Report No. 51 of 1997 Date: 19 December 1997This report includes: A) East Africa: Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan and Ethiopia B) Central Africa: Congo/Brazzaville and Democratic Republic of Congo C) Angola D) Afghanistan E) Iraq.
>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. As of 18 January 1998, the physical address of WFP will be Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Rome 00148 (Parco dei Medici, towards Fiumicino Airport). Telephone and fax numbers will remain the same.
Note: This is the last Emergency Report for 1997. The next Report will be transmitted on Tuesday, 6 January 1998.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. EAST AFRICA: SOMALIA, KENYA, RWANDA, TANZANIA, SUDAN AND ETHIOPIA
1. Somalia a) Further funding to cover WFP logistics costs for Somalia and Kenya flood operations urgently required. Current funding will sustain operations only until mid-January. b) At least 600,000 flood-affected Somalis will require food aid over coming months. Additional pledges required for 18,000 metric tons of total estimated needs of 30,000 metric tons of food; balance to be covered by food already in the pipeline for ongoing Somalia emergency operation. c) By 17 December, 2,195 metric tons of food had been distributed within the flood operation in southern Somalia to a total of 304,100 beneficiaries. Airdrops of WFP food to Garba Hare, Hagar, Bur Dubu, Bilis Qoqani and Badaadhe between 10 and 17 December totalled 242 metric tons of food reaching some 50,000 people. d) A third MI-8 helicopter arrives at Garissa logistics base in Kenya.
2. Kenya a) Hercules C-130 aircraft engaged by WFP delivers 218 metric tons of food commodities, drug kits and aviation fuel during first seven days of operations. b) Helicopter chartered by WFP to deliver food, medical supplies and essential personnel to remote areas of southern Wajir, northern Garissa and Tana River districts where people have been marooned for up to seven weeks. c) Airlift of food to Dadaab refugee camps remains urgent priority. d) Two low-draught boats mobilized by WFP in the Garsen area.
3. Rwanda a) Some 215,000 persons to benefit from lean season food distributions in the prefectures of Butare, Gitarama, Kibuye, Kigali and Umutara; similar distributions completed in Gokongoro and Kibungo. b) Following attack of 11 December on Mudende refugee camp, the Congolese refugees are now assembled at Nkamira transit centre. UNHCR and Government discuss whether to repatriate the refugees or to relocate the camp. c) Joint assessment to be held in Ruhengeri prefecture, where Caritas has requested WFP food assistance to over 114,000 displaced persons.
4. Tanzania a) In central Tanzania, heavy rains disrupt rail and road transport; movement of food hampered.
5. Sudan a) WFP dispatches food to assist 4,800 flood-affected and displaced persons in Port Sudan and Suakin, in Red Sea state. b) FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission report for Sudan now being finalized.
6. Ethiopia a) Findings of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Ethiopia released.
B. CENTRAL AFRICA: REPUBLIC OF CONGO (CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE) AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1. Update a) Organized repatriation of refugees from Brazzaville still in Kinshasa due to start 17 December; 1,050 refugees to be repatriated during the first week. WFP to provide one-month food package for each family prior to departure. b) Spontaneous return of Congolese refugees to Brazzaville has already decreased Kinkole camp population to 9,000 refugees. c) Congolese authorities instruct WFP to suspend all activities in north Kivu outside of Goma. Food distributions continue in the town. d) Security situation in Uvira and Fizi areas remains calm, and repatriation of Congolese refugees from Tanzania to Uvira and Bukavu continues.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update a) No major security incidents interrupt on-going WFP work over recent weeks; situation remains tense in northern Huila, southern Benguela, Bie and Lunda Norte. b) Increased freedom of movement in areas where state administration extended, but majority of estimated 1.2 million internally displaced persons are not returning to places of origin; large resettlement projects currently on hold until security improves. c) Assessments take place in volatile areas of Lunda Norte, Benguela and Cabinda to investigate reports of newly displaced and returnee populations.
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update a) WFP begins Afghan food airlift operation to Bamyan.
E. IRAQ
1. Update a) WFP and other UN agencies continue discussions with Iraqi Government in effort to finalize distribution plan for third phase of Security Council Resolution 986. b) Fighting in northern Iraq between Kurdish factions causes further displacement of people. c) Needs for ongoing WFP operation for vulnerable people, internally displaced persons and rehabilitation work to end of June revised upwards to 19 million dollars.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: SOMALIA, KENYA, RWANDA, TANZANIA, SUDAN AND ETHIOPIA
1. SOMALIA
1.1 Donor pledges for WFP logistics operations in Somalia and Kenya will only sustain flood relief operations until mid-January. Donors are urgently requested to make further contributions to these operations.
1.2 WFP has launched an operation to provide food aid to at least 600,000 Somalis who have lost their crops and all household food reserves during the past two months of deluge and devastating floods. Flood victims will need nearly 30,000 metric tons of food to survive over the coming months.
1.3 WFP will require 18,000 metric tons of new food aid for distribution under this operation; the balance of needs are expected to be met from food already in the pipeline for the ongoing Somalia emergency operation.
1.4 Recovery operations in early 1998 will include support to food-for-work projects to rebuild roads, bridges, dikes and embankments. WFP will also sell food into commercial markets to ensure supplies and attempt to maintain a stable price system.
1.5 By 17 December, the grand total of food distributed within the flood operation in southern Somalia was 2,195 metric tons. Location and number of beneficiaries are as follows: Gedo - 84,500; Bay - 160,900; Lower Shabelle -18,700; Middle Jubba - 25,750; Lower Jubba -14,250; total: 304,100 beneficiaries.
1.6 Between 10 and 17 December, airdrops of WFP food to Garba Hare, Hagar, Bur Dubu, Bilis Qoqani and Badaadhe totalled 202 metric tons of maize and 40 metric tons of lentils. Targeted beneficiaries per locations were: Garba Harre - 24,000 (implementing agency MEMISA); Hagar - 12,000 (implementing agency American Refugee Committee - ARC); Bur Dubu -12,000 (implementing agency MEMISA); Bilis Qoqani - 2,000 (implementing agency ARC); Badhade - no figures provided (implementing agency ARC). Total number of beneficiaries reached by airdrop operations from 10 to 17 December: approximately 50,000 people.
1.7 A third MI-8 helicopter from Mozambique has arrived at the Kenyan logistics base of Garissa.
1.8 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues to distribute emergency food and other relief to 30,000 affected people in the lower Shabelle region, as well as providing health and sanitation services in the lower Juba valley. A food/seed distribution programme has begun in the Gedo, Bay and Shabelle regions, and will benefit some 46,000 farming families (215,000 people).
2. KENYA
2.1 Rains have continued in much of Kenya up to 19 December although the intensity has moderated considerably.
2.2 The Hercules C-130 aircraft engaged by WFP has delivered 218 metric tons of food commodities, drug kits and aviation fuel in its first seven days of operations. These items have been delivered on behalf of WFP, UNICEF, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Government.
2.3 A helicopter chartered by WFP with a payload of 3.5 metric tons started operations on 18 December. The helicopter will be used for deliveries of food, medical supplies and essential personnel to remote areas of southern Wajir, northern Garissa and Tana River districts where people have been marooned for up to seven weeks.
2.4 On 19 December, WFP mobilized two low-draught boats, of the type which have been employed very successfully on the Juba river in Somalia, in the Garsen area for flood relief operations.
2.5 The commencement of a food air bridge to the Dadaab refugee camps where 124,000 mainly Somalia refugees live continues to be a high priorty. This airlift, which has been delayed because of procurement problems, must move an additional 770 metric tons of food for the distribution due on 1 January and a further 987 metric tons by 15 January. As there has been no improvement in the very serious flooding affecting the Dadaab area, further contingency plans are now being made to airlift an additional 1,980 metric tons of food for the February distributions.
2.6 In view of the needs of Dadaab and the Kenya flood emergency operation, WFP is seeking to mobilize a second C-130 aircraft for Kenya as soon as possible.
2.7 As stated above, there is an urgent need for donors to come forward with further pledges to cover logistics costs for both the Kenya and Somalia flood operations. Current funding will sustain operations only until mid-January.
3. RWANDA
3.1 Approximately 215,000 persons will benefit from lean season food distributions in the prefectures of Butare, Gitarama, Kibuye, Kigali and Umutara. In total, 1,934 metric tons of mixed WFP food commodities will be distributed under this coming programme. Similar distributions have already been completed in Gokongoro and Kibungo, with 188,000 rations distributed in the two prefectures.
3.2 Following the attack of 11 December on Mudende refugee camp, the Congolese refugees are now assembled at Nkamira transit centre. The food previously pre-positioned by WFP at Mudende has been moved to Nkamira for distribution. This second attack on Mudende has prompted fresh discussions between the Government and UNHCR, to decide whether to repatriate the refugees or to relocate the camp to a more secure location.
3.3 Over 4,000 displaced persons in Kinigi, Ruhengeri prefecture, will receive WFP food rations. WFP has already delivered food to the area. Caritas has requested WFP to provide food assistance to over 114,000 displaced persons in this prefecture and WFP plans to field a joint assessment mission to the area.
4. TANZANIA
4.1 Heavy rains in central Tanzania are disrupting rail and road transport and hampering the movement of food. The main bridge between Mtabila and Moyuvosi camps in Kasulu district collapsed after four successive days of heavy rainfall. All traffic was suspended along this stretch and WFP trucks were diverted through Lugufu.
5. SUDAN
5.1 WFP has started dispatching 68 metric tons of mixed food commodities to assist 4,800 flood-affected and displaced persons in Port Sudan and Suakin, in Red Sea state. These beneficiaries have been identified as in need of emergency food due to floods and war in the south Tokar area. The food will cover the needs of the beneficiaries for one month and will be distributed by SRC.
5.2 The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission report for Sudan is being finalized and findings will be released in the near future. The report will be available on the FAO Web site (http://www.fao.org then click Economics, GIEWS, Special Reports). For further information and maps, see DHA's ReliefWeb at http://www.reliefweb.int - click on complex emergencies.
6. ETHIOPIA
6.1 The Special Report of the findings of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Ethiopia has just been released, dated 19 December 1997. The full report will soon be available on the FAO Web site (http://www.fao.org then click Economics, GIEWS, Special Reports).
6.2 Updates on the flood situation, and the monthly Horn of Africa Review, are available from the UNDP Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia <undp-eue@telecom.net.et> Reports are also available on ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int) under natural disasters.
B. CENTRAL AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. UPDATE
1.1 Kinshasa and Congo/Brazzaville
a) The repatriation of refugees from Brazzaville still in Kinshasa was due to start on 17 December. It is planned that 1,050 refugees will be repatriated during the first week of operations. Prior to departure, each family will receive a one-month WFP food package corresponding to the size of the family.
b) Outside of the organized repatriation programme, Congolese refugees have been spontaneously returning from Kinshasa to Brazzaville. During the second week of December the Kinkole camp population decreased to 9,000 refugees.
1.2 Eastern DR Congo
a) The Congolese authorities have instructed WFP to suspend all activities in north Kivu outside of Goma. Food distributions for a total of 4,940 persons inside the town continued during the week, benefiting food-for-work participants, and patients in hospitals and nutritional centres.
b) The security situation in the areas of Uvira and Fizi remains calm. During the second week of December, UNHCR repatriated 1,390 Congolese refugees from Tanzania to Uvira and Bukavu. This brings the number of refugees repatriated until 16 December to 10,680.
c) During the same period, 118 Burundian refugees were repatriated from eastern DR Congo to Burundi, including 24 unaccompanied children. It has been reported that Congolese families hosting unaccompanied refugee children are reluctant to release them.
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 WFP operations continue across Angola, with no major security incidents reported over recent weeks. However, the situation remains tense due to continuing banditry, mainly in northern Huila, southern Benguela, Bie and Lunda Norte. WFP sub-offices in Huila and Benguela report new displacement of population due to insecurity. In some cases people are moving on their own due to increased freedom of movement in areas where state administration has been extended and UNITA checkpoints dismantled. WFP is closely monitoring the newly displaced populations and providing food aid assistance when and where appropriate. During recent weeks assessments of the situation in volatile areas of Lunda Norte, Benguela and Cabinda were ongoing, to investigate reports of newly displaced and returnee populations.
1.2 Despite the ongoing process of normalization of state administration across the country, only small numbers of the estimated total of 1.2 million internally displaced persons are returning to their areas of origin and large resettlement projects are currently on hold until security improves.
1.3 The demobilization of ex-UNITA troops from the quartering areas is now complete except for the Military War Disabled Centres in Jamba/Biongue. WFP has supplied all food to the demobilizing personnel and their dependants throughout the quartering and demobilization phase and is currently providing the demobilized with their post-demobilization food (individual nine-month rations).
D. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - AIRLIFT - information as of 16 December
1.1 The WFP airlift into Bamyan in central Afghanistan began on 16 December. As planned, the first flight carried a temporary storage unit and equipment for handling food. Ferrying the food itself was expected to start on 17 December.
1.2 WFP plans to deliver up to 2,500 tonnes of food, mainly wheat, for almost 160,000 people at risk this winter in four districts of Bamyan province and one district in the adjacent Ghor province to the west.
E. IRAQ
1. UPDATE
1.1 The Head of the UN Special Commission for Iraq, Richard Butler, travelled to Iraq from December 12 to 15 to discuss issues related to the dismantling of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Butler was due to brief the Security Council on his visit on December 18. Meanwhile, UN agencies, including WFP, have continued discussions with the Iraqi Government in an effort to finalize the distribution plan for the third phase of the Security Council Resolution 986.
1.2 Preparations are now underway for the Programme and Process Review of SCR 986. The Secretary General has requested a review of the humanitarian programme as well as the whole process of contracting, processing of applications, approvals and procurement, shipment and distribution of items concerned. WFP is working with other UN agencies to make specific recommendations on a range of issues including the nutritional value of the current food basket, means to improve the pipeline, as well as the pressing needs of those most at risk. The Secretary General is to submit the report to the Security Council by the end of January.
1.3 Many hundreds of people continue to be displaced from their homes in northern Iraq due to on-going fighting between rival Kurdish factions. Over the past week, WFP registered 1,946 newly displaced persons to receive emergency food assistance. A total of 19,488 persons have been registered since fighting broke out in October of this year. Despite continued military activity in the north, near Balisan and Heran, distribution has not been affected. WFP observers, however, have been cut off from certain areas due to the conflict.
1.4 WFP requires emergency resources to meet the needs of vulnerable people, internally displaced persons and rehabilitation work in Iraq until the end of June. Estimates of requirements have been revised upwards to 19 million dollars. Commodities required include: 26,030 metric tons of cereal, 4,300 tons of pulses, 4,020 tons of vegetable oil, 350 tons of fish, 120 tons of dried skimmed milk and 900 tons of sugar.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 51 of 1997 - December 19, 1997)
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