This report includes: A) Liberia B) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and
Tanzania C) Somalia D) Afghanistan E) 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. LIBERIA
1. Update
a) General improvement of the security situation in Monrovia
allows reopening of Spriggs Payne airport, but armed
activities continue in several areas in the interior.
b) A commercial vessel with refugees on board returns back to
Monrovia after more than three weeks at sea.
B. EAST AFRICA 1: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA,
ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. Regional
a) WFP Assistant Executive Director visits the sub-region.
2. Burundi
a) Grenade explosion at a food distribution in Rukuramigabo
camp in Kirundo province results in 68 wounded.
b) Serious security incidents involving many deaths reported
in Muramvya province and Bujumbura Rural province.
c) Evacuation of Italian volunteers, nuns and priests from
Ruyigi province.
d) Two attacks on office of Action Contre la Faim in Ngozi.
3. Zaire - Goma
a) Security situation remains tense; two mines found on the
road south of Kibumba camp.
b) Hunde population returning to Masisi central.
c) Skirmishes between military and Ngilima rebels reportedly
result in several civilian and rebel deaths in Rutshuru area.
4. Zaire - Bukavu
a) Registration continues in several camps. No food
deliveries will be made to camps where census not completed.
5. Rwanda
a) Increase in security incidents in Kibuye, Gikongoro, and
the north-east.
b) A further 1,040 Zairian refugees arrive.
C. EAST AFRICA 2: SOMALIA
1. Update
a) Major shortfall in cash needs for the WFP emergency
operation in Somalia at a time when conditions in the Juba
valley require increased interventions.
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update
a) Salang Highway from to the north to Kabul now open, for
the first time in more than two years.
E. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Update
a) Unstable political situation continues.
b) Agreement on return of displaced persons signed between
Bosniak and Croat authorities in Zepce, Maglaj and Zavidovici
in central Bosnia.
PART II - DETAILS
A. LIBERIA
1. UPDATE (information as of 20 June 1996)
1.1 Spriggs Payne Airport, in the outskirts of Monrovia,
reopened 17 June with the landing of a fixed-wing airplane.
1.2 Fighting is reportedly continuing in Tubmanburg (although
Councilman Charles Taylor has denied any NPFL involvement) and
also in Greenville, Sinoe county.
1.3 The Russian fishing boat, Zolotisa, returned to Monrovia
on 18 June with about 435 people on board, including 217
Liberians, the rest being from other West African countries.
The vessel was in the high sea for 24 days, having been
refused berth in any port in the sub-region. The condition of
the people, including 50 children and 90 women, were better
than expected and no deaths were reported. The ship was
received by humanitarian agencies. WFP arranged for food and
temporary shelter in empty port warehouses while trucks were
made available to those wishing to return to their homes.
1.4 The rate of armed robbery in Monrovia is said to be
increasing as armed robbers detained in jail before the recent
crisis were released during the fighting. There is also an
increase in common delinquency in Monrovia and several
attempts were made to divert food aid. Burglaries of loaded
trucks and warehouses are becoming frequent.
1.5 A regional consultation meeting is being organized by WFP
in Abidjan on 1-5 July with the participation of WFP and UNHCR
representatives from headquarters offices and country offices
in the sub-region. Major donors and NGOs will also take an
active part in the meeting which is intended to review the
current food and non-food relief programme in order to
elaborate a strategy of intervention for 1997.
1.6 WFP convoy to Upper Lofa has safely returned to Monrovia
on 18 June having delivered 380 mt to Vonjama for targeted
feeding, food-for-work and vulnerable group assistance.
1.7 The UN chartered vessel, M/V Hollgan Star, returned to
Monrovia from Freetown with 21 UN Liberian national staff and
dependants plus two cars and equipment from various NGOs.
1.8 UNICEF, WHO and medical NGOs plan to conduct a
nutritional survey in Monrovia to check the nutritional status
of children within the 6-59 month age group and assess the
need for targeted feeding programmes. Action Contre la Faim
reports that the nutritional situation is worsening in
Buchanan, Kakata and Gbarnga.
B. EAST AFRICA 1: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA,
ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. REGIONAL
1.1 The WFP Assistant Executive Director, Mr. Jean-Jacques
Graisse, visited the sub-region 11-15 June. Mr. Graisse met
WFP staff and humanitarian organisation representatives in
Kigali, Bukavu, Bujumbura and Ngozi and held several official
meetings in all countries visited. In a meeting with the
President of Burundi Mr. Graisse reconfirmed that WFP will
remain in Burundi, carrying out necessary operations as long
as security conditions permit. The Assistant Executive
Director also had the opportunity to look at WFP sponsored
food-for-work projects in housing construction in Rwanda and
the warehouses and the camps of Inera and Kashusha in Bukavu.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 A grenade exploded at the site of a food distribution in
the Rukuramigabo camp in Kirundo province on 13 June. The
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, UNHCR/WFP implementing partner, was carrying out
food distributions at the time of the explosion, which
resulted in some 68 wounded, five of whom are in critical
condition.
2.2 Most NGOs have restarted activities at the end of a week
of mourning for the International Committee of the Red Cross
delegates killed on 4 June. WFP activities have continued in
Ngozi and Bujumbura, and will recommence in Gitega 19 June,
two days later than anticipated, due to technical problems
with the Twin Otter aircraft.
2.3 Security incidents continue throughout the country. On 13
June, in Rutegama (Muramvya province) between 70 and 100
civilians are reported to have been killed. Several houses
were burned on 14 June in Kibimba hill.
2.4 Kabezi commune of Bujumbura Rural has been the site of a
series of attacks since early June. Approximately 50 persons
were killed on 12 June. A large portion of the population has
gathered at the administrative centre of the commune and
around the parish of Mutambu (Masama, Kitenga, Citwe). The
areas of Migera, Ramba and Mutumba are presently empty of
inhabitants. Insecurity has prevented WFP from delivering 30
mt food commodities for the 5,000 beneficiaries. The Matambu
parish collected 24 mt, part delivered to the commune of
Kabezi, while the remaining distributed directly to dispersed
persons around Mutambu parish. An additional 6 mt will be
delivered on 19 June to IDPs at Masama, Kitenga and Citwe. CRS
will distribute non-food items to 3,800 persons.
2.5 Italian volunteers, nuns and priests living and working
at the Parish of Mutoyi in Ruyigi province were evacuated from
the area on 16 June following attacks which took place on 11
June, and threats on their lives. The Butezi hospital and six
surrounding health centres have been emptied.
2.6 The office of Action Contre la Faim was looted in Ngozi
marking the second attack in ten days. Action Contre la Faim
has temporarily suspended some of its activities.
2.7 As a direct result of the grenade explosion in the
Rukuramigabo camp, and other security incidents in the
northern refugee camps, WFP/UNHCR have agreed to move
distribution cycles from every two weeks to once every month
in Rukuramigabo camp, and once every three weeks in the other
three camps (Ruvumu, Kibezi and Magara) in Ngozi.
2.8 Two French nationals were victims of armed attacks in
Bujumbura and were evacuated for medical treatment in France.
2.9 The third round of Mwanza peace talks in Tanzania, with
the participation of representatives from 18 of Burundi's
political parties as well as representatives from the
Presidency and the Bureau of the Prime Minister, began on 17
June, one week after the last round ended. Talks were expected
to last for two days.
3. ZAIRE - GOMA
3.1 The general security situation remains tense in Goma.
Zairian Contingent soldiers found two mines on the north
corridor 8 km south of Kibumba camp.
3.2 Following a prolonged calm in Masisi central, the Hunde
are returning in large numbers in military-escorted convoys.
3.3 Most of the Tutsi population has left the Kichanga area
in Masisi for Rwanda.
3.4 Several civilians and some rebels were reported killed in
skirmishes between the military involved in the Mbata ("slap")
campaign and the Ngilima rebels in the Rutshuru area.
3.5 WFP reopened the Bunagana office on 16 June (closed on 5
June following attack on the Bunagana village). At present,
the Bunagana border area is quiet, but the local military
remain uneasy about the security situation along this route.
3.6 UNHCR has postponed the census in the Goma camps to
August 1996.
3.7 A total of 86 trucks crossed the Bunagana border from
10-16 June. WFP-Goma received a total of 2,296 mt and
dispatched 530 mt by barge to Bukavu.
4. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
4.1 The registration operation, which began during the week
of 3-9 June, continued in several camps. In other camps, the
operation was suspended due to cheating. Food delivery last
week was carried out only in camps where the registration
operation was completed and the results were approved. WFP and
UNHCR have announced to the refugees that in camps where
population figures are still not agreed upon food will not be
delivered until the matter is resolved.
4.2 The numerous security incidents near Goma reported over
the last several weeks hampered to some degree WFP's ability
to maintain a steady flow of food deliveries to Goma and
Bukavu via the northern corridor.
5. ZAIRE - UVIRA
5.1 Zairian border with Burundi remains closed. WFP continues
enhanced Kigoma-Uvira barge operation to ensure continuity of
Uvira and Bukavu pipeline. Some 3,770 mt food commodities on
three barges is presently being loaded in Kigoma for Uvira.
These barges are booked for two rotations, which will enable a
total uplift of 5,900 mt from Kigoma in the next two weeks.
This barge capacity will help to significantly reduce the
current stock build-up in the port of Kigoma. This build-up
has been primarily due to increased barge activity on the
lake, and subsequent increased competition for available
capacity, resulting from the Burundi/Zaire border closure.
5.2 New sites have been identified by UNHCR in Uvira for a
possible influx of refugees from Burundi, with an estimated
operational capacity of 90,000 persons.
5.3 Population in Uvira camps is at 189,144 (117,316
Burundian and 71,828 Rwandan).
6. TANZANIA
6.1 New arrivals have brought the refugee population of Keza
camp to 40,689, and the camp, established to accommodate new
refugees temporarily until their relocation to other camps, is
reaching full capacity.
6.2 During the reporting week the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tanzanian Red
Cross Society officially handed over Keza camp management to
the International Refugee Committee.
6.3 Kigoma region continues to receive new arrivals. A total
of 501 refugees arrived during the reporting period. 280
entered through Kanembwa, the remainder through Mtabila.
7. RWANDA
7.1 The last week witnessed a number of security incidents in
Kibuye (detection of new anti-tank mines on roads), Gikongoro
(sporadic cases of insurgency and land mines) and the north-
east (sabotage of a water facility in Tabagwe).
7.2 Following a decision made last week by the UN Security
Coordinator for Rwanda, the UN agencies have started using the
road through Nyungwe forest (between Gikongoro and Cyangugu)
only in organised convoys. Several convoys have already passed
without incidents and are expected to continue at least three
times a week.
7.3 The Prefects of the two most tense Prefectures of Rwanda,
Cyangugu and Gisenyi, were replaced last week, reportedly due
to their unsatisfactory conduct in security matters.
7.4 A total of 1,040 Zairian refugees entered Rwanda last
week, bringing the 1996 total to 13,984 persons. The majority
of the refugees are assisted in Umubano camp in Gisenyi, 1,324
await transfer from Nkamira returnee centre and 1,300 from the
former CARE transit centre. The previous week some 570 Zairian
refugees had arrived.
7.5 Owing to the general poor health and nutritional
condition of the Umubano camp population, WFP will increase
the general food aid ration by 100 gr of beans per person
daily, raising the kilocalorie content to 2,314. EC will
provide the additional quantities of food required. Following
two to three months of increased distributions, the
nutritional situation in the camp will be re-assessed.
C. EAST AFRICA 2: SOMALIA
1. UPDATE
1.1 WFP is facing a major shortfall in funding the direct
support costs of the Somalia emergency operation. If confirmed
contributions are not forthcoming immediately, WFP will be
forced to reduce operational capacity at a time when recent
reports of large population movements and increased
malnutrition rates in the Juba valley require increased
interventions. Humanitarian agencies working in the area are
anxious to respond immediately before situation deteriorates.
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE
1.1 The Salang Highway linking Mazar-i-Sharif in the north to
Kabul (closed to through traffic for more than two years) has
recently opened after the removal of mines by the Halo Trust,
a British Demining NGO. Following the agreement of forces
loyal to both the Kabul Government and to General Dostum to
guarantee safe conduct to humanitarian shipments, ICRC and WFP
convoys arrived in the capital from Mazar in late May and
early June. The Peshawar-Jalalabad-Sorobi-Kabul Road has
remained open and transport rates have fallen. Last winter's
periodic closing of the road exacerbated a food emergency in
the capital and drove up prices of basic foodstuffs and fuel.
1.2 The alternative Peshawar-Kabul route through Miran Shah,
Gardez and Maidan Shar is also open. Shipments from the south
move to Kabul through Taliban-controlled territory via
Kandahar and Maidan Shar. In the three months ending 1 June,
WFP moved a total of 7,382 mt into the capital.
1.3 While the government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani
continues to be locked in a stalemate with the Taliban, who
control over half of Afghanistan, the past month has seen the
movement of former Prime Minister Hekmatyar back into the
Rabbani camp and key ministerial posts assigned to
representatives of his party. From their capital at Kandahar,
the Taliban leadership has repeatedly rejected Rabbani's
offers to discuss the broadening of the base of the Kabul
government. Uzbek General Rashid Dostam, whose alliance with
the mujahuddin made possible their 1992 rise to power in the
capital, appears actively involved in behind-the-scenes
negotiations. Leaders of other parties recently met in
Kandahar with the Taliban in an attempt to salvage vital
interests threatened by the Hekmatyar-Rabbani accord.
1.4 Despite the reported reinforcement of Rabbani forces in
the capital by those of Hekmatyar, Taliban militia occupying
strategic positions around the capital continue regular mortar
attacks on the city, terrorizing the residents and causing
them to periodically relocate to safer neighbourhoods. In
early June, security concerns forced the day-long closure of
the WFP office in the capital.
1.5 The ordinary civilians of Kabul and the poor in other
parts of the country continue to face severe hardships in a
economy characterized by limited availability of basic food
commodities, declining purchasing power, and soaring food
prices due to the ongoing devaluation of the Afghani currency.
1.6 WFP is currently reaching one third of the total
population in Kabul. Countrywide deliveries are now over
10,000 mt of food commodities per month and are reaching a
monthly average of 1.6 million beneficiaries. Food-for-work
activities are supporting returnee shelter reconstruction,
rehabilitation of agricultural lands and infrastructure, land
reclamation, flood control and rehabilitation of social
infrastructures in the form of schools, clinics, essential
farm to market roads and community centres.
1.7 WFP support is also going to the victims of recent floods
and landslides in several parts of the country, often in
remote and inaccessible mountainous areas.
E) FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
1.1 The political situation continues unstable. The Deputy to
the High Representative, Michael Steiner, stated last week
that six months into the Dayton Peace Agreement the situation
in Bosnia had worsened. He cited the continuation of ethnic
separation, the lack of progress in the return of refugees and
displaced persons and human rights shortcomings. This was
echoed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the
Florence meeting of 13-14 June.
1.2 There is ethnic and political tension on all sides. No
real progress has been made on displaced persons returning to
their homes across the Inter-Entity Border Lines (IEBL) and
visits across the IEBL continue to encounter obstruction.
However some progress is being made in Federation areas. An
agreement was signed this week between Bosniak and Croat
authorities in the central Bosnia area of Zepce, Maglaj and
Zavidovici for the return of displaced persons.
1.3 Much attention is focused on elections due to take place
in Mostar on 30 June and in September (rest of the country).
1.4 The continuation of WFP food support with improved
targeting becomes more crucial as NGOs in many areas are
cutting their lists of beneficiaries and concentrating their
efforts on rehabilitation and re-construction projects.
1.5 With its increased presence throughout Bosnia, WFP
programming and monitoring staff are discussing with UNHCR and
local authorities the development of a strategy and mechanisms
for further improvements in the targeting of beneficiaries.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 24 of 1996 - June 21, 1996)