Report No. 33 of 1998 Date: 21 August 1998
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This report includes information for the past two weeks 14 August 1998 21 August 1998 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This report includes: A) Democratic Republic of Congo B) East Africa I: Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda C) East Africa II: Kenya flood operation D) Zambia E) Sudan F) Afghanistan G) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Region: Kosovo crisis.
>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 Marius.deGaayFortman@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone 39 6 6513 2004 or 6 6513 2250. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, Rome 00148.
Note: no WFP Emergency Report was issued on 14 August. The following is a combined two-week report for weeks ending 14 and 21 August, prepared by Peter Erhardy.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1. Update - information as of 25 August a) Fighting continues in various parts of DR Congo; some movement of Congolese refugees into Angola, Tanzania and Burundi reported. b) WFP protests looting of food stocks from stores in Bukavu and Uvira; vehicles and communications equipment also taken.
B. EASTERN AFRICA I: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
1. Update a) In Rwanda, WFP food distributions continue in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi prefectures. b) Refugees from DR Congo arrive in Cibitoke in Burundi; WFP/UNHCR mission assesses immediate needs. General situation in Cibitoke province has improved over the past six months. c) Burundian refugees continue to arrive in Tanzania; new arrivals reported to be in poor health. d) WFP builds up contingency stocks for Tanzania for possible movement of new refugees from DR Congo; limited number have entered to date. e) Last group of Congolese refugees repatriating from Kyaka II camp in south-western Uganda are refused entry at the border by DR Congo officials. f) Reduced level of rebel activity in northern Uganda.
C. EAST AFRICA II: KENYA
1. Update - flood operations a) WFP extends emergency operation for Kenya flood victims to end of September 1998.
D. ZAMBIA
1. New WFP drought operation a) FAO and WFP approve USD 20.7 million emergency operation (EMOP 6025) to target 692,000 drought-affected people in Zambia. Total food requirements are 45,000 tons of maize.
E. SUDAN
1. Update a) Staff movements and airdrop operations affected by rains and new precarious security situation following US missile attack (Khartoum, 20 August). b) OLS task force looking into food aid targeting and distribution practices finishes its work; preliminary report now with OLS partners.
F. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update a) Evacuation of all UN international staff in Afghanistan completed on 22 August, following US missile attacks on 20 August. b) As Taliban authorities have pledged to secure food stocks, current situation not expected to disrupt transport of WFP relief food to Afghanistan. c) Previous to most recent events, Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan concludes negotiations with the Taliban over return of international NGOs to Kabul.
G. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION: KOSOVO CRISIS
1. Update a) Heavy fighting continues to displace people in Kosovo; UNHCR estimates 230,000 displaced by the fighting. b) In Kosovo, WFP runs convoys of food and other relief commodities three times a week, in coordination with other agencies. c) In Montenegro, 20,000 internally displaced persons receive WFP food aid. d) August distributions completed in Albania in Tropoje district, Tirana, Durres and Shkoder.
PART II - DETAILS
A. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1. UPDATE - information as of 25 August
1.1 Fighting is taking place in various parts of the country. There is concern about the possibility of increasing numbers of people being displaced by the fighting. Reports have already been received of the movement of people across the border into Angola, including both Congolese and Angolan refugees who had previously fled into DR Congo. Previous returnees are also reported to be moving back into Tanzania and Burundi from eastern DR Congo.
1.2 The WFP office in Kinshasa is functioning with limited national staff. Contingency plans are being prepared, in anticipation of a possible influx of people into the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville).
1.3 WFP has issued a statement protesting against the looting by armed men of food stocks from WFP stores in Bukavu and Uvira. Over 800 tons of WFP food have been looted, and vehicles and communications equipment have been seized.
B. EASTERN AFRICA I: RWANDA, BURUNDI, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
1. RWANDA
1.1 Since late May, WFP has distributed 2,327 tons of food to nearly 277,000 beneficiaries in the most-affected north-western prefectures of Ruhengeri and Gisenyi. Food distributions which began on 15 July in Ruhengeri prefecture have now entered a second phase, under which people with access to land receive half rations. Those living in areas where malnutrition rates remains high, without work opportunities and low agricultural production, continue to be provided with full rations.
1.2 WFP, escorted by military personnel along a heavily patrolled road, visited the commune of Cyeru in Ruhengeri and observed very limited activity in this area. Little agricultural activity was seen, with sorghum and wheat fields not tended to or harvested.
1.3 Food distributions in Ruhengeri benefit the following types of beneficiaries: recent returnees or people who have little or no access to their farms due to the insecurity in the area, a group which has the higher malnutrition rates; persons who missed the last harvest (Mukingo, Myakinama and Ruhondo); and persons with only limited access to their land, in Nkuli, Cyabingo and Kigombe communes.
1.4 A report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Gisenyi indicates that despite gradual improvement in the security situation, significant assistance is still needed to the estimated affected population of 125,000. A significant portion of the population still shows evidence of malnutrition and plans are being made for additional therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes. Illness and malnutrition have adversely affected the capacity of part of the population of the province to cultivate and WFP is participating in a seed distribution program to benefit over 96,000 people in five communes of northern Gisenyi. The focus will be on short growing cycle vegetables to ease food distribution requirements.
2. BURUNDI
2.1 As of August 21, the number of recent arrivals in Cibitoke province who have sought refuge from the recent fighting in DR Congo had reached 3,620. A joint WFP/UNHCR mission was conducted to identify immediate needs.
2.2 In Cibitoke province, the general situation has improved considerably over the past six months, which has enabled relief organizations to provide assistance to the refugees in a relatively efficient and unhindered manner. The vast majority of the former displaced population of the province (which at its peak numbered 100,000 living in camps) have been able to return to their homes, and signs of reconstruction are evident along the main road with homes being rebuilt and land being cultivated again. The population is benefiting from a relatively good cotton harvest.
2.3 The FAO coordinated seeds distribution of the upcoming "A" season is set to begin. Approximately 630,000 vulnerable persons will be assisted through the distribution of bean seeds, vegetable seeds and hoes while WFP will provide seeds protection rations.
3. TANZANIA - information as of 20 August with some updates as of 26 August
3.1 Burundian refugees continue to arrive in Kigoma. Refugees were also received at the border villages of Manyovu and Biharu in Kasulu. The new arrivals were reported to be in poor health and some had sustained wounds. Since 6 August (up to 26 August), some 1,390 Burundian refugees have been received and registered in Mtendeli camp.
3.2 Contingency plans have been prepared for a possible influx of Congolese refugees, but only a limited number has so far crossed into Tanzania. Reports received indicate that a number of residents in the eastern towns in DR Congo were being hindered from moving across the border by blockades at exit points and the reluctance of boat owners to travel across the lake. The total of Congolese refugees received in Tanzania as at 26 August stands at 1,107.
3.3 WFP is trying to secure contingency stocks for Tanzania. On 22 August 15 tons of high-energy biscuits were received in Kigoma. On 26 August, 108 tons of vegetable oil where received. CSB will also be part of the contingency stocks.
4. UGANDA
4.1 The last convoy of Congolese refugees from Kyaka II camp in south western Uganda, who were part of the voluntary repatriation programme to the DR Congo, were refused entry at the border by DR Congo officials. The refugees were returned to the camp, where the caseload is presently 1,289.
4.2 With the reduction of rebel activities in the north, the situation in Gulu district was reported to be relatively calm with a few isolated incidents. In Kitgum district, field activities have resumed with most of the roads safe and secure.
C. EAST AFRICA II: KENYA
1. UPDATE - FLOOD OPERATIONS
1.1 On 14 August, WFP extended its emergency operation for Kenya flood victims until the end of September 1998. WFP will provide food assistance to 587,500 people in the flood-affected districts in north-eastern, eastern and coastal regions. WFP will also give supplementary rations of blended food to children under five in southern Garissa, Elwak, Mandera and South Horr division in Marsabit. The extension of the operation will cost USD 11.8 million. To date WFP has received USD 3.8 towards this total from the European Union and the US.
1.2 In December 1997, WFP mounted an USD 14 million emergency flood operation to distribute 17,274 tons of relief food to the 500,000 people severely affected by floods in areas of north-eastern Kenya including Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit, Moyale and Tana River.
1.3 In July 1998, WFP conducted food security assessments in Garissa, Wajir, Elwak, Mandera and Tana River to evaluate the recovery of the Kenyans hit by the floods and to recommend where further assistance was needed. The assessments concluded that although there was improvement in the flooded areas, malnutrition rates in areas of north-eastern Kenya remain of concern and there is still a need for WFP relief assistance until September.
1.4 During the flood period, the majority of the pastoralist population suffered losses of up to 80 percent of their cattle from water borne diseases and Rift Valley fever; in addition, access to commercial food supplies was cut and food prices in the markets more than doubled. By the end of September, livestock herds should be recovering, milk production from the livestock is expected to increase and commercial food prices should be lower.
D. ZAMBIA
1. NEW WFP DROUGHT OPERATION
1.1 On 12 August, FAO and WFP approved a USD 20.7 million emergency operation (EMOP 6025) to provide temporary food relief to an estimated 692,000 targeted drought-affected people in Zambia for periods ranging from three to nine months starting July 1998. The total food requirement is 45,000 tons of maize. The targeted people are living in areas that suffered extensive crop damage during the 1997/98 agricultural crop season (October to March) caused by adverse weather conditions associated with the El Nino phenomenon, characterized by prolonged dry spells in the southern part of the country and heavy rains causing floods in the northern part.
1.2 The EMOP will alleviate the negative effects of transitory food insecurity through food distributions to targeted people in 57 severely affected districts which suffer from limited market access, poor road conditions and reduced coping ability. Needs of under-five children and food-for-work participants will be determined through on-going assessments. The overall assistance will provide a safety net for women and vulnerable groups (the aged, physically handicapped, orphans and severely malnourished) and protect the remaining assets of affected families for investment in the next crop season.
E. SUDAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 26 August
1.1 The Operation Lifeline Sudan task force looking into food aid targeting and distribution practices has finished its work and its preliminary report is now being considered by the OLS partners.
1.2 The new precarious security situation in Sudan since the US missile attack (Khartoum, 20 August) and the continuous heavy rains are affecting staff movements and airdrop operations. Lack of people on the ground to receive airdrops has resulted in a temporary reduction of aircraft rotations in some areas in the southern sector.
1.3 The Government of Sudan has allowed the operation by WFP/OLS of two additional Buffalo aircraft from Lokichoggio. These will provide much-needed expanded airlift capacity for food commodities and other goods required for selective feeding programmes implemented by NGOs, items which cannot be airdropped.
1.4 Updates on deliveries, distributions, other general operational details and the current resourcing situation can be found in WFP Sudan Daily Bulletins, which are available via the WFP Home Page on the Web at http://www.wfp.org - click on Field Operations or What's New - or through contacting <Leslie.Elliott@wfp.org>.
F. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 25 August
1.1 A heightened security situation following the US missile attacks in Afghanistan on 20 August and the subsequent popular protest it generated in Afghanistan and Pakistan resulted in a decision by the inter-agency security management group in Islamabad on 21 August to evacuate all UN international staff from Afghanistan. This included nine WFP staff from four remaining positions in Afghanistan, Jalalabad, Herat, Kandahar and Kabul. The evacuation was completed the following day. The Bamyan and Faizabad UN offices had already been evacuated early in August as a result of the recent Taliban offensive. On 22 August, UN Heads of Agencies in Pakistan and in Afghanistan also decided to close UN offices in Islamabad for the day on 24 August and to carry out only limited activity during the week following. UN offices had also been closed on 21 August.
1.2 In a statement released on the morning of 21 August, the UN Secretary-General strongly condemned the attacks in Kabul against two staff members of the UN Special Mission to Afghanistan (one of whom subsequently died). The Secretary-General also reminded the Taliban that they are responsible for the security and safety of all members of the UN and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, and strongly urged the Taliban to take adequate measures to ensure their safety.
1.3 Before the US intervention happened, a WFP national staff member was beaten by looters on the scene at WFP warehouse in Hairatan in trying to protect WFP stocks in Hairatan.
1.4 Since the Taliban authorities have pledged to secure food stocks, the current situation is not expected to disrupt transport of WFP relief food to Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the food security situation in the north will be affected by the Taliban offensive, as it has cut off not only military supply routes for the opposition but also food supply routes to the region.
1.5 Previous to the most recent events, a UN delegation headed by Mr. Bronek Szynalski, Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan and Regional Director for WFP, had concluded successful negotiations with the Taliban over the return of international NGO staff to Kabul. A commission to discuss the reallocation issue, comprising three representatives from the Taliban authorities, three from the NGO community, and two from the UN, was to be set up. Pending rehabilitation of a central location, international NGOs were authorized to resume work in Kabul from locations used at the time they withdrew over from Kabul over this issue.
G. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION
1. UPDATE - information as of 20 August
1.1 August has seen the most intense fighting in Kosovo since the conflict began in February. On 16 August, the town of Junik, a Kosovo Liberation Army stronghold near the Albanian border, was captured by the Serb police.
1.2 UNHCR now estimates the fighting in Kosovo has displaced some 230,000 people. The majority of war-displaced people, around 130,000, are in Kosovo itself. There have been renewed influxes of refugees into Albania, bringing the total arrivals there to approximately 20,000. Daily arrivals of approximately 300 internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue in Montenegro bringing the total arrivals since February to more than 33,000.
1.3 Kosovo
a) In coordination with other UN agencies and with NGOs, WFP runs convoys of food and other relief commodities three times a week in Kosovo bringing assistance to IDPs, many of whom are in need of shelter. Due to the continued hostilities and movement of ethnic Albanians within Kosovo, frequent distributions of one-week rations are required.
b) WFP led a convoy to Lapcevo on 22 August, carrying 500 kg of high-energy biscuits. A further 160 tons of mixed food aid arrived in Pristina on 21 August. Up until 24 August, food deliveries have consisted of emergency high-energy biscuits. For those with access to cooking facilities, deliveries of wheat flour, oil and pulses will also take place.
c) Due to the fighting, convoys to Pec have been cancelled. WFP will lead a convoy carrying mixed commodities to Beran. This is the first delivery of WFP dry food rations in Kosovo and the first WFP aid to the area. Beran will be the drop point for food to some 50,000 people from thirteen surrounding villages.
1.4 Montenegro: August distributions have been completed in Montenegro. The full 145 tons of food aid which was delivered to Podgorica in June has been distributed to IDPs in Rozaje and Plav. Approximately 20,000 IDPs received WFP food aid. As a supplementary food, an additional 18 tons of high-energy biscuits were distributed to children under seven years of age and elderly people. WFP is now working on plans for the September distribution. Since several relief agencies are opening offices in Montenegro, special attention is being given to the coordination of food aid.
1.5 Albania: August distributions have been completed in Albania in Tropoje district, Tirana, Durres and Shkoder. A total of 160 tons was distributed in monthly rations to more than 6,700 individuals.
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 33 of 1998 - August 21, 1998)
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