Report No. 47 of 1999 Date: 26 November 1999
This report includes: A) East Africa: Burundi and Tanzania B) Ethiopi C) Somalia D) Sudan E) Angola F) India.
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. EAST AFRICA: BURUNDI AND TANZANIA
1. Burundi a) On 22 November WFP agrees with World Vision International, CRS, Caritas and Concern on new distributions to IDPs in regroupment camps in Bujumbura Rural; NGOs report alarming food situation in the regroupment camps and in drought-stricken northern areas of Kirundo and Muyinga provinces; full-scale UN activities still suspended following October killings of two UN staff. b) Restriction of movement for UN staff outside of Bujumbura remains in force. WFP hiring private transporters to deliver food to distribution points.
2. Tanzania a) Burundians flee to north-western Tanzania as fighting intensifies in Burundi; UNHCR reports influx of some 3,340 last week; Government authorizes accommodation of new refugees in Kasulu camps. b) From 7 to 21 November, WFP delivered some 3,130 tons of food aid to 388,000 refugees in Kasulu, Kibondo, Kigoma and Ngara camps.
B. ETHIOPIA
1. Update - information as of 25 November a) WFP operations for populations affected by crop failure: WFP approves new budget revision of USD 25.3 million to respond to general deterioration in food security in Ethiopia; initial pledges received from EU and Finland. b) Shortfall of cereals for ongoing WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6080) for populations affected by war currently over 10,000 tons; Netherlands recently pledged USD 2.3 million for purchase of cereals, WFP urges further donor contributions; WFP currently using loan from Government's Emergency Food Security Reserve to meet beneficiaries' needs. c) Port of Djibouti: WFP special operation to increase off-loading capacity of port in Djibouti important for regional WFP logistical operations; WFP seeking some USD 2.5 million from donors to complete operation.
C. SOMALIA
1. Update - information as of 25 November a) A total of 2,155 tons of WFP food commodities delivered to Somalia in October, 79 percent of which in south and central regions. b) In October, WFP distributed 660 tons of food aid to over 60,000 drought-affected people in central region of Galgaduud. c) FSAU finds food insecurity still acute among poor pastoralists in Haud areas of Sool and Toghdeer where some 40 - 60,000 people affected and in need of assistance. d) Due to poor livestock condition, food insecurity amongst pastoralists in Mudug increasing, according to recent FSAU assessment. e) Vulnerability of agro-pastoral and poor pastoral groups in Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions where only scattered rains have fallen to date.
D. SUDAN
1. Update - information as of 21 November a) WFP urges Government to lift flight bans, particularly in Unity/Western Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria regions; about 140,000 targeted beneficiaries not receiving food assistance due to flight restrictions in October and November. b) Joint WFP/UNICEF/HAC needs assessment in recently flooded Pibor recommends two months food aid for 8,500 affected persons.
E. ANGOLA
1. Update - information as of 24 November a) On 18 November, 12-truck convoy contracted by WFP carrying 300 tons of food aid from Lobito to Huambo ambushed on road leading to Caala and Huambo. b) Last week, WFP delivered 1,200 tons of food and 410 tons of non-food items by air; at the same time 2,500 tons of food commodities delivered by road. c) Further shipments of maize, pulses, vegetable oil, salt, CSB and sugar must reach Angola by end February 2000 to avoid break in pipeline after March 2000.
F. INDIA -ORISSA CYCLONE
1. Assistance to cyclone-affected population a) To date, WFP delivered 210 tons of high energy biscuits to Orissa; some 1,120 tons of WFP rice to be distributed; WFP purchased locally produced blended food for distribution to cyclone-affected and further shipment of WFP vegetable oil due in port of Paradip. b) WFP acting as lead agency in coordinating links between UN and NGO efforts to assist cyclone victims.
PART II - DETAILS
A. EAST AFRICA: BURUNDI AND TANZANIA
1. BURUNDI
1.1 On 22 November WFP made arrangements with World Vision International, Catholic Relief Services, Caritas and Concern to distribute food aid for thousands of people in regroupment camps in Bujumbura Rural. WFP and other UN agencies had suspended most of their activities in Burundi after the brutal killing of two UN staff in Rutana on 12 October. While UN agencies are still awaiting clearance to resume full-scale operations, WFP is organizing food distributions through its partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in view of the alarming reports of malnutrition both in the regroupment camps of Bujumbura Rural as well as in drought-stricken northern areas of Kirundo and Muyinga provinces.
1.2 As of the beginning of November, close to 320,000 people were reported to be regrouped in 56 sites in Bujumbura Rural and Mairie. Of these, only some 20 sites containing 119,000 people are considered to be accessible. The food requirements for these populations amount to over 1,000 tons of food per month. WFP and its partners will jointly plan weekly distributions of food and non-food items.
1.3 Restrictions on movement of UN staff outside of Bujumbura remain in force. WFP is hiring private transporters to deliver the food to the distribution points, starting with the regroupment sites previously assessed by WFP.
1.4 Prior to the latest arrangements with partner NGOs, WFP had continued to provide food to nutrition programmes assisting 35,000 people, and to vulnerable group feeding programmes benefiting 25,000 persons. Food commodities for these programmes were collected by the implementing partners at the WFP warehouses.
2. TANZANIA
2.1 Burundians continue to flee to north-western Tanzania as fighting intensifies between the Burundian army and rebels. According to UNHCR a total of 2367 new arrivals were registered in week ending 14 November and a total of 3341 in the week ending 21 November. The Government of Tanzania has authorized accommodation of new refugees into Kasulu camps.
2.2 Over the two weeks from 7 to 21 November, WFP delivered food rations to all the camps in Kasulu, Kibondo, Kigoma and Ngara, with the current population of some 388,000. The total of approximately 3,130 tons of food commodities (cereals, pulses, CSB, oil an salt) was provided for the general distribution and further quantities for supplementary feeding centres.
B. ETHIOPIA
1. UPDATE - information as of 25 November
1.1 WFP operations for populations affected by crop failure
a) WFP has revised its budget for the Ethiopia drought operation (EMOP 6143) by USD 25.3 million. The initial cost of this operation was USD 40.5 million. WFP is asking donors for an additional 21,308 metric tons to cover November-December shortfalls, 36,908 metric tons for January-March 2000 requirements and 2,198 metric tons of high-energy, high-protein foods for supplementary feeding programmes for 35 percent of the total WFP beneficiaries. Initial pledges have been received from the EU and Finland.
b) The new extension of the WFP operation is based on information from DPPC concerning pastoral areas and on the findings of the joint assessment missions that went to various parts of the country to verify the reports on the increasing beneficiary numbers. The mission teams confirmed a general deterioration in food security, high malnutrition and increasing child mortality.
1.2 The current WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6080) for populations affected by the border conflict with Ethiopia has recently received a donation of USD 2.3 million from the Netherlands for the local purchase of cereals. After having received the recent pledge to by additional cereals, the operation remains short of over 10,000 tons of cereals, or 27 percent of the requirement. Donors are urged to provide further quantities of this commodity or to contribute cash for its purchase. A loan of cereals from the Government's Emergency Food Security Reserve (EFSR) will allow WFP to continue to respond to food aid needs of the war-affected populations for a one month period (November). WFP will request a further loan from the EFSR to meet needs for a one and a half month period (December and half of January).
1.3 Port of Djibouti: WFP has initiated its special operation in the port of Djibouti aimed at increasing its receiving and off-loading capacity. Djibouti port, essential for the WFP regional logistical operations, is due to receive large shipments of food aid in the coming months. In order to avoid possible congestion, WFP intends to improve the existing infrastructure. WFP is seeking some USD 2.5 million necessary for the completion of the works.
C. SOMALIA
1. UPDATE - information as of 25 November
1.1 WFP distributed 2,155 tons of food commodities to Somalia in October. Of this, 79 percent was distributed to the most needy south and central regions. The total quantity of WFP-provided food aid from January to October amounts to some 19,000 tons.
1.2 In October, WFP carried out a distribution to the central region of Galgaduud, with 660 tons of food commodities being distributed to over 60,000 vulnerable people. Prolonged drought in Galgaduud, which gravely affected crop, pastures and livestock, was matched with insecurity and poor access to supply routes from Mogadishu, which lead to food insecurity.
1.3 A food security assessment conducted by the Food Security Assessment Unit (FSAU) in Somaliland from 13 - 27 October found that most food economy groups were becoming less vulnerable due to the improving economic (livestock) and climatic conditions and the food aid and agricultural assistance delivered to this region. However, acute food insecurity still exist among poor pastoralists in Haud areas of Sool and Toghdeer where it is estimated that some 40 - 60,000 people are affected. FSAU has recommended immediate food/cash assistance for a period of six to eight weeks to protect minimal assets and improve nutrition of poor households.
1.4 Results from an initial FSAU food security assessment for the north-east region of Mudug showed that most of the better-off pastoralists are now poor, and poor pastoralists have become destitute mainly due to poor livestock conditions. Improvement of livestock conditions is expected over the next six weeks, in time for the peak export season this year. Until then, destitute and poor pastoralists in rural areas will continue to need support.
1.5 A high degree of vulnerability exists among the agro-pastoral and poor pastoral groups of Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions where only scattered rains have fallen to date.
D. SUDAN
1. UPDATE - information as of 21 November
1.1 WFP representatives in Sudan have met senior Government officials urging the total lift on flight bans, particularly in Unity/Western Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria regions. It was pointed out that about 140,000 targeted beneficiaries have not been able to receive urgently needed food assistance, while 300,000 could not receive basic health, water, sanitation and education services due to flight restrictions during October and November. Concern has also been expressed on the inability to launch barge convoys on the Juba corridor due to prevailing insecurity, thus affecting over 300,000 vulnerable beneficiaries living in the Nile river basin. The Government is currently considering easing flight restrictions and is discussing the river corridors.
1.2 The second phase of the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment mission is scheduled to take place from 23 November to 12 December. The mission will cover the remaining northern sector locations in White Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, West and South Darfur and River Nile states.
1.3 WFP field staff have completed a population assessment in Paboung (Leech State), Upper Nile. The team reported the presence of around 4,830 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the area, compared to around 950 IDPs in the beginning of October. It was reported that 50-100 people are arriving from the northern part of Western Upper Nile to Paboung on a daily basis.
1.4 A joint WFP/UNICEF/HAC needs assessment in Pibor, area affected by recent flooding, has recommended two months food aid for 8,500 affected persons. The flooding was a result of more than two weeks of uninterrupted rainfall in Pibor Province. During the assessment, parts of Pibor town were still submerged and the river was overflowing its banks. Residents are facing a 25 percent food deficit.
E. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE - information as of 24 November
1.1 On 18 November, a commercial road convoy of 12 trucks contracted by WFP to transport 300 tons of commodities from Lobito to Huambo was ambushed on the road leading to Caala and Huambo. No casualties among drivers were reported and no food was looted. The convoy returned to Lobito. Security situation on roads on the Central Plateau does not allow yet for opening of road corridors. WFP is urging transporters to implement strict precautionary measures for road convoys in the Central and Malange corridors.
1.2 On 19 November, a mission composed of WFP, UCAH, UNICEF, MINARS and CARITAS went to Kaluquembe, province of Huila, to assess the relief needs of the population. According to the local authorities and CARITAS, the total number of IDPs in the municipality of Kaluquembe is now estimated at 35,000 persons from Huambo and Benguela. In view of the lack of access to food for newly arrived IDPs and vulnerable groups, WFP may resume food distribution to Kaluquembe.
1.3 Following monitoring activities of IDPs resettlement in alternative areas, a mission composed of WFP, MINARS, Humana People to People (ADPP), and Saved the Children Fund (SCF/US) visited the IDP camp of Njata (22 kilometres from Sumbe) where 1,451 IDPs have been resettled. WFP is assisting those IDPs with food aid and through food-for-work projects for the construction of schools, health centres, and houses.
1.4 Population movements due to fighting continue from Cangola to Negage, in the province of Uige, and its surroundings and it is estimated that they will continue as the population fears new attacks. Last week, 2,163 new IDPs coming from Cangola were assisted in Negage by the Danish Refugee Council. In Negage, an IDP camp is being rehabilitated by Jesuit Refugee Service, who will present its programme to WFP and request food-for-work for this purpose.
1.5 Air operations: during the week 15 - 20 November, WFP has delivered 1,200 tons of food and 410 tons of non food items by air. In the same period, WFP delivered approximately 2,180 tons of food commodities by road from Luanda to Dondo, N'Dalatando, Malange and Sumbe, and 600 tons from Lobito to Huambo. 326 tons were distributed by road in Luanda and Bengo Provinces.
1.6 It is essential that further shipments of maize, pulses, vegetable oil, salt, CSB and sugar reach Angola by the end of February 2000 to avoid a break in the pipeline after March 2000.
F. INDIA -ORISSA CYCLONE
1. ASSISTANCE TO CYCLONE-AFFECTED POPULATION
1.1 On 23 November the official death toll of the cyclone which hit the north-eastern coastal Indian state of Orissa on 29 October rose to 9803, most of them in Jagatsinghpur District (8119). Reports indicate that water levels have receded and that all areas are now accessible. The port of Paradip is now open and fully functional. The Prime Minister has created a task force headed by the Defense Minister to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts. To date, the Government of India has distributed approximately 79,000 tons of food material in the 12 worst affected districts. The Government has also allocated 217,540 tons of rice to be distributed as 20kg monthly family.
1.2 WFP continues to provide food assistance to victims of the cyclone. To date, through the expansion and acceleration of its ongoing development programmes, WFP delivered 210 tons of high energy biscuits to Bhubaneshwar, capital of Orissa. The biscuits have been distributed mostly through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme and a smaller quantity through the Indian Red Cross. A total of 1,120 tons of rice from the WFP development programme will be distributed through the Red Cross, CPSW and ACTIONAID.
1.3 Additionally, WFP has purchased 975 tons of Indiamix (locally produced blended food), to be distributed through ICDS. A shipment of 200 tons of vegetable oil is expected shortly in the port of Paradip. WFP acting as the lead agency in coordinating links between the UN and NGO efforts in New Delhi and in Orissa to assist the cyclone victims.
1.4 Germany has confirmed to WFP a pledge of some USD 1.1 million in support of the cyclone-affected population which will be used to purchase 1,249 tons of rice and 1,440 tons of pulses.
Note: all tonnage figures in report above refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 47 of 1999 - November 26, 1999)
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