Report No. 37 of 1997 Date: 12 September 1997This report includes: A) Democratic People's Republic of Korea B) Southern Africa: El Nino Watch C) East and Central Africa: Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) D) West Africa: Sierra Leone E) Recently approved WFP Emergency and Protracted Relief Operations.
>From J.-M. Boucher, Chief, Programming Service. Available on the Internet at WFP Home Page http://www.wfp.org/ or by e-mail from Deborah.Hicks@wfp.org (fax 39 6 6513 2837). For information regarding resources, donors are requested to contact Francesco.Strippoli@wfp.org or Aleesa.Blum@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone 39 6 6513 2504 or 6513 2004.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Update a) FAO/WFP mission to DPR Korea assesses effects of this summer's drought. Sea water intrusion in connection with Typhoon Winnie aggravates food security situation. Food outlook for 1998 grim.
B. SOUTHERN AFRICA: EL NINO WATCH
1. Regional monitoring a) WFP is monitoring the El Nino and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, which could lead to a severe drought episode in the region before the 1997-98 harvest. Regional drought contingency planning mission scheduled for late September. b) Close contact maintained between WFP, USAID/FEWS, SADC, FAO, meteorology bureaux and agricultural ministries throughout southern Africa.
C. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: BURUNDI, TANZANIA, UGANDA, DR CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. Burundi a) Reinstallation programme for formerly regrouped populations in Kayanza province continues.
2. Tanzania a) A second group of Congolese refugees repatriated by barge from Kigoma to Uvira. b) Preparations are being made for a further drought Emergency Operation.
3. Uganda a) Security situation in Gulu district worsens, but improves in Kitgum district.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo (Congo/Brazzaville) a) Eastern parts of DR Congo increasingly insecure. Goma and Bukavu towns reported as very tense. WFP food rations distributed to 8,000 displaced people who have fled from Masisi to Goma. b) UNHCR suspends activities in the Kisangani area. WFP activities in the area continues for displaced and vulnerable Congolese. c) Assistance continues for refugees from Congo/Brazzaville.
D. WEST AFRICA: SIERRA LEONE
1. Update a) WFP representatives to meet with ECOMOG regarding movement of humanitarian supplies to Sierra Leone. b) Increasing reports of malnutrition throughout the country; ECOWAS blockade expected to further affect the poorer parts of the population.
E. RECENTLY APPROVED WFP EMERGENCY AND PROTRACTED RELIEF OPERATIONS
1. Summary of operations approved between 23 July and 11 September 1997 a) Approved: Mozambique EMOP 5832; Uganda EMOP 5833; Gaza/West Bank EMOP 5884; Great Lakes/Rwanda EMOP 5624.02; Azerbaijan EMOP 5302.03; Algeria PRO 4155.07; Zambia PRO 5428.03; Cleared for approval by WFP Executive Board in October 1997: Liberia PRO 4604.06; Nepal PRO 5324.02.
PART II - DETAILS
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. UPDATE
1.1 Drought situation - report of the FAO/WFP crop and food supply mission
a) FAO and WFP on 11 September issued a Special Alert (No. 277) following a joint crop and food supply assessment mission to DPR Korea. The mission was fielded to assess the effects of this summer's prolonged drought. However, as the mission was in the country, Typhoon Winnie struck. The mission was requested to make a preliminary assessment of this damage as well.
b) The agricultural season started favourably with well above normal rainfall in May. However, a serious drought followed, extending from June to mid-August. During this period, precipitation was reduced to between 14 and 40 percent of normal levels. Moreover, it appeared that after the heavy rainfall in May, the water level in some rain-fed reservoirs was deliberately reduced for fear that continued rain in June and July would cause overflowing and thus flooding, as in the previous two years.
c) In all reservoirs seen by the mission, the water supplies had been either totally exhausted or were well below capacity. Adequate and sustained rainfall in September would come too late to have but a limited effect on the maize production although it would still save a major part of the paddy crop. If the reservoirs are not replenished, land preparation and planting of the 1998 crops in April/May will be compromised by water shortage.
d) The negative effects of the lack of water were quite obvious, the mission reported. While maize with adequate irrigation, generally from major rivers, was in good shape, crops under rainfed, non-irrigated conditions were highly stunted and had developed poor grains or none at all.
e) By the time of the mission the rice crop needed a further five to six weeks to reach maturity. Should the crop receive assured irrigation for at least another three weeks, production could still be adequate, but absence of water at this critical stage would result in a serious reduction in yields.
f) Reports received since the end of the mission indicate that rainfall in the first half of September has been limited, and irregular. Domestic production this year will, therefore, depend heavily on areas which are irrigated from main rivers rather than from rainfed reservoirs.
1.2 Typhoon Winnie
a) To aggravate an already serious situation, Typhoon Winnie, originating in the East China Sea, hit DPR Korea between 18 and 22 August. Although the typhoon in the initial stage brought much needed rainfall, high winds and tides destroyed protective sea dikes along the western coast.
b) The most serious effect on agriculture was the infiltration of sea water into paddy areas. In the most serious cases observed by the mission, sea water had penetrated as far as six kilometres inland. A large number of houses were destroyed with some loss of lives reported.
c) As an immediate response, WFP and a consortium of American non-governmental organizations have agreed to use a US special contribution to support a food-for-work project for the repair of 288 kilometres of dikes. Work was initiated within a few days of the disaster.
1.3 Food security outlook
a) The food prospects for 1998 appear to be worse than in the previous two years. Domestic production of cereals is expected to cover less than half of the country's food needs. Commercial imports are likely to remain strained. Furthermore, as commercial imports last year were highly dependent on barter trade with China, the fact that the current drought also seriously affected crop production in the neighbouring Chinese province might reduce surpluses and the volume of the cross-border trade in 1998. It would thus seem that DPR Korea will depend on an even greater scale on international food aid next year.
b) Another joint FAO/WFP mission has been scheduled for October, when it will be possible to estimate more accurately the 1997 production outcome. The results will form the basis for a decision on continuing WFP assistance throughout 1998.
1.4 The Special Report will be available in full in the near future on the Internet at the Web site of the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture, at http://www.fao.org/giews/giewse.htm - then click on Special Reports.
B. SOUTHERN AFRICA - EL NINO WATCH
1. REGIONAL MONITORING
1.1 The WFP southern Africa regional Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) unit, located in Mozambique, is closely monitoring the developments of the El Nino and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, which could lead to a severe drought episode in the region before the 1997-98 harvest.
1.2 A WFP regional drought contingency planning mission has been scheduled for the end of September, followed by a regional meeting in mid-November, at which a plan of action will be developed in the event of drought. Meanwhile, the regional VAM unit is maintaining close contacts with USAID regional Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) projects, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and FAO, as well as with meteorology bureaux and agricultural ministries throughout southern Africa.
1.3 In addition, in Mozambique, WFP is working closely with the government on developing a longer-term disaster management policy, which aims at addressing disaster preparedness and mitigation as a development goal.
C. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: BURUNDI, TANZANIA, UGANDA, DR CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. BURUNDI
1.1 The reinstallation of formerly regrouped populations in Kayanza province is proceeding well. During the first week of September, approximately 17,000 people received a total of 522 metric tons of WFP food rations, 28 metric tons of seeds and over 2,200 hoes under the programme.
1.2 Government officials have released the schedule for the dismantling of both displaced and regrouped camps in Kayanza and Muramvya provinces. Under the schedule, some 300,000 people are to be reinstalled by the end of the year. The Government met with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to discuss the reinstallation strategy with all parties agreeing that the main criteria for this programme are security and access to land and basic social services. Return packages will be distributed to all those who wish to return to their areas of origin
1.3 The distribution of WFP food commodities during the first week of September benefited 152,900 persons. In addition to vulnerable displaced and regrouped populations, these food distributions also included Burundian refugees recently arrived from neighbouring countries. UNHCR reported that between 25 August and 23 September, 1,745 Burundians arrived from Rwanda.
2. TANZANIA
2.1 The second successful repatriation trip for Congolese refugees took place on 8 September. In total, during the first two trips 1,121 refugees returned home by barge from Kigoma to Uvira. The third repatriation trip is scheduled for 15 September.
2.2 During the first week of September, WFP carried out food distributions in Lugufu, Kasulu and Lukole B camps. Burundian refugees are still arriving in Tanzania, with some 850 refugees received during the week. The refugee population in Tanzania as of 7 September is estimated at 310,900 refugees.
2.3 WFP, UNHCR and the Government undertook a registration exercise of the Somali refugees staying at the Mkuye settlement, following reports of a new influx of Somali refugees, fleeing conflicts in the Mombassa area. A preliminary count puts the number of these refugees at 2,400, a 50 percent reduction from the previous figure. WFP previously provided a one-off six-month food distribution for this settlement.
2.4 Drought operations: Preparations are being made for a further Emergency Operation by the WFP country office.
3. UGANDA
3.1 Security in the district of Gulu worsened during the week. In Kitgum, by contrast, the security situation has markedly improved and food deliveries to displaced persons' sites are proceeding without military escort. Rebels attacks continue to be reported in the Bundibugyo area, particularly along the road Fort Portal-Bundibugyuo. Nevertheless, Ugandan refugees in DR Congo are still returning to their villages.
3.2 A verification exercise has been conducted at the camps for displaced persons in Kitgum. The total displaced population stands now at 61,010, an increase from 56,529 persons. This increase is connected to the arrival of people from drought affected areas in the eastern part of the district. From 1 to 7 September, 35,000 displaced persons in Kitgum and 32,729 in Gulu received food rations from WFP.
4. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE
4.1 Kisangani and eastern DR Congo
a) The situation in the eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is rapidly becoming more insecure. Various local ethnic groups are reported to have joined with members of the former Rwandan Hutu army and the former Zairean army. These groups are carrying out attacks and ambushes, and aid agencies have been warned that travel along some of the main routes such as the road Bukavu-Uvira is not advisable. The situation in the towns of Goma and Bukavu is reported as very tense. The number of displaced Congolese who fled from Masisi to Goma has increased to 8,000 people. Food rations have been distributed by WFP.
b) In Uvira, WFP provided a one-month ration to returnees arriving from Tanzania. The remaining two-month ration under the programme will be delivered to the returnees when they are installed in their areas of origin.
c) UNHCR has suspended activities in the Kisangani area, in the wake of the forced repatriation of the last groups of Rwandan and Burundian refugees accommodated at the Kisangani transit centre. UNHCR and some non-governmental organizations have relocated some staff from Kisangani. The situation in the city remained troubled during the week, with shootings heard every day and a number of casualties reported.
d) With the refoulement of the last groups of refugees, WFP activities in Kisangani are now centred on the provision of assistance to displaced and vulnerable Congolese. From 1 to 7 September, 87 metric tons of various food commodities were distributed to 5,465 beneficiaries, of a total beneficiary caseload of 1,000 internally displaced persons and 40,000 Congolese currently being assisted through food for work.
4.2 Kinshasa and Congo/Brazzaville
a) An average 800 refugees from Congo/Brazzaville arrived in Kinkole, outside Kinshasa, during the first week of September. The camp population stands now at 16,618 refugees and the camp is being expanded to accommodate the refugees. WFP distributed 63 metric tons of food to refugees at Kinkole 1-7 September.
b) Another 13 metric tons of food were provided by WFP Kinshasa to ICRC for distribution to the 2,000 Rwandan refugees at Bilolo in Congo/Brazzaville. Following an incident during which a bomb fell near the distribution point, the refugees left the camp and are now living with the local population, most of whom are themselves displaced.
D. WEST AFRICA: SIERRA LEONE
1. UPDATE - SIERRA LEONE
1.1 WFP remains concerned that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) blockade on the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) will have a devastating impact on the Sierra Leonean civilian population. Although humanitarian supplies are to be exempt from the blockade, the poor and vulnerable are expected to be badly affected. There are increasing reports of malnutrition throughout the country, while the purchasing power of the population has decreased substantially. The estimated number of displaced persons has increased by some 25,000 since May, to over 90,000 in September.
1.2 In view of these concerns, WFP representatives from Rome will meet in the near future with ECOMOG commander General Malu, who is in charge of enforcing the embargo, to discuss the movement of humanitarian supplies to Sierra Leone. WFP will also meet with government representatives in Liberia and Guinea to review overall operations in the region, and to negotiate the possibility of commencing cross-border operations into Sierra Leone.
1.3 These meetings will be followed by a WFP regional round table in Abidjan, with participants to include UNHCR, USAID, EU and NGOs. The aim of the round table is to review a common food aid strategy in the sub-region.
E. RECENTLY APPROVED WFP EMERGENCY AND PROTRACTED RELIEF OPERATIONS (EMOPs AND PROs)
1. Operations approved, 23 July to 11 September 1997 (figures rounded off):
Mozambique EMOP 5832 - Floods. Duration: 365 days; 12,520 metric tons (mt); Beneficiaries: 70,160; Total WFP cost: $4,430,250. Approved by the WFP Executive Director 23 July
Uganda EMOP 5833 - Drought in Eastern Uganda Duration: 90 days; 1,460 mt; Beneficiaries: 341,000; Total WFP cost: $638,600. Approved by the WFP Executive Director 6 August
Gaza/West Bank EMOP 5884 - Assistance to special hardship cases Duration: 90 days; 400 mt; Beneficiaries: 10,000; Total WFP cost: $162,250. Approved by the WFP Country Director (delegated authority) 11 August
Great Lakes/Rwanda EMOP 5624.02 - Food assistance to the Great Lakes Region. Recipient countries: Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo, Uganda, Republic of Congo. Duration: 180 days (July-December 1997); 51,820 mt; Beneficiaries: 1,415,400; Total WFP cost: $38,554,000. Jointly approved by the WFP Executive Director and the FAO Director-General on 12 August
Azerbaijan EMOP 5302.03 - Internally displaced and other vulnerable groups Duration: 365 days; 5,220 mt; Beneficiaries: 155,000; Total WFP cost: $2,811,400. Approved by the WFP Executive Director on 18 August
Algeria PRO 4155.07 - Assistance to the most vulnerable groups among Western Sahara refugees. Duration: 365 days; 5,700 mt; Beneficiaries: 48,900; Total WFP cost: $3,434,600. Approved by the WFP Executive Director on 28 August
Zambia PRO 5428.03 - Refugees from Angola and DR Congo Duration: 12 months; 3,750 mt; Beneficiaries: 15,100; Total WFP cost: $2,250,000. Approved by the WFP Executive Director on 11 September.
2. Protracted Relief Operations cleared by the Executive Director for submission for approval by the WFP Executive Board in October 1997:
Liberia PRO 4604.06 - Internally displaced and Liberian refugees in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. Duration: 540 days; 100,000 mt; Beneficiaries: 1,700,000; Total WFP cost: $66,300,000. Cleared by the WFP Executive Director on 21 July. Approval authority: Executive Board - EB.3/October 1997
Nepal PRO 5324.02 - Bhutanese refugees Duration: 365 days (to start Jan 1998); 19,400 mt; Beneficiaries: 93,500; Total cost: $7,888,600. Cleared by the WFP Executive Director on 8 August. Approval authority: Executive Board - EB.3/October 1997
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 37 of 1997 - September 12, 1997)
distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: listproc@vita.org sitreps nat-dsr appeal fireline web: www.vita.org rwanda dprk - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World Food Program Reports: http://www.vita.org/disaster/wfp