shooting incident between Bosnian Government and Bosnian Croat forces was report in Usora (central Bosnia) this week.
1.2 Freedom of movement continued to improve throughout the country. WFP trucks and WFP-supplied UNHCR convoys delivered food aid as planned throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina, including to Sarajevo, Gorazde, Zenica, Bihac, and Banja Luka. Reflecting the unprecedented improvement in access, for the first time in over a year, a UN food aid convoy is scheduled to move directly from Zagreb to Banja Luka on 22 January. IFOR recently replaced the destroyed bridge linking Croatia and northern Bosnia; this route is much shorter than the Belgrade- Banja Luka road used by food aid convoys over the last year.
1.3 WFP continues to develop it plans for food aid assistance 1996 with other UN agencies and the Government of Bosnia- Herzegovina. On 16 January, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees chaired a meeting in Geneva in which UNHCR outlined its strategy for repatriation and resettlement of an estimated 2 million Bosnians. WFP also reaffirmed its commitment to provide food aid to those returning or resettling for up to six months after their return. WFP will also continue to supply food aid to other particularly vulnerable war-affected individuals who may not be moving, but have not yet reached self-sufficiency, until national social security systems are in place. WFP was also represented at a coordination meeting chaired by the High Representative in Brussels on 17 January, which brought together all the international partners in the peace implementation and rehabilitation process.
1.4 Shortfalls of wheat/wheat flour can be expected throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina as early as mid-February, unless expected shipments are confirmed immediately. Aggravating the situation, the two components of the UN's supplementary feeding programme for particularly vulnerable people - high protein biscuits and milk powder - will also be in short supply by March. Shortages of these critical foods would have a devastating effect among the people of Bosnia, especially in the middle of winter.
1.5 Gorazde: Food security has improved somewhat, as IFOR continues to secure the road between Sarajevo and Gorazde. Though civilians still have only limited access out of Gorazde, over 80% of all food aid entering Gorazde is now arriving from Metkovic via Sarajevo.
1.6 Sarajevo:
a) Food security also continued to slowly improve in Sarajevo. Four convoys of WFP food aid delivered 417 mt this week to Sarajevo, representing 23% of the city's monthly requirements. Convoys are moving without hindrance through Serb-controlled areas. In a tragic note, a driver of an IRC (International Rescue Committee) truck transporting humanitarian assistance was killed in a traffic accident on the road from Sarajevo to Gorazde. Cold weather has strained the city's utilities, and most residents once again are only receiving sporadic gas, water and electricity service.
b) The number of Serb residents leaving Serb-dominated suburbs of the city appear to be decreasing. Unofficial reports indicate that up to 5,000 ethnic Serbs from Sarajevo have recently settled in the northern part of eastern Bosnia.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 03 - January 19, 1996)