Report No. 34 of 1997 Date: 22 August 1997This report includes: A) Democratic People's Republic of Korea B) East Africa: Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan C) Central Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) D) West Africa: Angola.
>From J.-M. Boucher, 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 6513 2837). For information regarding resources, donors are requested to contact Mr. F. Strippoli (Strippoli@wfp.org) or Ms. A. Blum (Blum@wfp.org), WFP Rome, telephone 39 6 6513 2504 or 6513 2004. Please note change of telephone numbers as of 2 August 1997: 6513 replaced 5228 in all WFP telephone and fax numbers (Main fax numbers remain the same: 39 6 59602111 and 59602348).
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Update a) WFP collection of data on nutritional status of pre-school children starts. b) FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment mission extended at request of the Government, to assess damage caused by high tides swelled by Typhoon Winnie.
B. EAST AFRICA: BURUNDI, TANZANIA, UGANDA AND SUDAN
1. Burundi a) Reinstallation of regrouped populations in Kayanza province begun. WFP to provide food, oversee distributions, coordinate logistics arrangements. b) Thousands of Burundians in regroupement and displaced persons camps remain at risk of malnutrition and life-threatening diseases. c) Increased violence in Cibitoke and northern parts of Bubanza provoke displacement of 13,000 people.
2. Tanzania a) Third and last tranche of WFP food for current drought operation is being distributed. Many drought-affected villagers are walking long distances in hope of receiving relief supplies. Current supplies will have to be spread to cover more than original target of 100,000. b) Refugee situation: tentative planning figures following refugee registration exercise in Kigoma, show reduction of 34 percent, from 311,092 down to 204,773 (130,744 Burundians and 74,029 Congolese). Additional 88,195 Burundian refugees in Ngara; total refugee population in Tanzania is now estimated at about 293,000.
3. Uganda a) Security along border with DR Congo calm, but military escorts continue to be necessary for WFP trucks in the area. b) Some 30,000 persons affected by the drought in Moroto and Kotido districts in Karamoja, eastern Uganda, are receiving WFP food assistance. c) FEWS indicates that first season?s cereal yields will be much below normal.
4. Sudan a) WFP still awaiting permission from Government of Sudan for badly needed second Hercules aircraft. b) Preparations for Operation Lifeline Sudan Annual Needs Assessment in progress.
C. CENTRAL AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. Update a) Some 20,000 refugees cross to Kinshasa by canoe, fleeing renewed fighting in Brazzaville. b) Census conducted by UNHCR of the Rwandan refugees in Loukulela area in Congo/Brazzaville. Number of refugees reduced to 7,861 from previous 9,500. An additional 2,000 refugees remain at Bilolo camp, north of Brazzaville. Aircraft delivering aid now authorised to land in Loukulela without stopping in Brazzaville.
D. WEST AFRICA: ANGOLA
1. Update a) Influx of internally displaced persons to Malange continues, from UNITA-held villages to government-held Lombe commune. Food assistance provided by CARITAS until emergency intervention by WFP is possible. Movement of internally displaced from other UNITA-held areas of the province also continues. b) Airlift of emergency supplies to Moxico on-going; WFP food and non-food items from UNHCR flown in for the Rwandan and Burundian refugees seeking asylum in Luau. c) Luena airport in Moxico province now repaired; WFP airlifts of food resumed.
PART II - DETAILS
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. UPDATE
1.1 WFP teams, strengthened with expertise from other agencies, have started data collection about the nutritional status of pre-school children in DPR Korea. The field work will last for two weeks, during which a total of over 4,000 children will be measured at 18 different locations across the country.
1.2 The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment mission to DPR Korea has been extended at the request of the Government, to assess damage caused by unusually high tides swelled by Typhoon Winnie. The government media report that the tides caused serious damage to farmland when seas surged in three south-western coastal provinces, South Hwanghae and north and South Pyongang, inundating paddies, fields and buildings.
B. EAST AFRICA:
1. BURUNDI
1.1 The Government has begun the reinstallation of regrouped populations in Kayanza province. Currently, some 80,000 people are being allowed to return home from camps in the province, and movement out of the camps began on 13 August. Under the reinstallation programme, WFP is providing food, overseeing food distributions, and coordinating logistics arrangements and the distribution of seeds, agricultural tools and non-food items. A team from Christian Aid will assist with the food distributions and CRS and IFRC will handle non-food items. Later in the month, the Government is planning to hold a round table to discuss the dismantling of camps in Karuzi and Muramvya provinces, as well as in Kayanza.
1.2 Even though the reinstallation programme has begun, thousands of Burundians in regroupement and displaced persons camps remain at risk of malnutrition and life-threatening diseases. WFP teams assessing these camps reported that kwashiorkor, marasmus and oedema have become prevalent over the last months. An estimated 600,000 Burundians live away from their homes in some 250 camps throughout the country. Hardest hit are those living in regroupement camps, located in remote areas, with limited access to land, inadequate sources of water, poor sanitation facilities and little medical assistance. Until the end of the year, WFP plans to distribute 21,000 metric tons of food to 280,000 of the most vulnerable populations.
1.3 Increased violence in Cibitoke province and northern parts of Bubanza province has recently provoked the displacement of 13,000 people. A joint WFP, UNHCR, DHA, Catholic Relief Services and Equilibre mission that visited the area near Bubanza reported that two new sites have been established to accommodate these people. Prior to this visit, WFP had already provided emergency rations that benefited 5,000 persons; subsequently a seven-day ration for 14,000 beneficiaries was delivered by WFP and distributed by Children?s Aid Direct.
1.4 Following recent assessments, WFP distribution teams began a new distribution cycle in Karuzi province. Some 20,000 people received food rations, beans seeds and hoes. An estimated 1,280 metric tons of food will be distributed to over 106,000 beneficiaries at fourteen sites in the province. In total, from 11 to 17 August, 188,528 Burundians received food assistance from WFP.
2. TANZANIA
2.1 Distribution has begun of the third and last tranche of WFP relief food to drought-affected persons in Tanzania under the current emergency operation. Thousands of villagers in the affected areas are reported to be walking long distances in the hope of receiving even a minimal quantity of food. Lacking the purchasing power to acquire the limited quantities of food available in local markets, these populations are now consuming wild fruits or migrating in search of assistance.
2.2 The 4,000 metric tons of maize and 205 metric tons of beans donated through WFP will be distributed in Dodoma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Mwanza and Mara in central and northern Tanzania. Originally intended to assist some 100,000 persons, it is believed that this food will now have to be shared amongst thousands more. Monitoring teams are being put in place to ensure prompt distribution by non-governmental organizations (WFP operational partners) to those targeted as being the most needy.
2.3 Following the refugee registration exercise in Kigoma, Tanzania, tentative planning figures show an overall reduction of 34 percent in refugee population figures, from 311,092 down to 204,773 refugees, of whom 130,744 are Burundians and 74,029 Congolese. In Ngara there are another 88,195 Burundians, putting the total estimated refugee population in Tanzania at 292,968. The discrepancy between these figures and earlier refugee numbers is attributed to problems during the initial registration as well as to spontaneous repatriation.
2.4 Movement of refugees to and from Burundi continues to be reported in Ngara district. Between 12 and 17 August, 340 refugees spontaneously repatriated and 45 new arrivals were recorded. These movements will be closely monitored to ensure the positioning of appropriate quantities of food. WFP is preparing to stockpile a two-month buffer stock in the camps by the end of September.
3. UGANDA
3.1 Security in south-western areas, along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo remained calm during the past week but military escorts continued to be necessary for WFP trucks. Between 1 and 18 August, WFP delivered 259 metric tons of food for distribution to displaced Ugandans in the area. Close to 10,000 displaced persons in Gulu received also 77 metric tons of WFP food commodities between 11 and 17 August. Under the current two-week distribution cycle, 80,223 out of an estimated 144,000 displaced persons have so far received food rations in Gulu.
3.2 Close to 30,000 persons affected by the drought in the districts of Moroto and Kotido in Karamoja, eastern Uganda, received 197 metric tons of WFP food rations of cereals and vegetable oil between 11 and 17 August. These people, located in 21 parishes, receive a monthly ration of 6 kg of cereals and 350 gr. of oil. According to DHA IRIN, humanitarian sources in the area report that the Moroto-Mbale road has become insecure and trucks delivering food in parts of Karamoja require armed escorts.
3.3 Total food deliveries within Uganda from 11 to 17 August totalled 2,422 metric tons, most of which was delivered to camps and settlements for Sudanese refugees. Taking advantage of the current relatively stable situation, efforts are being made to pre-position a one-month buffer stock in the main settlements.
3.4 The FEWS report for Uganda for the month of August indicates that the first season?s cereal yields will be much below normal, especially in eastern districts affected by poorly distributed rainfall, with certain districts realising only 50 percent of their normal maize and sorghum yields. The northern part of the country had a normal season start but western areas will also see a 25 percent reduction in maize yields. The bean harvest is now completed across Uganda and total production is estimated at no more than 50,000 metric tons, less than 50 percent of normal.
4. SUDAN
4.1 No answer has been received from the Government of Sudan to WFP's request to use a second Hercules aircraft, which is badly needed. In July, only 27 percent of the projected deliveries by air were met.
4.2 Over the week of 6-12 August, WFP delivered and distributed a total of 539 metric tons of food commodities from Lokichoggio and Uganda into southern Sudan, to 140,968 beneficiaries in both rebel-held and government-held areas. Of this total, 235 metric tons were delivered by road while 303 metric tons were delivered by air (airdrop and airlift). During the week of 13-20 August the figures were 257 metric tons by air and 35 metric tons by road, for a total of 292 metric tons to 125,430 beneficiaries.
4.3 WFP is the lead agency for the Operation Lifeline Sudan Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) scheduled for September 1997. The objective of the annual exercise is to assess needs (mainly food) and predict trends for relief support to the southern Sudan for 1998. These findings will be used as part of the annual UN Sudan appeal, for presentation to donors early in the new year. The annual assessment is completed in close cooperation and coordination amongst UNICEF, WFP, NGOs and counterparts. In recent weeks, the WFP Food Economy Analysis Unit conducted a Annual Needs Assessment workshop to train WFP Assessment Officers, counterparts and UN/NGO agencies on the food economy methodology, and joint WFP, UNICEF, NGO and counterpart teams tested the methodology in Bahr El Ghazal and Lakes region.
4.4 Road deliveries to the displaced populations in Western Equatoria were delayed for several days due poor road conditions.
4.5 In Bahr El Ghazal, a reported influx from Gogrial into Aweil has been going on since the middle of July. A Government/NGO registration of the new arrivals recorded 2,871 people composed of 1,106 women, 214 men and 1,551 children, which brings the total number of beneficiaries in Aweil to 22,758.
4.6 River barge convoys have completed deliveries, with the Renk-Malakal and C.O.N/Sobat convoys completing deliveries on August 8 and 12 respectively, of a total of 1,200 metric tons of food for 175,000 beneficiaries in 48 locations. The Tonja-Fanjak river convoy had, by mid-August, delivered 950 metric tons of food to 15 drop-off points out of a total of 21 locations.
C. CENTRAL AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. UPDATE
1.1 Fleeing renewed fighting in Brazzaville, more than 20,000 refugees have arrived in Kinshasa after crossing the Congo River in canoes. Although many of these refugees are staying with relatives or attempting to return to home villages up river in the north, an average of 300-400 refugees per day are arriving at Kinkole camp in Kinshasa. The number of refugees from Congo/Brazzaville at Kinkole now stands at approximately 5,100, up from 600 refugees when the camp was established less than a month ago.
1.2 UNHCR, with the participation of WFP, undertook a census of the Rwandan refugees in the Loukulela area in the Republic of Congo (Congo/Brazzaville). As a result of this exercise, the number of refugees was reduced to 7,861, compared to the previous figure of 9,500 refugees. An additional 2,000 refugees remain at Bilolo camp, north of Brazzaville. Assistance to the Rwandan refugees and repatriation operations have resumed, now that aircraft have been authorised to land in Loukulela without having to stop in Brazzaville.
1.3 WFP Kinshasa is presently providing assistance to some 50,000 needy persons: 9,500 refugees in Congo/Brazzaville, 5,100 refugees in Kinkole camp, 2,700 refugees in Likasi and environs, 27,508 displaced and vulnerable persons in Kinshasa and another 5,500 displaced in Lubumbashi.
1.4 Between 11 and 17 August, WFP Goma delivered 246 metric tons of commodities to various destinations. A total 16,059 beneficiaries received food rations during this period, including 1,431 food for work participants, 10,243 displaced persons in Rutshuru and Jomba, north of Goma and 4,385 patients in hospitals and in therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes.
1.5 In Kisangani, WFP is presently assisting 33,843 beneficiaries with food: 1,094 refugees and displaced persons are receiving free food rations, 4,594 vulnerable persons receive food under nutritional programmes and the majority, 28,155, are participants in food-for-work projects. There are currently 25 small food-for-work projects under way, mainly agricultural and road rehabilitation activities. From 11 to 17 August, close to 60 metric tons of food were delivered for distribution to these beneficiaries.
D. WEST AFRICA: ANGOLA
1. ANGOLA UPDATE
1.1 The influx of internally displaced persons to Malange continues. On 14 and 15 August, some 300 persons from UNITA-held villages in Kalandula municipality in Malange province fled 42 km south to the government-held Lombe commune in Kacuso municipality, after armed men entered their villages and ordered them to leave. A joint WFP/UCAH mission which visited Lombe on 18 August to register the internally displaced persons and assess their condition found that the displaced had arrived without food or any belongings. CARITAS is feeding the displaced population with stocks borrowed from its other programmes until an emergency intervention by WFP is possible. WFP, UCAH and CARITAS will meet with the relevant local authorities to decide how best to assist the displaced population.
1.2 WFP's Malange sub-office reports that internally displaced persons are continuing to arrive in government-held areas elsewhere in the province from territory under UNITA control. WFP and NGOs in the area are encouraging the displaced to settle in safe rural areas outside Malange city where they have the opportunity to undertake agricultural activities. This policy was successfully applied to internally displaced persons last year to avoid creating food dependency in Malange city.
1.3 In the on-going airlift of emergency supplies to Moxico, WFP on 8 August airlifted urgently needed non-food items from UNHCR for the Rwandan and Burundian refugees who have recently sought asylum in Luau, in Moxico province. The items included blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen sets, tents, and soap. WFP is also airlifting food. UNHCR reports that the Government is still considering the status of the asylum seekers. Verification of the refugee population indicates that the number is around 1,300.
1.4 WFP's team reports that as of 9 August the number of registered displaced persons in N'Zaji, Lunda Norte province reached 8,306. This number includes some 800 new arrivals since the beginning of August, all of whom fled from surrounding areas. During the same period, the population in the Chico Guerreiro displaced camp on the town's outskirts increased by over 400 persons to 1,411. The displaced population residing in the bairros increased by a similar number, reaching 6,895. From 12-16 August, WFP airlifted nearly 45 metric tons of food to N'Zaji, enough to feed 8,000 persons for 15 days.
1.5 The repair and recent reopening of Luena airport in Moxico province will allow the resumption of WFP airlifts of food to Luena for projects in the province. As a consequence of the closure, in July SCF-US's dwindling food stocks allowed for the feeding of only some 30,000 of about 75,000 internally displaced persons in Luena. A WFP food convoy from Luanda arrived on 15 August.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 34 of 1997 - August 22, 1997)
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