Report No. 42 of 1998 Date: 23 October 1998
This report includes: A) FR Yugoslavia and region: Kosovo crisis B) Afghanistan C) Guinea Bissau D) Angola E) Central and East Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Rwanda and Uganda.
>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 06 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 06 6513 2004 or 06 6513 2250. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION: KOSOVO CRISIS
1. Kosovo - most information as of 23 October, some as of 27 October a) UN Security Council passes Resolution 1199 (1998) on 24 October, reaffirming humanitarian principles and demanding that authorities of FR Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanian leadership take immediate steps to improve humanitarian situation and to avert impending humanitarian catastrophe. b) WFP, UNHCR and Mother Teresa Organization aid convoys arranged for northern Kosovo on 27 October. In recent days, four WFP trucks delivered 17.5 tons of food aid to 34,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) around Prizren and to 17,000 IDPs around Orahovac. c) Number of displaced returning to homes in Kosovo still hard to establish. d) IDPs from Kosovo continue to arrive In Montenegro, despite closed border. e) In Albania, decision reached to go ahead with October distributions to Kosovar refugees in Tropoje.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update - most information as of 23 October a) Security Protocol of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 1998 between the Taliban and the UN agreed on 23 October, setting conditions for the UN eventual return to Afghanistan. UN security assessment mission to take place, initially to Kabul then Hazarajat. b) Prior to WFP's planned winter intervention in the Hazarajat, assessment of needs will follow security mission. c) In Faizabad, despite fighting in Takkar, road between Takkar and Badakshan open, allowing supplies to reach Badakshan. WFP is pre-positioning food for winter.
C. GUINEA BISSAU
1. Update - information as of 26 October a) Forty-eight hour cease-fire in place in Bissau on 23 October. Meeting between President Vieira and General Mane scheduled for 27 October, but difficulties re agreement on venue. b) Distribution of 300 tons of WFP rice to destitute population in Prabis and Cumura, on western outskirts of Bissau arranged under auspices of Swedish Embassy in Bissau; blockage by both Government and Senegalese soldiers delays distribution. c) WFP food distribution elsewhere in the country suspended due to security situation. d) Inter-agency mission conducts assessment on Bubaque island; food supplies low. e) WFP Conakry mission is assessing the number of refugees that have crossed the border into Guinea.
D. ANGOLA
1. Update - most information as of 20 October a) Unstable security situation in the north triggers ever-increasing need for emergency food. In Malange, large numbers of IDPs in the city need to be resettled; in Huambo, more than 4,000 dislocated families are crowded into Ukuma and Tchinjenje municipalities. b) Under new guidelines for road transport in insecure areas, WFP to send fewer but larger convoys protected by MONUA armed escorts. c) Alleged flight ban over UNITA held territory will not affect WFP operations.
E. CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA: DR CONGO, CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE, RWANDA AND UGANDA
1. Update - information as of 22 October a) Assessments in Uvira in eastern DR Congo find 5,180 persons displaced by recent conflict in Vyura/Kalemie. Local authorities in Goma region request assistance for 31,750 people affected by the conflict. In Bukavu, some 50,000 repatriated Congolese from Tanzania reported to be facing difficulties and an estimated 10,000 have crossed back into Tanzania. More reports of displaced persons in Bukavu and northern Uvira rural regions. b) Security clearance awaited to move 3,150 tons of maize meal along Pointe Noire-Brazzaville rail line. c) In Rwanda, some camps in Ruhengeri are becoming congested; some 155,000 displaced persons to be assisted by WFP during October, along with 207,000 displaced in Gisenyi. d) FEWS Uganda report for October indicates that first season production of cereals and tubers good in all locations except Gulu and Kitgum.
PART II - DETAILS
A. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION: KOSOVO CRISIS
1. KOSOVO - information as of 23 October; some updates for 27 October
1.1 Based on the latest diplomatic developments related to the Kosovo crisis, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1199 (1998) under Chapter VII of the UN charter on 24 October 1998. The resolution reaffirms humanitarian principles and demands "that the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanian leadership take immediate steps to improve the humanitarian situation and to avert the impending humanitarian catastrophe". The full text of the resolution is available on the UN Web site at http://www.un.org - click on UN Documents, then click on Security Council Resolutions.
1.2 Further international aid convoys are heading to northern Kosovo. On 27 October, convoys of relief supplies to three northern locations were being arranged by WFP, UNHCR and the Mother Teresa Organization. Three UNHCR convoys carrying food, blankets, hygiene kits and other supplies have already left Pristina for Kosovska Mitrovica and Sedlar in the north. A fourth convoy of 20 trucks from WFP and the Mother Teresa Organization are due to leave for Salja Bajgora in the north. UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross dispatched two convoys for the centre of the province on Monday 26 October, while a plane chartered by USAID carrying USD 117,000 worth of medical aid arrived at Pristina airport.
1.3 On 24 October, four WFP trucks delivered 17.5 tons of food aid to benefit 34,000 internally displaced persons around Prizren and 17,000 around Orahovac. On the same day UNHCR and WFP organized a special emergency convoy for a small group of IDPs from Resnik, who had been living in the open for three months without receiving aid.
1.4 Insecurity in Kosovo remains at a high level. UN work is impeded by local harassment. The WFP office in Pristina has re-opened, UNHCR has deployed staff to its sub-offices in Pec, Prizren and Mitrovica, MCI has established its sub-office and warehouse in Pec and CRS is finalizing its sub-office and warehouse in Prizren. The number of returning displaced is still unconfirmed. Several groups of people have reportedly returned and then fled again.
2. MONTENEGRO
2.1 Despite the Government's decision to close its borders with Kosovo on 11 September 1998, the arrival of IDPs in Plav and Rozaje municipalities has continued with people travelling through mountain paths. A significant number of IDPs are reportedly leaving Montenegro. As per unconfirmed information from various sources a total of about 7,500 IDPs have already left, either to Kosovo, Albania or to third countries.
2.2 UNHCR is opening offices in Rozaje and Ulcinj while ICRC is opening an office in Berane.
3. ALBANIA
3.1 After deliberations with UNHCR, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Albanian Red Cross (ARC) and the Ministry of Local Governments, WFP and ARC have decided to go ahead with the distribution of October food rations in Tropoje district. Previously, it had been mutually agreed that a distribution could not take place as proper security conditions did not exist and there were not sufficient controls installed to validate rations cards. During the last week, a re-registration of Kosovar refugees in Tropoje district has taken place that should prevent those individuals who fraudulently hold ration cards from receiving food during the upcoming distribution. In addition, the Ministry of Local Government has pledged to work with the police to ensure security in the area where the distributions will take place. WFP, ARC and UNHCR estimate that only 2,500 Kosovar Albanians remain in Tropoje district and that these individuals are amongst the most vulnerable of the refugee population in Albania.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 23 October
1.1 The Security Protocol of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 1998 between the Taliban and the UN was agreed on 23 October. The Security Protocol sets the conditions for the UN eventual return to Afghanistan including appointment of qualified security liaison officers by the Taliban, freedom for the UN to take its own security measures, protection to be provided by the Taliban within 24 hours to UN installations and within 48 hours to UN staff, the release of arrested national UN staff within 72 hours if no formal charges are presented and the submission of a full investigative report on detained/killed UN staff. Under the direction of the UN Security Coordinator, the UN Security Management Team in Islamabad is formulating a security assessment mission initially for Kabul and subsequently to other areas, including the Hazarajat region.
1.2 Kabul: Rocket attacks on Kabul by opposition forces continue. Due to logistic problems in Peshawar, stocks of wheat flour were temporarily insufficient to permit the smooth operation of WFP bakeries in Kabul. Both pulses and edible oil, arriving from Kandahar and Herat, are now in stock for Kabul's institutional feeding projects.
1.3 Bamyan/Hazarajat: Upon the completion of the UN security assessment mission, WFP in cooperation with other agencies and NGOs will assess information about the new IDP caseload, the general economic situation, crop production, market conditions, commercial trucking activity, and the current state of roads and storage in the Hazarajat prior to WFP's planned winter intervention to assist the most vulnerable households in the area. WFP is also currently assessing the stock situation with a view to pre-positioning food for the Hazarajat in areas such as Ghazni, and is moving food stocks from Quetta in Pakistan across the border to access the Hazarajat from the south-west as well. Given the non-availability of stocks in Termez, and the complete closure of the Uzbek border, it is not possible to assist Hazarajat using the northern corridor.
1.4 Faizabad: Despite fighting in Takkar, the road between Takkar and Badakshan on which supply to Badakshan is dependent is open for the daily movement of commodities by trucks and donkeys. Due to the harvest and the movement of food from outside, commodity prices have remained relatively stable. In view of the plan to pre-position food against winter needs in Faizabad, the sub-office conducted a logistical mission to assess road conditions up to Ishkeshim on the Tajik border. The mission found that road security is acceptable, but one bridge requires emergency repair. The mission also met with local authorities about security issues. The dispatch of 800 tons of wheat between Ishkeshim and Faizabad is now under way, and the first 100 tons have reached Faizabad. Dispatch of 2,400 tons of wheat from Osh to Khorog/Ishkeshim has also started, for pre-positioning against winter needs.
C. GUINEA BISSAU
1. UPDATE - information as of 26 October
1.1 A forty-eight hour cease-fire was declared in Bissau on Friday 23 October, agreed by both parties. A meeting between President Vieira and General Mane is scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October. If the meeting takes place, this would be their first meeting since the crisis started in June. Update: as of late 27 October, the meeting had not yet taken place, as no agreement had been reached on a venue for the talks.
1.2 To take advantage of the cease-fire, the Swedish Embassy in Bissau asked WFP to release 300 tons of rice currently stocked by WFP in Bissau, for distributions to the destitute population in Prabis and Cumura, on the western outskirts of Bissau, to be carried out by the Swedish-funded Bandim project staff based at these locations with the assistance of two WFP trucks. Under the agreement reached with the Swedish Embassy, regular WFP distribution procedures are to be followed. The rice started to be loaded on Sunday 25 October, but encountered some delays in transport due to blockage by both Government and Senegalese soldiers. Transport permission was finally secured, and distribution was scheduled to start on Monday 26 October. However, after the departure from the warehouse on the way to Prabis, three trucks were again blocked on Monday afternoon by the Senegalese soldiers. The Swedish Embassy is to take up this matter with the Prime Minister on 27 October. This food assistance will cover the needs of about 70,000 displaced people for one week. WFP will transport an additional 300 tons of rice from its warehouse in Bafata to assist the population in Prabis as soon as travel for WFP staff is authorized.
1.3 WFP food distribution elsewhere in the country has been suspended due to the security situation. Cooperation continues with NGOs such as ADPP, Caritas, Evangelical Church and ICRC to resume food distribution as soon as the security situation allows in Bafata and Gabu regions. The shipping of 600 tons of rice from WFP stock in Banjul to Cacheu, Bubaque and Bolama ports will start in few days.
1.4 Bubaque island: on 22 October, an inter-agency mission consisting of WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, CARITAS, and Evangelical Church of Guinea Bissau visited Bubaque island to assess the overall situation on the island, the security situation, number of IDPs, the food situation and logistics. People have looked for refuge on this island since the fighting broke out. However, since the military junta took control of Bafata and Gabu, the population has avoided Bubaque and has been fleeing to other smaller islands of the archipelago, fearing that Bubaque would be the next target of the junta. At the height of the fighting it was estimated that there were over 12,000 displaced on the island. As some have fled to other islands, the current displaced population is estimated to be 5,000. The displaced have been staying with their families which has put a heavy burden on local population. Although there were no reports of serious malnutrition, there is not much food available on the island. The last distribution was in August/September. NGOs working on the Bubaque island have indicated an urgent need for food assistance. WFP is now organizing a food shipment of 100 tons to the island to be coordinated by Caritas, the Evangelical Church and ICRC.
1.5 On 21 October the WFP warehouse in Bafata was partly looted by the civilian population. It is now under the control of the military junta.
1.6 A WFP Conakry fact finding mission is currently visiting the border towns between Guinea and Guinea Bissau to assess the number of refugees that have crossed the border into Guinea.
D. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE - information as of 20 October
1.1 The need for food aid in large areas of Angola has not diminished. The security situation in the north of the country continues to be unstable which has triggered an ever-increasing need for emergency food. The resumption of overland deliveries has alleviated the downward pressure on stocks in certain areas. In Malange, although stocks were replenished at the beginning of October, there is still the need to resettle the large numbers of IDPs currently crowding into the city and peri-urban areas. The south continues in a deep depression with no relief in sight. In Bengo, a flash fire left 3,000 IDPs completely destitute and in Huambo more than 4,000 dislocated families have crowded into Ukuma and Tchinjenje municipalities.
1.2 Under the new guidelines for overland transport through insecure areas, WFP will be sending fewer but larger convoys protected by MONUA armed escorts. This means that the provincial stockpiles must be increased to account for longer waiting periods between re-supply trips. The first two convoys to leave Luanda after the UN ban on road travel was lifted reached their destinations safely with a combined cargo of over a thousand tons (137 tons to M'Banza Congo and 936 tons to Malange).
1.3 The alleged flight ban over UNITA held territory will not affect WFP's humanitarian aid efforts in Angola, as WFP does not currently fly commodities into those areas. Furthermore, WFP has been assured safe passage when and if airlift operations begin over the drought-affected areas of Mavinga, Likua and Jamba.
E. CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA: DR CONGO, CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE, RWANDA AND UGANDA
1. DR CONGO AND CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE - information as of 22 October
1.1 Rapid assessments carried out in Uvira found 5,180 persons displaced by the recent conflict in Vyura/Kalemie. These displaced persons moved by boat from Kalemie to Uvira. This caseload has been registered and sheltered in school classrooms in Uvira town. The local authorities are reportedly trying to resettle these displaced persons in areas north of Uvira.
1.2 In the Goma region, local authorities requested assistance for 31,750 people, most of whom lost their homes following conflict in the region. Among this caseload, the local medical representatives and NGOs identified 5,000 malnourished children under five, 500 new street children and 2,000 pregnant/nursing women and elderly people.
1.3 In Bukavu, some 50,000 repatriated Congolese from Tanzania, who arrived after the planting season are reported to be facing difficulties and an estimated 10,000 have crossed back into Tanzania. Christian Aid, has reportedly identified 14,800 families, or 75,000 displaced persons, in Bukavu and northern Uvira rural regions and Save the Children reported that some 2,000 children under five are malnourished.
1.4 Some traffic on the Pointe Noire-Brazzaville rail line has tentatively resumed but due to security constraints WFP has not yet started the despatch of the 3,150 tons of maize meal received from South Africa and intended for distribution in Brazzaville and Kinshasa. In case security clearance is not received shortly, WFP will consider other means to move the cargo.
2. RWANDA
2.1 With continued hostilities in Ruhengeri and the subsequent displacement of populations, some camps are becoming congested. With the onset of the rainy season public health and sanitation issues are a growing concern. During October WFP plans to assist some 155,000 displaced persons in Ruhengeri, of which 78 percent are in camps, and 207,000 persons in Gisenyi where 27 percent are in displaced camps. Preparation is also under way for the planned food distributions in Gikongoro and the despatch of food commodities has now started. Food distributions of 1,242 tons which is due to start in late October will continue through mid November, targeting 20,709 vulnerable families, representing 23 percent of the prefecture's population. In Gitarama, WFP distributed 270 metric tons of food in 7 communes, benefiting 13,500 displaced persons returning to their homes. The return packages distributed will provide a safety net until these returnees resume work on their land.
3. UGANDA
3.1 The Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) report for Uganda for the month of October indicates that the first season production of cereals and tubers was good in all locations with the exception of Gulu and Kitgum. In these two districts government and donor support of seeds and tools allowed for limited cultivation around towns and protected camps. However, due to prolonged low production and limited access to land these districts still face significant food shortage requiring continued food aid deliveries. WFP's progressive shift from free food distribution to rehabilitation activities under food-for-work in northern Uganda has had success this season, with the cultivation of 850 acres of land in Gulu and Kitgum districts. The same FEWS report indicates that in response to this increased supply of dry maize grain, prices of the commodity are dropping in both the production and consumption markets. Millet prices have been relatively stable for the past two months but are expected to start declining by the end of October. Bean prices continue to fluctuate.
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 42 of 1998 - October 23, 1998)
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