This report includes: A) East Africa: Regional Operations for Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons in Rwanda, Zaire, Burundi and Tanzania B) West Africa: Liberia/Sierra Leone Regional, Angola 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: repatriation takes place of 3,000 refugees from Rukuramigabo camp in Kirundo province, a camp which had been surrounded by the military on 19 February.
2. Rwanda: recent events in Goma and Bukavu have not led to increased repatriation back to Rwanda. Total of 6,040 returnees register in Rwanda during the past week.
3. Zaire - Goma: curtailment of refugee movement in and out of Kibumba camp continues; NGO programmes restricted to the provision of essential services. Food distributions continue as usual. 4. Zaire - Bukavu: in spite of announcement by Zairian authorities that NGOs and humanitarian organizations no longer allowed to intervene in Nyangzi camp, WFP food aid delivery unhindered; other relief activity appears to be continuing. B. WEST AFRICA
1. Liberia/Sierra Leone Regional Operation
a) Regional: food resourcing situation for the regional WFP operation has substantially improved, with current shortfall at 86,000 mt against yearly requirement of 212,000 mt, but shortfall in cash needed for essential monitoring and logistics support costs (USD2.4 million) remains of concern.
b) Liberia: the West African peace-keeping force (ECOMOG) halts redeployment of its troops up-country until armed factions disengage from positions previously occupied by the peacekeepers; WFP cross-border and cross-line convoys deliver relief food to central Nimba and Bong Counties.
c) Sierra Leone: the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone have reiterated their commitment to the democratization process and the holding of elections on February 26th. However, overall security situation remains precarious as armed activities and attacks on civilians continue up-country.
2. Angola
a) European Union bridge material arrives in Angola. b) Visiting Angola this week: Baroness Lynda Chalker, U.K. Minister for Overseas Development, Mr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General, Ms. Alexis Robles, Programme Manager for Southern Africa at USAID/FFP in Washington D.C. and Mr. Joseph Gettier, Director of the USAID Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa. c) Demobilization of troops continues.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
a) Implementation of the Peace Agreement proceeds hesitantly. b) More and more ethnic Serbs leave Sarajevo as the date of transfer to Federation control approaches. c) Food aid shortages are expected to affect refugees and displaced persons in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia through the next month. Food aid needs have not yet significantly decreased, and WFP urges donor governments to continue supporting the relief operation, and to remain as flexible as possible with donations.
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 Northern Burundi: the total caseload for Rwandan refugees in the four remaining camps in northern Burundi has been reduced to 97,000, with the repatriation this week of more than 3,000 refugees from Rukaramigabo camp in Kirundo. On 19 February UNHCR reported that military forces surrounded the camp, encouraging refugees to leave as soon as possible. No security incidents were reported. Measures towards voluntary repatriation continue, and on 22 February, 30 trucks were due to be deployed at Rukuramigabo camp by UNHCR to facilitate the return of more refugees.
1.2 WFP Burundi is in the process of recruiting some 15 field officers for its first team to carry out distributions to IDPs in camps located in the northern provinces. Funding to cover the costs of the programme has been provided by USAID.
1.3 According to refugees arriving in Uvira in Zaire, heavy fighting continues in the province of Bubanza, and reportedly to a much lesser extent, in Cibitoke.
1.4 The Bugarama road (Bujumbura-Ngozi) is now open after suffering heavy damage due to rains earlier this month. WFP has resumed despatches of food convoys on this route.
1.5 Movement of food. Dispatches - Uvira-Bukavu: 405 mt, Ngozi-Bujumbura: 30 mt Bujumbura-Ngozi: 27 mt. Arrivals - Isaka-Ngozi: 252 mt, Isaka-Bujumbura: 722 mt and Kigoma-Uvira: 696 mt. Total distribution during the past week: 1,254 mt.
2. RWANDA
2.1 In spite of events in Goma and Bukavu, where two camps have been surrounded by Zairian troops over the past two weeks, the new restrictions on movement and economic activity among the refugees have not triggered an increase in repatriation back to Rwanda. During the week ending 18 February, transit centres in Rwanda received a total of 6,039 returnees from neighbouring countries - 2,698 returnees from Zaire, 2,726 returnees from Burundi, 599 from Tanzania and 16 from Uganda.
2.2 The Zairian government and UNHCR have announced that no deadlines for the Targeted Voluntary Repatriation programme have been established.
2.3 The refugees/returnees from the Masisi area of Zaire who were temporarily sheltered in the Gisenyi transit centres have been ordered to leave these centres and relocate at Kibungo where a Government resettlement scheme is currently under way. The Government is continuing to look for a suitable site to accommodate this caseload.
2.4 A delegation of twelve refugee representatives from Tanzania are currently visiting north-eastern Rwanda to evaluate the current security situation. During their stay the delegates are expected to meet with Government, Prefecture and UNHCR officials.
2.5 During the past week, WFP distributed monthly rations to 42,600 beneficiaries, totalling 670 mt. Food stocks as of 19 February stood at 7,460 mt, and are sufficient to meet the needs for five to six weeks.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 Through a communique, the Zaire Government has warned international personnel working in the camps that it will not tolerate any activity discouraging rapid repatriation.
3.2 The official closure of Kibumba camp (refugee population 180-195,000), which began on 13 February 1996 on the orders of the Vice Prime Minister, has not led to large scale repatriation. The camp remains encircled by some 250 soldiers from various military units. Refugees have responded with a campaign of passive resistance claiming they would rather starve to death than return to Rwanda.
3.3 Refugee movement in and out of the camp has been curtailed and NGO programmes restricted to the provision of essential services. With only a slight delay, food distributions continued as usual.
3.4 Radio Goma, the government radio station, made a series of announcements aimed at removing or limiting the refugees' economic activities. All commercial contracts (rentals, property sales, etc) undertaken by refugees were declared null and void. Educational institutes, at all levels, were ordered to expel Rwandan students. The government also announced that it expects NGOs to decrease the aid provided to the refugees or face expulsion, but details are unclear.
3.5 The loss of agricultural wages to the refugees severely curtails their ability to supplement their ration, and as a result the ration in the camps has been increased from 1,520 kcal to 1700 kcal. The further impact of these restrictions on the refugees' economic coping mechanisms will be carefully monitored.
3.6 The military population in Goma has dramatically increased due to the military operations in both Kibumba and the Masisi region. Further troops are expected in Goma to enforce disarmament in the Masisi area.
3.7 Food supply situation: from 12 to 18 February, 67 trucks crossed the Ishasha border. WFP-Goma received a total of 1,500 mt food; 770 mt were dispatched to Bukavu.
4. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
4.1 Although Zairian authorities announced on 22 February that NGOs and humanitarian organizations were no longer allowed to intervene in Nyangzi camp (refugee population 26,000), which has been encircled by the military since last week, a WFP food aid truck entered the camp without any problem, and humanitarian relief operations appear to be proceeding unhindered.
5. ZAIRE - UVIRA
5.1 The influx of refugees from Burundi to Uvira has slowed to some 160 persons per day, possibly due to the fact that the Zaire/Burundi border has been mined.
5.2 Women's programmes: WFP and partner CARE have implemented the first of a series of new pilot projects in Uvira designed to improve the participation of refugee women in camp social life, with the ultimate aim of introducing female head of household distribution.
6. TANZANIA
6.1 In Ngara approximately 350 Burundese are reported to have crossed the border last week after an outbreak of fighting in and around their villages in Kirundo province.
6.2 UNHCR-Ngara is planning to target its repatriation information at the influential persons in the camps and to organize more visits in areas recognized as safe by the Rwanda Government.
6.3 A "small communes" distribution system experiment was tested in some camps in Karagwe district. The system was found successful, being favoured by the refugees because it reduces losses due to scooping and food spillage. However, UNHCR has to make further planning and preparations in the camps before extending the implementation of the system.
6.4 Repatriation up, but still low, with 514 returning to Rwanda last week.
B. WEST AFRICA
1. LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE REGIONAL OPERATION (LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE, COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA)
1.1 General
a) Thanks to recently received pledges, the food resourcing situation for the regional WFP operation has substantially improved, and the current shortfall is now of 86,000 mt against an yearly estimated requirements of 212,000 mt. However, cash needs to cover essential monitoring and logistics support costs are still not met as only USD 1.3 million have been contributed out of the required 3.7 million.
b) A six member WFP evaluation team is visiting the Liberia sub-region from 5 February to 25 March. The evaluation will cover the period from the inception of civil strife in Liberia in December 1989 to the signing of the peace agreement in August 1995, and will provide an overview of the emergency needs and relief response with particular emphasis on WFP intervention. The issues to be examined by the mission include WFP project planning and design and implementation strategy, and how these have evolved over the past years in the face of recurrent political crisis and consequent renewed emergencies across the region.
1.2 Liberia
a) ECOMOG has announced that redeployment of peace-keeping troops will take place only if the factions move swiftly to totally disengage from their positions. Civilians fleeing renewed hostilities in Bomi/Cape Mount counties reported fighting between ULIMO-J faction and a so-called "Gola Defense Force" consisting of members of local tribes. Skirmishes continue in south-eastern Liberia between Charles Taylor's NPFL and the LPC (Liberian Peace Council).
b) WFP cross-line convoy from Monrovia distributed 253 mt of food to 26,900 beneficiaries in displaced camps along the Totota-Gbarnga highway. WFP cross-border convoy from Man, Cote d'Ivoire, delivered 70 mt of food to vulnerable groups at various feeding centres in Nimba and Bong.
c) WFP food stocks as of 20 February: 14,728 mt, including 9,746 mt of bulgur wheat. Announced arrivals in March : 18,000 mt of bulgur; 242 mt of veg oil and 1,060 mt of pulses.
1.3 Sierra Leone
a) In spite of the Government's commitment to the elections, there are reports of "men in military uniform" attacking towns and villages in the northern province and threatening civilians, demanding that they to hand over their voting registration cards. Attacks by RUF rebels are also reported near Moyamba town, in the south of the country, where 22 farmers were beheaded, and also in villages around Kambia in the north, where 30 civilians were killed.
b) International observers from the Commonwealth Institute in London and the African-American Institute in New York have arrived in the country to monitor the elections along with the UN Joint International Observer Group. The capital Freetown remains relatively calm although tension is growing.
c) A French team led by Mr Bernard Sexe recently ended a mission to Sierra Leone during which several affected areas in the interior were visited.
d) The movement of WFP food supplies to Bo/Kenema in the south-east and to Makeni in the north is in progress as the roads are now safe. Food distributions will take place before the election date. The UN Inter-Agency/NGO joint verification and re-registration exercise in Kenema has been completed and the beneficiary caseload established at 166,000 compared with a previous figure of 285,000. Similar exercise will be conducted in other main urban areas, starting with Bo town, soon after the elections.
e) From 5 to 18 February, three food convoys of the joint ICRC/WFP cross-border operation were sent from Gueckedou, Guinea, to the RUF-held Kailahun district. A total of 118 mt of assorted WFP commodities have been delivered to part of an estimated 30,000 civilians who have not been receiving any relief assistance since early 1991.
f) WFP current stock levels as at 19 February : 4,773 mt of cereals; 257 mt of vegoil and 958 mt of corn-soya blend. Announced arrivals by end February : 5,420 mt of cereals;1,075 mt of vegoil; 2,162 mt of CSB and 600 mt of pulses.
2. ANGOLA
a) Bridge material donated by the European Union has arrived in Luanda. The material is to be used on the Malange-Saurimo- Luena corridor.
b) WFP has started its third planned distribution in Likua (Kuando Kubango). A team of experienced distribution staff are expected to remain in Likua for one week.
c) Visitors to Angola this week include Baroness Lynda Chalker, U.K. Minister for Overseas Development, Mr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General, Ms. Alexis Robles, Programme Manager for Southern Africa at USAID/FFP in Washington D.C. and Mr. Joseph Gettier, Director of the USAID Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa.
d) Demobilization update: the number of quartered troops in the quartering areas of Vila-Nova, Londuimbali, Negage, and Quibaxe continues to increase. As of 20 February the totals were: troops, 15,257; dependents, 808; and weapons handed over, 13,693.
e) As four more quartering areas are set to open this week, WFP has been requested by UCAH to send staff to begin food distribution in N'tuco (Zaire) and Andulo (Bie) until the NGO Africare brings in the necessary personnel. Because of the delays in the quartering process, some NGOs have been unable to retain the staff identified months ago for this purpose. With the recent revitalization of the process, NGOs are now re-identifying, recruiting and bringing staff to Angola.
f) WFP food stocks in-country as of 19 February: 26,588 mt. Foreseen arrivals up to end March are 28,078 mt of cereals, 699 mt of pulses and 1,022 mt of beans.
g) Over the period 12 to 18 February, the following quantities were delivered: by road: 2,553 mt, by air: 645 mt, total: 3,198 mt.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
1.1 Deliveries this past week to areas in central Bosnia, including Zenica and Tuzla, were limited, and countrywide food aid shortages have already resulted in lower than planned distribution of wheat flour to beneficiaries in some municipalities. Reduced distribution may continue through March. The first tranche of a 31,000 mt wheat donation has been delayed again, and distribution of wheat flour produced from this arrival is not likely until late March. WFP continues to expedite shipments and divert food aid from other areas to respond to the crisis. In a stop-gap measure, WFP is currently attempting to purchase up to 2,000 mt of cereals in Croatia for distribution in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Freedom of movement remains good, and convoy deliveries are only limited by food aid shortages.
1.2 Next week, WFP is planning to use commercial trucks for the first time to deliver food aid to Banja Luka and other municipalities in eastern Bosnia.
1.3 Sarajevo
a) As per the Dayton Agreement, the phased transition of the mostly Serb suburbs to Federation control is due to begin on 23 February. Despite the efforts of UN officials to calm the local population, and a declaration of general amnesty by Federation officials, the impending transfer of authority has produced a chaotic exodus of ethnic Serbs from the city. An estimated 20,000 Serbs left the city in the last week.
b) Food security in Serb parts of the city is very poor in the wake of the mass movement out of Sarajevo. Houses have been set ablaze, cars and trucks have blocked roads in and out of the city, and water, gas and electricity are now unavailable. The local food aid distribution system on the Serb side has collapsed as local Red Cross staff, who are responsible for distribution to beneficiaries, have apparently also fled the city. Though details are not yet available, one food aid warehouse has reportedly been looted, possibly because it was left unattended. WFP is particularly concerned about the food security of the elderly who remain. During the reporting week, 353 mt of WFP food aid arrived in Sarajevo.
2. Serbia and Montenegro
2.1 WFP is currently undertaking a local purchase of some 4,000 mt of wheat flour in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for distribution to refugees in Serbia/Montenegro. Distribution of this food aid is expected to begin within two weeks. Small numbers of refugees continue to return to Bosnia- Herzegovina and other areas. The Government has announced plans to permanently integrate at least 30,000 current refugees.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 08 of 1996 - February 23, 1996)