Report No. 4 of 1997 Date: 24 January 1997
This report includes: A) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and Tanzania
B) Uganda C) Somalia D) Angola E) Liberia and Sierra Leone
F) Tajikistan
From P. Ares, Chief, Programming Service. Available on the Internet
at WFP Home Page http://www.wfp.org/ or by e-mail from
HicksDeb@wfp.org (fax 39 6 5228 2837). For information regarding
resources, donors are requested to contact Mr. F. Strippoli or
Ms. A. Blum, WFP Rome (telephone 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. Zaire - most information as of 19 January
a) UN 1997 Inter-Agency Appeal for the Great Lakes regional
Operation scheduled to be released second week of February.
b) Air operations from Kisangani to Tingi Tingi/Amisi disrupted
due to non-availability of planes.
c) Air operations to Kisangani are expected to resume on 24
January, after a break for plane maintenance.
d) Zaire formally announces a counteroffensive to recover
territories currently occupied by Tutsi rebels.
e) In Goma area, repatriation slows. Communications equipment of
some agencies expropriated.
f) Organised and spontaneous repatriation through the Bukavu areas
still increasing.
2. Rwanda
a) Medicos del Mundo (MDM) suspends activities in Rwanda,
following an incident in which three MDM staff were shot dead and
another seriously wounded. Aid agencies are enhancing security
measures. WFP international staff has been temporarily withdrawn
from Ruhengeri and Gisenyi and operations have scaled down.
3. Burundi
a) Residents of the new "regroupement", or collection camps, and
other displaced people in Ngozi and Karuzi province are receiving
food assistance by WFP.
b) Violence continues with increasing numbers of attacks, killings
and ambushes now customary.
B. UGANDA
1. Update
a) Recent fighting in Kitgum, northern Uganda has resulted in the
death of 400 people and the displacement of some 20,000 others. WFP
is identifying resources to cover immediate needs.
C. SOMALIA
1. Update
a) Contingency plans in place relating to reports of drought in
the region. Stocks to be pre-positioned in Dadaab in Kenya to
respond quickly to needs in the Juba Valley.
D. ANGOLA
1. Update
a) WFP Protracted Relief Operation (PRO) 5602 expansion approved
on 22 January by the WFP Executive Board. Operation covers needs of
662,000 displaced and war affected persons from March 1997-February
1998 (total food requirements: 96,033 metric tons). Project
continues relief efforts, but emphasizes increasing support for
resettlement and rehabilitation activities.
b) Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping Unit is being established in
WFP Luanda.
E. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. Liberia
a) Demobilisation rate picks up; 400 soldiers demobilising per
day, but lack of sufficient logistical support along with
insecurity in many parts of the country are hindering the
demobilisation process.
b) Humanitarian activities have resumed in Grand Cape Mount
County, but general distribution has not yet re-commenced.
c) WFP successfully delivers food to Zwedru in first humanitarian
mission to this area since the April 1996 crisis.
2. Sierra Leone
a) All general food distributions in Sierra Leone now phased out,
as part of transition from relief to resettlement and targeted food
assistance.
b) Significant numbers of internally displaced persons have
resettled, as a result of improved security in most of the country.
c) WFP resettlement package distributions begin in Bo district.
F. TAJIKISTAN
1. Update
a) Tajikistan government officials and opposition leaders sign
accord to repatriate thousands of Tajik refugees from Afghanistan.
Some 15 000 Tajik refugees still in Kunduz area of Afghanistan,
displaced since 1993, expected to return..
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, EASTERN
ZAIRE TANZANIA
1. GENERAL
1.1 The 1997 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the Great
Lakes Region is now scheduled to be released during the second week
of February. The appeal will provide detailed caseload planning
figures, food requirements and expected shortfalls for the region
for the period January-December 1997.
2. EASTERN ZAIRE - most information as of 19 January.
2.1 Kisangani
a) The first 250 metric tons of maize, of a consignment of 2,000
metric tons, arrived by a combination of rail and river barge in
Kisangani on 22 January from Lusaka, Zambia. The cereal will be
onforwarded overland and by aircraft to reach the refugees gathered
in Tingi Tingi, Amisi and the Shabunda area.
b) Airlift operations from Kisangani to Tingi Tingi and Amisi
resumed after a brief suspension which had been at the request of
Zairean authorities, but normal schedules are being disrupted due
to insufficient availability of planes. Only 19 metric tons were
dispatched during the week: 12 metric tons to Tingi-Tingi, 5 metric
tons to Amisi and 2 metric tons to Shabunda.
c) No flights to Kisangani took place during the present week due
to maintenance of the Boeing 707. Air operations are expected to be
resumed on 24 January. Between 13-19 January 364 metric tons of
food were delivered to Kisangani, plus non-food items from WFP, MSF
and UNHCR.
d) On 20 January, the Prime Minister of Zaire announced a
counteroffensive to recover territories currently occupied by Tutsi
rebels. Kisangani is witnessing increased military activities but
the security situation is reported to be normal.
e) Stocks in Kisangani as of January 20 amounted to 446 metric
tons of food, of which 110 metric tons were UNICEF Unimix. WFP has
three warehouses in Kisangani with an estimated capacity of 1,000
metric tons.
2.2 Tingi Tingi and Amisi
a) About 150 cases of diarrhoea are being diagnosed every day in
Tingi Tingi, some of which are reported as being cholera cases.
UNICEF and MSF are endeavouring to control the situation. Lack of
water in Amisi is a matter of concern.
2.3 Shabunda
a) As described in the previous Emergency Report, Shabunda hosts
thousands of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi and internally
displaced Zaireans. Refugees, mostly arrived from Bukavu and Uvira,
are spontaneously settled at three locations on the left bank of
Ulindi river while displaced Zaireans are living in poor conditions
among local population. WFP has delivered by air 4 metric tons of
Unimix and maize flour and UNICEF will arrange the distribution.
b) Some 550 families from Kaseke/Shabunda arrived at Tingi Tingi
on 17 January. These families were registered by UNHCR and given
high-energy biscuits before settling. Some refugee groups are still
arriving in Shabunda from Katshunguru.
2.4 Goma
a) General insecurity appears to have slowed down the rhythm of
repatriation. A total 863 refugees repatriated during the week of
13-19 January at a daily average of 144 persons. This is a
reduction by 43% as compared to the previous week.
b) Efforts to assess situation in Masisi frustrated as still no
passage is allowed beyond the last rebel held check point at
Mushaki.
c) Communications equipment of various agencies has been
expropriated by the local authorities in an action seen as an
attempt to curtail external communications.
2.5 Bukavu
a) Organised and spontaneous repatriation through the Bukavu areas
still increasing. Between 13-19 January, 12,855 persons
repatriated, an increase of almost 30% as compared to the previous
week. WFP distributed 9 metric tons of high-energy biscuits to a
total 28,659 returning refugees. The transport capacity to shuttle
returning refugees has been increased. UNHCR can now transport a
maximum 2,500 refugees per day.
b) Road access from Bukavu to Shabunda still not permitted to
humanitarian agencies. Access to northern areas is restricted to
115 km on the Bunyakiri road.
3. RWANDA
3.1 In an overnight attack on the past weekend in Ruhengeri, three
Medicos del Mundo (MDM) staff were shot dead and another was
seriously wounded. MDM have suspended activities in Rwanda until a
thorough investigation is carried out. Humanitarian operations in
insecure areas in Rwanda will not be suspended but international aid
agencies are enhancing security measures. This decision was agreed
at a joint UN/NGO/Government meeting in Kigali, following the above
incident and other recent incidents targeting aid workers in
Ruhengeri and Gisenyi.
3.2 WFP has acceded to a request from the Government of Rwanda to
extend food distributions to returnees from two to six months. At
the end of this period, the situation will be reviewed. It was
further determined that food-for-work activities to be implemented
will emphasise house building and land reclamation projects.
3.3 While food distributions are being handed over from NGOs to
local authorities, WFP will continue to deliver the food to the
communes for handling and distribution by the communal authorities.
WFP has proposed guidelines to ensure transparent and effective
implementation of food distributions. To date, WFP has provided
23,810 metric tons of food (1.48 million monthly rations) for
distribution to returnees.
3.4 The Government of Rwanda announced that Burundian refugees
must go home. UNHCR is discussing the issue with the Government.
3.5 An average 1,000 people a day are still crossing the border at
Rusumo, coming from Tanzania.
4. BURUNDI
4.1 Residents of the new "regroupement" camps and other displaced
people are receiving food assistance from WFP in Ngozi and Karuzi
provinces. The current distribution programme will assist
approximately 80,000 people in this area. Populations affected by
the conflict in Burundi have been grouped by the authorities in
these collection camps over the past six to eight months,
apparently to protect them from being used as shields by the rebels
fighting the Government.
4.2 Fuel shortages likely to hamper humanitarian activities, as no
authorisation has so far been received from the Regional Sanctions
Co-ordinating Committee. Only one fuel shipment has been allowed
since the beginning of the embargo in July 1996 and agencies'
stocks are virtually depleted.
4.3 Violence continues to plague Burundi with increasing numbers
of attacks, killings and ambushes now becoming customary. During
the last week, security incidents were reported in the majority of
the provinces of the country.
4.4 From 13-19 January, WFP Burundi assisted 167,951 people,
mostly displaced populations affected by the civil strife who
received two week rations. Total food distributions during the week
amounted to 746 metric tons. Stocks in Burundi as of 19 January
totalled 2,445 metric tons of various foods.
B. UGANDA
1. Update
1.1 The Government of Uganda has requested WFP to provide
immediate food assistance to 20,000 displaced people who fled their
homes after fighting broke out in Kitgum district, northern Uganda.
About 400 people lost their lives during the attacks. Resources
need to be identified for this group, for a total 291 metric tons
of mixed foods.
C. SOMALIA
1. Update
1.1 WFP-Somalia is preparing a contingency plan for various supply
channels into Somalia relating to the reports of drought in the
region. Preparations are underway for WFP to move 800 metric tons
of mixed commodities from Dar Es Salaam and Mombasa to the Somalian
refugee camp warehouse at Dadaab (Kenya) in order to be in a
position to respond quickly with an intervention in the Juba
Valley.
D. ANGOLA
1. Update
1.1 The second expansion of WFP Protracted Relief Operation (PRO)
5602 was approved on 22 January by the WFP Executive Board. This
operation calls for 96,033 metric tons of food commodities to
assist some 662,000 displaced and war affected persons from March
1997-February 1998. The project, while continuing to contribute to
relief efforts, emphasizes increasing support for resettlement and
rehabilitation activities, for example through food-for-work.
1.2 A Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Unit is being
established within the WFP office in Luanda. The unit will work with
the Government of Angola, NGOs and donors to collect and analyse
data to identify areas of food insecurity and beneficiaries in need
of assistance.
1.3 WFP participated in a second UCAH-led (DHA) joint assessment
mission to the Chicuma area in Benguela province on 14-15 January.
The mission confirmed that
reports of a large-scale emergency due to population displacement
were overstated.
1.4 WFP has signed bilateral agreements with Save the Children
Federation-USA and World Vision. WFP will provide handling, storage
and transport for approximately 30,000 metric tons of food aid
(about 15,000 metric tons each) during 1997.
E. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. LIBERIA
1.1 Demobilisation has picked up in the past week, with 400
soldiers demobilising per day. A total of 9,084 soldiers have been
demobilised from 22 November-21 January. A new demobilisation site
at Saw Mill (ULIMO-K) was established.
1.2 The international humanitarian community continues to note
that a lack of sufficient logistical support, combined with
insecurity in many parts of the country, are hindering the
demobilisation process. Although some faction leaders have claimed
to be committed to completing disarmament by the 31 January
deadline, many factions continue not to co-operate in the process.
1.3 Nine persons were killed on the Bomi Highway in an ambush on
16 January. ULIMO-J fighters are said to be among the victims.
Reports also indicate increased tension in Monrovia with incidents
of kidnapping, murder and police brutality.
1.4 The 20 December 1996 suspension on humanitarian activities in
Grand Cape Mount County was lifted at the beginning of January. The
suspension was put into effect following a series of incidents,
including the harassment of civilians and humanitarian aid workers,
the seizure of a European Union truck and the attempted hijacking
of a DHA vehicle. General distribution has not yet re-commenced.
1.5 In the first humanitarian mission to Zwedru since the April
1996 crisis, WFP successfully delivered 8.3 metric ton food. Food
and supplies are also being positioned in Greenville, where
demobilisation is expected to begin this week. Medical NGOs are
also in the process of reactivating hospital activity in this area.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 In the transition from relief to resettlement and targeted
food assistance for 1997, all general food distributions in Sierra
Leone have been phased out, with the last distributions completed
on 24 December.
2.2 Four agencies will be responsible geographically for the food
supply to Sierra Leone in 1997: WFP, CRS, World Vision and CARE.
This approach is expected to ensure better targeting of available
resources and avoid parallel distribution among suppliers and
implementing partners. WFP will concentrate distribution in the
north-west, western area and adjacent areas of Tonkili and Moyamba
districts, Bo north, and the south-eastern part of the country.
2.3 Significant numbers of internally displaced persons have
already been resettling throughout the country with an estimated
25% of displaced persons nation-wide and 50% of the registered
displaced in Bo town having returned to their place of origin in
the past month. Improved security in most of the country has been
the main factor behind this return.
2.4 The first WFP resettlement package distributions began on 21
January in Bo district. Some 7,450 persons are expected to be
served from the Yormandu, Gerihun and Baoma distribution centres.
F. TAJIKISTAN
1. UPDATE
1.1 Tajikistan government officials and opposition leaders signed
an accord in Tehran on 13 January to help repatriate thousands of
Tajik refugees from Afghanistan. Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak
Nazarov, the head of the Islamic opposition delegation, Akbar
Turajonzada, United Nations special envoy Gerd Merrem, and
diplomats from Iran and Russia attended the talks which led to the
accord.
1.2 UN Military Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) and UNHCR believe
that most of the 15 000 Tajik refugees still in the Kunduz area of
Afghanistan may return to Tajikistan. These refugees have been
displaced since the height of the civil war in 1993. Over 50,000
people fled to Afghanistan at that time but most of these people
had returned to their homes by the end of 1994. WFP and UNHCR are
preparing for returnees and most are expected to transit through
Shaartuz in the far south of Tajikistan.
1.3 Elsewhere in Tajikistan, relief distributions continue, with
WFP concentrating its efforts in Khatlon (southern Tajikistan). In
Garm region, which was the scene of heavy fighting in late 1996,
the security situation is reported as calm. In this region, German
Agro-Action has re-started relief food distributions using WFP
supplied food. ICRC has also been distributing relief food in Garm.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 4 of 1997 - January 24, 1997)
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