Report No. 18 of 1999 Date: 7 May 1999
This report includes: A) FR Yugoslavia and region - Kosovo crisis B) Afghanistan C) Iraq D) Ethiopia E) Sudan.
>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 2854). 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. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION - KOSOVO CRISIS 1. General - most information as of early 7 May a) UN advance team (UNICEF, UNHCR, OCHA and UNSECOORD) to go to FR Yugoslavia on 8 May in preparation of a UN humanitarian mission planned for 15 May; latter mission, to include WFP, will assess needs of conflict-affected populations inside FR Yugoslavia (Kosovo, Serbia). b) Planned monthly WFP deliveries to region now 18,500 tons to 950,000 beneficiaries; HDRs and MREs required urgently. c) Estimated total of refugees/IDPs in region on 7 May: 698,600. d) Albania: refugees estimated at 406,000; WFP pre-positions food in Mjeda for those who leave Kukes; distribution to refugees through MCI and Red Cross. Anticipated transfer of some 60,000 refugees from FYR of Macedonia, WFP plans to transfer food accordingly. e) FYR of Macedonia: estimated 230,900 refugees; WFP provides wheat flour, HDRs, canned fish and beef to refugees along with 43,000 loaves of bread a day; Government agrees to allow expansion of Cegrane camp from 25,000 to 40,000. f) Montenegro (FR Yugoslavia): some 61,700 IDPs; WFP April deliveries completed - supplies sufficient for all IDP population; due to insecurity, some IDPs move on to Albania; others, together with Montenegrins from Rozaje and minorities from Sandzak, Serbia (FR Yugoslavia) move on to Bosnia and Herzegovina. g) Currently 17,600 Kosovar refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
B. AFGHANISTAN 1. Update - information as of 6 May a) Fighting reported in north-eastern Afghanistan, and in city of Kunduz (border with Tajikistan). b) Return of refugees from Pakistan in seasonal full swing; each family receives 300 kg of WFP food aid as returnee food package. c) UN flights to Faizabad resumed on 5 May. d) Bakery project in Jalalabad to be temporarily suspended until fall; results of VAM survey will be used to retarget beneficiaries.
C. IRAQ 1. Update - information as of 7 May a) Two-year UN review of Oil-for-Food Agreement released: Iraq expects to earn revenues inferior to allowed sales. Secretary-General recommends freeing USD 300 million for spare parts for the Iraqi oil industry to increase funds for humanitarian programme. b) Donor contributions urgently needed for current WFP protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO 6085) to support malnourished children, their families, hospital in-patients and residents in social institutions.
D. ETHIOPIA 1. Update - information as of 5 May a) Under the current WFP emergency operation, distribution of 8,000 tons of food aid completed in Somali region of Ethiopia; distribution of 13,008 tons started in Tigray and Amhara regions. b) WFP, together with other UN agencies, Government and partners, observes poor prospects regarding Belg harvest production; a joint DPPC/WFP assessment mission travelled to Northern Wello in April. New emergency operation expected. c) Operation for displaced by Ethiopia/Eritrea border conflict needs further resourcing; current shortfall - 32,711 tons of mixed commodities.
E. SUDAN 1. Update - information as of 6 May a) WFP operations in Sudan need further USD 45.7 million, or some 43,000 tons of food; break in WFP food pipeline possible in August, at peak of hunger gap, traditionally difficult period between June and October. b) Surveys show improvement in nutritional situation in many parts of southern Sudan (in Wau County, Rumbek, Yirol) as result of continuously provided food aid; MSF stresses that nutritional situation is fragile, affected by poor sanitation, lack of medical facilities, and can be easily reversed.
PART II - DETAILS
A. FR YUGOSLAVIA AND REGION - KOSOVO CRISIS
1. GENERAL - most information as of early 7 May
1.1 The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs has appointed a UN advance team composed of UNICEF, UNHCR, OCHA and UNSECOORD to travel to FR Yugoslavia on 8 May. The advance team will be making preparations for a main humanitarian UN mission planned for 15 May, to include WFP, which will carry out a needs assessment of the conflict-affected populations in Kosovo and other parts of FR Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, WFP is looking into possibilities to provide food aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) inside Kosovo and Serbia, in cooperation with the Red Cross movement, already operational in FR Yugoslavia.
1.2 Under the current emergency operation to Kosovar IDPs and refugees, WFP is planning to deliver over 18,500 tons per month in the region to some 950,000 beneficiaries. WFP is in immediate need of ready-to-eat foods such as humanitarian daily rations (HDR), meals ready to eat (MRE), canned food and high energy biscuits.
1.3 On 7 May, UNHCR estimated the number of refugees and displaced people in the region at some 698,600, including 406,000 in Albania (according to the Emergency Management Group reports, two thirds are with host families), 230,900 in the FYR of Macedonia (110,700 in camps and 93,370 with host families, and additional 30,000 reported by the Government to live elsewhere), 61,700 in Montenegro and 17,600 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1.4 On 3 May, UNHCR/NATO assessed new sites for transfers of refugees from FYR of Macedonia to Korca, Albania. Three new sites with a total capacity of 20,000 were identified and German, French and British army expect to start the construction of refugee camps shortly. The plan is to bring Korca's capacity to 60,000.
2. ALBANIA
2.1 According to UNHCR reports, some 7,700 refugees reached Albania on 3 and 4 May. The arrivals from Prizren in Kosovo continued sporadically on 3 May. The total refugee population in Kukes is estimated at 111,000. In recent days, an estimated total of 3,260 refugees left Kukes, moving on to other parts of Albania.
2.2 WFP dispatched 5,000 HDRs to Mjeda to be pre-positioned for refugees being relocated from Kukes by train to areas in south-east Albania. HDRs are being delivered to Mercy Corps International (MCI), WFP implementing partner for Shkoder. WFP is currently considering the possibility of transfer of HDR stocks from FYR of Macedonia to Albania, to follow the anticipated transfer of refugees. Additional temporary storage facilities will be set up in Shkoder and Lezhe. WFP is providing wheat flour to the Red Cross in Shkoder and Kukes for distribution to refugees.
3. FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
3.1 Between 25 April and 1 May, some 330 tons of WFP relief food were distributed to Kosovar refugees in FYR of Macedonia, including 217 tons of wheat flour, 86 tons of HDRs (or 72,000 rations), 13 tons of canned fish, and 9 tons of canned beef. Since 4 April, 1,309 tons of WFP food commodities have been distributed.
3.2 WFP-sponsored bread production is averaging 43,000 loaves daily in FYR of Macedonia (in contrast with last week's 23,000 loaves).
3.3 The Government has agreed to expand the capacity of the newly established Cegrane camp from 25,000 to 40,000. Since its opening, WFP has delivered 103 tons of HDRs and 19 tons of canned fish and beef to the population now estimated at 21,000.
3.4 The official border crossing at Blace was closed as of 17:00 hours on 5 May. Reportedly, some 1,000 people were pushed back into Kosovo and up to 14,000 were heading for Blace crossing. Approximately 20,000 refugee arrivals were reported on 3-4 May, mostly by train from Pristina and Podujevo, Lipljan and Urosevac. Blace crossing reopened on 6 May.
4. MONTENEGRO (FR YUGOSLAVIA)
4.1 WFP has delivered the planned April provisions to Kosovar IDPs which consisted of 475 tons of wheat flour, 35 tons of pulses, 27 tons of oil, and 27 tons of sugar. Other international organizations providing food aid are: ICRC/IFRC, CRS and MCI. Relief food is distributed by the national Red Cross. There are no food shortages reported among IDPs, but Government authorities are concerned about overall food supplies in Montenegro.
4.2 The number of IDPs in Montenegro remains at some 61,700 as the movement in and out of Montenegro continues due to insecurity. Some IDPs move on to Albania together with some ethnic Albanians from Montenegro (through Hani Hodit in the direction of Skhoder). Other Kosovar refugees as well as Montenegrins from the Rozaje border area and minorities from the Sandzak region in Serbia are moving to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some 2,600 new Kosovar refugees arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 4 May, bringing the total to 17,600.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 6 May
1.1 Fighting continues with increased intensity in north-eastern Afghanistan and in the city of Kunduz on the border with Tajikistan. Military movements have been noted through Kabul in the direction of Bamyan.
1.2 The rate of returning refugees from Pakistan is in seasonal full swing. The number of returning families has already exceeded the anticipated 80 per day. Refugee families receive returnee package of 300 kg of WFP food aid. No individual returnees are assisted.
1.3 Central Region: Field officers have begun the FAO/WFP crop and food supply assessment in Kabul. The survey will be carried out in most regions of Afghanistan, security situation permitting.
1.4 Western Region: The Iranian and Pakistani borders with Afghanistan remain formally closed. However, commodities continue to arrive from both countries. The local wheat harvest is also under way.
1.5 Northern Region: The security situation in Faizabad has stabilized permitting the resumption of UN flights; two aircraft landed on 5 May. International staff are currently permitted to visit this area at any time without security restrictions.
1.6 Eastern Region: The Country Director has travelled with two international WFP staff members to Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan to inform the relevant authorities (offices of planning, public health and foreign affairs) how the WFP operations in Jalalabad will be redirected in the period to come: the bakery project will be temporarily suspended from the end of May and will restart in the autumn, as previously planned. During this period, beneficiaries will be retargeted and issued new cards using the results of the VAM survey which are expected shortly. In lowland areas, the wheat harvest is under way and the local market is receiving new supplies.
C. IRAQ
1. UPDATE - information as of 7 May
1.1 The UN Secretary-General has released a two-year review of the Oil-for-Food Agreement in Iraq (Security Council Resolution 986) which underlines the continuing grave humanitarian situation in the country and expresses concern about the funding shortfalls in the agreement. During the current six-month phase, Iraq expects to earn revenues of only USD 3.7 billion, though the agreement allows sales up to USD 5.2 billion. The Secretary-General's review recommends freeing USD 300 million for spare parts for the Iraqi oil industry in order to increase revenues available for the humanitarian programme.
1.2 At the same time the UN Security Council is debating proposals by a Council committee under the chairmanship of the Brazilian Ambassador to the UN, Celso Amorim, which reviewed the humanitarian situation in Iraq. The Committee recommended lifting the ceiling of allowable oil exports from Iraq, authorizing private investment flows into the oil industry, granting automatic sanctions waivers for humanitarian supplies including foodstuffs and medical supplies and local procurement in Iraq under SCR 986 to support the local economy and stimulate agricultural production. In addition, the Committee encouraged the international community to provide supplementary funding for humanitarian efforts in Iraq specifically citing WFP's parallel humanitarian assistance programme (Iraq PRRO 6085) designed to support malnourished children, their families, hospital in-patients and residents in social institutions.
1.3 Donor contributions are urgently needed toward Iraq PRRO 6085 which was approved by the WFP Executive Board in January, 1999. The current requirements for the operation are some 25,000 metric tons of food worth approximately 18 million dollars to cover the period of 1 May 1999 to 31 January 2000. Of particular importance is the immediate purchase of WSM - a blended food commodity that provides micronutrient-rich food for malnourished children.
1.4 Because of continued air attacks in the no-fly zones of the north and centre and south of Iraq, a number of grenade and bomb explosions in the semi-autonomous governorates in the north, and increased security concerns in the rest of the country, WFP has adopted, in conjunction with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, tight security regulations to ensure staff safety. WFP observers continue to be deployed across the country, but now overnight in centralized locations with other UN staff and maintain 24-hour communication with the UN Security Coordinator.
D. ETHIOPIA
1. UPDATE - information as of 5 May
1.1 Under its current emergency operation (EMOP 5979), originaly designed for victims of Meher crop failure, WFP is now providing emergency food aid to some 640,000 drought-stricken pastoralists in the Somali region of Ethiopia. During the month of April, WFP completed distribution of 8,000 tons of food for affected populations. Distribution of 13,008 tons also commenced in late April in Tigray and Amhara regions under this operation.
1.2 Together with other UN agencies, government counterparts and partners, WFP continues to monitor the negative prospects regarding the Belg harvest production and reported post harvest Meher losses. A joint mission made up of the Ethiopian government Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission and WFP travelled to Northern Wello to assess the situation in April and a new emergency operation is expected.
1.3 Meanwhile, the WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6080) providing assistance to 272,000 Ethiopians displaced following the Eritrea/Ethiopia border conflict remains seriously under-resourced. Only 12,660 tons have been received to date, leaving a net shortfall of 32,711 tons of mixed commodities. WFP is requesting further donor contributions necessary to assist the war-displaced populations.
E. SUDAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 6 May
1.1 During 1999, WFP operations in Sudan need a total of 173,286 tons of food for a total cost of USD 219.7 million. The uncovered net requirements as at 29 April stood at 42,926 tons of food at the cost of USD 45.7 million. With currently available funds, WFP can maintain the operation until August. In the southern sector, cereals and most non-cereal commodities will finish in August. In the northern sector, most non-cereal items will also finish in August, while cereals are expected to last until November. The break in the pipeline coincides with the peak of the hunger gap which lasts from June to September, when locally produced food begins to run out before the next crops are harvested in November. In order to assist 2.3 million Sudanese during the hunger gap, WFP needs further donor contributions.
1.2 The overall nutritional situation in many parts of southern Sudan has improved, largely as a result of a continuous flow of international food assistance, with WFP being one of the main providers. A recent MSF nutritional survey in Wau County found a global malnutrition rate of 8.5 percent and severe malnutrition rate of 0.7 percent in the area. There has been a constant improvement since August 1998. However, MSF underlined that the nutritional situation is fragile and could easily be reversed by a deterioration of the security situation. Nutritional surveys have also been conducted recently by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and SPLM's Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SRRA) in Rumbek and Yirol counties. The surveys indicate that global malnutrition rates ranged from 7.4 percent to 11.8 percent and 1.3 percent of the cases were found to suffer from severe malnutrition.
1.3 A nutritional survey conducted in IDP camps in Kosti revealed that the global malnutrition rate among the children below the age of five is 37 percent and 11.8 percent suffer from severe malnutrition. This survey noted that the incidence of malnutrition followed an outbreak of diarrhoea in March and that the nutritional status of under-five was affected by, among other factors, poor sanitation, lack of medical facilities and prevalence of single-parent households.
1.4 WFP has recently initiated a scheme to develop IDP women's capacities in child-care, treatment of diarrhoea, breast feeding, immunization, sanitation and water use and hygiene.
Note: all tonnage figures in report above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 18 of 1999 - May 7, 1999)
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