Report No. 07 of 1999 Date: 19 February 1999
This report includes: A) Afghanistan B) China C) Colombia D) East and Central Africa: Tanzania, DR Congo and Congo/Brazzaville E) Mozambique F) Western Sahel: Cape Verde, the Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania G) Sierra Leone.
>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 or Natasha.Nadazdin@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.
This issue of the Emergency Report was prepared by Natasha Nadazdin.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update - information as of 19 February a) UN humanitarian agencies mobilize staff and resources to assist victims of earthquake on 11 February some 100 km south of Kabul; 5,580 houses destroyed, more than 30,000 homeless. Special mission to Kabul by international UN staff. WFP provided wheat, pulses and high energy biscuits to 400 of the worst-affected families. b) Gradual return of international staff to Afghanistan depends on UN assessment of overall security situation.
B. CHINA - FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS
1. Update - information as of 17 February a) WFP resumes food distribution to flood victims on 9 February, after break in January. Current resourcing shortfall: 56 percent of the requirements (USD 50 million).
C. COLOMBIA
1. Earthquake relief operations update - information as of 18 February a) WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6108) needs 95 percent of its requirements. Donors are urged to respond. Rural areas need immediate assistance to keep coffee-growers from migrating to towns. b) UN office (UNDP/UNICEF/WFP) established in Armenia.
D. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: TANZANIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE
1. Tanzania - information as of 15 February a) FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission Report indicates uncovered food import by end of May of 483,000 metric tons of maize; 20,000 metric tons of food aid immediately required. The Government appeals to donors for further 149,050 tons of food aid to cover needs if situation deteriorates. b) WFP food distributions to drought-affected areas of Dodoma and Singida continue.
2. DR Congo and Congo/Brazzaville a) Increased population displacements in Goma, eastern DR Congo, due to armed clashes. Reported arrival of 400 families from Rutshuru; 120 tons of WFP food arrived in Goma. b) Some 21,000 Congolese flee from Pool region in Congo-Brazzaville to Bas-Congo in DR Congo. Thousands of other Congolese flee to Pointe-Noire. c) Angolan refugees still arrive in DR Congo from northern Angola. Latest estimates indicate over 57,000 refugees in provinces of Bas-Congo, Bandundu and Katanga. d) To date, 725 tons of food airlifted by WFP from Pointe-Noire for distribution to IDPs and war affected populations in Brazzaville and in Kinshasa.
E. MOZAMBIQUE
1. Update a) WFP EMOP 5832.01 for USD 2.7 million approved to provide 5,000 tons of food for about 80,000 people in southern Mozambique over the next four months.
F. WESTERN SAHEL: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR CAPE VERDE, THE GAMBIA, SENEGAL AND MAURITANIA
1. New WFP emergency operation a) WFP approves emergency operation (EMOP 6041) for Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia; after a series of low harvests and droughts, region faces severe shortfalls in cereal production in 1999. Donor support required for 39,800 metric tons for six month operation.
G. SIERRA LEONE
1. Update - information as of 17 February a) Committee on Food Aid and NCRRR Commissioner agree on re-registration of IDPs in identified public shelters. b) WFP trucks will deliver food from Kenema warehouses to Blama, using fuel provided by Africare, for 15,000 IDPs. c) WFP resumes distribution to IDPs in Bo and Splendid camp. WFP distributed food aid to some 1,600 Liberian refugees in Bo. d) WFP Guinea and USAID Food for Peace visit refugee camps at Forecariah and Pamlap; and influx of 500 refugees reported.
PART II - DETAILS
A. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 19 February
1.1 Since the earthquake on 11 February struck areas some 100 km south of Kabul, UN humanitarian agencies have been mobilizing staff and resources to assist the Red Cross, UN national staff and local authorities to provide relief to the affected population. On 16 February, an international team including the WFP Afghanistan logistician went to Kabul to help coordinate the emergency operation. This mission was approved by the UN Security Coordinator (UNSECCORD) on an exceptional basis. WFP plans to deploy national staff teams as part of the joint assessment effort at the scene of the earthquake.
1.2 In Wardak and Logar provinces the earthquake killed some 40 people and injured hundreds. Recent assessments conducted in 63 villages determined that at least 5,580 houses were destroyed, leaving more than 30,000 homeless. Casualties were limited by the fact that a small tremor preceded the quake, warning inhabitants to flee their houses.
1.3 While shelter has been the first priority after the earthquake, food is becoming more and more a necessity. On 18 February, WFP allocated 50 tons of wheat, along with five tons of pulses and high energy biscuits from Kabul, to supply immediately 400 of the worst-affected families.
1.4 Meanwhile, as a result of the agreement reached on 25 January between the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and the Taliban authorities, the United Nations is proceeding with the assessment of the overall security situation aimed at considering a gradual return of international staff to Afghanistan.
B. CHINA - FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS
1. UPDATE - information as of 17 February
1.1 Thanks to confirmation of additional resources in January, WFP was able to resume food distribution to flood victims in China on 9 February. Due to lack of confirmed contributions, food distribution had been discontinued since 11 January. The USD 89.5 million flood relief operation is still faced with a shortfall of approximately 144,000 tons of rice equivalent to 56 percent of the requirements (USD 50 million). The relief operation is planned to phase out during March.
1.2 An initial phase of free food distribution to the displaced populations and people returning to their villages was replaced on 1 December 1998 by a food-for-work rehabilitation stage. Beneficiaries, engaged in food for rehabilitation activities, have de-silted 227,000 wells and tanks units, 6,000 kilometres of canals and 46,000 hectares of farm land and reconstructed some 67,000 dwelling units and 1,700 kilometres of farm roads in the Hubei, Jiangxsi, Hunan and Anhui provinces. More than 75 percent of the planned food-for-work projects have been completed. Resourcing is urgently required so that the rehabilitation food-for-work activities involving farmers can be finalized by March, before the planting season begins.
C. COLOMBIA
1. EARTHQUAKE RELIEF OPERATIONS - information as of 18 February
1.1 The WFP operation to provide emergency food assistance for the population affected by the earthquake in Western Colombia (EMOP 6108) has received 5 percent of its requirements so far. Donors are urged to respond to the WFP appeal to ensure assistance to the affected population in the reconstruction of economic and social infrastructure. Migration to the city of Armenia continues. The rural areas need immediate assistance, to keep the coffee-growers from migrating to towns.
1.2 Although the coffee plantations were not damaged by the earthquake, productive infrastructure, including drying and storage facilities in individually owned plots, has been damaged or destroyed. Unless immediate action is taken to rebuild the infrastructure, the quality of coffee will drop and cause a loss of income, affecting the economy of the area. Dwellings and schools also need to be rebuilt as soon as possible.
1.3 Identification of WFP beneficiaries is being finalized on the basis of census carried out by the Comite de Cafeteros of Quindio, PACOFOR/FAO and information provided by the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar. WFP will put in place a monitoring system of the activities under the emergency operation.
1.4 WFP has moved its operational base from Manizales to Armenia, where a common UN office (UNDP/UNICEF/WFP) has been established.
D. EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA: TANZANIA, DR CONGO AND CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE
1. TANZANIA - information as of 15 February
1.1 The report of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, issued on 15 February, indicates an uncovered food import requirement between now and the end of May of 483,000 metric tons of maize. Of this quantity, some 20,000 metric tons are immediately required as relief food aid. Current food shortages have been caused by abnormal weather patterns, including the failure of the October-December short rains. Full text of the report is available on the Web at http://www.fao.org, click on Economics, GIEWS, Special Reports.
1.2 The Tanzanian Government has also appealed to the donor community for a further 149,050 metric tons of food aid, for distribution to the most vulnerable groups and through food-for-work programmes, in the affected areas. However, the Government has clarified to the international community that this appeal represents the worse case scenario, to cover needs if the disruption in the rain pattern continues, and has requested donor support for the strategic grain reserve at this time, to ensure adequate stocks to meet a minimum requirement should the situation deteriorate.
1.3 The short rains maize crop is estimated to be 60 percent lower than last year and if the expected long rains of March-May are delayed, food shortages may extend beyond May.
1.4 WFP food distributions to the drought-affected areas of Dodoma and Singida, under an assistance programme initiated during 1998 are still ongoing. In Dodoma, 125,000 beneficiaries in 49 villages have received their food rations but the food situation in many households continues to deteriorate and food prices continue to increase.
1.5 In Singida, the second round of WFP food distributions will be completed within a week. These food distributions are being carried out by the Save the Children Federation (SCF) on behalf of WFP. The Government's relief allocation of 1,400 tons of food have also been handed over to SCF for distribution under the current operation.
2. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
2.1 Recent reports from Goma in eastern DR Congo indicate increased population displacements in the area. Between 8 -14 February some 400 families have reportedly arrived in Goma from Rutshuru, fleeing armed clashes.
2.2 Three trucks loaded with WFP food arrived in Goma carrying 120 tons of food commodities. This marks the first direct delivery of WFP food into the area since mid 1998. This food will be distributed to displaced persons and vulnerable, malnourished groups in the Goma area.
2.3 During the last three weeks, some 21,000 Congolese fled from the Pool region in Congo-Brazzaville and sought refuge in the province of Bas-Congo in DR Congo. These refugees are setting up camps with the assistance of UNHCR. WFP and other agencies have visited the area to assess relief requirements.
2.4 Thousands of other Congolese are fleeing into Pointe-Noire. There are currently an estimated 20,000 displaced Congolese in this port city, including 200 malnourished children who were provided with a one week food ration from WFP. A Crisis Cell has been set up by the Government, and including WFP, UNHCR and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to transport and assist these displaced persons.
2.5 Angolan refugees continue to arrive in DR Congo, fleeing from armed clashes in northern Angola. Latest estimates indicate there are now over 57,000 refugees in DR Congo, in the provinces of Bas-Congo, Bandundu and Katanga. WFP has approved an emergency operation for assistance to the Angolan refugees and preparations are under way to initiate the food distributions.
2.6 To date, 725 tons of food have been airlifted by WFP, from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville. These commodities are being distributed in Brazzaville to displaced Congolese and malnourished children, and across the river in Kinshasa benefiting war affected persons, malnourished children, hospital in-patients and other vulnerable groups.
E. MOZAMBIQUE
1. UPDATE
1.1 On 8 February WFP approved an emergency operation (EMOP 5832.01) of USD 2.7 million to provide food for about 80,000 people in southern Mozambique who are facing food security problems due to extreme climatic swings between drought and floods. The operation is expected to be completed in the next four months, a period when households traditionally face food shortages, as their food stocks dwindle and the next harvest has not yet arrived.
1.2 WFP will deliver more than 5,000 tons of maize and beans to 17,000 rural farming families living in the highly vulnerable southern provinces of Mozambique, where an unusually dry period was followed recently by sudden, heavy rains, now posing an equal threat to the people of the region. The Department for the Prevention and Combat of Natural Calamities (DPCCN), together with local and international non-government organizations (NGOs), will distribute and monitor WFP's food aid.
1.3 WFP will purchase the maize for the rural families from within the Southern Africa region. Special efforts will be made to encourage grain suppliers in Mozambique to bid in the tenders to benefit the domestic economy. Most of the WFP's food assistance will be provided mainly through food-for-work activities such as rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation systems and the repair of community schools and health centres.
1.4 While the centre of the country has been recently hit by heavy floods in the Zambeze and Punguye river basin areas, the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula have been affected by drought. WFP will continue to watch the situation in the country closely for any additional needs.
F. WESTERN SAHEL: REGIONAL OPERATION FOR CAPE VERDE, THE GAMBIA, SENEGAL AND MAURITANIA
1. NEW WFP EMERGENCY OPERATION
1.1 Vulnerable populations in the West Sahelian countries of Cape Verde, the Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania will be facing severe shortfalls in cereal production in 1999. Furthermore, a series of below-average per-capita harvests and episodic drought pockets have depleted their coping capacities. Without vigilant monitoring and prompt targeted interventions, these populations will be at risk of severe food insecurity, economic damage and disruptive migrations. The Club du Sahel/CILSS (Comite Permanent Inter-Etats de Lutte contre la Secheresse au Sahel) meeting in December 1998 pointed out that, although the overall Sahel cereal production had been good in 1998, localised deficit pockets in Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia and Cape Verde gave rise for concern.
1.2 Drawing on WFP's Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM), and based upon analysis of satellite imagery, field surveys, and secondary data (for example from CILSS, USAID/FEWS, FAO), WFP is requesting donor support for an initial 39,800 metric tons six month regional drought response operation (EMOP 6041). This operation, in support of official requests from Cape Verde, Mauritania, Senegal, and the Gambia, will help ensure food-security for approximately one million highly vulnerable people who have been subjected to 10 years of general decline in per capita agricultural production, three consecutive localized poor harvests, sharp increases over last year's lean-season coarse grain prices, declines in cash crop production and high exposure to drought risk.
G. SIERRA LEONE
1. UPDATE - Information as of 17 February
1.1 The Committee on Food Aid (CFA) and the NCRRR Commissioner have reached an agreement on re-registration of those internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in identified public shelters and also discussed options for assisting many IDPs who are not currently living in shelters. The CFA members (WFP and non-governmental organizations) presented to the Government the objectives and methodology to be adopted for food assistance in Freetown.
1.2 WFP Food Aid Monitors have returned to Kenema to continue monitoring of food distributions to the IDPs in Kenema and Blama. As ECOMOG and the CDF have promised to provide security to WFP vehicles and warehouses, WFP trucks will deliver food from Kenema warehouses to Blama using fuel provided by Africare. Presently it is difficult to hire commercial trucks for humanitarian deliveries due to fuel shortages. About 85 tons of WFP food aid will be needed to feed 15,000 IDPs in Blama for two weeks.
1.3 WFP has resumed distribution of food rations to some 2,500 IDPs in the town of Bo, as well as those in the Splendid camp. The distribution to Mando IDPs is still hampered by lack of fuel. Together with its implementing partners, WFP will commence food distribution to some 1,600 Liberian refugees in Bo town on 18 February.
1.4 WFP in collaboration with partners plan to assess the situation of the IDPs stranded at Gbalamuya and along the border. WFP Guinea country office and a mission from the USAID Food for Peace have visited refugee camps at Forecariah and Pamlap. Reportedly, over 500 refugees have entered Guinea at Pamalap over the past week and have been moved into the Forecariah refugee camp. WFP is closely monitoring developments and will resume food supply to IDPs in Kambia district when the security situation permits.
1.5 For further information on the current situation in Sierra Leone, see the daily IRIN West Africa Updates on ReliefWeb at http://www.reliefweb.int or news summaries on Sierra Leone Web at http://www.Sierra-Leone.org/
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 07 of 1999 - February 19, 1999)
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