This report includes: A) East Africa: Regional Operation for Refugees/Internally Displaced Persons in Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and Tanzania B) West Africa 1: Angola C) West Africa 2: Regional Operation for Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea D) Former Yugoslavia
>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 OPERATION FOR REFUGEES/IDPs IN BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi: a) Tripartite Commission recommends closing Rukuramigabo camp; b) Insecurity displaces 80,000 in Gitega, Karuzi, Muramvya and Makamba - WFP assessing numbers and their condition; c) WFP conducting needs assessment - 23,500 persons in need in Makebuku and Mumuri identified to date; d) WFP introduces new rehabilitation FFW projects.
2. Rwanda: Fighting in Masisi causes influx of 2,000 people to Nkamira transit centre, with over 5,000 en route.
3. Zaire - Goma: a) WFP trucks attacked; b) Tutsis fleeing conflict in Masisi at risk of malnutrition, due to poor sanitation and hygiene; c) New deadline of July 1996 announced for repatriation of Rwandan refugees.
4. Zaire - Bukavu: Fighting causes UNHCR to limit movement and restrict entry to Panzi camp.
5. Tanzania: Musuhura camp leaders told refugees not authorized to cultivate, even within camp radius.
B. WEST AFRICA 1: ANGOLA
1. Update: a) New route to Caconda over Cuando river bridge opened; b) WFP, CARE, MINARS and UNICEF undertake joint mission to Menongue; c) Heavy rains cause commodity losses; d) Much needed vegetable oil being unloaded in Lobito.
C. WEST AFRICA 2: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE, COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA
1. Liberia - Monrovia: a) Fierce fighting halts relief operations; b) Diplomats and aid workers evacuated - three WFP staff remain; c) Capacity of all aid agencies reduced and staff movement confined - WFP office ransacked and cars stolen; d) Fluid situation prevents needs assessment and planning a strategy.
D. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Overview: Interagency food needs assessment mission starts April 17. 2. Bosnia-Herzegovina: a) New WFP sub-office opens in Banja Luka; b) President of World Bank visits Sarajevo to sign a USD 75 million loan for infrastructure rehabilitation.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI
1.1 The Tripartite Commission on the Repatriation of Rwandan Refugees in Burundi (the Governments of Burundi and Rwanda with UNHCR) met April 1-2 in Kigali, and recommended closing the northern Kirundo camp of Rukuramigabo, and transferring its inhabitants to other remaining camps in Ngozi until repatriation.
1.2 Heavy fighting and insecurity has displaced an estimated 80,000 persons over the past weeks in Gitega, Karuzi, Muramvya and Makamba. The Ministry of Reinsertion and Reinstallation of Displaced and Repatriated Persons convened two emergency meetings last week with humanitarian agencies to pool resources and information to better assist affected populations. WFP is presently in the process of assessing numbers and condition of newly displaced persons, as security permits.
1.3 Attacks on the Bugarama (RN1) road leading out of Bujumbura on April 10 resulted in the temporary closure of the road to all traffic.
1.4 WFP deployed eight trucks from Kampala to Bujumbura during December 1995 for in-country distribution and shuttle between Bujumbura and Uvira/Bukavu. However, in response to periodic border closures between Burundi and Zaire, WFP has directed all Bukavu and Uvira cargo via Uvira port progressively since the second half of 1995. In addition, it has now become feasible to engage local transporters for internal distribution. This has enabled WFP to redeploy the trucks back to Kampala to augment deliveries to Goma/Bukavu.
1.5 Over the past several weeks some 5,000 Burundians have returned from Ndunda, an informal camp in Zaire. They have never been registered as refugees. 1.6 WFP field officers are conducting a needs assessment in Central Burundi in preparation for food distribution to the newly displaced. Thus far, WFP has identified the following afflicted populations: 9,000 persons in Makebuku and 12,500 persons in Mumuri. A strategic stock of 120 mt of beans and maize has been delivered to Gitega in preparation for the first planned distribution on April 11.
1.7 Local authorities completed the distribution of WFP commodities to 7,500 displaced in the Rumeza and Bururi centres after heavy fighting in the area in March. The situation has now stabilized.
1.8 WFP Burundi introduced new rehabilitation food-for-work (FFW) projects this month in support of agriculture, environment, (including reforestation) and reinstallation activities. Presently 8,013 persons benefit from FFW projects in eight provinces.
1.9 A workshop was held by WFP Ngozi and its distribution partners, UNHCR and IFCR, concerning management of food reception, losses, distribution schemes and management of extended delivery points. 1.10 Uvira: CSB will be introduced to the general feeding ration, maintaining the total ration at 1,585 kilocalories. Beneficiaries for selective feeding programmes for the month of April number 4,756. Numbers have been gradually decreasing since January. 1.11 In-country stocks, including Uvira, as at April 8 totalled 7,366 mt, sufficient for a 4 week period, consisting of: 3,384 mt of cereals; 2,799 mt of pulses; 798 mt of blended food; 293 mt of oil; 92 mt of assorted other commodities.
2. RWANDA
2.1 Fighting in the Masisi area of Zaire continues to cause influxes to Rwanda. Some 2,000 Masisi Tutsis have arrived at the Nkamira transit centre. New arrivals indicated that there are another 5,000 to 8,000 Tutsis trying to flee the area (not yet verified). The influx continues to Nkamira at a rate of 300 persons per day. A Zairian parliamentary delegation is currently visiting the area, but no outcome has been announced yet.
2.2 The security situation in the West is still unstable, with explosions and armed confrontations. WFP is restricting movements of its personnel in a number of high risk areas.
2.3 During the past week, WFP Rwanda received 64 mt of oil and distributed 1,225 mt of foodstuffs to 71,000 beneficiaries in all parts of Rwanda. Current WFP food stocks in Rwanda as at 8 April 1996 are 6,645 mt, which is sufficient to meet food needs for a five-week period.
2.4 The Burundian Minister for Rehabilitation and Social Integration and the Burundian Ambassador to Rwanda visited the Kigeme camp for Burundian refugees in Gikongoro to become familiar with the living conditions of the refugees and to encourage voluntary repatriation.
2.5 During the past week, transit centres in Rwanda received a total of 3,199 persons from neighbouring countries. Of this total, 1,049 persons were returning Rwandan refugees, and 2,150 were Zairian refugees of Tutsi origin from the Masisi area seeking asylum in Rwanda.
2.6 Armed attacks and the presence of land-mines in some areas have contributed to decreased food arrivals and dispatches. Over-flooding caused by heavy rains are an additional constraint for transportation of food.
2.7 UNAMIR will withdraw completely by 19 April 1996, to be replaced by the United Nations Office in Rwanda (UNOR). The mandate of UNOR is still under discussion and the date of its institution is uncertain.
2.8 To strengthen coordination, WFP has requested that all agencies and Government institutions involved in food distribution submit a list of their activities, by commune and nature of project.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 Four WFP trucks were attacked on the evening of April 5. Travel documents and personal property were stolen from the drivers, but most documents were later recovered.
3.2 953 Tutsis fleeing conflict in the Masisi area have arrived in Goma. They are currently being fed by the ICRC. The risk of malnutrition is elevated, due to poor sanitation and hygiene and, to a lesser extent, food shortages.
3.3 107 trucks crossed the Ishasha border during the reporting week, carrying 2,555 mt of foodstuffs. 883 mt were sent to Bukavu by barge.
3.4 Wood distribution continues to be insufficient in the camps, forcing refugees, especially women, to risk their lives in search of firewood in the park.
3.5 The caseload of the Goma camps is 715,986, versus 715,183 last week. Most of the increase is due to high birth and low death rates.
3.6 Repatriation: a) In a radio broadcast, the Zairian Prime Minister announced a new deadline of July 1996 for the repatriation of Rwandan refugees. The government is currently studying measures to ensure the refugees' departure. b) 102 refugees returned to Rwanda this week. UNHCR has deployed a specialist to organize an information programme to encourage voluntary repatriation.
4. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
4.1 An entire week of fighting has caused UNHCR to limit movement and restrict entry to the Panzi camp. WFP trucks from Uvira destined for the camp were delayed, reducing the availability of food in warehouses. WFP plans to arrange a military escort for future transport of WFP food to Panzi.
4.2 896 mt of foodstuffs were received from Goma and 69 mt from Uvira. UNHCR is expecting 100 mt of oil, which will be added to the food basket.
4.3 The general caseload remains at 311,913. In April, 2,710 beneficiaries were retained in the special feeding program, compared to 2,567 in March.
4.4 A joint UNHCR/WFP mission to Idjwi was carried out to evaluate the situation of cholera in Chayo. UNHCR reported less diarrhea and no mortality cases compared to last week.
5. TANZANIA
5.1 The regional commissioner informed Musuhura camp leaders that refugees are not authorized to cultivate, including within the four kilometre camp radius. Only tree planting is permitted.
B. WEST AFRICA 1
1. ANGOLA
1.1 As a result of the inauguration of the Cuando river bridge, a WFP convoy reached Caconda from Huambo. Opening up this new route has decreased transit time to Caconda by three days.
1.2 WFP, CARE, UNICEF and MINARS (Ministry of Social Affairs) carried out a joint mission to Menongue April 10-11 to develop a strategy to address consistently high malnutrition rates. WFP food has been distributed in Menongue since 1993. While in most other locations WFP food has reduced malnutrition rates, leading eventually to discontinuation of general food distributions, no such success has been achieved in Menongue. A number of contributory factors, especially health and sanitation, are thought to need addressing.
1.3 The exceptionally heavy rains of the last weeks have resulted in yet to be quantified losses at WFP's Kapolo warehouse in Luanda and minor losses at WFP's main warehouse in Surube.
1.4 756 mt of vegetable oil are currently being unloaded from the vessel Atlantic Hope in Lobito. This donation, along with an advance of 800 mt already in-country, will avert a break in the supply of vegetable oil.
1.5 Andulo quartering area has been supplied with sufficient food to feed the soldiers and their families for one month, and the non-governmental organization Africare has been present since the first week of March. Chicuma is to be supplied with ICRC food, which will be distributed by Catholic Relief Services. These quartering areas are expected to be opened by April 12. Catala and Chitembo quartering areas are expected to be opened by April.
1.6 Demobilization update: As of 10 April 1996, the total number of quartered UNITA troops for Vila Nova, Londuimbali, Negage, Quibaxe, N'gove, Quibala and N'tuco was 18,512, of dependents, 21,518, and of weapons handed over, 16,148.
1.7 WFP stock in-country as of 5 April 1996 were 38,420 mt. Foreseen arrivals up to the end of April are 12,575 mt of maize, 1,700 mt of beans and 2,295 mt of vegetable oil. Over the period April 1-7, a total of 1,392 mt were delivered: 951 mt by road and 441 mt by air.
C. WEST AFRICA 2: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE, COTE D'IVOIRE AND GUINEA
1. LIBERIA - MONROVIA
1.1 Fierce fighting continues between the various factions (ULIMO-J, LPC and AFL against NPLF and ULIMO-K), causing a state of chaos and halting relief operations. What information is available is provided below. A more precise assessment will not be available until the situation has stabilized. This unpredictable situation makes it difficult to plan and organize any strategy for the time being.
1.2 Most diplomats and aid workers have been evacuated to Freetown, and from there to Dakar, Senegal, with only core staff remaining. WFP has three officers in Monrovia, two at the UN compound and one at the port.
1.3 An estimated 50,000-60,000 civilians have been displaced by the conflict, and are moving in and out of town at extreme risk to avoid the fighting. They have few material possessions with them, as their houses have been plundered.
1.4 Food stocks in Monrovia are sufficient to feed the planned number of beneficiaries under the protracted relief operation 4604 for the coming months. The key constraint to the food situation is availability of transport and insecurity. Transport is virtually non-existent, having either been stolen or destroyed.
1.5 WFP's capacity has been greatly reduced. The WFP office has been ransacked and cars stolen. Due to the insecurity, the remaining staff of WFP and other UN agencies are confined to the UN residential compound.
1.6 The most crucial problem for the coming weeks will be to assess the situation and develop new strategies to assist the victims of strife in both Monrovia and the countryside, as the capacity of all aid agencies is now greatly reduced.
D. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. OVERVIEW
1.1 More than 7500 mt from Ploce and a further 1600 mt from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were delivered into Bosnia- Herzegovina during the last week, mostly by WFP direct delivery.
1.2 The political situation has been stable, with general compliance with the provisions of the Dayton agreement and improving international relations. The international community has responded with considerable pledges of aid in advance of the conference in Brussels on April 12-13 to raise donations for rehabilitation.
1.3 An interagency WFP/UNHCR/FAO food needs assessment mission, accompanied by observers from ECHO and USAID, will visit all areas of the Federation and the Serb regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina starting April 17 to reassess the level of need and the categories of beneficiaries. The results of this assessment will form the basis of future/revised appeals.
2. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
2.1 Delivery and distribution of WFP food aid has continued well, although still with reduced rations. Access during the reporting period has been impeded only by congestion at crossing points, due to repairs to road surfaces and to the temporary IFOR bridges.
2.2 A new WFP sub-office was opened during the week in Banja Luka to manage WFP operations in the Serb entity, an area of increasing concern, to be fully operational by May.
2.3 The ICRC and NGO spring seed programmes in Central Bosnia are under way, distributing mainly vegetable seeds.
2.4 The President of the World Bank, James Wolfenson, visited Sarajevo to confirm membership of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Bank and to sign a loan for USD 75 million to restore infrastructure in transport, water supply and agriculture. This is in addition to an agreement reached last month for USD 45 million, which included USD 14 million for a social security fund for 100,000 of the poorest families. WFP is cooperating with the World Bank on this initiative.
2.5 WFP delivered about 5,000 mt of wheat grain and other commodities to Sarajevo in the past fortnight.
3. SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
3.1 The delivery of 4,000 mt of locally-purchased wheat flour is complete. Delivery and distribution of WFP food aid have continued smoothly both within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A joint comprehensive survey of all refugees in FRY territory has just been announced by the government and UNHCR.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 14 of 1996 - April 12, 1996)