This report includes: A) East Africa: Regional Operations for
Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons in Burundi, Rwanda,
Zaire and Tanzania B) West Africa: Liberia/Sierra Leone C)
Former Yugoslavia D) CIS: Tajikistan E) Iraq.
>From B. Szynalski, Director, Operational Policy and Support
Division. For 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
BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi
a) WFP discusses a resettlement food package for Burundian
IDPs returning to their communes of origin with local
authorities.
2. Rwanda
a) The UN Security Council does not extend UNAMIR's mandate.
Troops to withdraw by 19 April 1996.
3. Zaire - Goma
a) Oil lacking from the WFP ration for two weeks. WFP begins
borrowing in the region to fill the pipeline gap for April.
4. Tanzania
a) The Regional and District Commissioners met with refugee
leaders of the Karagwe camps on measures to facilitate
repatriation.
b) UNHCR undertakes corrective measures to control the
recycling of ration cards.
B. WEST AFRICA - Liberia/Sierra Leone Regional Operation
1. Liberia
a) Due to deteriorating security, WFP food convoys to rural
Liberia on hold.
b) 4,891 civilians flee Kakata, Bong Mines and Todee areas to
rural Montserrado county. Emergency rations provided.
c) WFP and UNHCR collaborate with the Liberian Resettlement
Commission to develop a resettlement plan.
2. Sierra Leone
a) Hostilities continue, with splinter groups of RUF rebels
intensifying attacks.
b) The Foreign Minister of the Cote d'Ivoire visits to
reiterate his government's determination to bring an end to
the civil war.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Limited food stocks in all WFP areas of operation lead to
continued prioritizing distributions to the most vulnerable
groups.
2. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Persistent food aid shortages in March
due to delayed shipments continue to impact delivery and
ration levels.
3. Sarajevo: WFP relocates head office to Sarajevo.
Distribution of food aid continues to be low, impacting food
security of the most vulnerable. WFP takes steps to establish
a full-time presence in the Banja Luka region.
D. CIS
1. Tajikistan: The food crisis deepens, with stocks lasting
only to early May for 600,000 vulnerable people requiring
relief food assistance.
E. Iraq
1. Discussions resume on 11 March on the modalities for an
oil for humanitarian goods trade scheme. UN consolidated
inter-agency appeal to cover the period April 1996 to March
1997 under preparation.
PART II - COUNTRY AND REGIONAL OPERATIONS DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATIONS FOR REFUGEES/IDPs IN
BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI
1.1 Two WFP distribution teams are now operational. One team
is dedicated to IDP operations in Muyinga province in the
north, where an average of 2,500 rations have been distributed
in Mukoni camp. The second team will eventually carry out
distributions in the entire Bujumbura Rural and Burundi West
areas. This team is presently concentrating on distribution to
8,745 families in Bubanza, as a result of assessments by
various agencies and ICRC recommendations.
1.2 Bujumbura: In Mubimbi area, ICRC will distribute bean
seeds and WFP will meet with local authorities to discuss
joint distribution mechanisms for a resettlement food package
for Burundian IDPs returning to their communes of origin.
1.3 North-western Burundi: Ad hoc distribution in Bubanza
province is ongoing and should last for nine days. 8,745
families are targeted to receive a package comprised of 15 kg
maize grain, 7.5 kg CSB and 9 kg of beans for fifteen days.
The Karuzi population in Gitega recently faced several waves
of violence. WFP released 3,000 ad hoc rations over a fifteen
day period.
1.4 UNHCR's figure of 225 Rwandan refugees repatriated to
Burundi during the reporting period is the lowest since the
beginning of the operation.
1.5 UNHCR figures on repatriation of Burundians are: 650 from
the former refugee camp in Ntamba (Muyinga), 4,000 from
Rukuramigabo refugee camp (Kirundo), 1,200 from Kiri (Kirundo)
and 20 from nearby Ngozi. WFP and UNHCR jointly agreed to
release assistance next week to the repatriating refugees
before their final resettlement.
1.6 Uvira: Caseload in Uvira this week is 175,738 (108,266
Burundian and 67,472 Rwandan), including 749 new refugees
registered between 1 to 7 March 1996. MSF-H food basket
monitoring shows that the energy levels of food baskets
provided in most camps are at or over 2,000 kilocalories per
person per day.
2. RWANDA
2.1 The UN Security Council has decided not to extend
UNAMIR's mandate. Troops are expected to withdraw from Rwanda
by 19 April 1996. A UN presence will, however, be maintained
in the country through UNOR, a small political office headed
by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General
(SRSG). The SRSG held a press conference in Kigali to inform
the public of UNOR's Mandate.
2.2 A total of 3,404 refugees returned to Rwanda from
neighbouring countries during the reporting period.
2.3 During the reporting period, WFP distributed 1,070 mt of
food to 67,000 beneficiaries in all prefectures of Rwanda: 68
percent through food-for-work and income-generating
activities, four percent through targeted assistance to at-
risk populations and seeds protection programmes, eight
percent to returnees through transit centres, and 20 percent
to the malnourished through unaccompanied children's
institutions, hospitals and supplementary feeding centres.
2.4 The security situation in the southwest has calmed since
last week, but escalation of incidents have been reported in
the northwest.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 UNHCR reported that the local military and bandits
believe that the UN and NGO assistance communities are
preparing for a general pull out. Consequently, the number of
thefts and security incidents have increased.
3.2 76 trucks crossed the Ishasha border, delivering a total
of 2,179 mt of foodstuffs. 275 mt were dispatched by barge to
Bukavu.
3.3 CSB stock will be depleted by the week of 13 April 1996.
However, UNHCR has a shipment of UNIMIX expected to begin
arriving next week.
3.4 The market price of vegetable oil has increased by as
much as 40 to 50 percent in all camps because of the lack of
oil in the WFP ration for the last two weeks. WFP has begun
borrowing from other WFP operations in the region in an
attempt to fill the pipeline gap for April.
3.5 In Lac Vert, only 40 percent of firewood needs were
covered during the reporting period. The under-distribution
was due to a supply problem resulting from the conflict in the
Masisi area, where wood is cut. In Kahindo, wood distribution
covered 70 percent of the needs, 53 percent in Mugunga, and 95
percent in Kibumba. In Katale, no wood was distributed at all,
forcing the refugees to illegally enter the nearby nature
preserve in search of wood.
4. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
4.1 Selection criteria to begin including pregnant women in
the special feeding programme in camps with feeding centres
were determined, based on various maternal and infant risk
factors. As a result, the number of beneficiaries of the
special feeding programme increased from 1,949 in February to
2,567 in March. CSB and oil rations were reduced in the dry
supplementary feeding program in camps with symptoms of
malnutrition, in compensation for the 200 grams of biscuits
added to use up existing joint WFP/UNHCR stocks. The new
temporary ration increased the kilocalories per day per person
from 1,017 to 1,459.
4.2 At the suggestion of the WFP field officer, CARITAS hired
an additional 22 women and Murhala, a local NGO, hired four
women to monitor the food distribution system in Inera camp.
Best Radio Kahuzi continues broadcasting WFP distribution dates
and rations to inform refugees of their entitlements and to
facilitate the distribution. As radio AGATASHYA is more popular
among refugees, WFP Bukavu is starting to involve this radio
station in broadcasting WFP distribution dates and rations.
5. TANZANIA
5.1 On 8 March, the Regional and District Commissioners met
with refugee leaders of the Karagwe camps to request them to
instruct refugees to refrain from political activities and to
cooperate with speeding up repatriation. The Regional
Commissioner announced names of intimidators obstructing the
repatriation process, and informed the leaders that the GOT
was concerned about these individuals.
5.2 During the past week, WFP Ngara received visits from
representatives of the Canadian Food Grains Bank and the Swedish
Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, who were interested in information
regarding the food pipeline, transit time to reach Ngara, and
availability of funds for local purchases in the region.
5.3 UNHCR has requested all distributing NGOs to report on
ration cards which have not been presented during distribution
for the past two weeks, in an attempt to control the recycling
of cards. Owners of such cards appearing after two weeks will
be requested to explain the reasons for their absence.
5.4 During the past week, only 88 refugees repatriated to
Rwanda, compared to 228 last week. From Karagwe camps, 36
refugees repatriated to Rwanda, compared to 6 during the past
week.
B. WEST AFRICA
1. LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE REGIONAL OPERATION (LIBERIA, SIERRA
LEONE, COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA)
1. Liberia
1.1 Concerns have been raised as to the whereabouts of some
three thousand ULIMO-J fighters, as only 289 surrendered to
ECOMOG on 10 March 96. On 11 March 1996, the NPFL leader, Mr.
Charles Taylor, installed a civilian administration in Kakata,
Margibi county, and ordered all ad-hoc check points and
fighters removed from the Monrovia-Gbarnga highway. Fighters
loyal to Mr. Roosevelt Johnson set road blocks on the
Monrovia-Kakata highway, held relief workers hostage and
harassed civilians.
1.2 In addition to scheduled emergency school feeding and
displaced shelter feeding, as of 13 March 1996, WFP
distributed emergency rations to 3,315 internally displaced
persons in Bensonville, 1,000 in Marchee town, and 576 in
Harrisburg, Montserrado county. These civilians had fled
fighting between NPFL and ULIMO-J in Kakata, Bong Mines and
Todee.
1.3 On 10 March 1996, WFP, the UN Humanitarian Assistance
Coordination Unit (HACU), and LWF/WS conducted a humanitarian
assessment mission in Margibi and Bong counties to assess the
humanitarian needs ensuing from the fighting between NPFL and
ULIMO-J in Kakata. About 6,000 IDPs have been registered in
Kakata and 150 in Konola. WFP is planning to distribute
emergency rations to IDPs in Konola through its implementing
partner LWF/WS following registration. CRS and MSF-H will
address the needs for food and medical assistance in Kakata.
1.4 The security situation at the port of Monrovia is tense,
due to lapses in the port security apparatus. WFP foresees
bottlenecks in the port operation due to equipment shortages
(i.e., forklifts, trailers, trucks for off-loading, etc.).
1.5 8,000 mt of bulgur are expected to arrive from Japan on
18 March. WFP stock as of 13 March 96 is 12,411 mt of assorted
food commodities, including 8,062 mt of bulgur wheat.
2. Sierra Leone
2.1 An assessment mission to Daru and Segbwema fielded by the
Department of Health, HACU, MCSL, MSF (H) and Concern
Worldwide had the following observations: Despite the absence
of a general food distribution, people are surviving well,
considering the resources at their disposal. The food
situation seemed adequate for harvested rice, and palm nut and
vegetables are currently available. Generally, people did not
complain of major health problems, although vaccination
coverage, particularly in the last 2 years, seemed poor.
Malaria and acute respiratory infection were the main recorded
causes of illness. The overall nutritional status of children
seemed satisfactory. Sanitation within the camps and town was
less than adequate.
2.2 A workshop on caseload verification in all camps for the
internally displaced in the Western Area was held on 9 March.
2.3 WFP institutional and targeted vulnerable group feeding
programmes and general distribution in camps in Freetown are
in progress.
2.4 The main highways to Bo, Kenema, and Makeni were reopened
on 11 March. Food is now being delivered up-country.
2.5 Food distribution in Segbwema is still at a standstill
due to continuing negotiations for an implementing partner in
the area. Distribution in Bo and Makeni is in progress. In
Kenema, current distribution is to the registered caseload
based on token cards. The April distribution will be based on
the result of a house-to-house verification presently in
progress.
2.6 As of 11 March, WFP's current stock levels were: 3423 mt
of cereals, 188 mt of vegetable oil, 2877 mt of CSB, and 553
mt of pulses.
C. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Overview
1.1 The Bosnia-Herzegovina Muslim-Croat Federation continues
to come under strain due to tensions and disputes between the
various groups and slowness in building a much-needed post-war
infrastructure, including governing institutions, due to lack
of resources. Reconciliation efforts of international
mediators are being stepped-up. From the WFP standpoint,
persistent food aid shortages in March due to delayed
shipments continue to impact delivery and ration levels.
Roughly 42,000 mt of food arrivals are expected in the Port of
Ploce within the next few weeks.
2. Bosnia-Herzegovina
2.1 The deteriorating situation in Serb-held areas of
Sarajevo is of growing concern, as it further undermines
efforts to stabilize the fragile peace settlement reached
under the Dayton accord. Tensions have arisen in Central and
Western Bosnia-Herzegovina as well, although there is evidence
that people are returning. Limited food stocks in all WFP
areas of operation have given greater impetus to prioritizing
the distribution of available food supplies to the most
vulnerable groups.
2.2 Sarajevo: WFP has officially relocated its head office
for the former Yugoslavia to Sarajevo. During the reporting
period, distribution of food aid in Sarajevo, particularly to
Serb-held or former Serb-held areas, was low - further
impacting the food security of the most vulnerable. In the
Serb-controlled areas of Bosnia, efforts continue towards
moving to direct commercial food aid deliveries from Belgrade.
In light of shifting population movements and food aid needs,
WFP has taken steps to establish a full-time presence in the
Banja Luka region. Cooperation between WFP and authorities in
the Serb-controlled areas of Bosnia on this front is so far
good.
4. Serbia and Montenegro
4.1 Despatches from a recent local purchase of 4,000 mt of
wheat flour in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have
commenced, with deliveries to EDPs expected shortly.
D. CIS
1. Tajikistan
1.1 The security situation in Tajikistan has been relatively
calm since the confrontation between the government and the
army in February. The United Tajik Opposition has agreed to
extend the cease-fire unconditionally for another three
months, but declined the government's offer to attend a
special 11 March session of parliament.
1.2 The food crisis is deepening. WFP, IFRC and NGOs have
identified over 600,000 vulnerable persons requiring relief
food assistance, but the food pipeline for most agencies is
very lean for the coming months. For WFP, current stocks and
carryover pledges will last only to early May. Donors are
urgently requested to allocate food aid.
E. IRAQ
1. Update
1.1 Discussions between representatives of the UN and the
Government of Iraq resumed on 11 March on the modalities for
an oil for humanitarian goods trade scheme, whereby Iraq will
be allowed to sell oil bilaterally up to a certain amount in
order to finance the purchase of humanitarian goods, primarily
food and medicines. The outcome of the talks will
significantly affect the type and scope of future WFP
interventions. A WFP mission will visit Iraq on 21 March to
assess the operational capacities to be required in the event
of a successful outcome of these talks.
1.2 A new UN consolidated inter-agency appeal is being
prepared to cover the period April 1996 to March 1997.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 11 of 1996 - March 15, 1996)