Report No. 11 of 1999 Date: 19 March 1999
This report includes: A) FR Yugoslavia and region - Kosovo crisis B) Afghanistan C) Angola D) Sierra Leone E) East Africa: Tanzania and Rwanda.
>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 Deborah Hicks.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION - KOSOVO CRISIS
1. Update - information as of 22 March a) Large population movements observed as security continues to deteriorate. For the first time, tens of thousands of IDPs move to Pristina; resources are being mobilized to accommodate and assist these IDPs. b) Increased military action in central and northern Kosovo since 15 March, in particular at the border with Macedonia, by Yugoslav army and special police. c) OSCE international monitors leave Kosovo 21 March following adjournment of the Paris peace talks on 19 March ; WFP reduces number of international staff in Kosovo. d) UNHCR estimates some 100,000 people displaced since December cease-fire, including 60,000 since end of Rambouillet talks on 23 February; total now estimated at 240,000 IDPs within Kosovo. Some 3,000 refugees from Kosovo reported in FYR of Macedonia since 25 February.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update - information as of 22 March a) WFP's Country Director flies to Kabul on 14 March following announcement in New York that UN international staff could again receive security clearance for travel within Afghanistan. Further WFP visits to Kabul and to Kandahar on 20-21 March. b) UN staff are presently only cleared for short-term rotational visits to Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Herat. UN security assessment completed on 19 March in Mazar-i-Sharif; food needs in Mazar reported to be high. c) WFP to work with other UN partners and NGOs on reconstruction of shelter, water supplies and essential sanitation and drainage.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update - information as of 14 March (with some updated details) a) Road transport remains almost impossible due to insecurity; quantity of food airlifted now 80 to 90 per cent of total. Additional amounts of food will need to be moved to meet increased needs. b) In February, WFP food distributed to 550,000 beneficiaries, of which 350,000 were IDPs. Planned deliveries for March are for 700,000 beneficiaries, of which 480,000 are IDPs. c) International humanitarian personnel relocated from Kuito at request of Vice Governor of Bie on 12 March. d) Situation continues to deteriorate in Malange; more IDPs arrive. No international staff allowed to return, but WFP and World Vision food distributions continue. WFP food is reaching the city by road. e) New IDPs continue to arrive in Huambo. In response to high malnutrition among children, NGOs have opened several supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres. f) WFP gains access to Kuando Kubango region for the first time in several months; food distributed in Longa and Kuito Kuanavale through MINARS.
D. SIERRA LEONE
1. Update - information as of 19 March a) Ship chartered by WFP arrives in Freetown for first time since outbreak of fighting in early January, carrying 500 tons of WFP food aid and 600 tons of rice donated by Italy to the Government of Sierra Leone. b) Situation in Kambia town and on Sierra Leone side of the Guinea border remains unclear. Movement of humanitarian agency staff in area restricted by Guinean authorities. c) Food situation in Kenema is becoming critical. WFP staff request ECOMOG protection for its warehouses. Regional Technical Committee in Kenema estimates over 88,000 IDPs are in need of food assistance. d) Situation in Bo calm. Bo-Freetown highway remains closed.
E. EAST AFRICA: TANZANIA AND RWANDA
1. Tanzania a) Increasingly severe food crisis faced by segments of the population in areas affected by several consecutive seasons of abnormal rains. b) Food distributions needed immediately to 1.14 million people living in 12 regions. Present WFP operation for 20,000 tons of food aid faces 50 percent shortfall. Government has pledged 9,000 tons of food towards the 29,000 tons planned to be distributed by WFP over the next three months.
2. Rwanda a) WFP food distributed to over 5,000 returnees who have crossed into Gisenyi from D.R. Congo.
PART II - DETAILS
A. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION - KOSOVO CRISIS
1. UPDATE - information as of 22 March
1.1 Security continues to deteriorate in Kosovo. Large population movements have resulted from renewed fighting. For the first time in this conflict, tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been looking for safety in Pristina, where all possible resources are being mobilized to accommodate and provide them with basic needs.
1.2 Since 15 March, the Yugoslav army and special police have increased their military action in central and northern Kosovo in particular at the border with Macedonia, around Klina, Vucitrn, Srbica, Mitrovica, Donje Prekaze and Glogovac. Checkpoints have been set up around Pristina and freedom of movement is curtailed.
1.3 On 21 March, the 1,400 OSCE international monitors left Kosovo, following the adjournment of the Paris peace talks between the representatives of FR Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Albanians on 19 March. The number of WFP international staff in Kosovo has been reduced but the assistance programme will continue with remaining staff as long as possible.
1.4 There are various estimates of how many people have been displaced. As of 19 March, UNHCR estimates that about 100,000 people have been displaced since the cease-fire in late December, including 60,000 since the end of the first round of talks at Rambouillet on 23 February. Altogether, according to the UNHCR figures, there are currently 240,000 IDPs within Kosovo. Other sources report that since 25 February, some 3,000 refugees from Kosovo have arrived in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where there are now, in total, a reported 15,000 refugees.
1.5 Humanitarian operations throughout Kosovo are severely affected by increasing tension. Since 18 March, the combination of a deteriorating security situation, reduced accessibility and new population displacements have meant a return to ad hoc food distributions. In February, the first WFP distribution of monthly food rations in Kosovo were organized in cooperation with MCI and CRS, and covered the basic food needs of 91,000 beneficiaries. Because of the continuing insecurity, WFP could not achieve its original February target of 201,000 IDPs.
1.6 WFP has organized additional food distribution to 817 IDPs displaced from Vucitrn in Hade. ICRC and WFP are organizing food distribution to some 2,500 IDPs around Oblic, fleeing fighting south of Mitrovica. On 22 March, WFP plans to distribute two-week rations to 9,000 IDPs in Gornja Klina, 9,000 in Gornje Prekaze and 12,000 in Mitrovica.
1.7 In Montenegro, WFP continues to cover the basic food needs of some 32,000 IDPs in cooperation with CRS, MCI and ICRC. Altogether the four agencies allocate on a monthly basis some 465 tons of food assistance. In addition, CRS and MCI assist 4,400 host families.
1.8 WFP is currently assessing the new refugee food aid needs in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Until now, most refugees in the country have been supported with food from UNHCR, distributed through CRS, MCI and IFRC. Since food stocks are nearly depleted, WFP is planning to transfer from food stocks in the port of Bar some 300 tons of mixed commodities which will cover needs of 10,000 refugees for two months.
1.9 In Albania, WFP assists 9,200 refugees. In March, WFP plans to distribute some 140 tons of relief food.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 22 March
1.1 Following the 12 March announcement in New York that UN international staff could again receive security clearance for travel within Afghanistan, WFP's Country Director flew to Kabul on 14 March. WFP's activities, the largest of which is the provision of wheat flour for a subsidized bakery programme which provides bread each day to 260,000 urban poor in Kabul, have continued in the absence of international staff since August 1998. Although food markets in Kabul appear to be well-stocked, many of Kabul's estimated 1.2 million inhabitants have very little purchasing power. The absence of UN international staff and the resulting cut-back in UN activities has exacerbated the severe downturn in economic activities and most adults in Kabul are unemployed or grossly under-employed. At the same time much of the physical and social infrastructure in Kabul lies in ruins. WFP will work with other UN partners and NGOs to help bring about the reconstruction of life-sustaining infrastructure such as shelter, water supplies and essential sanitation and drainage. In addition WFP will continue to provide food assistance to about 25,000 orphans and hospital patients in the Kabul region.
1.2 Over the week-end of 20/21 March other WFP international staff have made further visits to Kabul and to Kandahar. For the time being UN staff are only being cleared for short-term rotational visits to Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Herat. A UN security assessment was completed on 19 March in Mazar-i-Sharif, where food needs are reported to be high. WFP Afghanistan is building up its international staff country team, many of whom were reassigned to other countries when they were required to leave Afghanistan.
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE - information for the period 1-14 March (with some updated details)
1.1 Due to the current high degree of insecurity which is making road transport almost impossible, WFP is forced to airlift 80 to 90 per cent of its food aid, drastically increasing transportation costs. The sudden large surge in the number of people needing food assistance is compounding the high costs of transport and obstacles created by insecurity. Until recently, WFP has been transporting over 6,000 metric tons of food per month. In order to feed all the needy, WFP must now transport an additional 3,500 metric tons per month. This figure only allows WFP to keep even with the demand, and does not provide for an accumulation of stocks. Food deliveries are also subject to unfavourable weather conditions and closure of certain airports. In February, WFP food was distributed to 550,000 beneficiaries, of which 350,000 were IDPs. In March, it had been planned to distribute WFP food to 700,000 beneficiaries, of which 480,000 are IDPs, but due to the current constraints, it is expected that only 80 percent of these requirements will be covered.
2. DETAILS BY REGION
2.1 Bie/Kuito: On 12 March, the Vice Governor of Bie advised the Resident Humanitarian Aid Coordinator that due to the present state of high insecurity in the area, all expatriate humanitarian personnel currently working in Kuito should be relocated immediately. WFP relocated UN and NGO international staff using its aircraft. WFP's national staff remained in Kuito and will continue carrying out distributions as needed. Two international staff from MSF-B as well as one from ICRC remained. On 19 March a security assessment by the Angola Field Security Officer was conducted at Kuito and the security focal point was allowed to remain in the town. The airport of Kuito, which had been closed for repairs, has been reopened.
2.2 Malange: The situation continued to deteriorate in Malange over the past two weeks, not even allowing for security missions to be carried out. Although international staff have not been allowed to return, WFP and World Vision are continuing food distributions. Due to the fighting in the province, increased numbers of displaced people are arriving in the provincial capital. After the destruction of the bridge over the Lombe river on 27 February food supplies by road to Malange resumed after the temporary repair of an old wooden bridge. Since then, 1,244 tons of food have been sent to Malange and has been reaching the city. If the trucks continue to get through and the security situation allows, in the month of March WFP food is expected to be distributed to 100,000 beneficiaries (out of 139,000 planned). When the city was cut off due to the destruction of the bridge, WFP was forced to prioritize its aid and assist only vulnerable groups for a period of approximately two weeks.
2.3 Huambo: New IDPs continue to arrive in Huambo. In February, WFP food was distributed to 54,000 beneficiaries, of which 44,500 IDPs. In March, it is planned to distribute WFP food to 81,000 beneficiaries, of which 70,000 IDPs. WFP has signed an agreement with Save the Children/UK, MOLISV and ADRA International for the distribution of food to IDPs. Results of an evaluation of the nutritional situation of children at selected Community Infant Projects, carried out by WFP and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINARS) in early March, are expected soon. SCF-UK is also conducting an evaluation of IDP and resident children. In view of high malnutrition among children, NGOs have opened several supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres, and more are scheduled to open.
2.4 Kuando Kubango: For the first time in several months, WFP managed to gain access to the Kuando Kubango region and food was distributed by WFP in Longa and Kuito Kuanavale through MINARS. WFP was able to assist 1,250 beneficiaries in Longa and 1,300 in Kuito Kuanavale through vulnerable group feeding. In addition, WFP food was distributed to 5,300 IDPs in the municipalities of Kuito Kuanavale.
2.5 Uige: The influx of IDPs into the zones of Negage and Uige has been continuing. Due to the closure of the airport of Negage for maintenance, no cargo was sent to the area since the beginning of the month. As of 19 March, the airport of Negage has reopened, and flights to Negage were scheduled resume early in the week of 22 March. Humanitarian assistance remains restricted to the areas around the provincial capital and Negage. Despite security and logistics constraints, the food distribution to IDPs in various districts of the city started as planned at the beginning of March.
D. SIERRA LEONE
1. UPDATE - information as of 19 March
1.1 Freetown
a) A cargo ship chartered by WFP carrying 1,100 tons of food aid arrived on 19 March in Freetown, marking the first time since the outbreak of fighting on 6 January that WFP has been able to use the main port of the city. The vessel is carrying 500 tons of WFP food aid (400 tons maizemeal, 50 vegetable oil and 50 tons CSB) urgently needed by tens of thousands of civilians affected by the fighting. The food will be sufficient to feed 22,000 people for two months. The ship is also carrying 600 tons of rice donated by Italy to the Government of Sierra Leone. Two commercial vessels have arrived Freetown port in the past few days, one of them carrying 3,000 tons wheat flour.
b) The security situation in Freetown continues to improve, and as of 18 March was reported to be calm. Two banks have re-opened. WFP staff are in Freetown on a rotation basis with other UN staff.
1.2 Kambia: The situation in Kambia town and at the border area inside Sierra Leone remains unclear. Guinean authorities have declared the Kambia area (Pamlap and beyond) a military zone, with restricted movement by humanitarian agencies. Lack of access to IDPs at Gbalamuya near Kambia is causing some concern. Most of the IDPs who remained behind at the border are arriving at Formariah, in Guinea, and at villages near the border.
1.3 Kenema: As of 19 March, WFP staff in Kenema reported that the food situation there is becoming critical. WFP staff have requested ECOMOG to provide security protection for its warehouses. Shops have re-opened in Kenema, but prices are high, as goods are brought by air. Access to locally produced food remains difficult because of insecurity in some areas. The Regional Technical Committee in Kenema estimates over 88,000 IDPs are in need of food assistance. WFP still has 480 tons assorted food stocks in the Kenema warehouse. Reports indicate recent military activities going on between ECOMOG/CDF and rebels on Kenema-Segwema highway and around Tongo Fields diamond area.
1.4 In Bo, WFP staff and relief agencies reported that the general situation is calm. WFP has started distributing food to over 1,400 IDPs who arrived in Bo during the recent crisis in Freetown. These IDPs are mainly from Kono and other affected districts in the north, but cannot return to their homes for the time begin because of insecurity. The total population receiving WFP assistance as of 18 March is 7,838 persons. Rehabilitation of the road between Bo and Nitti Port is being done jointly by the communities in Bo, the local government and Drivers' Union. This port and road are expected to be a vital corridor of supply for the region in view of the continued closure of the Bo-Freetown highway. Some economic activities have resumed, and fuel is now available, but the price of rice in Bo remains high.
E. EAST AFRICA: TANZANIA AND RWANDA
1. TANZANIA
1.1 WFP confirms the growing severity of the food crisis facing segments of the population in areas of Tanzania affected by several consecutive seasons of abnormal rains. The food aid that WFP is planning to distribute is the very minimum needed to stave off a major crisis.
1.2 WFP needs to begin distributing food immediately to 1.14 million people living in 12 regions of the country. The recent appeal to donors for 20,000 tons of food aid, valued at about USD 8 million, faces a shortfall of some 50 percent of the total. The emergency operation is a continuation of the previous WFP EMOP, and is necessary due to the delay in the rainy season and the resulting intensification of the traditional shortages experienced at this time of the year, until the next harvest in May/June. The FAO/WFP joint crop assessment conducted in January estimated that the short rainy season (Vuli) harvest would be at least 60 percent lower than last season.
1.3 Over the next three months, WFP plans to distribute 29,000 tons of food aid, in partnership with the Government of Tanzania and several NGOs. The Government has pledged 9,000 tons of food in response to the crisis, while WFP has committed itself to raising the remaining 20,000 tons.
1.4 The Tanzanian Government's own grain reserves have also been virtually depleted over the past few months, making it unlikely that it will be able to respond to the emergency beyond the 9,000 tons it has already committed.
1.5 WFP is using USD 1 million from its immediate response account to purchase 2,600 tons of food so it can immediately begin deliveries to those communities most at risk.
2. RWANDA
2.1 Over 5,000 returnees have crossed the DR Congo border into Gisenyi. The majority of the returnees are women and children. They have been hosted in the former Busasamana displaced persons camp, waiting to join their original sectors. WFP distributed food to the returnees.
2.2 Agricultural activities have progressively resumed in some of the communes of the north-west prefectures as returnees go back to their plots. However, food distributions will have to be maintained in food insecure communes until the next harvest, which is expected at the end of June.
2.3 WFP Gisenyi met with local authorities to examine possible ways of initiating special food-for-work projects to be implemented in emergency conditions, whereby the food received for work executed would be shared among the whole population of the community.
Note: all tonnage figures above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 11 of 1999 - March 19, 1999)
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