Report No. 40 of 1997 Date: 3 October 1997This report includes: A) East Africa: Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda B) Central Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) C) West Africa: Angola and Liberia D) Afghanistan.
>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. EAST AFRICA: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
1. Rwanda a) Serious food shortages expected in some prefectures due to the presence of large numbers of returnees combined with civil strife. Delayed rains are causing food price increases and malnutrition rates are increasing in some areas. b) WFP seed protection food packages to be distributed to 500,000 beneficiaries.
2. Burundi a) NGO Children's Aid Direct reports alarming nutritional situation among conflict-affected populations in Bubanza province. b) No improvement in security situation in Kayanza province; regroupment camps in Rango commune attacked; attack on a camp in Bubanza province also reported.
3. Tanzania a) Illegal immigrants and refugees continue to be apprehended by Tanzanian authorities in and around Kigoma town.
4. Uganda a) Improved security in Bundibugyo area, where return packages are to be distributed to displaced Ugandans. Security deteriorates near Kasese, leading to displacement of several thousands people. Attacks and skirmishes reported throughout Gulu, and abduction of children by the rebels continues at an alarming rate.
B. CENTRAL AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE) - information as of 1 October
1. Update a) Information received 3 October that UNHCR and some non-governmental organizations have reportedly been asked by the Government to leave the Goma region in eastern DR Congo. b) Ongoing fighting in Brazzaville brings total number of refugees in Kikole and Kinshasa to nearly 32,100, an increase of 3,500 over the previous week. Most refugees are staying with Congolese families in the city. c) Improvement in nutritional situation leads to decision to reduce ration in Kinkole camp.
C. WEST AFRICA: ANGOLA AND LIBERIA
1. Angola a) Total number of spontaneous Angolan returnees from neighbouring countries from January through August 1997 reaches 113,000, in provinces of Cabinda, Moxico, Zaire and Uige. b) WFP food distributions in support of demining activities continues.
2. Liberia a) Some 183,600 internally displaced persons and refugees in Monrovia shelters receive WFP food during September. b) WFP support for many rehabilitation projects, including clean-up campaigns, is on-going. WFP/CRS monitoring teams assess selected seed protection projects in Bong and Nimba counties and Lofa county. c) Vulnerability mapping system for Liberia being developed by WFP, UNDP, UNHCR, SCF and ACF. d) Coordination between agencies on repatriation and resettlement plans for Liberian refugees and internally displaced persons continues.
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update a) Intense fighting continues around Mazar-i-Sharif. b) Remaining two international UN staff successfully evacuated from Mazar. c) Increasing tension as situation deteriorates in Kabul.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
1. RWANDA
1.1 The return from exile of approximately 1.3 million Rwandans coupled with fighting in several of the country?s prefectures could cause serious food shortages in the months to come. The last crop harvested in June was 10 percent higher than the previous but this rise does not measure up with the soaring population growth. There are still no signs of famine in the country but in many areas, particularly in the traditionally food deficit prefectures and in those most affected by civil strife, access to food is already being hampered.
1.2 Rains are now delayed by two to three weeks; food price increases are having a direct impact on poor households. The price of beans, a staple commodity in the country, has increased almost 100 percent during the last three months. Malnutrition rates are on the increase as well and in Gikongoro Region, the non-governmental organization Sanitaire states that malnutrition rates have risen by 10 percent over the last few months.
1.3 During the coming weeks, WFP seed protection food packages will be distributed to around half a million Rwandans. A total of 900 metric tons of food have already been delivered to the communes for this purpose. Local authorities together with non-governmental organizations will be responsible for identifying the most vulnerable households to be targeted for distribution of the seed and food packages.
1.4 Food requirements for the month of October have been set at 9,150 metric tons, of which 2,280 metric tons are for general free distributions, 4,960 metric tons for use within food-for-work projects, 1,650 metric tons for nutritional programmes and 260 metric tons will be used in various diversified schemes, mostly re-education programmes planned for Gisenyi and Ruhengeri.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 A report by Children's Aid Direct describes an alarming nutritional situation among conflict-affected populations in Bubanza province. A nation-wide assessment of Caritas nutritional programmes also indicates serious nutritional problems in areas of conflict. WFP will provide 870 metric tons of food commodities for therapeutic and supplementary programmes with an estimated 34,620 malnourished persons benefiting from such programmes during the next three months.
2.2 There has been no improvement in the security situation in Kayanza province and the reinstallation of regrouped persons remains suspended. During an attack on a regroupment camp in Rango commune, 900 shelters are reported to have been burnt. Another camp for regrouped populations was attacked in Bubanza province and further incidents were reported in Cibitoke and Bujumbura Rural, as well as along the border with Tanzania, with exchanges of fire taking place between troops of both countries.
2.3 Between 22 and 28 September, the WFP beneficiary caseload totalled 234,950 persons. In Karuzi province 420 metric tons of food were distributed to 24,091 beneficiaries and seed protection packages were provided to 27,420 persons in Bubanza. Some 3,030 recently displaced persons in Kayanza were provided with emergency food rations and an additional 8,820 rations were provided to ACF for distribution to new arrivals. WFP food commodities were also distributed to returnees and participants in food-for-work programmes.
3. TANZANIA
3.1 A total of 7,000 illegal immigrants and refugees have so far been apprehended by Tanzanian authorities in and around Kigoma town. Of this total, 2,000 refugees have already been transferred to Nyarugusu and Mtabila camps, after admitting that they were registered refugees. Following a request from UNHCR, WFP has supplied complete food baskets for some 4,000 people, to be cooked at the communal kitchen at the transit centre. Additional rations are also being pre-positioned at the camps to meet the needs of those being transferred.
3.2 A cooking demonstration of pre-cooked yellow split peas was done in all camps in Kasulu. WFP, UNHCR, and camp representatives drawn from refugee women groups and refugee leaders participated in the demonstration. Acceptability of this commodity seemed good although the sample size of refugee participation was considered small.
3.3 On 22 and 25 September the fourth and fifth repatriation trips to DR Congo were carried out, carrying a total of 1,130 Congolese refugees from Kigoma to Uvira. This brings the total number of refugees repatriated to 2,800. Plans to increase the number of voyages per week have been put on hold as there is no capacity to receive larger numbers of refugees at Uvira.
4. UGANDA
4.1 Aid agencies are preparing the distribution of return packages to displaced Ugandans in the Bundibugyo area. WFP will distribute a two-month food resettlement ration through its implementing partners and will look into the possibility of a seeds distribution, as the rainy season is now starting and security in the area appears to be improving. Following recent attacks further south in Kasese, a new emergency seems to be developing, with thousands of people reported as displaced.
4.2 Security remains unpredictable in Gulu with attacks and skirmishes throughout the district and abductions of children by the rebels continuing at an alarming rate. A verification exercise has been initiated in order to update the number of internally displaced persons in the district. The caseload had been estimated at 144,000 people but during the last food distributions a total of 58,835 families or 263,668 benefited from food distributions, albeit at a reduced ration.
4.3 Under the Feed the Hungry Children programme implemented by the Church of Uganda with WFP's assistance, 2,000 children under 8 years and pregnant and lactating mothers continue to receive one hot meal a day in Gulu. The number of beneficiaries under this scheme is increasing and another 250 persons have started to receive their meals as of 1 October.
B. CENTRAL AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1.1 Kinshasa and Congo/Brazzaville - information as of 1 October
a) The ongoing fighting in Brazzaville brought the number of refugees in Kikole and Kinshasa to 32,068, up from 28,551 in the previous week. Only 35 percent of these refugees are staying at the refugee camp and the rest have found shelter with Congolese families in the city. Only 25 percent of the refugees have so far received sleeping mats, blankets and kitchen sets. In Loukolela and Bilolo, close to 10,000 refugees, including a total of 368 unaccompanied children, continue to receive WFP's food assistance.
b) A measles epidemic broke out in the Kinkole camp and UNICEF has vaccinated 2,275 children. The camp population includes 336 pregnant women, 775 lactating mothers, 33 unaccompanied children, 3,560 children under-five and 5,630 children aged between 5 and 14. Chlorinated water is being supplied to the camp and the daily consumption is 15 litres per person.
c) A nutritional improvement has been observed in the camps and a reduction of the present ration started to be implemented in Kinkole at the beginning of October. A seven-day ration was distributed in Kinkole and in Loukolela and Njoundou the distribution was done for 10 days and 15 days respectively.
d) The barge Belteco has finally reached Kinshasa with 211 metric tons of WFP food commodities after a five-week voyage. The barge left Kisangani on 28 August but encountered serious navigational problems due to the prolonged dry season in the Congo River. Another barge carrying 90 metric tons of food is still on its way to Kinshasa, having left Kisangani on 16 August.
1.1 Kisangani and eastern DR Congo
a) Update: Information received on 3 October that UNHCR and some non-governmental organizations have reportedly been asked by the Government to leave the Goma region in eastern DR Congo.
b) WFP distributed 103 metric tons of food in Goma in the reporting period of 22 to 28 September, benefiting 12,446 persons. In four weeks there has been a 20 percent increase in the number of people receiving supplementary and therapeutic feeding, connected with the arrival of displaced persons from Masisi. During the same period, approximately 10,000 persons received 139 metric tons of WFP food commodities in Bukavu.
C. WEST AFRICA: ANGOLA
1. ANGOLA
1.1 WFP team in N'Zaji, Lunda Norte, reports that the number of displaced persons registered in the area had increased to 10,580 by 24 September.
1.2 From January through August 1997, some 113,000 spontaneous Angolan returnees from neighbouring countries have been registered in the provinces of Cabinda, Moxico, Zaire and Uige. WFP provides food aid to UNHCR to support the returnees, except those in Cabinda, where UNHCR does not have a presence.
1.3 The number of Rwandan and Burundian refugees registered in Luau, Moxico reached 1,960 by 13 September. Refugees continue to arrive in Luau.
1.4 Rapid Demobilization continues in four selection and demobilization centres (SDCs). As of 29 September, a total of 31,294 soldiers have been demobilized from the SDCs and Military War-Disabled Centres; 11,355 soldiers await demobilization.
1.5 Resettlement in Cunene province continues slowly. Since July, some 91 families have been transported by IOM from Castanheira in Matala municipality in Huila province to Ombandja, Kunhama, Namacunde and Cuvelai municipalities. WFP provides resettlement food rations to these families until their first harvest.
1.6 Recent WFP distributions in support of demining activities
a) WFP's Luena sub-office in Moxico province will begin to support a MAG demining project in the Kamanongue and Leua areas in the province to help prepare conditions for the resettlement of displaced families to their areas of origin, which is expected to begin in October. MAG will field five teams of 93 deminers. WFP will support the deminers through a total 6.5 metric tons of food for work monthly.
b) WFP-contracted NGO Saint Barbara Foundation has cleared a total 35 km of the road from Chongoroi town to Bolonguera village in Benguela province. The re-opening of this road will enable some 18,000 persons displaced in Lobito and Benguela towns since 1993 to resettle in Chongoroi and Caimbambo. Saint Barbara Foundation expects to reach Bolonguera this November.
c) On 10 September MGM, another German NGO sub-contracted by WFP, received the green light to proceed with its demining of the Caxito to Muxaluando road in Bengo province. The road's opening will allow thousands of persons displaced in Caxito to return to their areas of origin.
2. LIBERIA
2.1 WFP provided food for a total of 183,622 internally displaced persons and refugees in Monrovia shelters during September. A shelter verification exercise carried out in early September confirmed this to be the current caseload, a total which represents a significant drop in WFP?s previous working figures. The drop of approximately 16,000 persons from the previous comprehensive verification exercise, in March, represents internally displaced persons and refugees who have voluntarily left the shelters for their places of origin. Caseload verification between March and September was not possible due to the preparations for the Liberian presidential elections.
2.2 Among projects receiving WFP food over the week of 24-30 September were a UNICEF-supported shelter hygiene and water sanitation maintenance project, implemented by partner COHDA in the Po River and Monrovia areas, which includes massive garbage clean-up campaigns, latrine and hand pump repair and health/hygiene education seminars; through implementing partner LWF/WS, distributions to 1,435 vulnerable persons in hospitals, leprosy or rehabilitation clinics, and orphanages in Bong and Nimba counties; and through World Vision International implementing partner Community Aid Liberia, a clean-up project in Tewor district, Cape Mount county.
2.3 On 29 and 30 September a WFP and CRS monitoring team visited selected seed protection projects in Bong and Nimba counties, where demand to participate in seed protection projects and eligibility has greatly exceeded quantities of seed rice available. The mission found that even farmers who had received food aid were having to borrow food, and few food commodities were available on the market. These factors, and some evidence of food scarcity in the areas visited in Nimba county, led the mission to recommend that further food assistance be extended to the LECO farmers.
2.4 WFP and CRS monitor in Lofa county in September monitored food-for-work distributions to 14,000 families participating in seed protection, seed multiplication and plantation rehabilitation projects in Salayea, Zorzor and Voinjama districts. The mission recommended intensification of food-for-work support to plantation rehabilitation, and extension of this support to cooperative farms.
2.5 WFP, UNDP, UNHCR, SCF and ACF are continuing to develop a vulnerability mapping system for Liberia. The vulnerability maps, which take into account a number of criteria identified by the National Technical Committee of the Committee on Food Aid, will serve as bases for the prioritization and adaptation of resettlement and rehabilitation programming in different areas of the country.
2.6 WFP, UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies in Liberia continue to collaborate and to progress with joint planning for the processes of repatriation and resettlement of Liberian refugees and internally displaced persons.
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE
1.1 Intense fighting continues close to the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Heavy aerial bombardment of the city by the Taliban has been reported, with many civilian casualties.
1.2 As the fighting continues, many families are reportedly on the move, some from areas around Balkh and Dehdadi into Mazar, and at least one thousand families from Mazar and Ghazni into Bamyan.
1.3 On 3 October, it was confirmed that the last two international UN staff had been successfully evacuated from Mazar by helicopter and then by UN plane to Pakistan.
1.4 WFP has asked UNSMA to take up the issue of protecting WFP food stocks in Hairatan. Last week the an appeal was made by WFP to the highest Taliban authorities in Kandahar for protection of the Hairatan stocks; assurance has been given that Taliban commanders in the area would be asked to protect WFP property.
1.5 In Kabul, the overall situation is deteriorating due to the heavy fighting along the front lines, increasing tension in the city. With the deployment of many of the Taliban to the war zones, security in the capital is not as assured as in recent months, and robberies are on the rise.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 40 of 1997 - October 3, 1997)
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