Report No. 35 of 1998 Date: 4 September 1998
This report includes: A) Bangladesh floods B) China floods C) Democratic People's Republic of Korea D) Indonesia E) Afghanistan F) Sudan G) Central and East Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
>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. This issue of the WFP Emergency Report prepared by Peter Erhardy and Deborah Hicks.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. BANGLADESH
1. WFP response to flood situation - information as of 8 September a) Government of Bangladesh appeals for relief assistance for victims of worst floods since 1988; floods affect two-thirds of country. b) UN Flash Appeal issued on 4 September for USD 223 million. Appeal covers emergency relief needs of food, medicine and shelter and initial rehabilitation requirements. Under the appeal, WFP requests 242,000 tons of wheat, blended food, pulses and high energy biscuits (for 14 million people), for a total value USD 38 million. c) WFP prepares five-month emergency operation, which will supersede the WFP component of the UN Flash Appeal, to assist a revised total of 20 million people. d) OCHA Situation Reports and the Inter-agency Flash Appeal available on ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int) with details of operations proposed by UN agencies, IFRC and non-governmental organizations.
B. CHINA
1. WFP response to flood situation - information as of 8 September a) Continuous rains since March 1998 cause vast flooding in central China, the worst since 1954; Government reports some 223 million people affected, with 15.85 million people displaced. b) WFP emergency operation under preparation to provide food aid to 5.7 million people in four-month operation in most affected counties along the Yangtze river in the provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangxi. EMOP will include Chinese Government commitment of rice. c) UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team conducting assessment, and assisting in the coordination of international relief efforts.
C. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Inter-agency visit to flood-affected areas, 27 to 29 August 1998 a) Following torrential rains on east coast of DPR Korea on 23 August, UN and IFRC took part in assessment mission to flood-affected areas organized by the Government. b) Damage observed was severe but localized. Mission estimates that approximately 30,000 hectares must have suffered varying degrees of damage. Other reports from south-western parts of DPR Korea in mid August indicate a further 13,000 hectares of cereals lands have been submerged. Flood damage compounded by negative effects of earlier cold and adverse weather conditions. c) Crop losses expected to result in additional import requirements. FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will take place in October/November.
D. INDONESIA
1. Update a) Implementation begins of WFP emergency operation for drought victims. EMOP is for USD 88 million, for 225,000 tons of rice and 17, 000 tons of blended food, for a thirteen month period. b) Some 13,000 tons of rice to be distributed in ten provinces during August and September; 172,000 families (859,000 people) to receive WFP rations through food for work In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and 206,000 beneficiaries to receive direct relief assistance in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs. c) WFP sub-offices opened in South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Timur. d) FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission begins 7 September. WFP Management Review Mission planned to begin 14 September.
E. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update - information as of 3 September 1998 a) Following evacuation of all UN international staff including WFP staff from Afghanistan on 22 August, WFP activities in Afghanistan cut back.
F. SUDAN
1. Update - information as of 7 September a) Abnormally high rains burst the banks of the River Gash near eastern Sudan town of Kassala; river reported to be higher than in 1988 flood disaster. WFP/Sudan Red Crescent Society mission recommends immediate food intervention for 8,000 flood-affected beneficiaries in Kassala. b) Rains also affect roads between Kassala town and locations where WFP is transporting food for 20,000 internally displaced people.
G. CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, RWANDA AND BURUNDI
1. Update a) UN Security Council calls for a peaceful solution to conflict in DR Congo, immediate cease-fire, withdrawal of all foreign forces and initiation of political dialogue and calls for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies. b) WFP truck convoy delivering food aid to internally displaced people in Rwanda's Ruhengeri prefecture hits landmine. c) Shortage of fuel in Burundi hinders deliveries of WFP food, as imports of fuel from DR Congo interrupted.
PART II - DETAILS
A. BANGLADESH
1. WFP response to flood situation - information as of 8 September
1.1 Since July 1998, Bangladesh has been confronted with the worst flood situation since 1988, with floods covering an estimated two-thirds of the country. In the last few weeks continuous rainfall has led to increased water levels in the three major river basins of the Brahamaputra, Meghna and Ganges. It is not known whether the water levels will recede to normal even by the end of September. On 26 August, the Government of Bangladesh formally appealed for relief assistance to the flood victims and for post-flood rehabilitation, including 1.3 million tons of food grains (valued at USD 242.5 million).
1.2 On 4 September, a UN Flash Appeal in support of the Government of Bangladesh for emergency relief and initial rehabilitation for the victims of the floods was launched by OCHA on behalf of the agencies participating in the implementation: UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP and FAO. The appeal, which is for USD 223 million, focuses on the provision of emergency relief over the next three to four months to the most vulnerable, such as children, women, the homeless and the landless. The appeal covers food, medicine and shelter for emergency relief and for initial rehabilitation requirements of agriculture inputs, shelter materials, water supply repairs and learning/teaching materials. Under the appeal WFP is requesting 242,000 tons of wheat, blended food, pulses and high energy biscuits for a total value of USD 38 million, to assist 14 million people.
1.3 WFP is preparing a five-month emergency operation which will supersede the WFP component of the UN Flash Appeal. The total number to be assisted with food aid has been revised to 20 million people (current estimate).
1.4 The unusually prolonged floods of 1998 have caused extensive damage. As of 26 August, it was estimated that over 24 million people have been affected in 45 districts (out of a total of 64 districts in the country), and the death toll was 360. Some 353,000 houses have been destroyed and 1.2 million damaged. By 4 September, according to news reports the death toll had risen to 580 and the situation was described as especially grim in at least eight districts, including Narayanganj, Gopalganj, Narsinghdi, Brahmanbaria, Bogra, Laxmipur and Chapainawabganj. Bangladesh relief officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief report that the floods have damaged 800,000 hectares of crops. Some 9,000 km of roads have been damaged and over 6,500 bridges and culverts have been washed away. WHO has reported the widespread outbreak of water-borne diseases.
1.5 The latest OCHA Situation Report and the Inter-agency Flash Appeal are available on ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int). The OCHA Situation Report No 7 dated 1 September 1998 includes details of operations proposed by all UN agencies involved, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and non-governmental organizations. Additional information is available from IFRC reports.
B. CHINA
1. WFP response to flood situation - information as of 8 September
1.1 Since March 1998, the continuous rains have caused vast flooding in central China, the worst since 1954, affecting 223 million people in 29 provinces/autonomous regions/cities, killing 3,004 people and displacing 15.85 million people according to a report dated 29 August from the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs.
1.2 In response to the food needs of the flood-affected people, a WFP emergency operation (EMOP) is now under preparation. Combined with a Chinese Government commitment of rice, the WFP EMOP will provide food aid to 5.7 million people. The four-month operation targeted at people in the 23 most affected counties along the Yangtze river in the four provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangxi will meet the acute food needs of people living in temporary shelters and support the initial rehabilitation of private and public infrastructure. Details will be announced when the emergency operation is approved.
1.3 The proposed WFP emergency operation will address identified immediate and short-term food needs. Chinese charities (the Chinese Charitable Institution, the Red Cross Society of China), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UN agencies (FAO, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNDP, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), and various non-governmental organizations (including World Vision) are also active in funding, providing relief and planning rehabilitation projects. A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team mission organized by OCHA is currently in place (as of 8 September) to conduct on-site assessment, and assist in the coordination of international relief efforts and the mobilization of resources from the international community. The OCHA situation report No 8 dated 3 September 1998 (available on ReliefWeb at http://www.reliefweb.int) gives more details on the disaster situation and overall response.
1.4 The intended beneficiaries under the WFP emergency operation, most of whom depend upon rice cultivation in rural areas, have been seeking shelter on dykes, sharing houses with relatives and friends or being accommodated temporarily by the Government. Depending upon the draining of the flood waters, it is expected that about half of the people to be reached under the operation (2.9 million) can return to their homes by mid-October and the remaining half by November/December. A month's ration of food will be distributed to the affected population, either in their villages or at the temporary shelters for the flood-displaced. For the remaining period of the emergency operation, they will receive food through food-for-work activities such as restoration of drinking water facilities, land clearance, desilting of irrigation channels and rebuilding of damaged farm roads.
C. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
1. Inter-agency visit to flood-affected areas of 27 to 29 August 1998 - extracts from field report:
1.1 Consequent to the 24 hours of torrential rains on 23 August 1998 on the east coast of DPR Korea, an assessment mission to the flood-affected areas was organized by the Government Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee (FDRC) between 27 and 29 August. The mission included representatives from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), WFP, UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
1.2 The mission was unable to obtain information of the overall number of people affected, but this is estimated to be considerable. In Jongpyong county alone, some 10,000 people were reportedly affected. Health risks have multiplied due to contaminated water supplies and risks of epidemics.
1.3 In South Hamgyong Province, areas were affected by severe but localized flood damage. Overflowing river courses flooded fields and caused damage to a town and several villages with loss of life. Roads and bridges had been washed away in several areas. Heavy seas had also damaged sea dykes in some places. The mission visited flood-affected areas in the counties of Kowan, Jongpyong, Riwon, and Sinhung.
1.4 The flood waters collected in the bottom flat lands and flooded agricultural fields for periods ranging from a minimum of 5 hours to an average of 2-4 days. The mission observed that in some cases crops were still under stagnant water. The force of the rain caused disruption of parts of the irrigation system with the ultimate effect of flooding additional paddy areas. The areas planted with maize and which had been under the effects of the rains and subsequent flooding were being harvested at their green stage for immediate consumption.
1.5 The mission estimates that in the eastern region approximately 30,000 hectares must have suffered varying degrees of damage. This damage is additional to reports from south-western parts of DPR Korea in mid August, which indicated that 13,000 hectares of cereals lands have been submerged. Rains were more localized than widespread, and damage was more severe towards the shoreline. Damage was less severe in those areas which were planted with late maturing varieties. The flood damage is compounded by the fact that cold and adverse weather conditions had already affected some of the fields visited by the mission. In addition, the fact that little or no fertilizer had been provided already indicates a low productivity level.
1.6 The agricultural losses will result in additional import requirements for next year. It is expected that further information on damage to other areas may be forthcoming. A joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will be visiting the country in October/November to estimate the harvest and future food needs.
D. INDONESIA
1. UPDATE
1.1 WFP started the implementation of the emergency operation for assistance to drought victims in Indonesia (EMOP 6006) on 18 August. The EMOP, which was launched on 23 April, appealed for USD 88 million, for 225,000 tons of rice and 17,000 tons of blended food, for a thirteen month period. Some 13,000 tons of rice are planned to be distributed in ten provinces of the country during the months of August and September. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, 172,000 families (859,000 people) will receive WFP rations through participation in food-for-work activities. In addition, 206,000 beneficiaries will receive direct relief assistance in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is expected that activities in conjunction with the Ministry of Health will start in November shortly after the first shipment of wheat soya blend arrives. This component will target pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under five.
1.2 In addition to the main office in Jakarta, WFP sub-offices have been established in South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Timur in order to effectively implement and monitor project activities.
1.3 A FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, to begin 7 September, will reassess agricultural production forecasts for the current crop, evaluate conditions for the next crop and determine the number of households experiencing food insecurity. A WFP Management Review Mission, planned to begin on 14 September, will review the programme in light of the political, social and economic changes that have taken place since March.
E. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 3 September 1998
1.1 Following the US missile strikes and the subsequent security incidents in Afghanistan related to the attacks on the Jalalabad offices of WFP and UNHCR, all UN international staff including WFP were evacuated on 22 August. All Afghanistan-based WFP international staff are remaining in the WFP country office in Islamabad.
1.2 Due to absence of international staff there has been a drastic cut in WFP activities in Afghanistan. A limited number of WFP projects considered as "life-saving" in Afghanistan which can be monitored by national staff are ongoing. Other non-essential projects are suspended. The Jalalabad bakery project, which feeds 150,000 people, has been temporarily discontinued pending the return of international staff and re-survey of beneficiaries.
1.3 Before the US missile attacks in mid-August, the WFP Regional Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Unit was monitoring the food security situation in the central highlands region. Two VAM missions to the area in June /July concluded that the food security situation in this area is deteriorating, and that elements of the population are highly vulnerable to food failure. The recent changes in the political situation in Afghanistan have given cause for concern that the food security situation in the central highlands region could deteriorate more rapidly than was originally forecast. The area is blockaded by the Taliban, therefore no assistance can reach the area.
F. SUDAN
1. UPDATE - FLOODS - information as of 7 September
1.1 Abnormally high rains from Ethiopia have burst the banks of the River Gash which flows past the town of Kassala, in eastern Sudan, in early August 1998. The flooding has mostly affected the eastern part of Kassala town, which is inhabited by 78,000 people. Earlier this week Sudanese Under-Secretary for Irrigation said that the river has risen higher than its level in 1988, the year Sudan saw the most disastrous flooding in 50 years. On 3 September, a WFP/Sudan Red Crescent Society mission recommended immediate food intervention for 8,000 flood-affected beneficiaries in Kassala. WFP dispatched 166 tons of food on 4 September from Gedaref for distribution. Further food distribution is planned after detailed registration which started on 7 September is completed.
1.2 The heavy rains have also affected roads between Kassala town and locations where WFP is transporting food for 20,000 internally displaced people. These people were displaced due to the conflict along the Sudan-Eritrea border and were already receiving WFP food assistance. WFP food distributions took place on 7 September.
1.3 WFP Sudan Daily Bulletins with updates on relief operations in southern Sudan are available via the WFP Home Page at http://www.wfp.org/ or by electronic mail from <Leslie.Elliott@wfp.org>, WFP Rome (telephone 39 06 6513 2871, fax 39 06 6513 2839).
G. CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, RWANDA AND BURUNDI
1. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
1.1 On 31 August, the UN Security Council issued a statement on the conflict in DR Congo calling for a peaceful solution, including an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of all foreign forces and the initiation of a political dialogue. In its statement, the Security Council called for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to those in need and urged all parties to guarantee the safety and security of UN and humanitarian personnel.
2. RWANDA
2.1 On 4 September, a WFP truck convoy which was delivering food aid to 9,000 internally displaced people in Rwanda's Ruhengeri prefecture hit a landmine killing a passenger and wounding the driver. This is he first incident in Rwanda involving a landmine since 1994. WFP is providing food to 250,000 people in north-west Rwanda who have been internally displaced by heavy insecurity in the region. For the first half of the year, relief agencies had only partial and periodic access to the area, limiting the amount of humanitarian assistance that could be sent in.
3. BURUNDI
3.1 Burundi is facing a shortage of fuel as imports from DR Congo have been interrupted. Private transporters used by WFP for food deliveries have been affected by this shortage and planned food distributions in Ngozi province had to be cancelled. WFP has re-deployed to Ngozi two Hino trucks from its Bujumbura fleet to assist in the operations.
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 35 of 1998 - 4 September, 1998)
distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: listproc@vita.org sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org appeal fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World Food Program Reports: http://www.vita.org/disaster/wfp