Report No. 36 of 1996 Date: 13 September 1996
This report includes: A) Liberia B) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and Tanzania C) Iraq D) Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
>From D. Morton, Acting for Director, Operational Policy and Support Division. For information regarding resources, donors are requested to contact Mr. F. Strippoli/Mr. M. Crosthwaite, WFP Rome (Ph. 39 6 5228 2504 or 5228 2004). Transmission problems should be reported by fax to 39 6 5228 2837.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. LIBERIA
1. Update (information as of 13 September) a) Food relief operation begun to reach starving population in Tubmanburg, cut off by fighting since February. B. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi (information as of 12 September) a) Embargo continues to isolate Burundi. b) Rebel attack on 3 September and ensuing combat between rebels and army in the hills around Bujumbura provokes population inflow from the hills to the city. c) Heavy fighting between rebels and army in the north causes population movements. WFP distributes food in Ngozi and Kayanza provinces to most resulting IDPs.
2. Zaire - Goma (information as of 12 September) a) Attack on Bunagana on border between Uganda and Zaire on 12 September. Two people killed and several injured. b) Three people killed and 34 injured when bus carrying staff members of IFRC hits an explosive device on 7 September. c) Relief food supplies in Goma at critically low level.
3. Zaire - Uvira a) Security tense in Uvira and other parts of South Kivu with reported clashes between the Zaire Army and Tutsi groups (Banyamulenge) in Lemera.
C. IRAQ
1. Update a) Governorate of Suleimaniyah now under the control of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). b) WFP distributions only briefly interrupted in Suleimaniyah, and continue as usual elsewhere. c) Donor pledges needed to continue WFP humanitarian operations while implementation of Security Council Resolution 986 delayed.
D. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Update a) Highlights of the recent FAO/WFP Special Alert on DPR Korea are given below. PART II - DETAILS
A. LIBERIA - Information as of 13 September 1996
1. UPDATE
1.1 WFP has begun a massive food relief operation to save the lives of 40,000 people who had been trapped in and around the town of Tubmanburg since February. WFP commenced full-scale emergency feeding in the area, located some 80 km from Monrovia, on 10 September, following a joint assessment by WFP/UNICEF/MSF/Action Contre la Faim over the weekend of 7/8 September which reported that there were in the vicinity of 4,000 malnourished children in the town, and that the majority of the city's population is suffering from extreme hunger.
1.2 Humanitarian agencies were only allowed to enter Tubmanburg following a long series of negotiations over the past months with field commanders of rival factions. WFP was last able to deliver food rations in January 1996 before fighting left Tubmanburg besieged and completely cut off from the outside world. Much of the population had been forced to hide in the dense jungle surrounding Tubmanburg, subsisting on mainly grass and leaves.
1.3 As of 12 September, some 12,000 people had received emergency food. Beneficiaries are receiving a rehabilitative ration of bulgur wheat, vegetable oil, pulses and CSB. More than 100 mt food, and basic non-food items such as soap, have been distributed as of 12 September. Beneficiary numbers have been increasing daily as more and more people come out of hiding to collect rations.
1.4 At least 120 of the most seriously ill have been taken to Monrovia for hospitalisation. An average of 6 to 8 people, whose condition was beyond recovery before convoys arrived, are still dying of hunger on a daily basis.
1.5 Transport to Tubmanburg has been difficult due to unfavourable roads conditions and distribution slowed by heavy rain. Several months of inaccessibility have resulted in the overgrowth of vegetation on roads. Convoys have also been forced to cross an unstable wooden bridge empty of cargo after the bridge collapsed under the weight of the delivery trucks. Commodities now have to be unloaded and carried manually to the other side of the bridge before being reloaded for the trucks to continue to Tubmanburg. WFP will start food for work projects to re-open impassable roads.
1.6 It is believed that the population in Cape Mount and Bomi counties are also in danger of starvation. Both counties were declared emergency areas by the Government on 11 September. Access to these areas has been cut off for a very long time due to fighting. As soon as access is permitted, WFP will be able to deploy food and supplies within 24 hours.
1.7 Current WFP trucking capacity amounts to 270 mt per day with a mixed fleet of UN and commercial trucks, which is sufficient for food delivery to all three locations. In-country stocks in Monrovia amount to 5,000 mt. An additional 1,300 mt food stocks available in the port of San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire are being called forward.
1.8 In other developments, ECOMOG Force Commander Major general Malu has stationed troops at Harbel to inspect all landing aircraft at Robertsfield International Airport, assuring the nation that no illegal arms would be allowed into the country. An ECOMOG airborne unit has also been deployed to the airport.
1.9 Chairwoman of the Council of State Ruth Perry was sworn into office on 3 September in Monrovia. In her inaugural address, Ms. Perry urged Liberians to work for unity and reconciliation, and called for the strict implementation of the Abuja Accord. She also called for the disarmament of child soldiers. B. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI (information as of 12 September)
1.1 WFP continues food distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups. During the reporting period 200 mt were distributed.
1.2 The Regional Sanctions Co-ordination Committee (RSCC) met in Arusha on 6 September to review the implementation of sanctions on Burundi. Sanctions on Burundi remain in effect because none of the three conditions required for a lift of the embargo were met. Some humanitarian concerns were addressed, and importation by UN Agencies of a very limited list of items was allowed. Notably humanitarian food was not included.
1.3 UN Agencies and the diplomatic corps in Burundi were given authorisation to import limited quantities of diesel and petrol to facilitate distribution of humanitarian supplies and continuation of essential operations in the country.
1.4 The RSCC also decided to allow a restricted number of UN flights to and from Bujumbura for the exclusive movement of humanitarian personnel and diplomats residing in Burundi. Restricted road access to Burundi for UN and other humanitarian agencies was also permitted.
1.5 WFP remains very concerned by the issues of food security for IDPs and vulnerable groups and of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seeds for the imminent planting season.
1.6 In line with the RSCC statement, WFP is preparing plans for humanitarian flights to and from Bujumbura, possibly from Nairobi. WFP has been requested to co-ordinate the import of fuel for authorised humanitarian agencies in Burundi. WFP has also agreed to transport urgent humanitarian cargo for other UN Agencies from Isaka in Tanzania to Ngozi in Burundi.
1.7 The Archbishop of Gitega, an important social figure in Burundi, was assassinated on 10 September in Gitega Province, reportedly by rebels.
1.8 Security in Bujumbura Rural deteriorated with heavy fighting around the capital during the past week. Population movements, from the hills into the city (to IDP sites), of people fleeing the fighting was reported. Approximately 1,000 people arrived. However, the situation appears to have returned to normal since 10 September.
1.9 Security in the northern Provinces troubled with heavy offensive manoeuvres by the rebels in Cibitoke, Kayanza and Ngozi provinces in an attempt to cut Burundi off from Rwanda. Important population movements reported.
1.10 Insecurity on the road leading to Rwanda reported (Kayanza-Kanyaru-Butare) due to military activities.
1.11 On 8 September, the authorities conducted a house search operation in Ngozi town to control the identification papers of the city's population. Anyone found without identification documents were detained. The houses of expatriates were not searched. This operation followed rumours of an imminent rebel attack on Ngozi.
2. ZAIRE - GOMA (information as of 12 September)
2.1 An armed attack took place during the early hours of 12 September (between 2:00 and 3:30 am), at Bunagana on the border crossing point between Uganda and Zaire. Initial report says that two people were killed and several were injured. It appears that Banyarwandan speaking people were the authors of the attack, which resembles the attack made at the same location in June.
2.2 A UNHCR bus carrying 50 staff members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) hit an explosive device on the morning of 7 September. 34 people were injured, of whom three subsequently died. The accident occurred just outside Goma town north of the airport on the road to the northern axis camps. It is not clear who is responsible for the incident, but it may be related to a local feud. As a consequence, the Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is planning to provide reduced services in the camps during this week.
2.3 The Goma food supply situation is critical with the ration at a record low of 776 kilocalories. This arises largely from a ban imposed by a major donor on deliveries of its food aid donations to Goma pending the production of viable refugee figures, which in turn depends on the successful completion of the verification exercise. UNHCR, WFP and the Government of Zaire are meeting in Goma to determine a new date for the verification exercise to take place.
2.4 WFP is struggling to maintain supplies to Goma through diversions of food and borrowings. Pulses and corn soya blend (CSB) ruptures are imminent.
2.5 The Government of Uganda has once more impounded WFP's leased fleet (which serves Goma) ostensibly to verify tax- related queries on imported spares and tires.
2.6 The general situation in Goma remains quite tense.
2.7 No organized voluntary repatriation took place during from 2-8 September because of the verification exercise scheduled for this period. Repatriation activities are scheduled to start up again next week.
3. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
3.1 Ethnic fighting in Uvira is sparking security incidents in all of South Kivu. Several Banyamulenge (the Tutsi community in South Kivu) are being held in Bukavu for questioning.
3.2 A total of 660 mt of foodstuff were received between 2 and 8 September. However, deliveries through the southern route continue to be slow. This situation should improve during the next three or four weeks as an extra barge with 800 mt capacity will be operated on Lake Tanganyika. The ration has been set at 1,492 Kcal.
4. ZAIRE - UVIRA
4.1 Deteriorating security conditions and serious clashes between the Zairian army and Tutsi groups (Banyamulenge) in Lemera are reported. Fighting between the military and alleged Tutsi infiltrators from Rwanda led to three deaths. UNHCR security officer in Uvira requested UN agencies to implement a 18:00 hours curfew on 6 September. On the same day, the Zairian Army seized all the vehicles of the Catholic diocese and Caritas. Caritas subsequently announced suspension of activities in Uvira on 9 September.
4.2 An anti-Tutsi sentiment is being stirred up within the Uvira population, and a demonstration and general strike was organised on 9 September, which forced humanitarian agencies to suspend activities for the day. There are reports of 15 people injured.
4.3 The supply situation which had been facing difficulties in deliveries should improve in the coming weeks with the new 850 mt capacity WFP-allocated barge and the repaired cranes.
4.4 The daily ration during the past week was 1,538 kcal.
5. RWANDA 5.1 The Government of Rwanda has lifted charges against 197 minors previously charged with taking part in the 1994 genocide. These minors will, however, remain in the Gitagata re-educational centre for classes which are expected to help them re-integrate into society. WFP is currently providing food aid to all 400 minors in this centre. 5.2 Rwanda remains relatively calm for a second week. Minorincidents were reported from Ramba and Gaseke communes in Gisenyi, Rutsiro commune in Kibuye and Bugarama commune in Cyangugu. 5.3 All UN agencies are currently involved in preparation of the new UN Security Plan for Rwanda. 5.4 Refugees continue to arrive from Zaire and Burundi. There are now 13,951 Zairian refugees in Umubano camp in Gisenyi and 5,862 Burundian refugees in the South. The transfer of the of all Burundian refugees in Cyangugu prefecture to a new camp in Bugarama commune has commenced.
C. IRAQ
1. UPDATE (information as of 13 September) 1.1 During this past week the take-over of the governorate of Suleimaniyah has brought the whole of the autonomous region in the north of Iraq under the control of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) faction.
1.2 WFP distribution, logistics and monitoring operations have continued as usual throughout the whole country with the only exception being the governorate of Suleimaniyah where operations stopped temporarily during the last three days (as of 13 September), while new authorities were appointed by the KDP.
1.3 Population movements and additional humanitarian needs caused by the events of the last two weeks are being assessed by WFP in co-ordination with UNICEF and UNHCR.
1.4 As the events of the last two weeks have lead to delays in the implementation of Security Council Resolution 986 (which allows the sale of limited quantities of Iraqi oil to procure and distribute essential food stuff and medical supplies), humanitarian conditions remain critical throughout the country. Emergency WFP food aid stocks and confirmed pledges will cover the food needs of 1.485 million targeted beneficiaries in the centre and south only up to the end of October 1996. In the north, available stocks and confirmed pledges would allow for the distribution of basic commodities to 666,000 people until the end of December 1996.
1.5 Net WFP emergency food aid requirements for period October to December are estimated at 6,560 mt, or USD 2.4 million for the north, and at 47,350 mt, or USD 16.7 million for the centre and south.
D. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. UPDATE
1.1 A joint FAO/WFP Special Alert on DPR Korea was issued on 6 September, based on a recently completed evaluation of the effects of the high intensity rainfall and floods of the last week of July 1996, on crop production and food supply. The full Alert can be found through the WFP home page on the Web at http://www.unicc.org/wfp (under New). Highlights of the Alert are as follows:
1.2 Between 24 and 28 July 1996, the southern parts of the country received an average of 800 mm of intensive rainfall, resulting in serious flooding and extensive damage to agriculture, property and infrastructure. The rainfall and resultant damage occurred most extensively in North and South Hwanghae Provinces, Kangwon Province and Kaesong Municipality.
1.3 Total loss in cereals due to the floods is tentatively projected at around 373,000 tons. There is no possibility of replanting in the areas in which crops have been lost. The Government is encouraging vegetable planting, mainly cabbage and radish, on affected fields.
1.4 The recent floods have accentuated the seriousness of existing food supply problems in the country. Rationing through the Public Distribution System (PDS), which caters for the food needs of the majority of the population, had already been revised down significantly, and for many people rations are well below minimum quantities required. The cereal ration is now approximately 6 kg/month or 200 grams/day. An estimated 5 million people on collective farms, who were formerly not entitled to PDS cereal rations, have effectively become dependent on the PDS.
1.5 In late May/early June at the time of harvest, potatoes were introduced into the PDS for the first time to supplement rations for a period of six weeks. In addition, at the beginning of August a part of the maize crop was harvested early and channelled into the PDS as cobs/green maize. This stop-gap measure to ease current pressure will reduce availability at harvest time.
1.6 The Government has authorized all provinces and counties to barter products directly with neighbouring countries, especially China, for food. Products that have been bartered included fish/shellfish, scrap metal, marble and timber (accentuating problems of deforestation and erosion in some areas). It is estimated that imports through this system of trade have amounted to approximately 250,000 tons of cereals since the beginning of 1996.
1.7 Although the Government is seriously constrained in making commercial imports for cash, it has been successful in securing supplies through barter with some countries. The main commodities bartered include cement, steel and gold. It has also intensified attempts to secure food supplies through bilateral grant aid or on the basis of deferred payment. Since the beginning of the 1995/96 marketing year in November, it is estimated that pledges and deliveries of these imports, classified as programme food aid, amount to around 523,000 tons of grain.
1.8 By early September 1996, emergency food aid through the UN-system will have amounted to around 46,500 tons of cereals and 6,000 tons of blended food, mainly CSB. Additional donations from non-governmental organizations, notably CARITAS and IFRC, will amount to approximately 28,800 tons of grain and 1,600 tons of non-grain products. In total these sources will have provided some 75,300 tons of cereals and 7,600 tons of non cereals in food assistance.
1.9 Total cereal import requirements were identified in the last FAO/WFP Special Alert No 267 of May this year as 1.4 million tons of cereals for 1995/96. The quantity of commercial and cereal bartered imports and food aid provided or pledged so far amounts to 848,300 tons, leaving an overall deficit of some 622,700 tons.
1.10 Other information: during the past week, WFP staff in DPR Korea accompanied visiting mission members of CARITAS/Hong Kong and USAID Food for Peace, on field visits to Sinuiju, Uiju, Kangwon and Hyangsan. The mission participants acknowledged that food was an urgent priority in the country.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 36 of 1996 - September 13, 1996)
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