Report No. 24 of 1998 Date: 12 June 1998This report includes: A) Sudan B) WFP response to the Kosovo crisis C) Angola D) East and Central Africa: Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo E) Estimated Food Needs and Shortfalls for WFP Operations.
>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 Aleesa.Blum@wfp.org or Claudia.VonRoehl@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone 39 6 6513 2004 or 6513 2504. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome 00148.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. SUDAN
1. Update a) Two WFP field officers and a Sudan Red Crescent staff member killed in road attack on 9 June in South Kordofan. Four others injured. b) Air drop operations to southern Sudan from El Obeid start 5 June. c) In Bahr el-Ghazal, WFP distribution teams report hunger now widespread in many communities of Bahr el-Ghazal amongst people previously able to cope without aid. d) Movement of displaced in various areas because of drought and insecurity continues. e) WFP to expand emergency programme in southern Sudan; revised appeal is currently being finalized.
B. YUGOSLAVIA: KOSOVO
1. WFP response to the Kosovo crisis - information as of 15 June a) Fighting in Kosovo has displaced some 50,000 people inside Kosovo; an estimated 12,000 persons have crossed into Albania; approximately 8,000 persons have joined other internally displaced persons from Kosovo in Montenegro. b) WFP moves food supplies from regional stocks for distribution to refugees and displaced; 500 tons of food from contingency stocks in Bosnia-Herzegovina arrive in Albanian port of Durres on 14 June, for forwarding to Bajram Curri and Tropoje. c) Forty-seven tons of high-energy biscuits from regional emergency stocks in Pisa arrive in Durres on 13 June; 62 tons of high-energy biscuits pre-positioned in Pristina in Kosovo. d) WFP joins other UN agencies in an Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance Needs Related to the Kosovo Crisis, issued on 15 June.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update a) Situation throughout the country continues tense; almost daily attacks by residual UNITA troops reported. b) Humanitarian work restricted to essential activities in limited areas. WFP road convoys continue, with MONUA escorts. c) Special Report issued on 20 May with results of FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission. 1998 cereal production forecast at 38 percent above last year's harvest, but continued insecurity, poor condition of transport and infrastructure and lack of functioning marketing structures constitute major constraints to movement of food from localized surplus areas to deficit areas. d) International assistance will be required in 1998/99 for the supply of some 120,000 ton of cereals, including 90,000 ton of relief food aid for 750,000 internally displaced persons and other affected persons. e) Full report available on the Web at http:\\www.fao.org then click on Economics, GIEWS, Special Reports.
D. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: UGANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND DR CONGO
1. Uganda a) Upsurge in rebel activities results in reduction to a minimum of emergency food distributions and other relief activities in most areas in northern and western Uganda. Some humanitarian staff relocated from the field; travel outside of towns to refugee and displaced persons camps restricted. b) Attack on a technical school in Kichwamba, near Fort Portal in western Uganda, results in death of 80 students, burned to death in school dormitories.
2. Burundi a) Joint UN mission visits five provinces to make updated assessment of current situation. Major drop in numbers of displaced in Karuzi and Kirundu provinces.
3. Tanzania a) Security situation in Kibondo camps deteriorates. b) Field assessments carried out in preparation for the up-coming FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo a) Traffic along Bukavu-Uvira road suspended by Congolese authorities, after ambush on a convoy on 1 June leave three people dead.
E. ESTIMATED FOOD NEEDS AND SHORTFALLS FOR WFP OPERATIONS
1. May 1998 update a) An update of the 1998 Estimated Food Needs and Shortfalls for WFP-assisted Emergency and Protracted Relief Operations, Development Projects and Special Operations, as of May 1998, is available on the WFP Web site at http:\\www.wfp.org
PART II - DETAILS
A. SUDAN
1. South Kordofan
1.1 Two WFP field officers and a Sudanese Red Crescent Society staff member were killed in an attack on a convoy on 9 June in South Kordofan. Injuries were inflicted on three other Sudan Red Crescent staff and one escort. The attack was made by unidentified persons on a road approximately 60 km north-east of Kadugli. The aid staff were travelling back to Kadugli after distributing WFP food to internally displaced people in camps the day before. Although the incident took place near the Nuba mountains area, it was unrelated to the planned OLS/WFP assessment of this area.
2. El Obeid
2.1 Air drop operations from El Obeid to southern Sudan started on 5 June. A planned 1,000 tons of food per month is to be delivered to OLS southern sector locations, mostly in Bahr el-Ghazal, from El Obeid. A total of 4,300 tons of sorghum has been locally purchased in northern Sudan for this operation, and has been transported to El Obeid in preparation for the air operation.
3. Bahr el-Ghazal
3.1 Teams distributing food in Panthou, Ajiep and many other communities of Bahr el-Ghazal report that hunger is now widespread amongst people who previously were able to cope without aid. The slaughter of cattle in markets continues, and it is becoming difficult to find wild foods. MSF-Belgium will add two additional feeding centres to their operations in Ajiep (supplementary and therapeutic feeding), bringing the total number of MSF-Belgium feeding centres in Ajiep to four.
3.2 More than 6,000 people recently moved from eastern Tonj county to Rumbek county because of drought and insecurity, while hunger has reportedly also spurred a migration from other parts of Rumbek towards Yambio in Equatoria. Population movements from locations in northern Bahr el-Ghazal also have been confirmed.
3.3 In areas such as Twic county in Bahr el-Ghazal, waves of militia raids have forced hundreds of people from their homes and land at the critical moment for planting seeds and cultivating land. Cattle and grain stocks have been stolen in the raids. The raids also have disrupted relief activities by forcing the temporary evacuation of aid workers. The threat of raids has delayed the return of cattle from dry season grazing areas and left children without the milk usually available at this season. Rains are late in many areas, and people are hesitating to plant because of heightened conflict.
3.4 During the first week of June, distributions were completed in Alongdior (15,431 people), Ajiep (24,000) and Nyamlel (13,800). Distributions ongoing in Panthou (32,000), Thiek Thou (15,000), Akak (26,000) and Majakliet (15,000). The distributions in Maper and Wunrok were interrupted due to insecurity.
3.5 Toch Payam: Distributions have started at Thiek Thou and Majakliet airstrips within Toch Payam.
4. Equatoria
4.1 Torit county: WFP continues to receive reports from both SRRA and non-governmental organizations that a number of people are moving out of the Torit county area to Kenya due to hunger. SRRA reports that lack of food in the region has increased tensions amongst the various clans.
4.2 Tambura: The WFP, CARE, IMC and SRRA joint assessment of displaced from northern Bahr el-Ghazal was completed. The team concluded that an estimated 2,000 people have arrived in Tambura from Gogrial, Wau, Tonj and Rumbek. The displaced have walked several days, and left their homes with few household items and animals. Some of the displaced have been taken in by Tambura families. Many are living in local school and abandoned homes. The displaced are relying on mangoes, exchanging labour for food, wild foods and slaughtering a few goats.
5. Upper Nile/Jonglei
5.1 During the first week of June, WFP distributed food in Koch (16,000 people) and Wicok (18,000). Distributions are ongoing in Ganyiel.
5.2 Northern Bor county: The joint OLS assessment team (WFP, SCF-UK, CARE, MSF-Holland) completed an assessment in Northern Bor county (Duk Padit) on displaced arriving in Duk Padit and Duk Faiwial from Bieh and Phou States. The team confirmed that approximately 3,000 people have arrived.
6. Expanded needs in southern Sudan
6.1 WFP is expanding its programme in southern Sudan to provide larger food rations to an increased number of people suffering the effects of war and drought. Revised needs will be presented to donors when the new appeal is finalized.
B. YUGOSLAVIA: KOSOVO
1. WFP RESPONSE TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS - information as of 15 June
1.1 People are still fleeing fighting in Kosovo. As if 15 June, it is estimated that there are around 50,000 internally displaced persons in Kosovo. Another estimated 12,000 persons have crossed the Albanian border (of which 9,000 have so far been registered), and approximately 8,000 persons have recently moved into Montenegro, increasing the number of internally displaced persons from Kosovo already there. WFP has been pre-positioning food supplies from regional stocks for distribution to refugees and displaced.
1.2 Following developments in Albania, WFP moved 500 tons of food out of the contingency stocks in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The food arrived in the Albanian port of Durres on 14 June, and is to be forwarded to distribution sites in Bajram Curri and Tropoje.
1.3 In addition, 47 tons of high-energy biscuits used for emergency food rations were shipped from the regional emergency stocks in Pisa, and arrived in Durres on 13 June.
1.4 A further 62 tons of high-energy biscuits have been pre-positioned in Pristina in Kosovo for distributions based on the recommendations of the recently completed joint WFP/UNHCR Needs Assessment Mission in Kosovo.
1.5 WFP has joined other UN agencies in an Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance Needs Related to the Kosovo Crisis, issued on 15 June.
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE
1.1 In spite of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General's Crisis Resolution Plan of 15 May, the situation throughout the country continues to be tense. Attacks by residual UNITA troops are being reported on almost a daily basis. The UN Security Council has condemned the attack on 20 May on a MONUA vehicle near Calandula in Malange province which resulted in the death of an Angolan interpreter and serious injuries to two MONUA officials. Verification of attacks by MONUA has been hampered by the refusal of Government or UNITA Liaison Officers to accompany the investigation teams, and by insecurity.
1.2 The work of the humanitarian community is currently restricted to essential activities and, in certain provinces, limited to the provincial capitals. WFP is nonetheless continuing its programme of road convoys, which are closely coordinated with MONUA so as to coincide with MONUA's scheduled escorts.
1.3 The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission Special Report was issued on 20 May. The Special Report highlights the following:
a) 1998 cereal production is forecast at 594,000 tons, some 38 percent above last year's harvest, as a result of abundant and well-distributed rainfall.
b) Output of other crops, particularly cassava and sweet potatoes are also forecast to increase over last year, reflecting increased plantings and good rainfall.
c) Localized surpluses are expected in several areas (particularly in the central highlands), but continued insecurity, poor condition of transport and infrastructure and the lack of functioning marketing structures will constitute major constraints to their movement to the deficit areas.
d) Cereal import requirements for the 1998/98 marketing year (April/March) are estimated at 470,000 tons, some 12 percent below the previous year's requirements.
e) Despite the recovery in production, international assistance will be required in 1998/99 for the supply of some 120,000 ton of cereals, including 90,000 tons of relief food aid.
f) An estimated 750,000 internally displaced persons and other affected persons may experience acute food shortages unless food assistance is provided during the current marketing year.
1.4 The full report is available on the Web at http:\\www.fao.org then click on Economics, GIEWS, Special Reports.
D. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: UGANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1. UGANDA
1.1 Emergency food distributions and other relief activities in most areas in northern and western Uganda have been reduced to the minimum, or suspended, following an upsurge in rebel activities. Various humanitarian agencies, including WFP implementing partners, are relocating from the field and travel outside of the towns to refugee and displaced persons camps is currently restricted.
1.2 A rebel attack on 8 June on a technical school in Kichwamba, near the town of Fort Portal in western Uganda, left as many as 80 students burned to death, after three of the school dormitories were sprayed with petrol and set on fire. This attack has been blamed on rebel groups which operate out of the Ruwenzori mountain range.
1.3 During the first week of June, WFP food distributions benefited Sudanese refugees in Imvepi, Rhino Camp and Pakelle. Food distributions were also carried out in Kyaka II, a camp for Congolese refugees and in Gulu where 5,591 households in Pabbo camp received 178 tons of WFP food commodities.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 A joint UN mission visited five provinces to make an assessment of the current situation in the country. According to the authorities, there are now 77,000 displaced person in the province of Bururi, 24,300 in Makamba, 26,000 in Gitega, 12,000 in Karuzi and another 12,000 in Kirundu. The number of displaced persons in the two latter provinces dropped drastically, from a previous total of 200,000 regrouped and displaced persons.
2.2 During the first week of June, 749 repatriates from DR Congo received WFP transit rations at the Gatumba transit site, distributed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Repatriates leaving for their home provinces were provided with WFP return food packages.
2.3 CARE began the distribution of 30-day rations in Muyinga province, providing 45 tons of WFP food to 3,370 beneficiaries. In Karuzi, CARE distributed 100 tons of WFP food to 8,238 persons and the Bugenyuzi Fathers distributed 124 tons to 2,132 beneficiaries. Other distributions by CARE during the week covered 4,828 needy persons in Kayanza and 14,890 in Bujumbura Rural.
3. TANZANIA
3.1 The security situation in the Kibondo camps appears to be deteriorating, with three separate incidents involving refugees from the Nduta camp reported during the first week of June. During these incidents some aid staff were reportedly injured.
3.2 WFP and implementing partners have been carrying out assessments in the field, in preparation for the up-coming FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission.
4. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
4.1 Traffic along the Bukavu-Uvira road has been suspended by Congolese authorities, after a convoy was ambushed on 1 June, with three people reportedly killed. This situation hinders the delivery of WFP food to Uvira from Goma/Bunagana, a route recently reopened by WFP. Aid agencies are currently shuttling between the two eastern DR Congo towns through Rwanda.
E. ESTIMATED FOOD NEEDS AND SHORTFALLS FOR WFP OPERATIONS
1. MAY UPDATE
1.1 An update of the 1998 Estimated Food Needs and Shortfalls for WFP-assisted Emergency and Protracted Relief Operations, Development Projects and Special Operations, as of May 1998, is available on the WFP Web site at http:\\www.wfp.org
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 24 of 1998 - June 12, 1998)
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