Report No. 37 of 1996 Date: 20 September 1996
This report includes: A) Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire B) Liberia and Sierra Leone C) Angola D) Iraq E) Former Yugoslavia
>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. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE, AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi a) In northern provinces, population displaced by fighting between 3 and 9 September are now returning to their homes. b) Banyamulenge (Tutsis) expelled from South Kivu in Zaire to receive assistance. c) WFP coordinates and arranges flights in and out of Burundi for humanitarian agencies and diplomatic missions. d) WFP nominated lead agency to import fuel for all UN agencies and NGOs in Burundi; diesel supplies running low.
2. Zaire - Goma a) Official caseload frozen since verification exercise boycott by refugees; meetings between UNHCR, WFP and Zairian authorities on verification restarted. b) Food supply situation remains critical. c) Suspended voluntary repatriation resumes with 105 refugees returning to Rwanda.
3. Zaire - Uvira a) Insecurity increasing among refugees in Uvira region due to clashes between the Tutsi Banyamulenge and Zairians. b) Anti-Tutsi sentiment and looting mounting; Zairian authorities expel 217 Banyamulenge. c) Humanitarian agencies increasingly the target of hostility and harassment.
4. Rwanda a) Some 400 Zairian Banyamulenge refugees from South Kivu accommodated at Bugarama returnee centre; separate camp to be established.
B. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. Liberia a) WFP delivers 180 tons to Bomi County, reaching 19,743 people, and supplies food to MSF and World Vision therapeutic feeding programmes. b) Inter-agency security assessment mission to Grand Cape Mount county denied access due to security problems.
2. Sierra Leone a) Rebel ambushes on food trucks prevent movement of food aid to Kenema and slow down movement of supplies to Bo. b) Joint WFP/UNHCR assessment mission to take place 23 September to 3 October, with CRS, USAID and EU participation. c) Results of verification exercise in Freetown IDP camps 11 September being compiled, and are expected to significantly reduce caseload.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update a) Some 509,000 families to benefit from country-wide seeds and tools campaign. b) Saurimo-Luena road to open this week. c) WFP food-for-work project to rehabilitate Luanda-Malange railroad begins. d) Quartering process complete and demobilization begins e) Mine explodes at WFP bridge reparation site, causing injuries.
D. IRAQ
1. Update a) Security situation in Sulemanyia calm and WFP resumes distributions. b) Reduction reported in numbers of internally displaced. c) Lifting of "internal embargo" on the autonomous area facilitates flow of commodities, but humanitarian conditions remain critical. d) 109,651 tons required by WFP for its emergency operation for 2.5 million people for the next six months. E. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Update a) Preliminary food requirements of 200,000 tons estimated by joint WFP/UNHCR/FAO mission for 1997, a 35 percent reduction from 1996.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI
1.1 WFP continues food distribution at a reduced level to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups.
1.2 Security situation remains calm in and around the capital, although several incidents are reported in both Bujumbura Mairie and Rural. The RN1 road remains effectively closed and the RN3 is considered at high risk.
1.3 WFP staff have not returned to central Burundi due to insecurity. CRS continues distributions in Gitega Province.
1.4 The population displaced in northern provinces by heavy rebel offensives between 3 and 9 September appear to be returning to their homes, according to WFP assessments carried out in Ngozi and Kayanza provinces. The situation continues to be closely monitored by WFP and the authorities. The security situation remains tense in the northern provinces.
1.5 An estimated 120 Banyamulenge expelled from Zaire (see section 4 on Uvira below) have found refuge in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces. UNHCR intends to regroup this population in Gihanga (Bubanza Province) where assistance can reach them.
1.6 WFP is coordinating and arranging flights in and out of Burundi for humanitarian agencies and diplomatic missions. WFP's Twin Otter flew to Kigali 16 September, with authorization from the Regional Sanctions Coordination Committee (RSCC). Permission was also granted by the RSCC for two flights per week (Thursday and Sunday) between Nairobi and Bujumbura.
1.7 WFP has been nominated lead agency to import fuel for all UN agencies and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in Burundi. Diesel supplies are running low and estimated to last another three weeks. Approaches are being made to the National Sanctions Committees of Rwanda and Tanzania.
1.8 On the political front, in an effort to meet the first two conditions of the RSCC for the embargo on Burundi to be lifted, the Buyoya Government has announced that, although the Constitution will remain suspended until revised, political parties will be restored in the near future, as will the National Assembly. Issues relating to the third condition, negotiations with all groups within and outside the country, have not yet been resolved.
2. ZAIRE - GOMA
2.1 The official caseload (727,422 refugees) has been frozen by UNHCR since the boycott by the refugees of the verification exercise. Meetings on verification between UNHCR, WFP and Zairian authorities restarted on 13 September. Refugee leaders appear now to be convinced of the need for the exercise, and have agreed to cooperate.
2.2 The relief food supply situation is still critical, and the ration has been set at 909 kilocalories. However, deliveries are expected to increase from 20 September onwards, following the release by the Government of Uganda of WFP'_ leased fleet in Kampala. 2.3 After a suspension due to preparations for the verification exercise, repatriation started again with 105 refugees returning to Rwanda.
2.4 On 12 September, Bunagana village was attacked by unknown assailants who escaped across the border into Uganda. The attack left eight civilians dead and three injured.
2.5 On the night of 10 September 1996, the WFP Ishasha border office was broken into and radio equipment worth USD 8,000 was stolen.
2.6 General situation in the Goma camps remains tense, but only minor incidents have been reported.
3. ZAIRE - BUKAVU
3.1 Direct distribution has been successfully carried out in Kabira camp, which has still to be registered due to a lack of cooperation on the part of refugees.
3.2 Nyamuhiva camp on North Idjwi has finalized preparations for the arrival of refugees from Chondo and Bugarula camps. As of 9 September, all refugees from Chondo had moved to the new site without waiting to be officially transferred.
3.3 The low rate of repatriation remains stable; only 62 refugees returned to Rwanda between 9 and 15 September.
4. ZAIRE - UVIRA
4.1 In Uvira region, insecurity is increasing among refugees, due to escalating clashes between Zairians and Tutsis (Banyamulenge) who have been in Zaire for decades, some since 1959 and others since the 19th century.
4.2 Some 217 Banyamulenge were expelled from Uvira to Rwanda by Zairian authorities this past week. Anti-Tutsi sentiment is mounting, and looting of Banyamulenge properties has been reported.
4.3 Humanitarian agencies are increasingly the target of hostility and harassment by the military and local population.
4.4 Caseload is 220,014 (141,145 Burundians and 78,869 Rwandans). The ration has been set at 1,486 kilocalories.
4.5 The WFP regional aircraft landed at Uvira/Kiliba airstrip for the first time during the reporting period.
5. RWANDA
5.1 Between 10 and 17 September, around 400 Zairian refugees entered Rwanda from South Kivu, fleeing hostilities near Bukavu town. The refugees have been accommodated at Bugarama returnee centre (Cyangugu), where WFP is providing them with food. Plans are under way to establish a separate camp for this new influx of refugees.
5.2 The start-up of the inter-agency Seeds Protection Programme to provide seeds, tools and food aid to vulnerable farming families in food deficit areas has been slightly delayed by the need to further coordinate different agencies' inputs and programme implementation. The programme is expected to start next week.
B. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. LIBERIA
1.1 WFP delivered a total of 180 tons of food commodities to Bomi County over the reporting period. WFP has been able to reach a total of 19,743 persons suffering from extreme hunger in and around Tubmanburg and the site known as Government Farm. WFP is also supplying food through Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) for a therapeutic feeding programme in Tubmanburg for 500 severely malnourished children, and to World Vision for the opening of a therapeutic feeding centre in Government Farm. In addition, MSF will distribute 33 tons of food commodities to a further 7,500 malnourished elderly persons and children. WFP is presently conducting a post- distribution monitoring of the food basket, and of the general nutritional condition of the residents of Tubmanburg and Government Farm.
1.2 Fighting is reportedly taking place in Grand Cape Mount County between the two rival wings of the ULIMO faction. An inter-agency security assessment mission with representatives from WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs, a local NGO LIURD and the Ministry of Health, left Monrovia for Cape Mount County on 15 September, but was denied access due to security problems. WFP will attempt a mission to Grand Cape Mount on 20 September.
1.3 WFP has the capacity to bring necessary food and non-food supplies to Grand Cape Mount County once access is permitted. The situation in the county is expected to be similar to that of Tubmanburg before the first humanitarian convoys arrived more than one week ago.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 Cease-fire violations continue in Bo district, where rebels have attacked at least three towns, burning houses and causing large numbers of people to flee. With growing numbers of attacks on highways, transporters are more reluctant to travel up-country, disrupting the movement of food aid. Presently no transporters are willing to go to Kenema, while movement to Bo is slow.
2.2 Food distribution to a caseload of 50,300 IDPs in the camps in Bo started on 16 September. Food distribution in the township is on hold awaiting food supplies from Freetown. In Kenema, general food distribution has been completed.
2.3 Relief operations in Bonthe Island are winding down as IDPs return to the mainland. WFP has temporarily closed their Bonthe operations due to CARE relocating to Bonthe mainland.
2.4 WFP participated in a verification exercise in all Freetown IDP camps on 11 September. Results, presently being compiled by NGOs, are expected to significantly reduce the caseload.
2.5 A joint WFP/UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assessment mission will take place in Sierra Leone from 23 September through 3 October. The mission, comprised of WFP, UNHCR, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), US Agency for International Development (USAID) and European Union representatives, will visit Bo, Kenema and Makeni.
2.6 A Round Table conference on Sierra Leone's Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programmes was held in Geneva from 17 - 18 September. The conference focused on the components of a government-implemented Quick Action Programme presently being considered for funding by donors.
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 A total of 509,000 families will benefit from a country- wide seeds and tools campaign which commenced last week. WFP will provide a seeds protection ration consisting of 25 kg of maize, 5 kg of beans and 4 litres of vegetable oil to 211,000 families needing a food supplement. The campaign is being coordinated by Save the Children/UK, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
1.2 The Saurimo-Luena road is expected to be opened this week, which will allow the Luena air operation to terminate as early as 26 September in favour of road transport. WFP has provided food-for-work rations to road repair crews, and has transported necessary materials for the construction of bridges along the road. Demining is being completed by the NGO Norwegian People's Aid.
1.3 WFP has begun a food-for-work project in support of the rehabilitation of the Luanda-Malange railroad. The railroad, expected to be operational between Luanda and Dondo by the end of the year, will result in a major decrease in WFP food transportation costs.
1.4 A recently announced donation of USD 800,000 to the WFP Angola operation will be used towards the rehabilitation of feeder roads and the purchase of non-food items.
1.5 The quartering process is now complete, with the closure of the last two quartering areas, N'Tuco and Muxinda, on 15 September. Demobilization of under-age soldiers is set to begin on 24 September in Vila Nova quartering area, Huambo province, with 485 soldiers. Demobilization of under-age soldiers will continue through October in the remaining quartering areas. Demobilization for able-bodied soldiers is expected to begin in November. Some 61,000 soldiers have been registered in the 15 quartering areas as of 18 September.
1.6 Recent reports indicate that increasing global and severe malnutrition rates in Balombo could be attributed to a combination of poor access to/utilisation of health facilities, and the possibility that food supplies have been exhausted following the last CRS general distribution, which took place in May.
1.7 An anti-personnel mine exploded at the site of a WFP bridge reparation project in Bie province on 10 September, causing several injuries. A further mine exploded on the main road to Kunhinga, also in Bie province on the same day. No injuries were reported in the second explosion.
D. IRAQ
1. UPDATE
1.1 The security situation has calmed but remains tense in the northern governorate of Sulemanyia. On 19 September, WFP resumed distributions, after a brief suspension due to the take over of the governorate by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the resulting change in the local administration. WFP emergency operations in Iraq have now returned to normal all over the country.
1.2 WFP continued to assess population movements and additional emergency requirements jointly with other UN agencies. WFP Erbil reports a reduction in the numbers of internally displaced, as most of the people fled fearing continued hostilities between the two Kurdish factions (KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK) have either returned to their homes or crossed the border into Iran.
1.3 Although the lifting of the "internal embargo" on the autonomous area previously imposed by Baghdad is facilitating the flow of commodities, humanitarian conditions remain critical all over the country. The flow of agricultural products from the autonomous area to the Government of Iraq controlled area has pushed food commodity prices upwards in the north. Commodity prices in the centre and south have remained at a high level.
1.4 WFP estimates that 109,651 tons, or USD 51 million to is required to meet basic food needs of 2.5 million people for WFP operations for the next six months.
E. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. UPDATE
1.1 Presidential elections were held peacefully throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina on 14 September. Results will be officially announced later this week, but early indications are that the three main nationalist parties won the majority of votes, as expected.
1.2 Preliminary food aid requirements for 1997 of 200,000 tons have been estimated based on the recommendations of the joint WFP/UNHCR/Food and Agriculture Organization food needs assessment mission, representing a 35 percent reduction compared to 1996 requirements. The food aid basket has been reduced from eight to four commodities.
1.3 The requirements have been compiled according to WFP's new strategy of redefining beneficiary categories and eligibility for food aid. Assuming that peaceful conditions persist, WFP foresees a gradual reduction in the numbers of beneficiaries throughout next year in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Eastern Slavonia, and a phase-out of WFP food distribution in the second part of 1997 in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
1.4 Already in the next month, monitoring/targeting visits to municipalities and distribution points and meetings with local authorities and UNHCR in the Tuzla AOR (WFP-determined area of responsibility for food delivery) are expected to reduce beneficiary numbers between 30 and 40 percent. Re-categorizing beneficiaries will clearly identify the most vulnerable.
1.5 Reports from the AORs indicate that many government counterparts welcome WFP's plans to re-categorise beneficiaries according to need rather than broad social group (i.e., refugee/internally displaced persons).
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 37 of 1996 - September 20, 1996)
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