Report No. 15 of 1998 Date: 10 April 1998This report includes: A) Democratic People's Republic of Korea B) Angola C) West Africa: Sierra Leone and Liberia D) Somalia E) East and Central Africa: Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo/Brazzaville.
>From Manuel Aranda da Silva, Chief, Technical Support Service. Available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page at http://www.wfp.org/ or by electronic mail from Deborah.Hicks@wfp.org (fax 39 6 6513 2837). For information on 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. New address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome 00148.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Update a) WFP Executive Director visits DPR Korea, and stresses issues of monitoring and access. No UN food aid to be distributed in areas where WFP does not have access. b) Response to the latest WFP appeal, as of 11 April, includes 40,000 tons from the Republic of Korea, USD 1.1 million from Australia, and USD 395,800 from Norway, in addition to previously announced 200,000 tons from the US, and USD 20,000 from the Czech Republic.
B. ANGOLA
1. Update a) UNITA completes several of remaining steps of the Lusaka Protocol; several steps remain, including demobilization of UNITA residual troops. b) Continued security incidents and increased tension force UN agencies and NGOs to limit staff movements. c) Major road and bridge rehabilitation project with Swedrelief in Huila to begin implementation in May; Santa Barbara Foundation and Norwegian People's Aid to clear mines from stretches to be rehabilitated.
C. WEST AFRICA: SIERRA LEONE AND LIBERIA
1. Sierra Leone a) Improved security situation permits missions to Bo and Kenema by WFP international staff; security in eastern and south-eastern Sierra Leone remains poor.
2. Liberia a) WFP and other agencies form task force to monitor conditions for refugees from Sierra Leone in Vaahun, Lofa county. Another task force formed to facilitate return of 50,000 displaced persons from Montserrado shelters to Bomi and Cape Mount counties. b) Food allocations continue to various non-governmental organizations and UN projects under on-going WFP programme in Liberia.
D. SOMALIA
1. Update a) Continued concern about possible further flooding in southern Somalia during current rainy season (late March to May); heavy rainfall affects many sections of roads in Bardera area; Shabelle river bursts its banks at several points, cutting off villages on both sides of the river.
E. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA, UGANDA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. Rwanda a) Food supply situation in southern parts of the country reported to be deteriorating. Situation in Butare and Gokongoro to be assessed by WFP.
2. Burundi a) WFP food distribution to 20,000 recently displaced persons in Isale, Bujumbura Rural, moved closer to tarmac road because of security situation.
3. Tanzania a) Delivery of WFP food to refugee camps in Kigoma region improves; full rations distributed in all camps. Stocks of corn-soya blend and salt very low. b) Food consignments are being moved to Kigoma for pre-positioning and stockpiling, in view of heavy rains falling in the area. c) Rains and flooding leave villagers without shelter and destroy crops along Malagarasi river in Kigoma region; WFP releases one-month food ration from drought operation stocks to assist those affected by the floods.
4. Uganda a) Insecurity in Bundibugyo area displaces close to 12,000 people, half of whom need food assistance. b) Distributions to displaced persons in Gulu and Kitgum continue, with rations varying according to camp conditions and access to land. c) Among Sudanese refugees being assisted by WFP, majority now receiving reduced rations.
5. Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) a) Many of the 8,762 Burundian registered refugees in Uvira region of eastern DR Congo reported to be in poor health and malnourished. b) In the Republic of Congo, clashes between Government troops and supporters of ousted president disrupt railway traffic between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville, affecting supply of food to Brazzaville and delivery of WFP commodities.
PART II - DETAILS
A. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. UPDATE
1.1 The WFP Executive Director visited DPR Korea between 7 and 11 April to review on-going WFP relief operations. Despite a significant improvement in the condition of children as a result of the food aid already provided by the international community, food aid needs are still immense. The Executive Director urged continued donor support to cover basic food needs, given the very serious food shortages presently faced by the country.
1.2 In discussions with Government officials, the Executive Director stressed issues of monitoring and access, emphasizing that no UN food aid will be distributed in areas where WFP does not have access.
1.3 WFP has sent food aid to 189 of the 210 counties in the country. Because of the restricted access to certain areas, including areas bordering China, WFP has not been granted access to 50 counties. WFP food has been distributed in 29 of these counties. Among the areas involved are most of Ryangang and Chagang provinces, as well as parts of North Hamgyong, South Hamgyong, Kangwon, South Pyongan, North Pyongan, and North and South Hwanghae. Roughly 20 percent of the total population of 23 million people live in these areas.
1.4 Under the new agreement with the Government, WFP will increase its international staff to 46, from the 31 presently in the country. In addition to its main office in Pyongyang and sub-offices in Sinuiju, Chongjin and Hamhung, WFP is opening two new sub-offices at Wonsan (Kangwon province) and Hyesan (Ryangang province, bordering China). WFP has also set up a DPR Korea support unit in Beijing.
1.5 The Food Aid Liaison Unit (FALU) in the WFP Pyongyang office has been expanded in this new phase, enhancing liaison with non-governmental organizations. WFP/FALU will continue to monitor NGO shipments intended for the Public Distribution System or in support of specific activities, such as food-for-work.
1.6 In its most recent appeal, WFP calls on the international community to provide USD 378.2 million in emergency food aid, for a total of 658,000 tons, to assist 7.4 million beneficiaries. As of 11 April, confirmed pledges have been received of 200,000 tons from the US, 40,000 tons from the Republic of Korea, USD 1.1 million from Australia, USD 395,800 from Norway and USD 20,000 from the Czech Republic.
B. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 UNITA has taken action over recent weeks to complete several of the remaining steps outlined in the Lusaka Protocol: on 1 April a high-level UNITA delegation led by Vice-President Antonio Dembo arrived in Luanda; on the same date, UNITA's Radio Vorgan ended transmission. UNITA leader Dr. Savimbi's 400-strong personal guard was demobilized on 26 March.
1.2 Some tasks remain to be completed, such as the demobilization of UNITA residual troops and the disarmament by the government of the civilian population. The establishment of state administration in the sensitive locations of Bailundo, Andulo, Mungo, Mussende, Nharea and Sautar has yet to take place.
1.3 In spite of the recent steps taken by UNITA, continued security incidents and resulting increased tension have forced UN agencies and NGOs to limit staff movements, and thus have affected ongoing humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts. In apparent contradiction with the steps taken in the framework of the Lusaka Protocol, there have been many incidents in north-eastern Bie, north-west and southern Malange, and in the triangle between southern and eastern Benguela, northern and eastern Huila and south-western Huambo provinces.
1.4 Further to an assessment mission on 10 March, CARE has completed the registration of newly arrived displaced persons in Matala and Quipungo, who now total 3,720, most of whom have fled from Cutenda. These people and an additional 9,715 displaced persons who had fled earlier from the same areas are receiving WFP food assistance distributed by CARE.
1.5 A major road and bridge rehabilitation project in Huila will begin implementation in May by WFP partner Swedrelief. Swedrelief will be preceded by the Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) and Norwegian People's Aid, who will ensure that stretches to be rehabilitated are cleared of mines. SBF will begin demining of the first bridge, near Matala, on 13 April. The project aims to rehabilitate 500 kms of secondary roads and 8 bridges in Huila province.
1.6 The bridge over the river Culai has been repaired and re-opened to traffic. This bridge is a vital link between the coast and the provinces of Huambo, Bie and Kuando Kubango. However, a second bridge, also destroyed due to heavy rains earlier in the year, is still under repair. As a result, WFP convoys continue to travel from Lobito to Huambo via Waku Kungo in Kuanza Sul, considerably raising the cost of transport.
C. WEST AFRICA: SIERRA LEONE AND LIBERIA
1. SIERRA LEONE
1.1 Security in eastern and south-eastern Sierra Leone remains poor. Other areas are calm and the UN security status has been revised accordingly in Freetown, Bo and Kenema. Short missions to Bo and Kenema by WFP international staff, longer than previous day trips, will now be possible.
1.2 Evidence of large-scale massacres of civilians has been reportedly discovered in Bonthe District.
1.3 The vessel M/V Cecil Dande arrived in Freetown from Conakry on 3 April and is currently discharging 1,115 tons of mixed food aid commodities. More than 2,414 tons of WFP commodities are available in-country, with some 1,885 tons available in Conakry for Sierra Leone.
1.4 Projected distributions for May amount to some 2,740 tons of food. In implementing its programme, WFP will give priority to food-for-work for agriculture, as support to the agricultural sector between April and August is critical.
2. LIBERIA
2.1 Refugees from Sierra Leone continue to cross the border into Liberia, arriving in Vaahun, Lofa county, at an average rate of 500 per day. As at 6 April, some 52,120 Sierra Leoneans had been registered at the Folima crossing point. WFP is providing food assistance to these refugees. There is general agreement that the refugees should be moved to a more accessible area further away from the border. A task force made up of UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, UNOPS, IFRC, ICRC, GTZ, and medical NGOs has been formed to closely monitor the Vaahun situation.
2.2 Another task force, comprising UNOPS, LRRRC, IFRC/Liberian Red Cross Society, EU, USAID, WFP and CRS, has been formed to facilitate the return of an estimated 50,000 displaced persons from Montserrado shelters to Bomi and Cape Mount counties.
2.3 As part of its ongoing work in Liberia, WFP continues to allocate assorted food commodities to various NGO implementing partners, including allocations to ADRA and World Vision International (WVI) for emergency school feeding in Montserrado county, Voinjama, Kolahun and Foya in Lofa county and Bomi county. WFP has released assorted commodities to WVI for distribution to 800 returning displaced persons in Jenneh and Klay districts, Bomi county, and for their selective feeding programmes in Cape Mount county. Additional quantities of food went to WVI for general distribution to 7,015 Sierra Leonean refugees in Sinje for the month of March.
2.4 Support is also given by WFP to an ILO vocational skills training programme in Bomi and Cape Mount counties. Other food commodities were issued to UNICEF in support of a training programme for war-affected youth in Tubmanburg, Gbarnga and Zoweinta.
2.5 WFP has participated in two inter-agency food-security assessments in the Vahun-Kolahun/Zorzor-Salayea areas, locations that are experiencing or expecting a high rate of returnee/refugee influxes.
D. SOMALIA
1. UPDATE
1.1 There is continued concern that the situation in flood-affected areas of southern Somalia may reach another critical stage during the current rainy season (late March to May).
1.2 Already, heavy rainfall has affected many sections of the roads in the Bardera area. The Shabelle river has burst its banks at several points, cutting off many villages on both sides of the river. With rivers full and embankments broken in numerous places, renewed rainfall would seriously worsen the situation in many areas affected by the previous severe flooding.
1.3 During the second half of March, improved access by road meant that most food deliveries were made by road.
1.4 WFP total food requirements stand at 10,198 tons for the period April to July 1998. Considering stocks and recently confirmed contributions, WFP has a current shortfall of 1,387 tons of pulses, 372 tons of pasta and 372 tons of sugar.
E. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA, UGANDA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. RWANDA
1.1 The food supply situation in southern parts of the country, particularly Butare and Gokongoro, appears to be deteriorating, with reports of malnutrition-related deaths among the adult population of these areas. Authorities have also reported that children are abandoning schools as a result of food shortages. WFP will be assessing the situation.
1.2 WFP is adjusting the composition of the food basket being distributed in order to compensate for short deliveries of pulses and oil, caused by logistics constraints. There is a shortfall of some 1,600 tons of pulses for planned distributions for food-for-work projects; pending the arrival of further stocks of pulses, WFP will fill this gap with a combination of other commodities, thus maintaining the Kcal content of the food rations.
1.3 Between April and August, WFP plans to distribute an average of 5,000 to 6,000 tons of food per month in Rwanda. Given the need to maintain food assistance to nutritional programmes for refugees and to cover the emergency needs of displaced persons, only 7,500 tons of food will be allocated to new food-for-work programmes. Since January, WFP has distributed over 9,000 tons of food, assisting an average of 151,000 persons per month, mostly food-for-work participants.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 The planned WFP food distribution to some 20,000 recently displaced persons in Isale, Bujumbura Rural, which had to be postponed due to insecurity, has now been changed to a new location, closer to the tarmac road. The distribution will take three days and each beneficiary will receive a seven-day WFP food ration.
2.2 CARE has completed the distribution of seed protection packages in Bubanza province, providing a total of 18 tons of WFP food to 5,745 beneficiaries. Similar distributions had been carried out in Karuzi, with 360 tons of food distributed to 114,765 beneficiaries and in Cibitoke where 125 tons of WFP commodities were distributed to 41,658 recipients.
3. TANZANIA
3.1 The delivery of WFP food commodities to refugee camps in the Kigoma region has improved and full rations are now being distributed in all camps. Stocks of corn-soya blend and salt are however very low and supplies are awaited from neighbouring countries.
3.2 Despite recent improvements in food deliveries, the supply situation remains precarious, with heavy rains falling in Kigoma. WFP is making efforts to move food consignments as quickly as possible, to ensure that food is pre-positioned and stockpiling can take place.
3.3 Rains and flooding of the Malagarasi river in Kigoma region have left villagers without shelter and destroyed crops. Following a request for food assistance from local authorities, a WFP mission has assessed the situation and a one-month food ration is being released, using stocks from the drought emergency operation.
4. UGANDA
4.1 Recent insecurity in the Bundibugyo area has resulted in the displacement of close to 12,000 people. Half of this caseload requires WFP food assistance. Meanwhile, previously displaced persons in the area continue to resettle, and to date close to 30,000 displaced have received WFP return packages.
4.2 WFP is assisting 404,460 displaced persons in the northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum. During March, 1,343 tons of WFP food were distributed to these displaced persons. Food rations vary according to camp conditions and access to land. In Gulu, an upsurge in rebel activities is restricting movements outside of the camps; in Kitgum, a recent assessment carried out by local authorities indicates that 90 percent of the displaced population has access to land for cultivation.
4.3 During March, 846 tons of WFP food commodities were distributed to 135,000 Sudanese refugees, out of the total 163,700 Sudanese living in camps and settlements in Uganda. The majority of the refugees, except for those still in transit camps, is now receiving reduced rations.
5. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
5.1 In eastern DR Congo, UNHCR has reported that 8,762 Burundian refugees have been registered in Kiliba, Sange and in Fizi in the Uvira region. Most of these refugees are said to be in poor health and malnourished.
5.2 In the Republic of Congo, railway traffic between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville has been suspended, following clashes between Government troops and supporters of the ousted president. This affects the supply of food to the city of Brazzaville, and the delivery of WFP commodities stored in Pointe-Noire and needed for distributions.
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 15 of 1998 - April 10, 1998)
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