Report No. 44 of 1996 Date: 8 November 1996This report includes: A) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and Tanzania B) Liberia and Sierra Leone C) Angola.
>From P. Ares, Chief, Programming Service. Available on the Internet at WFP Home Page http://www.unicc.org/wfp, or by e-mail from HicksDeb@wfp.unicc.org (fax 39 6 5228 2837). For information regarding resources, donors are requested to contact Mr. F. Strippoli or Mr. M. Crosthwaite, WFP Rome (Ph. 39 6 5228 2504 or 5228 2004).
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. Eastern Zaire a) Regional Summit in Nairobi on 5 November calls for neutral military intervention, establishment of humanitarian corridors and an immediate cease-fire; Zaire not present. b) WFP airlifts 100 metric tons of high energy biscuits to Entebbe for use in the region (information as of 9 November). c) Situation in Zaire as of 7 November: - Goma town reported to be relatively calm but tense. - Bukavu town reported calm but surrounding refugee camps have emptied. - Local WFP staff in Uvira report on 8 November that contrary to earlier speculation, WFP stocks (up to 1,500 metric tons) are intact in WFP warehouses and at the port. - Anti-government demonstrations and harassment of Tutsis continue in Kinshasa - Concern grows for situation in Kisangani, 500 km north-west of Bukavu and Goma.
2. Burundi a) Some 10,500 Burundians from refugee camps in Uvira area registered by 4 November; an additional 20,000 unregistered returnees in dire need of assistance in and around Cibitoke. b) Dramatic deterioration of security reported in the north of Burundi in Kayanza, Muramvya, and Gitega provinces.
3. Rwanda a) Cross border fighting affects Gisenyi and Cyangugu. b) Some 2,900 returnees arrive from Eastern Zaire last week, along with 5,000 Zairian refugees.
4. Tanzania a) Refugees escaping from the fighting in South Kivu continue to arrive in Kigoma; number since weekend of 2-3 November estimated at 4,600 (3,800 Zairians, remainder Burundians).
B. LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE
1. Liberia a) Charles Taylor survives assassination attempt on 31 October; curfew imposed. Situation in Monrovia now stable. b) Over 1,500 displaced persons storm WFP warehouse at Phebe hospital on 28 October and loot a total of 124 metric tons.
2. Sierra Leone a) Serious rupture in WFP cereal stocks in Freetown along with low levels of CSB and vegetable oil. b) Conflict between government soldiers and kamajors (local militia) in Moyamba district, and in Bo. c) A further 2,000 people liberated from RUF captivity by kamajors not far from Freetown.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update a) Demobilisation process of UNITA rebels seriously behind schedule. Prolongation of quartering means food resources for the WFP emergency operation close to depletion. Donor contributions requested to ensure smooth continuation of support by WFP to the quartering areas through January 1997. b) Pledges also needed on urgent basis to continue projects under WFP PRO 5602 to displaced and war affected people.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE AND TANZANIA
1. EASTERN ZAIRE - most information as of 7 November
1.1 Readers are directed to the Emergency Updates on Eastern Zaire produced by the DHA Integrated Regional Information Network for detailed coverage of the crisis. Reports are available via e-mail: irin@dha.unon.org or fax: 254-2-622129.
1.2 Late news, 9 November: WFP is flying 100 metric tons of high energy biscuits to Entebbe for use in the region. As soon as access is possible, WFP anticipates that food commodities of this type will be urgently needed in the first few days of renewed operations. Belgian and Netherlands air force planes are being used for the airlift.
1.3 General situation: except for the recent movement of returnees back to Burundi, relatively small numbers of refugees were recorded over the past week as fleeing from Eastern Zaire into Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzanian, Angola and Zambia. Refugees on the move in Eastern Zaire are faced not just with the fighting but also with hostile geographical terrain, in the form of mountains, volcanic ground and forests, and in addition often torrential rain. During the week little information was available from this part of Zaire due to inaccessibility caused by on-going insecurity and poor communications; only restricted contact with Goma possible and access to Uvira and Bukavu remained limited. A brief chronological summary of main events per location follows. 1.4 Regional - to 7 November 1996
Nov 3 - Calls by UNHCR for humanitarian aid corridors to be set up to enable refugees to return to Rwanda and Burundi. Nov 4 - Three-week cease-fire announced by the rebel Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (ADFL) Nov 4 - Zairian government acknowledges that it is no longer in control of Goma and Bukavu in eastern Zaire. Nov 5 - Regional Summit held in Nairobi; resolutions include calls for neutral military intervention, the establishment of humanitarian corridors and temporary sanctuaries, and an immediate cease-fire. Zairian Government not present at the summit. Burundian Government not invited. Nov 5 - UN Security Council holds consultations on the humanitarian crisis. Nov 6 - UN names coordinator for the Eastern Zaire emergency, Mr. Sergio Vieira di Mello, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, to be assisted by Mr. Martin Griffiths, Director, Department of Humanitarian Affairs. (On 30 October the UN had announced the appointment of Mr.Raymond Chretien, Canadian Ambassador to Washington, as UN mediator for the region.) Nov 7 - European Union convenes a Special Development Council meeting in Brussels with senior UN relief officials.
1.5 Goma
Nov 2 - Continued heavy fighting in and around Goma town obliged humanitarian agencies to evacuate all international UN and NGO staff (108 staff members). Evacuation takes place by road through Gisenyi to Kigali, then on to Nairobi by air. Nov 3 - Heavy fighting reported in Katale area, north of Goma. Refugees are reported moving north and west deeper into Zaire to seek safety. Nov 3 - rebels declare Bukavu and Goma are under their control. Nov 5 - Unconfirmed reports indicate that the population of Mugunga camp is moving west towards Sake (west of Goma on the north-west tip of Lake Kivu) in search of water. Nov 6 - Unconfirmed reports of mortar fire from Goma to Sake area, injuring 30 persons. Nov 7 - Situation in Goma town reported to be relatively calm but tense; conflicting reports on situation in Mugunga camp, still inaccessible due to insecurity on the western road. Road north to Katale and Kahindo also inaccessible. Growing shortage of food in Goma and Bukavu reported.
1.6 Bukavu
Nov 2 - Reports from Bukavu that situation calm and the town under control of Banyamulenge. Availability of basic commodities, including food, very critical. Nov 7 - Although the Bukavu town still reported calm, the surrounding refugee camps have emptied. Unconfirmed reports that the road between Bukavu and Goma, and possibly Bukavu airport, have been mined.
1.7 Uvira
Nov 2 - Reports reach WFP Cyangugu from a journalist who travels by road from Cyangugu to Uvira via Bugarama and Kamanyola, that the town of Uvira was calm and mostly controlled by Banyamulenge. The town had been seriously affected by looting. Some commercial activities resumed, and food available through local traders. The refugees camps around Uvira are reported totally empty. Nov 7 - Some 100,000 persons are reported around Uvira town. It is unclear if these people are refugees or nationals. Nov 8 - WFP makes contact with local WFP staff at the Uvira office. The staff report that WFP stocks of between 1,000 to 1,500 metric tons are intact in WFP warehouses and at port.
1.8 Kinshasa and elsewhere in Zaire
a) From November 2 onwards, reports throughout the week of anti-government protests in Kinshasa, harassment of Tutsis and the looting of property belonging to Tutsis. Demonstrations in town frequently led to vandalism. UN and NGO vehicles have been systematically seized by armed people. The situation is reported quite tense in Lumumbashi and Kalemie.
b) By November 7, reports of serious situation in Kisangani, 500 km north-west of Bukavu and Goma.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 By 4 November, about 10,500 Burundians from the refugee camps in the Uvira area had crossed the border from Zaire at Gatumba, where they were assisted at a transit site. Access to the border area was denied to humanitarian agencies until 6 November. As at 7 November the health and nutritional status of those who are arriving in Gatumba is described as alarming. One-week rations given to all returnees by WFP distribution team. On their departure from the transit site, each person receives a three-month ration (31.5 kg).
2.2 The Burundian Government intends to transfer the returnees from Gatumba to their homes as soon as possible. Despite insecurity in many areas, about 5,000 had been transported. Although many returnees went back to homes in Bujumbura Ville and Bujumbura Rural, the majority originate from insecure areas in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces.
2.3 WFP was able to undertake an assessment mission this week to Cibitoke, an area normally off-limits to UN personnel because of insecurity, under military escort, with other humanitarian agencies. The mission estimates that there are as many as 20,000 as yet unregistered returnees in and around Cibitoke. They have no food and are in a pathetic condition surviving on roots and leaves. WFP will attempt to undertake a distribution to them as soon as possible.
2.4 The north of Burundi experienced a dramatic deterioration of security, in Kayanza, Muramvya, and Gitega provinces in particular, which will increase the numbers of people in need of emergency food relief. Increased rebel activity seems to have been manifested by attacks on displaced sites, on the military, and on local authorities in several areas. Many casualties have been reported including a local off-duty staff member of UNICEF in Bujumbura Rural.
2.5 208,800 litres of fuel was imported by WFP to Bujumbura from Rwanda during the week. The fuel will be distributed to the humanitarian agencies working in the country.
2.6 Following a decision by regional states to exempt humanitarian aid for Burundian displaced persons from the sanctions, WFP has requested permission to import 2,500 mt of food relief per month. Currently, 3,622 mt of different commodities are in the pipeline for the next three months.
2.7 Needs assessment and subsequently distribution of emergency relief to 2,491 beneficiaries possible in Kayanza province; further needs assessments were carried out in other communes following population movements due to increased insecurity in Kayanza province and in Ngozi province. CRS Gitega reported distributing WFP emergency relief rations to 12,346 beneficiaries in various locations in Gitega and Muramvya provinces over the past several weeks.
2.8 WFP Fokker 50 aircraft capable of carrying 50 passengers, started regular Nairobi-Bujumbura flights at the beginning of November.
3. RWANDA
3.1 The security situation in Rwanda remained calm during the past week with the exception of Gisenyi and Cyangugu, where fighting took place across the borders of Zaire and Rwanda. In Cyangugu, the fighting intensified during the night of 29 October. In Gisenyi, the fighting intensified on 31 October and 1 November; WFP staff were temporarily relocated to Nkamira Transit Centre on 1 November. Other UN Agencies and NGOs sought refuge in Ruhengeri. The situation is now calm and WFP activities in these prefectures have resumed.
3.2 A WFP Headquarters Mission to the sub-region, led by the Director of Transport and Logistics Division, visited Rwanda from 2 to 6 November to develop emergency response strategies in relation to the evolving humanitarian crisis in the region.
3.3 From 28 October to 4 November, a total of 2,886 returnees arrived from Eastern Zaire; 1,584 in Gisenyi and 1,302 in Cyangugu. In addition, 4,956 Zairian refugees arrived from Eastern Zaire; 4,876 in Gisenyi (which includes the influx on 27 October) and 80 in Cyangugu.
3.4 In Gisenyi, the Zairian refugees who were at Umubano camp (total 15,430) have been relocated to the local stadium for security reasons. They are currently in the process of being relocated to Kibuye. A total of 5,337 have already arrived and are temporarily accommodated in four different locations, mainly the transit centre in Kibuye and a vacated agricultural school. They will be relocated to an identified site in Mount Karonje as soon as preparations are finalised.
3.5 The Rwandan Red Cross, responsible for food distribution in the newly established refugee camp at Mudende University in Gisenyi, has temporarily left Gisenyi due to recent fighting. COOPI has been requested to carry out food distributions pending the return of the Rwandan Red Cross. A total of 4,860 refugees are currently hosted in Mudende University.
4. TANZANIA
4.1 As of 7 November the number of refugees escaping from the fighting in South Kivu who have arrived in Kigoma since the weekend of 2-3 November was at 4,611. Of these, some 3,800 are Zairians and the rest are Burundians, with a small number of Rwandans. Refugees are continuing to cross Lake Tanganyika by boat from Baraka. The Burundian refugees are being transferred to the refugee camps at Kasulu and the Zairians have been given shelter in an emergency compound within Kigoma town.
5. UGANDA
5.1 As of 4 November, 10,000 people had crossed the border from Zaire into Uganda at Ishasha and 6,800 at Kisoro (the majority being Zairian nationals). WFP provided CSB to people at both locations. On 4 November BBC reported that rebels had taken control of Ishasha border post. The rate of arrival of refugees into Uganda decreased over subsequent days.
B. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. LIBERIA
1.1 Councilman Charles Taylor escaped an assassination attempt by unidentified gunmen on 31 October. The attack, which occurred at the Executive Mansion, killed three persons associated with Mr. Taylor. As a result of the attack, the ECOMOG Force Commander imposed an extended curfew from 1900 hours to 0600 hours. As of 8 November, the curfew is still in effect. Some international NGOs have reduced staff numbers in Liberia as a result. Overall situation in Monrovia is reported to be stable at the present time.
1.2 On 28 October, a mob of 1,500 to 2,000 displaced persons stormed the Phebe hospital premises, location of the WFP warehouse, and looted a total of 124 metric tons from the warehouse and loaded trucks. WFP and Lutheran World Federation/World Service staff were held hostage for nearly two hours and two relief staff were physically assaulted before unarmed police were able to contain the situation. Food loaded on trucks was waiting departure for distribution to 8 of the 18 displaced shelters between Cari and Gbarnga the same day. Distribution in the area has been postponed pending investigation and security guarantees.
1.3 From 30 October to 5 November, WFP delivered 35 metric tons commodities to Action Contre la Faim in support of 3,013 therapeutic and supplementary feeding patients in Gbarnga. WFP delivery of food to Save the Children UK for Vulnerable Group Feeding programmes in Upper Margibi interrupted for one-week due to the incident at Phebe.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 WFP Freetown cereal stocks have been depleted, with CSB and vegetable oil stocks at extremely low levels. Stock rupture will result in a delay in Freetown distributions until mid-November. November and December pipeline for Sierra Leone is also low. In addition, WFP Sierra Leone is in urgent need of vehicles for staff movement vital to the monitoring and implementing of operations throughout the country.
2.2 Some 26 local militia kamajors were killed by government soldiers on 29 October in Njala (Moyamba district, some 45 km from Bo). Violence started when kamajors apprehended soldiers looting property from the Njala college campus. A truck carrying kamajors to Njala to carry out an investigation was ambushed, and fighting erupted in the area.
2.3 Airlift organized to evacuate 24 international relief workers, including 2 WFP staff, when the conflict spread to Bo on 30 October. Casualties also reported in Bo but numbers are not yet confirmed. The situation has since stabilised, and humanitarian agencies have largely returned to Bo.
2.4 Around 2,000 people were liberated from RUF captivity by kamajors on 6 November off the main Bo-Freetown highway only 38 miles from Freetown. A rapid inter-agency assessment of their condition is currently under way. 2.5 WFP Sierra Leone reports that conditions of freed captives in Blama have improved through therapeutic feeding programmes. A total of 1,118 people have been liberated from the RUF rebels by the kamajors in Blama.
2.6 An inter-agency mission, including WFP, assessed the critical situation in Tonkolili district following rebel attacks which left at least 5,500 persons displaced. Some 35 persons were killed and 12 wounded in attacks. With slightly improved security conditions at present, WFP is providing a one-time food distribution through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
2.7 Newly displaced in Makeni district are thought to total 11,300, with a further 6,800 displaced in Magburaka.
2.8 Reports from Segbewema (south-east Sierra Leone) indicate that hundreds of RUF fighters are surrendering in the area. Skirmishes are reported between RUF rebels and kamajors in the Pujehun district (south-west Sierra Leone).
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 Quartering and Demobilisation
a) The demobilisation process of UNITA rebels is seriously behind schedule. The demobilisation of child soldiers was originally scheduled to start in June, but only began three months later. By the end of October, some 7,000 soldiers under the age of 18 had gathered at UN-supervised assembly camps and of these just 495 had been demobilised.
b) The quartering process of an estimated 62,500 UNITA soldiers began on 20 November 1995. Some 26,300 former UNITA soldiers are to be incorporated into the united Angolan Armed Forces, with the balance to be demobilised.
c) Due to the prolongation of quartering, originally planned for a maximum of 5 months, food resources earmarked for the WFP emergency operation are close to depletion. The expansion phase of the project calls for an additional 18,260 mt mixed commodities, to sustain a prolonged duration of quartering, provide a supplementary food ration to dependants living in the family areas of the QAs, and feed disabled soldiers, who will be quartered for a short period before demobilisation.
d) Donors are requested to provide needed commodities on an urgent basis to ensure the smooth continuation of support by WFP to the quartering areas through January 1997, and the simultaneous demobilisation process.
1.2 WFP also appeals to donors for urgent pledges of 14,680 metric tons commodities (maize 11,000 metric tons; pulses 1,380 metric tons; and oil 2,300 metric tons), required to continue projects under WFP Protracted Relief Operation 5602 to displaced and war affected people.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 44 of 1996 - November 8, 1996)
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