Report No. 33 of 1999 Date: 20 August 1999
This report includes: A) Angola B) Afghanistan C) Liberia D) Eritrea E) East Africa: Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania F) Balkans G) Turkey earthquake - UNDAC.
>From Manuel Aranda da Silva, Chief, Technical Support Service. Available 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 Deborah Hicks.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS (Details below in Part II)
A. ANGOLA
1. Update - information as of 23 August a) UN Security Council briefed 23 August on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Angola by WFP Executive Director, Under-Secretary-General Sergio Vieira de Mello and UNICEF Executive Director Carol. Security Council pressed to take decisive measures to bring peace to Angola. Further support for UN Appeal sought. b) WFP Executive Director stresses that violence, hunger and disease have brought to Angola a level of despair that exists virtually nowhere else in the world today. At least 200 people are dying each day. c) Only 600,000 people currently receive humanitarian assistance, of 2 million known to be in need, because of constraints of insecurity, lack of access and funding. d) Government of Angola issued an Emergency Plan for Humanitarian Assistance on 6 August, for USD 21 million, to purchase of food and non-food items for IDPs. e) ICRC begins delivery of food to Huambo and Kuito. First 100 tons airlifted to Huambo on 16 August; 3,000 tons a month to be sent over next six months.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. Update - information as of 19 August, with additions as of 23 August a) Heavy fighting between Taliban and Northern Alliance troops in central and northern Afghanistan; high casualties reported in the Shamali Plains. b) Destruction of homes, crops and agricultural infrastructure in the Shamali Plains by Taliban forces have resulted in loss of most of the cereals harvested in July and have had serious impact on fruit cash crop, affecting ability of IDPs from the area to return to their home and cover their winter needs. c) The UN estimates that up to 31,200 forcibly displaced people arrived in Kabul from the Shamali Plains between 10 August and 21 August, many arriving on foot. Some 6,000 displaced now housed in the ex-Soviet embassy compound. d) UN mission to the Panjshir Valley, which includes two WFP staff members, arrives in Faizabad on 22 August; expected to reach southern part of the valley, where many of the IDPs are situated, by 25 August. NGOs report that some 15,000 of the 60,000 to 75,000 displaced people in the Panjshir Valley are without shelter.
C. LIBERIA
1. Update - information as of 21 August a) Three WFP national staff still missing in Lofa county; three others reach Monrovia. b) Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia reported displaced by the recent fighting.
D. ERITREA
1. Update - information as of 11 August a) Donor support needed for WFP EMOP 6044 for 268,000 war-displaced people in Eritrea; EMOP is designed to provide 44,000 tons of food aid until end of 1999 to affected population in rural areas of Debub, Gash-Barka and South Sea provinces.
E. EAST AFRICA: UGANDA, RWANDA AND TANZANIA
1. Update a) Uganda: WFP August food distributions to begin in Bundibugyo district for verified caseload; total of 95,553 displaced persons verified by WFP. b) Estimated 27,000 IDPs in Kasese district in south-western Uganda are in need of food assistance. c) Assistance on-going to 317,850 IDPs in northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum.
F. BALKANS
1. Update a) Highlights from the WFP Balkans weekly update for 17 August are given below. Full report and weekly updates are at http://www.wfp.org - click on Balkans Alert.
G. TURKEY EARTHQUAKE
1. WFP participation in UNDAC - information as of 23 August a) WFP staff member joins the UN OCHA Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team dispatched to Turkey following the earthquake of 17 August.
PART II - DETAILS
A. ANGOLA
1. GENERAL- information as of 23 August
1.1 On Monday 23 August the WFP Executive Director Catherine Bertini, together with Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Sergio Vieira de Mello and UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, briefed the UN Security Council on the dramatic situation confronting victims of the conflict in Angola. The three senior UN aid officials pressed the Security Council to take decisive measures to bring peace to the country.
1.2 They also appealed to donors to accelerate contributions to the UN appeal for Angola, which has received only 38 percent of the USD 106 million needed this year.
1.3 Ms. Bertini told the Security Council that the violence, hunger and disease have brought to Angola a level of despair that exists virtually nowhere else in the world today. At least 200 people are dying each day. Malnutrition levels in cities under siege, such as Malange, are extremely alarming.
1.4 Only 30 percent of the country is accessible to humanitarian agencies. Of the two million people known to be in need of or dependent on aid, only 600,000 are currently receiving humanitarian assistance; insecurity, lack of access and insufficient funding are depriving the others of the help they need. Aid agencies either rely on costly air transport or run the risk of landmines and ambushes by road. Some three million of Angola's estimated 11.4 million people are entirely inaccessible. Ms Bertini stressed that WFP and its UN and NGO partners are continuing to press for access to all areas of the country in order to assess the nutritional and other needs of the civilian population.
1.5 WFP currently has a USD 38 million emergency operation underway in Angola to give food to 800,000 vulnerable people and IDPs. The operation, which began after the ceasefire collapsed late last year and fighting resumed, originally targeted 500,000 people and will expand to 1.2 million next year. For the present phase of the emergency operation, only USD 16 million, or 42 percent of the total has been received. Donors include the United States, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden. A recent US contribution was received for 18,840 tons of food of a value of USD 13.5 million. The total requested for the operation is approximately 52,000 tons of food.
1.6 WFP strongly supports the 6 August announcement of the Government of Angola's Emergency Plan for Humanitarian Assistance. The USD 21 million plan foresees the purchase of food and non-food items which will specifically address the humanitarian needs of IDPs. WFP recognizes, however, that while the aid package is a positive and laudable step, more resources will be necessary to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of the hundreds of thousands of affected Angolans. WFP encourages the Government to increase, where possible, both emergency assistance efforts and, more generally, social spending.
1.7 The International Committee of the Red Cross announced on 19 August that it had begun to deliver food to Huambo and Kuito. The first 100 tons of the 18,000-ton package were flown to Huambo on 16 August. Over the next six months, the ICRC plans to send 3,000 tons of food per month to the two locations where more than 400,000 people are short of food because of the rebel siege. Agricultural equipment and seeds are also being sent to the two locations.
1.8 The UN announced on 12 August that it is reopening a political liaison office in Luanda, which it closed in February because of the breakdown in the peace accord.
B. AFGHANISTAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 19 August, with additions as of 23 August
1.1 Security Situation
a) Heavy fighting between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance troops continues to be reported in areas around the front lines of central and northern Afghanistan (information as of 19 August). High casualties have been reported in the areas of the Shamali Plains, believed to be the site of some of the most intense fighting. The rest of the country is reported to be quiet with the exception of Ghor province in western Afghanistan where opposition forces are reported to have attacked Taliban positions around the village of Jurm.
1.2 Reports on the situation in the Shamali Plains - information as of 23 August
a) Reports indicate that the systematic destruction of homes, crops and agricultural infrastructure in the Shamali Plains is under way by the Taliban forces. Of particular concern are reports of the irrigation systems being demolished, resulting in the loss of the fruit crop which was expected to be harvested in September. The loss of most of the cereals harvested in July, as families were forced to leave their homes quickly and without their possessions, combined with the loss of the fruit cash crop has significant ramifications on the ability of these people to return to their homes and provide for their food and non-food needs over the coming harsh winter months. This matter has been raised by the UN with authorities in Kabul.
1.3 Internally displaced persons in Kabul
a) The UN estimates that up to 31,200 forcibly displaced people arrived in the Afghan capital of Kabul from the Shamali Plains between 10 August and 21 August. Many of the displaced arrived in the capital on foot, following an arduous 40 km journey from their homes. Approximately 6,000 displaced are being housed in the ex-Soviet embassy compound, as of 22 August. A survey conducted in the compound indicates that almost 90 percent of the displaced are women and children. Conditions in the compound are basic and families have few if any of their personal possessions with them. Potable water and basic health services, such as immunizations for children, are being provided by NGOs and the Ministry of Public Health.
b) WFP continues to provide a ration comprising CSB, edible oil and sugar to those housed in the compound. WFP's contribution, originally slated for 5 days, was extended for a total of 20 days, up to 27 August. WFP is considering extending the food distribution in the event that the displaced in the compound are unable to return to their homes and no other suitable alternative is found. If WFP continues support, local authorities would be expected to continue to provide bread for these IDPs.
1.4 Internally displaced in the Panjshir Valley
a) Information as of 19 August: NGOs on the ground estimate that between 60,000 to 75,000 displaced people are currently in the Panjshir Valley, most congregating in the southern end of the valley. It is reported that at least 15,000 of these people are without shelter. The remaining displaced are believed to have been housed with families living in the valley. It is expected that these people will move if the military front comes nearer. Should the people move north-eastwards towards Badkashan, access routes for the movement of food and non-food commodities have been identified. WFP has 2,000 tons of wheat in Ishkashim on the Afghanistan side of the Tajikistan border, which is being moved to the provincial capital, Faizabad.
b) Update 23 August: A UN assessment mission to the Panjshir Valley, which includes two WFP staff members, left for the north-eastern city of Faizabad on 22 August. Following their arrival in Faizabad, the mission left by road for Rokha, in the southern part of the valley, which it is expected to reach by 25 August. It is anticipated that the mission will be in a position to provide a preliminary assessment of the situation of the IDPs in the area by that date.
1.5 Small scale displacement has been reported in the provinces of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakshan in northern Afghanistan.
C. LIBERIA
1. UPDATE - information as of 21 August
1.1 As of 21 August, three WFP national staff are still missing in Lofa county. The other three of the six WFP national staff members who had been missing since fighting between Government troops and dissidents broke out in the area on 10 August have reached Monrovia. The remaining three Liberian aid workers are believed to be somewhere between Lofa county and the capital.
1.2 UNHCR is investigating reports that Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia have been displaced by fighting in Lofa county. Verification of the reports has not been possible, as all UN staff have left the area. In addition to the current security problems, rains in the region make access difficult.
D. ERITREA
1. UPDATE - information as of 11 August
1.1 Donor support is sought for the WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6044) for Eritrea, which is designed to provide 44,000 tons of food aid commodities until end of year to 268,000 beneficiaries in rural areas of Debub, Gash-Barka and South Sea provinces affected by the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. To date, the EMOP has received only a Japanese donation of USD 420,000, or 5.3 percent of its food cost and 2.7 percent of its total cost.
1.2 On 1 July, following the signing of a Letter of Understanding with the Government of Eritrea on 22 June, WFP approved the funding of USD 1 million from the WFP's Immediate Response Account in order to start the operation and bridge the period before the first donations arrive. This initial funding made possible the purchase of 4,725 tons of wheat and 600 tons of lentils. The delivery of these commodities is expected between 25 August and 10 October. The wheat represents 13 percent of needs and the lentils 21 percent.
1.3 A recent USAID Kenya mission to Eritrea reports satisfaction with an accounting on the utilization of some 44,000 tons of US-donated food commodities which were stranded at the port of Assab at the outbreak of hostilities in May 1998.
E. EAST AFRICA: UGANDA, RWANDA AND TANZANIA
1. UGANDA
1.1 In Bundibugyo district in south-western Uganda WFP plans to begin food distributions for the month of August. Currently, a total of 95,553 displaced persons have been verified by WFP. Figures for two displaced persons camps have not been verified due to insecurity in the area. Since April, WFP has provided 2,024 tons of food to the displaced Ugandans in Bundibugyo.
1.2 Recent reports indicate an estimated 27,000 displaced persons in Kasese district, south-western Uganda, in need of food assistance. A WFP mission, which included a nutritionist, established that between 2,000 to 3,000 children are also in need of supplementary feeding. WFP food has already started arriving and distribution plans are in place. ICRC will provide non-food items to the affected persons.
1.3 In the northern districts of Gulu and Kitgum 317,850 displaced persons benefit from WFP food assistance. Since March 1999, both districts have experienced a lull in the fighting, leading to some displaced persons moving out of protected camps and returning to their villages. In addition to the general food distributions, WFP also assists in these districts through food for school children, food for work and food for malnourished persons in nutritional centres.
1.4 The official caseload of Sudanese refugees in six settlements in northern Uganda stood at 163,750 persons in early August. In line with the recommendations of the last WFP/UNHCR Joint Food Needs Assessment Mission 10,486 refugees no longer receive food assistance as they were deemed self sufficient. All refugees currently being assisted are in various phases of food ration reduction depending on the nature and degree of their vulnerability.
2. RWANDA
2.1 The United Nations Security Cell has revised travel procedures for certain areas in Rwanda. Travel from Kigali to Ruhengeri and in all communes in Cyangugu province can now be undertaken without military escort, provided a minimum to two vehicles travel together. However, travel between Ruhengeri and Gisenyi will continue to be done with military escorts. Insecurity has been prevalent in the north-western prefectures of Ruhengeri and Gisenyi since mid last year.
3. TANZANIA
3.1 The voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees in camps in Tanzania resumed after a one-month suspension due to insecurity in Burundi. During the past week, a total of 427 Burundian and Rwandan refugees from Kibondo, Kasulu and Ngara districts were repatriated to their home countries. WFP provided all refugees with a two-week food ration and UNHCR provided transport.
3.2 Since the beginning of the year, the refugee influx into Tanzania, from D. R. Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, totalled 99,326 persons. During the same period, a total of 6,975 Burundian and Rwandan refugees were repatriated to their home countries. The refugee caseload in Tanzania receiving WFP's food assistance is now 416,100 persons.
F. BALKANS
1. HIGHLIGHTS from WFP Balkans Weekly Update for 17 August
1.1 In Kosovo, 1.48 million people received food aid in July. Of these, more than 500,000 were supported directly by bilateral donors. The total number is expected to reduce to 900,000 by mid-September (of which 600,000 will be supported by WFP).
1.2 In spite of an agricultural forecast which is now more optimistic than it was one month ago, food shortfalls will remain very high in Kosovo because the population of the province is also higher than initially envisioned. In the past eight weeks, 750,000 Kosovo Albanians have returned home. In the same period, around 130,000 Serbs and Roma have fled the province in fear of revenge attacks.
1.3 In Serbia, WFP is working together with the Serbian Ministry of Social Welfare, the Serbian Pension Fund and the Yugoslav Red Cross in order to select 300,000 beneficiaries (social cases) who were not covered in July, but are included in the EMOP. In Belgrade, it is estimated that a family of four requires three wage earners to meet the minimum cost of living. With high unemployment, most households have now fallen below the poverty line.
1.4 In Montenegro, where August food distribution is on-going, WFP will provide assistance to 20,000 elderly people with a pension below 60 DM (USD 33) per month. Beneficiaries have been identified by the Montenegro Ministry of Social Welfare. WFP is also continuing its support to IDPs and refugees.
1.5 In F.Y.R. of Macedonia, WFP is planning to distribute food to 25,000 refugees through the month of August (roughly 20,000 with host families and 5,000 in camps). A small flow of new refugees continues to arrive in camps from Kosovo and others join camps upon leaving host families (25-30 persons per day). Most new arrivals are ethnic minorities (Roma and Serbs). Minorities are housed in Stenkovec-2 camp, while Kosovo Albanians are mostly in Cegrane and Nepresteno.
1.6 Full report and weekly updates can be found of the Web at the WFP Home page at http://www.wfp.org click on Balkans Alert.
G. TURKEY EARTHQUAKE
1. WFP PARTICIPATION IN UNDAC - information as of 23 August
1.1 A WFP staff member has joined the Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, dispatched to Turkey immediately following the earthquake of 17 August which caused massive devastation. The UNDAC team is working with UN and government officials to coordinate information on relief operations and various assessments. Highest priorities for relief items at this time are housing and sanitation/health needs. WFP is prepared to respond if food relief supplies are required.
1.2 Information on international response to earthquake relief operations can be found on ReliefWeb at http://www.reliefweb.int - click on National Disasters then Turkey.
Note: all tonnage figures in report above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 33 of 1999 - August 20, 1999)
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