This report includes: A) Liberia B) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and
Tanzania C) Angola D) CIS - Tajikistan.
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. LIBERIA
1. Update
a) Deployment of ECOMOG troops throughout Monrovia continues;
ULIMO-J refuse to vacate BTC barracks on 31 May as initially
scheduled.
b) With improved security situation, WFP distributions will
revert to targeted feeding.
c) On-going delivery of food assistance and inter-agency
assessment missions to identify most serious emergency needs
in up-country Liberia.
d) International NGOs working in Liberia meet to discuss
future involvement in the relief operation.
B. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE
AND TANZANIA
1. General
a) Rwanda/Burundi Regional Emergency Situation Report dated
30 May 1996 now available from the Eastern Africa Bureau, WFP.
b) Food shortfalls for the Regional operation for the period
July to December 1996 total 73,160 mt.
2. Burundi
a) Three ICRC delegates killed in ambush north of Cibitoke on
4 June. ICRC suspends all humanitarian operations in Burundi.
IFRC also stops distribution activities in northern Burundi.
b) A group of 85 French nationals evacuate from Burundi.
c) Massacre in IDP camp in Butezi, Ruyigi province, leaves 50
dead, mainly women and children.
d) Further displacement of population takes place due to
confrontations between military and rebels in Kayanza.
e) Refugees from Rwanda arrive in northern Burundi following
reported death of 40 persons in attack in Cyangugu Prefecture.
3. Zaire - Goma
a) Disturbances take place involving soldiers in Goma town;
airport closes between 31 May and 4 June; food distributions
and monitoring activities are interrupted.
b) Attack on Bunagana, one of two truck entry points from
Uganda to Zaire, on 5 June; 28 persons killed. WFP compound
under attack.
c) Both roads into Goma from Uganda close intermittently
between 1-4 June due to security situation, delaying relief
trucks.
4. Tanzania
a) Some 6,000 Burundian refugees try to cross into Tanzania
near Kigoma between 27 May to 2 June; 2,000 manage to enter
but are returned to Burundi by Tanzanian soldiers. Burundian
refugees continue to cross into Ngara region in spite of
border closure.
5. Rwanda
a) Heightened insecurity in Cyangugu.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update
a) WFP recommences food assistance in Chongoroi, Benguela
province.
b) Alarming nutritional situation reported in Bie province.
D. COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES - TAJIKISTAN
1. Update
a) WFP and IFRC provide assistance to victims of serious
flooding in western Tajikistan.
PART II - DETAILS
A. LIBERIA
1. UPDATE (information as of 6 June 1996)
1.1 No major security incidents have been reported during the
current week in Monrovia as ECOMOG continued its deployment
throughout the city and on the Schiefflin highway. ECOMOG
plans to make thorough search for arms in the West Point area
which is suspected of harbouring some fighters and weapons.
1.2 The special envoy of the ECOWAS Chairman is expected back
in Monrovia in the near future to resume peace talks with the
Krahn fighters. The objective is to persuade ULIMO-J to vacate
the BTC barracks and move with their weapons to Tubmanburg, as
called for by the recent Accra decision. As a precondition to
their moving out of BTC, ULIMO-J insist on the withdrawal of
NPFL from the territories previously under ULIMO-J control
(i.e. Kakata, Todee and Bong Mines) as well as the
unconditional return of their leader, Roosevelt Johnson. In
up-country Liberia there are unconfirmed reports of fighting
between NPFL and LPC in Grand Gedeh, some 40 km from Zwedru,
Sinoe county.
1.3 The mandate of UNOMIL (UN Military Observers) has been
extended up to August 1996 by the Security Council, which has
also appealed to donors to provide adequate support to enable
ECOMOG to fulfil its tasks.
1.4 Within the expanded WFP feeding programme in Monrovia, 53
communities out of total 64 have been reached since 14 April
with 3,400 mt of food. So far 635,000 people have received
assistance; an additional 133,000 people will be assisted
through the distribution of a further 700 mt. After the
completion of the first phase of the expanded feeding
programme next week, only pockets of malnutrition among the
city population will be targeted.
1.5 Distributions in Monrovia and surrounding areas during
the period 14 April to 1 June amounted to 6,217 mt while an
additional 456 mt were delivered by truck convoy to Kakata
(168 mt), Suhen (46 mt) and Salala/Totota (242 mt) and 1,200
mt trans-shipped in two instalments to Buchanan, for an
overall total of 7,873 mt.
1.6 Another WFP convoy left Monrovia on 5 June with 380 mt of
food for the Phebe Hospital, close to Gbarnga. The food is
earmarked for vulnerable group feeding and food-for-work
activities in upper Lofa county.
1.7 A two-day inter-agency mission with UN and NGO
participation is being fielded to Lofa on 7 June for assessing
emergency food needs, NGO implementation capacity, access
conditions including storage and transport facilities, and in
particular, security constraints in the area.
1.8 Serious deterioration of the nutritional situation is
reported in Tubmanburg where over 50,000 displaced people were
last served with relief food in January 1996. The population
is apparently surviving only on wild tubers and there are
reports of up to 10 people a day dying because of starvation
and disease. Further negotiations with the warring factions
for access for relief aid to both Bomi and Cape Mount are
expected in the coming few days.
1.9 Upon the arrival in Monrovia port on 4 June of the new
UN-chartered support vessel, M/V Salvator II, a second cargo
of 600 mt of food plus other relief items was shipped to
Buchanan aboard the M/V Hollgan Star.
1.10 Twelve international NGOs working in Liberia have
adopted a common position on scaling down relief activities in
the country due to the widespread looting of property and
equipment which has been carried out once again by the warring
factions since 6 April, and the repeated abuse of humanitarian
principles. As a result, the NGOs decided that the resumption
of full activities is not possible and instead will only
undertake targeted, minimal and life-saving interventions.
B. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE
AND TANZANIA
1. GENERAL
1.1 An updated situation report on Rwanda/Burundi Regional
Emergency dated 30 May 1996 is available from WFP (OME
Pipeline Management and Reports Unit, WFP Rome, tel: (39)(6)
5228-2904, fax: (39)(6) 5228-2861, e-mail Morneau@wfp.org)
1.2 RWANDA/BURUNDI REGIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING FIGURES AND
FOOD SHORTFALLS FOR THE PERIOD JULY - DECEMBER 1996
TOTAL FOOD SHORTFALLS
BENEFICIARIES COMMODITIES
PLANNING CEREALS PULSES OIL SALT TOTAL
FIGURE* MT MT MT MT MT
RWANDA 350,000 5,705 2,878 308 8,891
BURUNDI 262,000
TANZANIA 630,000 22,439 857 445 286 24,027
ZAIRE
Goma 690,000 20,522 298 523 21,343
Bukavu 300,000 10,657 1,299 141 12,097
Uvira 150,000 5,150 1,445 148 60 6,803
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 2,382,000 64,473 6,479 1,199 1,010 73,161
* Represents a monthly average of beneficiaries.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 Three staff members of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), two Swiss nationals and one Italian
national, were killed when their vehicle, the first of a two
car convoy, was struck in an ambush on 4 June north of
Cibitoke. The convoy was returning from a mission to evaluate
medical and non-food assistance to the stricken population of
the region.
2.2 The Head of the ICRC Delegation in Bujumbura announced 5
June that the organization would be obliged to suspend all
humanitarian operations in the country. Meanwhile, the
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC), who are WFP and UNHCR's implementing partner
for refugee camps in North Burundi, has stopped distribution
activities in protest of the attack.
2.3 UN agencies including WFP have not had a permanent base
in Cibitoke province for almost one year. A prevailing state
of war has rendered assistance of humanitarian aid extremely
risky. ICRC, the only agency operating in this area, had
pulled out for several weeks at the end of last year following
the death of a national staff member in November 1995.
2.4 Some 85 French nationals including the French Military
Cooperation Mission have evacuated the country.
2.5 Peace talks between Burundian political leaders resume
this week in Mwanza, Tanzania, with former Tanzanian President
Julius Nyerere and former US President Jimmy Carter presiding.
2.6 New civil governors have been named in Cibitoke and
Gitega.
2.7 The number of confirmed dead in a massacre in an IDP camp
on 28 May in Butezi, Ruyigi province, has been put at 50,
mainly women and children.
2.8 Confrontations between military and rebels continue in
Kayanza province, leading to population displacements in
southern Ngozi and northern Gitega. Killings occurred on a
significant scale through ambushes in Gitega, Cibitoke, Ngozi,
Bujumbura and Bururi provinces. Assassinations of government
personnel in Ruyigi province were also reported.
2.9 WFP completed distribution of 640 mt food to 106,765 IDPs
throughout Gitega province. Assessment and distribution in
surrounding provinces is being carried out from Gitega office.
Presently two international field officers and a 14-member
distribution team are in place in the area.
2.10 Following claims by the local authorities that 61,000
IDPs are in need of food assistance, WFP is presently carrying
out assessments and distributions in Karuzi province from
Gitega sub-office.
2.11 Some 3,960 Rwandan refugees were transferred from Kibezi
to Magara camp in Ngozi. The remaining Kibezi camp population
(15,363 persons) is expected to be moved to Magara (current
population 42,822) by UNHCR in collaboration with the Governor
of Ngozi.
2.12 Up to 2,000 new refugees from Rwanda are estimated to
have arrived in northern Burundi following the reported deaths
of 40 persons in an attack in Cyangugu Prefecture in Rwanda.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 Following a road ambush killing three and injuring seven
soldiers near Kahindo camp 31 May, shooting broke out in Goma
town from 1-4 June. Vehicles belonging to humanitarian
agencies were repeatedly confiscated by soldiers and stores
were looted. A Zairian Intelligence Service Inspector was
attacked at his home and his family killed. Several high
ranking government and military officials have moved their
families out of Goma.
3.2 Goma airport was closed between 31 May and 4 June.
3.3 Approximately 20 assailants attacked Bunagana, one of the
two truck entry points from Uganda to Zaire, on 5 June. All
homes were searched and 28 persons were killed. The WFP
compound also came under attack, and one non-WFP employee was
killed.
3.4 Food distributions were interrupted in some of the camps
north of Goma due to insecurity. Monitoring and WFP camp
activities were also affected.
3.5 From 1-4 June, roads into Goma from Uganda were
intermittently closed for security reasons. After significant
delays, 65 trucks managed to cross the Ishasha border point
while 15 crossed the border at Bunagana. WFP-Goma received a
total 1,835 mt of foodstuffs, of which 702 mt were dispatched
by barge to Bukavu. As of 4 June, Goma had 19 days supply of
salt, 14 days cereals and 7 days pulses. During this period,
WFP has taken every opportunity to maximise deliveries in
periods when roads were open.
4. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
4.1 Distribution for upcoming two weeks carried out ahead of
time to accommodate the registration operation due to take
place week of 3-9 June, during which no other activities are
planned.
4.2 WFP food-for-work project for rehabilitation of 10 km of
Chimanga road continues. CARE will start a similar food-for-
work project to repair an additional 16 km of the road.
5. ZAIRE - UVIRA
5.1 Over the reporting period, 688 new refugees from Burundi
arrived in Uvira camps. The total caseload stands at 189,144
persons.
5.2 Use of landing strip at Kiliba, some 30 minutes by road
from Uvira, has been prohibited by the Government of Zaire for
all humanitarian flights. The only point of entry for Uvira
from Burundi remains that of Bukavu (via plane).
6. TANZANIA
6.1 Reports from Kigoma region state that approximately 6,000
Burundian refugees tried to cross into Tanzanian territory
from 27 May to 2 June. Of these, approximately 2,000 managed
to enter into Kigoma region but were returned the next day to
Burundi by Tanzanian soldiers.
6.2 Reports indicate that in spite of the fact that the
border remains officially closed to refugees, Burundians
continue to cross into Ngara region.
7. RWANDA
7.1 A total of 1,033 Rwandan returnees and 2,330 Zairian
refugees arrived in Rwanda 27 May to 3 June. As of 3 June, an
estimated total 12,000 Zairian refugees were situated in
Umubano camp in Gisenyi with another 1,000 awaiting transfer
in Nkamira. WFP has been providing food aid to all 13,000
Zairian refugees, as well as supporting the supplementary
feeding of 732 malnourished persons.
7.2 Insecurity prevails in Cyangugu, with an increased number
of killings of members of the local population and government
representatives. Consequently, some 250 Burundian refugees are
to be transferred from Bugarama (Cyangugu) to Kigeme
(Gikongoro).
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 As reported in WFP Emergency Report no. 20, a WFP convoy
was sent to Chongoroi in response to a recent increase in the
number of displaced people in the area and the findings of a
joint WFP/UNICEF/NGO mission. In late May, WFP in
collaboration with the NGO Okutiuka distributed food to 840
families (3,600 people). FCV/CVA distributed non-food items,
whilst UNICEF vaccinated children and women against polio,
measles and tetanus and distributed oral rehydration salts.
The security situation in the region is still unstable, with
the presence of unidentified armed groups hindering the
circulation of people and goods.
1.2 MSF-Belgium has reported an increased number of
admissions of malnourished people to its Kuito hospital
therapeutic feeding centre in Bie province. The NGO Concern
reports similar problems. Approximately 50 percent of new
admissions come from Kuito itself, the remainder from
surrounding areas such as Camacupa, Catabola, Chinguar and
Chipeta. Initial analysis indicates that this may be due to a
combination of poor harvests and a sharp increase in food
prices. A nutritional survey in Kuito coordinated by Concern
is expected to provide more details.
1.3 Demobilisation: The latest (13th) quartering area, Likua
in Kuando Kubango province, opened this week and is ready to
receive 2,000 soldiers; 558 soldiers were already present and
ready for registration on the opening day. Meanwhile Lumege QA
in Moxico province (QA 14) is being finalised; WFP has been
requested to pre-position the necessary food there by 9 June
1996. The total number of quartered UNITA troops as of 5 June
1996 is 34,000, with 47,550 dependants.
1.4 Present in-country stocks amount to just over 44,000 mt,
with an additional 10,00 mt expected to arrive during the
month of June
D. COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES - TAJIKISTAN
1. Update
1.1 Exceptionally heavy rains caused flooding and widespread
damage in western Tajikistan. The areas most seriously
affected are Aini, Dushanbe, Gozimalik, Hissar, Kofarnighon,
Kulyab, Komsomolobad, Kuybishev, Kurgan Tyube, Leninskiy and
Varsob.
1.2 WFP is providing food assistance to hundreds of people
rendered homeless by the floods, channelling assistance
through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, IFRC. WFP is utilising some of the food
stocks available from the on-going vulnerable group feeding
programme. 43 mt of food aid has been supplied to flood
victims so far. WFP will review needs with IFRC this week. The
IFRC is also is providing blankets, soap and tents to the
flood victims.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 22 of 1996 - June 7, 1996)