Report No. 06 of 1997 Date: 7 February 1997
This report includes: A) Burundi, Rwanda, Zaire and Tanzania
B) Uganda C) Liberia and Sierra Leone D) Tajikistan E) Former
Yugoslavia.
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. Eastern Zaire - information as of 7 February.
a) Refugees abandon Shabunda encampments as rebel offensive in
Eastern Zaire spreads on new fronts; refugees presently on their way
to Kalima, further inside Zaire.
b) Security in Lubutu and Amisi reported as deteriorating. UNHCR
staff in Lubutu is evacuated with the WFP DC3. WFP staff leave Amisi
and food stocks are looted.
c) WFP air shuttle to Kisangani, suspended since January 30, resumes
6 February.
d) Relief activities in areas north of Goma suspended following an
attack on a UNHCR truck.
e) The number of refugees returning home from Bukavu continues to
decrease.
f) Clearance is granted for UN and NGOs to assist returnees up to
Kigulube, half way on the Bukavu/Shabunda road.
2. Rwanda
a) Five UN human rights observers are killed following an ambush on
4 February, in Cyangugu province.
b) WFP expatriate staff moved to Kigali and contingency planning for
food deliveries under discussion.
c) Repatriation from South Kivu stalls: only 1,675 refugees return
to Rwanda between 27 January and 2 February.
d) First food distributions to returnees through Commune
Distribution Committees.
3. Burundi
a) Authorisation granted for a new fuel shipment for humanitarian
agencies.
B. UGANDA
1. Update
a) Deteriorating security situation in northern Uganda.
b) NGO ambulance ambushed in Moyo, northern Uganda.
C. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. Liberia - information as of 6 February
a) Renewed hope for peace as demobilisation process draws to an end.
Some 20,000 Liberian soldiers have demobilised, as dead-line extends
to 7 February. WFP has distributed a 500 metric tons of food
commodities to demobilisation sites.
2. Sierra Leone
a) Security deteriorates in the interior, as fighting reported
between Government of Sierra Leone troops, Guinean soldiers, RUF,
ULIMO-K and Kamajors in Kailahun.
b) UNHCR repatriates 1,400 Sierra Leoneans from Monrovia. WFP
provides emergency food rations to the returnees at Freetown transit
point.
D. TAJIKISTAN
1. Update - information as of 7 February
a) Sixteen people were kidnapped in Tajikistan over the past week,
involving personnel of the United Nations Military Observers in
Tajikistan, UNHCR, ICRC, and Russian journalists. Journalists and
ICRC staff released but the others still being held hostage.
b) WFP operations are proceeding as scheduled and have not been
interrupted.
c) Generous response by donors to food aid needs in the United
Nations Donor Alert issued in November have resulted in a secure WFP
food pipeline beyond mid-1997.
E. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. Update
a) WFP suspends re-categorisation of beneficiaries in the Federation
area of Brcko municipality.
b) Joint WFP/UNHCR mission in Eastern Slavonia, with ICRC
participation, to examine current food aid programme and to discuss
contingency plans for large population shifts in and out of Eastern
Slavonia, as the region moves toward re-integration with Croatia.
c) Donor contributions needed to avoid break in food distributions:
present WFP food pipeline will last only until March in Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, until April in Eastern Slavonia, and until
May in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR BURUNDI, RWANDA, ZAIRE,
TANZANIA
1. EASTERN ZAIRE - information as of 7 February.
1.1 General
a) The fate of thousands of refugees and displaced persons in
Eastern Zaire looks gloomy due to increased fighting and restrictions
on the activities of humanitarian agencies. Shabunda camp has been
abandoned as the 40,000 refugees occupying the camp fled on 5
February in view of approaching fight. These refugees were last
spotted in Matili, on their way to Kalima, west of Shabunda and
further inside Zaire. In Lubutu and Amisi, deteriorating security
situation led to the evacuation of UNHCR staff from Lubutu and WFP
staff from Amisi.
b) Between 26 January and 1 February, WFP delivered 379 metric tons
of food from Kisangani to refugee camps and for displaced/affected
Zaireans: 312 metric tons to Tingi Tingi; 49 metric tons to Shabunda,
3 metric tons for UNICEF/Tingi Tingi and 15 metric tons for displaced
and affected people in Kisangani
c) Cumulative WFP releases to the camps since end December amount to
1,625 metric tons of food: 1305 metric tons to Tingi Tingi and Amisi,
56 metric tons to Shabunda, 69 metric tons for displaced persons in
Kisangani and 195 metric tons to UNICEF.
d) Previous to the recent movement of refugees from Shabunda, the
refugee caseload in Lubutu and Shabunda areas was reported to stand at
288,760 people: 191,147 in Tingi Tingi, 50,313 in Amisi and 40,000 in
Shabunda. The number of displaced Zaireans had also increased with
close to 30,000 displaced in Kisangani and Lubutu.
1.2 Kisangani
a) WFP flights from East Africa to Kisangani were suspended by
Zairean authorities, and no flights took place between 30 January and
6 February. WFP flights to Kisangani resumed on 6 February with a
Boeing 707. The plane will be doing two rotations a day, carrying 38
metric tons of food in each trip. In total, 1,867 metric tons of food
were received by WFP in Kisangani between 18 December and 1 February.
1.3 Tingi Tingi and Amisi
a) During the past week, the nutritional situation in Tingi Tingi
has not shown improvement. An average of 24 people are reportedly
dying each day. Some 1,940 children receive supplementary feeding and
another 280 therapeutic feeding.
b) On 31 January a distribution was organised for 5,701 newly
arrived refugees from Punia. This group received a one-week ration,
in a distribution totalling 13 metric tons of food. Another 635 new
arrivals were due to receive their rations on 2 February. On 1
February another distribution started in Tingi Tingi, covering 7
days' supply. The daily ration consists of 150 grams of maize, 120
grams of beans and 50 grams of CSB, for a total per capita daily
consumption of 1,132 Kcal and 50.4 grams protein.
1.4 Goma
a) A refugee woman was killed while travelling in a UNHCR truck near
the town of Tongo, north of Goma. As a result, aid agencies have for
the moment suspended activities in the areas north of Goma.
1.5 Bukavu
a) Fewer refugees are returning to Rwanda through Bukavu. Those
returning continue to receive WFP high-energy biscuits at way
stations. Tensions in Bukavu and apprehensions related to the
government counteroffensive have been somewhat eased as a result of
the recent military advances of the Zairean rebels.
b) Clearance obtained from Zairean rebels for UN agencies and NGOs
to provide assistance to returnees until Kigulube, half way on the
Bukavu/Shabunda road. This may facilitate repatriation of the
refugees still in Zaire. With the fighting intensifying in refugee
concentration areas, this route would be the most direct access for
repatriation. A mission will assess road conditions in the near
future.
c) ACT/Christian Aid have resumed activities in Bukavu and will
concentrate on seed and agricultural implements distributions to
local populations.
2. RWANDA
2.1 Five UN human rights observers, a Cambodian, a Briton and three
Rwandans, were killed on February 4, in an ambush in Karengera, in
south-west Cyangugu. The observers were travelling in two UN cars,
clearly marked. Violence is escalating in the country, particularly
in the western provinces of Cyangugu, Ruhengeri, Kibuye and Gisenyi,
bordering Zaire, and incidents targeting staff of international
organisations are increasing, with six expatriates killed in the past
three weeks.
2.2 The escalating violence has led to the evacuation of all WFP
expatriate staff to Kigali. Contingency plans for food deliveries are
under discussion and it is expected that food will have to be
transported in convoys, with military escorts.
2.3 Only 1,675 refugees returned from South Kivu to Rwanda between
27 January and 2 February, as compared to 16,971 during the previous
week. This drastic reduction is attributed to renewed fighting in
eastern Zaire. The number of refugees seeking asylum in Rwanda is
slowly but steadily increasing. There are now 19,059 refugees in
Rwanda, mostly Zaireans (13,959) and some Burundians (5,100).
2.4 While food distributions are still being handed over by NGOs to
local authorities, in some areas Commune Distribution Committees
(CDCs) are already active in the distributions. WFP field monitors
will work with the CDCs.
2.5. During January 1997, WFP provided 15,400 metric tons of
cereals, pulses and oil, for distribution among returnees. This
represents 1.017 million persons assisted with a monthly ration.
2.6 The Rwandan Government announced a new land reform policy, which
recommends moving rural populations into group settlements. This
policy will have a direct impact on WFP-supported housing and shelter
projects.
3. BURUNDI
3.1 Humanitarian agencies have been authorised to import a new fuel
shipment, the first since late October. The quantities of fuel
authorised, to be delivered overland from Tanzania, will barely cover
half a month's needs and do not include Jet A-1 fuel. It is hoped that
a monthly quota of fuel may be agreed at the next meeting of the
Regional Sanctions Coordinating Committee due to meet in Lusaka on 9-10
February.
3.2 The expected barge transport operation from Kigoma to Bujumbura,
through Lake Tanganyika, has yet to go ahead, and is waiting for
authorisation related to the use of the barges. In the absence of
transport through this southern axis, the route from Isaka/Ngara to
Ngozi remains the only route for supplies into Burundi.
3.3 A total of 202,504 persons benefited from WFP food distributions
during the week ending 3 February, with 425 metric tons of food
distributed.
B. UGANDA
1. UPDATE
1.1 The security situation in northern Uganda continues to
deteriorate. Looting, abductions and ambushes are occurring with
alarming frequency. WFP is providing food to internally displaced
Ugandans in the northern districts. Oxfam and UNICEF are providing
tents and plastic sheeting.
1.2 An ambulance belonging to Afrika Aktion Hilfe (AAH), WFP partner
for food distributions, was ambushed near Adjumani, Moyo district, on
4 February. Two staff were seriously injured and have been evacuated
by UNHCR to Kampala.
C. LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE
1. LIBERIA - information as of 6 February
1.1 After seven years of civil war, Liberians have renewed hope that
peace is at hand as the demobilisation process draws to an end. The
cut-off date for the process has been extended through 7 February and
could be moved back should soldiers continue to turn out for
demobilisation. Approximately 20,000 Liberian soldiers have
surrendered arms and gone through the demobilisation process. The
total number of fighters has been revised from 60,000 to
approximately 33,000. WFP has distributed a total of 500 metric tons
of food commodities to the various demobilisation sites.
1.2 Especially large numbers of fighters have been turning out at
the various disarmament sites since the 31 January deadline was
extended last week. In light of this, ECOMOG has set up mobile units
to accommodate high numbers of demobilising soldiers. UNOMIL has also
reported the surrender of heavy artillery weapons over the past
several weeks.
1.3 In its continued support to the bridging programme, last week
WFP positioned 5 metric tons of food for EU and UNOPS projects. A
further 20 metric tons was delivered to Harper, which will be used
for distribution to demobilised soldiers and towards the
implementation of micro-projects involving WFP food-for-work.
2. SIERRA LEONE
2.1 Security has deteriorated in the interior of the country over
the past weeks. Recent fighting between Government of Sierra Leone
(GoSL) troops, Guinean soldiers, RUF, ULIMO-K and Kamajors in
Kailahun have reportedly resulted in deaths. Clashes between Kamajors
and the GoSL troops in Moyamba and Bonthe districts have also been
reported, displacing thousands of returning internally displaced
persons and local populations. Further attacks have been reported in
Tonkilili district.
2.2 Seven people were killed in an ambush by rebels on 28 January on
the Makeni-Kono highway. Illegal check-points have been set up
soldiers, Kamajors and rebels on the highway, who have been
soliciting money from motorists. Fatal ambushes have also been
reported on the Bo/Matotoka and the Bo/Freetown highway.
2.3 The UN Security Council is considering the report of the
Secretary-General recommending the deployment of 720 peace-keeping
troops and 60 unarmed observers to oversee the implementation of
certain aspects of the peace accord. While the Government of Sierra
Leone is in favour of this proposal, the RUF has indicated that it
would prefer fewer peace-keepers in Sierra Leone.
2.4 On 3 February, UNHCR repatriated 1,400 Sierra Leoneans from
Monrovia (by sea and by air). WFP has been providing emergency food
rations at the Waterloo displaced camp in Freetown, transit point for
the returnees.
2.5 January resettlement packages have been distributed to more than
40,00 people in nine chiefdoms in Bo district.
D. TAJIKISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 7 February
1.1 In the past week, sixteen people were kidnapped in Tajikistan.
Five personnel from UNMOT (United Nations Military Observers in
Tajikistan) were captured on Tuesday, 4 February, and five Russian
journalists, four UNHCR staff and two International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) staff were kidnapped on Wednesday, 5 February. The
journalists and the ICRC staff have since been released while the
others (from UNMOT and UNHCR) are still being held hostage by an armed
group. The UNHCR staff were abducted from within Dushanbe: the UNMOT
personnel were four kilometres from the town of Obigarm, in the centre
of country.
1.2 The kidnappers are believed to be an armed group led by Rizvon
Sadirov, who once fought against the government as part of the
opposition. However, his loyalties are now unclear. The group is
demanding safe passage through Tajikistan for its members which are
now based in neighbouring Afghanistan. The United Nations has
demanded the immediate release of the hostages. In December,
Sadirov's group took 23 people hostage, including seven UNMOT
observers, to demand the release of his brother; these hostages were
later released.
1.3 WFP is taking precautions to minimise the risk of kidnapping.
Nevertheless, WFP operations are proceeding as scheduled and have not
been interrupted. Thus, WFP is distributing food relief food to
vulnerable groups in Khatlon (south-western Tajikistan) and Gorno
Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (eastern Tajikistan), while German Agro
Action is implementing distribution of WFP-supplied food in Garm.
Food-for-work activities are in progress. Donors have responded
generously to humanitarian food aid needs in the United Nations Donor
Alert issued in November and the WFP food pipeline is secured beyond
mid-1997.
E. FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
1. UPDATE
1.1 The international arbitration commission for Brcko will announce
its findings on February 15. There is marked tension in Bosnia and
Herzegovina over this issue and, as a result, WFP has suspended the
re-categorisation of beneficiaries in the Federation area of Brcko
municipality. There have been further violent incidents in the Zone
of Separation near Brcko.
1.2 A joint WFP/UNHCR mission is in Eastern Slavonia. ICRC is also
participating. The mission is examining, with implementing partners,
the current food aid programme and will recommend appropriate
measures and mechanisms for the programme in 1997. The mission will
also investigate contingency plans that may need to be adopted should
large population shifts occur both in and out of Eastern Slavonia.
Authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republika
Srpska are warning of possible new influxes of refugees from Eastern
Slavonia in the spring, as the region moves toward re-integration
with Croatia. The Serbian Commission for Refugees has announced that
an agreement has been signed with Republika Srpska for the return of
50,000 refugees currently resident in Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
to the Republika Srpska by the end of March. The Red Cross of the
Republika Srpska has announced in a press release that it assesses
there are 600,000 registered refugees and internally displaced
persons and 500,000 "social cases" in the Republika Srpska dependent
on humanitarian aid.
1.3 The present WFP food pipeline will last only until March in
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, until April in Eastern Slavonia, and
until May in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order that a break in food
distributions can be avoided, donors are urged to make new
contributions immediately, so that food can be expedited as soon as
possible. Food assistance beyond May is crucial to mitigate further
hardship of the refugees, internally displaced people and
war-affected people, for whom hunger is an ever-present threat.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 06 of 1997 - February 7, 1997)
distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Disaster Information Center lists: listproc@vita.org
sitreps nat-dsr
appeal fireline
web: www.vita.org rwanda
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
World Food Program Reports: http://www.vita.org/disaster/wfp