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WFP Emergency Report No. 23 of 2004

Pays
Afghanistan
+ 29
Sources
WFP
Date de publication


This report includes:
(A) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: 1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran, (3) Iraq, (4) Russian Federation

(B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Sudan, (8) Uganda

(C) West Africa: 1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Liberia, (4) Sierra Leone, (5) Guinea

(D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Madagascar, (5) Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia, (8) Swaziland, (9) Zambia, (10) Zimbabwe

(E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea

(F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Regional, (2) Colombia, (3) Dominican Republic, (4) Ecuador, (5) Guatemala, (6) Haiti, (7) Nicaragua

From David Morton, Director of the Transport Preparedness and Response Division (OTP); available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page (www.wfp.org), or by e-mail from Carlo.Scaramella@wfp.org, Chief of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (OEP). For information on resources, donors are requested to contact Valerie.Sequeira@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone +39 06 6513 2009. Media queries should be directed to Brenda.Barton@wfp.org, telephone +39 06 6513 2602. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy.

A) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran, (3) Iraq, (4) Russian Federation

1) Afghanistan

(a) In the east, the government security chief of Jalal Abad was killed and two government security officers were injured in an explosion in Ningarhar province on 1 June. In the west, three foreign and two local aid workers of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), were killed in an attack in Badghis province on 2 June. Areas to which UN missions are suspended include: Kunar and Nuristan provinces in the east; Paktika province in the southeast; and Farah province in the west. The security situation remained relatively calm in other areas of the country.

(b) From 27 May to 2 June, some 534,435 beneficiaries received over 3,165 tons of food. WFP's in-stock food-balance in the country amounts to some 15,225 tons.

(c) In Hirat, the local government and WFP conducted a joint rapid monitoring and evaluation assessment on the drought situation in Ghor province, to oversee the sources and adequacy of irrigation and potable water and the crop cultivation and livestock status. A food market survey followed the assessment.

(d) As part of the government capacity building initiative, the food security, vulnerability assessment, project management, monitoring and evaluation training continued in Jalal Abad, with the participation of 22 officials from the Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

2) Iran

(a) On Friday 28 May, an earthquake measuring 5.5 on Richter scale jolted nine provinces in the north, northwestern and central part of Iran. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 69 km north of Tehran. As many as 150 aftershocks, including one of 4.4 on Richter scale, have been registered so far. WFP participated with UNFPA, OCHA, UNICEF and WHO in an assessment mission to the affected area.

(b) The Afghan repatriation figures for the month of May represent a total number of 52,595, out of which, 42,683 Afghan refugees repatriated under UNHCR assistance and 9,912 spontaneously. A total of 3,000 Afghan refugees are currently repatriating on a daily basis. In addition, a total number of 290 Iraqi refugees repatriated in May under UNHCR assistance from Iraqi refugee camps of Jahrom, Motahari, Ansar and Ahwaz.

(c) On 30 May, the jury committee composed of representatives of our counterparts, donors and artists gathered in WFP Country Office to select 5 paintings among 1321 received from in-camp refugee schoolgirls covered by WFP food assistance.

(d) The Joint WFP-UNHCR quarterly monitoring exercise for in-camped refugees, was completed in May. The results indicate that the total number of WFP beneficiaries is 41,000. According to a recommendation of the Household Food Economy Survey, WFP assistance under PRRO 10332.0, Food Assistance and Support to Education of Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran, will be extended to all Afghan refugees in camps as of the next round of distribution in June, which will increase the number of beneficiaries to around 45,000.

(e) Food distribution coordinated by WFP Zahedan for April and May for 7,336 beneficiaries (68.9% females) was completed in the first week of May for a total quantity of 193 tons of commodities. New registration of women and girls for spring semester is currently taking place.

(f) WFP conducted a one-week on-site monitoring of food distribution by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) to about 100,000 earthquake-affected people in Bam. At the end of the monitoring process, field staff concluded that delivery, handling and distribution of food commodities under EMOP IRN 10332.0, Food Assistance to Earthquake Victims in Bam, were more efficient than in the previous distribution. The distribution was a marked improvement in terms of food management, beneficiary access and beneficiaries' receptiveness towards food rations. Upon the completion of WFP food distribution by IRCS to residents of Bam in May, WFP sub-office in Bam will be closed.

(g) PRRO 10213 is fully resourced until end of 2004.

3) Iraq

(a) The humanitarian situation in Iraq seems to have improved somewhat during May. The situation in Falluja no longer appears to be critical. Similarly, information regarding populations' condition south of Baghdad does not indicate an increase in humanitarian needs. Most of the IDPs from Falluja returned home, where the April PDS distribution, delayed because of the ongoing fighting, was resumed on 3 May. There are reported to be between 100 and 300 IDP families remaining around Falluja. The majority of these had their houses destroyed during recent fighting. The CPA will reportedly provide financial support to those who have had their houses damaged.

(b) Due to intense fighting in Kerbala, Najaf, and Nassriya, part of the population has reportedly moved to other, safer areas. The displacement is following the same pattern as Falluja but the outflow is smaller. There are also reports of population movements from Baghdad to the northern governorates. Families move in with relatives for fear of attacks and child abductions. Most people in Najaf have prepared food and water reserves for fear of leaving their homes.

(c) WFP continues to coordinate activities with other UN agencies within the Country Team Strategic Framework for 2004. As lead agency for the Food Security Cluster, WFP participated in the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) meeting held in Doha, Qatar on 25 and 26 May, which was also attended by Iraqi ministries' officials, donors, the World Bank and other UN agencies. The Iraqi delegation, led by the Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, reassured the participants that the distribution of food to all Iraqis through the Public Distribution System (PDS) will continue for the time being. WFP renewed advocacy efforts for Ministry of Trade (MoT) to provide assistance to IDPs until registration in the PDS at location of displacement takes place. MoT reiterated the validity of previous agreements and is acting to speed up food assistance to this group. Emergency food and non-food items in and around Falluja, and in other locations according to perceived needs of ad-hoc IDPs and vulnerable families, has been provided by NGO's and local organizations.

(d) In March and April, an assessment carried out by Action Contre la Faim (ACF) of IDPs in Diyala indicates that access to food does not appear to be a major issue. All IDPs in Diyala are enrolled in the PDS and have access to fresh food (vegetables, eggs and dairy products) through selfproduction and local markets.

(e) May PDS distribution of the monthly food entitlement is almost concluded in most areas despite shortfalls. In more than half of the governorates stocks of pulses, rice and milk powder are insufficient to complete distribution. WFP national staff reported that the local authorities in Sulaymaniyah decided to postpone May distribution, with the exception of wheat flour, until stocks are replenished.

(f) UNHCR repatriation of Iraqis in the southern governorates, suspended since the beginning of April due to insecurity, resumed on 5 May. WFP facilitates the distribution of one-month rations to returnees upon arrival as well as their enrolment in the PDS. It also facilitates the registration of 'spontaneous' returnees to the PDS. Between June 2003 and May 2004 in Missan, Basra, Thi-Qar and Muthanna the number of spontaneous returnees enrolled in the PDS reached 151,744. According to MoT data, the number of spontaneous returnees reached over 29,000 in April and May of this year, despite insecurity in the region.

(g) The pilot school feeding project, targeting 105,000 students in seven centre/south governorates, was successfully concluded on 15 May, and a positive impact of the project was reported in Baghdad and Basra. WFP provided the National School Feeding Committee with guidelines to assess pilot school-feeding activities. Findings of Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Education (MoE) data collection in 5 percent of the schools where the project has been implemented, are now being analyzed. MoE and MoH intend to organize a workshop in June/July where findings will be reviewed and lessons learned compiled. Best practices arising from the pilot programme will be used to improve school feeding activities next year.

(h) Within the framework of the pilot school feeding activities, WFP organized a study tour to Egypt and Chile for MoE and MoH officials who discussed the possible application in Iraq of the lessons learned during the tour, including variety of food provided; privatization and outsourcing of food procurement and distribution; and employment creation through school feeding.

(i) As at 31 May, dispatches into Iraq out of 1.6 million tons of WFP procured commodities and items sourced through Oil-for-Food contracts, renegotiated by WFP, reached 240,000 tons. Representatives of WFP met with of CPA and MoT officials to review the allocation plan of commodities, and logistical and security issues. Capacity building initiatives for MoT staff devised by the PDS support initiative are ongoing.

4) Russian Federation

(a) The security situation remained extremely tense, following the assassination of the Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov and increased insecurity in South Ossetia. Special operations by the Russian Interior Ministry took place in Chechnya and Ingushetia during the second half of May, resulting in the destruction of numerous illegal armed groups, rebel camps, and mine caches.

(b) According to Danish Refugee Council (DRC), as of 31 May there were 54,622 registered Chechen IDPs living in Ingushetia: 1,038 in the camp "Satsita", 24,366 in spontaneous settlements and 29,218 in private accommodations. According to UNHCR, 1,411 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returned to Chechnya from Ingushetia during the second fortnight of May. Of these returns, 1,264 were organized by the Chechen Migrants' Committee (CMC) and 147 were spontaneous.

(c) During the period of 15 to 31 May, about 111,000 vulnerable persons received nearly 950 tons of WFP supplied food aid through relief distribution. WFP implementing partners distributed about 400 tons to 33,000 Chechen IDPs in Ingushetia and nearly 600 tons to 78,400 'very poor' and 'poor' household members in Grozny city, Grozny Rural, Achkoi-Martan and Sunzha districts of Chechnya.

(d) WFP implementing partners were running the School Feeding programme in May, providing hot meals to 338 pre- and primary schools, involving over 77,000 children in both republics. The pre-school feeding programme will be continued through the summer.

(e) During the second fortnight of May, almost 4,000 participants (representing 20,000 beneficiaries) received food payment (400 tons) for work completed in April through the food-for-work (FFW) programme. FFW activities were continued by WFP implementing partners in Grozny city, Grozny rural, Achkhoi-Martan and Shali regions. In the second half of May, WFP's FFW programme expanded to Gudermes, Urus-Martan and Sunzha districts of Chechnya and Nazran and Malgobek districts of Ingushetia. The pilot projects in Chechnya, mainly enhancing better environmental practices, are implemented by local NGO CPHC (Center for Prevention of Humanitarian Catastrophes) and in Ingushetia - by Vozrozhdenie (Revival).

(f) On 24 May a WFP mission was undertaken to Grozny city and Grozny Rural district with participation of the CBC (Canadian TV company), during which SF and FFW projects were visited.

B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Sudan, (8) Uganda

1) Burundi

(a) The fighting between the national army and the Front for National Liberation (FNL) in Bujumbura Rural continued last week and both forces used heavy weaponry (including mortars).

(b) On Monday 31 May, a WFP/FAO/UNICEF-Ministry of Agriculture Joint Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission started. The mission will be conducted countrywide and determine the food availability and the nutritional situation of the population. The mission is expected to be completed in mid June. The results of the mission will assist WFP in reviewing the planned number of beneficiaries and readjusting the food requirements.

(c) WFP conducted a rapid assessment in Bunyerere in Cankuzo province after a fire incident had destroyed some makeshift huts hosting displaced persons. The report indicated that 266 families lost all their belongings in the fire and were in urgent need for food aid. WFP plans an emergency distribution in that site and will continue to monitor their situation.

(d) From 24 to 30 May 2004, WFP distributed a total of some 2,050 tons of food aid to over 181,565 beneficiaries through different programme activities. This includes more than 125,000 beneficiaries that benefited from targeted distributions in Mwaro, Muyinga, Rutana, Bujumbura Rural provinces and Bujumbura Mairie. Most of the distributions were conducted without pulses due to a shortfall. Several distributions planned in Gitega province for 29,550 persons were postponed due to targeting problems. These distributions have been put on hold until WFP and CARE review the targeting process.

2) DR Congo

(a) Following approximately three hours of fighting between Government troops and dissident soldiers on early Wednesday morning 2 June, the town of Bukavu became under the control of the dissident soldiers and their rebel commander, Mr. Nkunda. In the meantime the situation in Bukavu has calmed down, but there is high tension among the population. Physical aggressions of the civil population and general looting are occurring in Bukavu. The civil population has attempted to loot the WFP warehouse, but the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) soldiers prevented the looting and requested subsequently the soldiers on site to protect the WFP warehouse. However, 20 barges loaded with 270 tons of WFP food were looted at Bukavu port, which is located in the proximity of the WFP warehouse.

(b) In Kisangani, students were rioting last Wednesday afternoon and MONUC's recreation centre was burnt. The students attempted to burn also the WFP/OCHA/Field Security Office (FSO) premises, but the FSO police chased out the intruders before they could achieve their objective. UNOPS premises have been completely looted and the demonstrating students burnt its three vehicles.

(c) Reports also indicate that there is a kind of effervescence in Kalemie that could likely turn into violence. In Goma, the situation also remained tense. In Kinshasa, there was a fierce demonstration by students on Wednesday afternoon, targeting mainly MONUC premises and cars. The same demonstrators also attacked government premises such as the Office of the Vice-President in charge of Defence and Security, as well as the office of the President of the RCD (Congolese Rally for Democracy) political party.

3) Eritrea

(a) Following the incident on the evening of 25 May 2004, when a bomb exploded in the centre of Barentu, Gash Barka region, the UN Country Team (UNCT) imposed a travel ban on the entire region. After consultations between the UNCT and the Government, this travel ban has been lifted at the beginning of the week. Enforced security measures remain in effect. Originally, WFP had planned to host a workshop to fine-tune its targeting and beneficiary selection criteria on 2 and 3 June 2004 in Barentu, Gash Barka; however, due to the above mentioned bomb explosion the workshop had to be postponed.

(b) All WFP sub offices report a lack of rain during the reporting period. Water is becoming scarce all over the country, and in some areas, (Northern and Southern Red Sea and Gash Barka) people have started migrating in search of alternative water points and grazing lands for their animals. Farmers have already ploughed and prepared the land in expectation of the rainy season that is supposed to start in June and July depending on the region.

(c) The draft proposal for Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10261.01, Emergency Food Assistance to Victims of Crop Failure due to Drought will shortly be presented to WFP's Executive Director for approval.

4) Ethiopia

(a) WFP has been providing emergency food assistance to persons displaced by the Ethiopia-Eritrea border conflict since April 1999. While most internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their areas of origin after the Ethiopia-Eritrea Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in June 2000 and subsequent Peace Agreement in December 2000, 62,000 IDPs remain in need of relief food assistance. These people were unable to rebuild their livelihoods due to the proximity of their homes to the border, or the presence of landmines. War-displaced IDPs are now included in Employment Generation Schemes (EGS i.e., food-for-work) for their food entitlements. Hence, relief food distribution to the IDPs is linked to community development activities in Tigray Region.

(b) An IDP Policy Forum was hosted by OCHA, the government's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), and the IOM. The forum considered guiding principles on internal displacement and follows the Khartoum Declaration from the Ministerial Conference on IDPs in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD sub-region in September 2003.

(c) WFP's gross requirements for the current phase of its EMOP (May 2004 - January 2005) are 9,700 tons, valued at USD 3 million, and further donor contributions are urgently needed to avoid food pipeline breaks for the IDPs.

5) Kenya

(a) Cumulative rainfall for the 2004 long rains has been well below average to date in drought-prone coastal districts, in some marginal agricultural areas of Eastern Province and in agro-pastoral areas of Narok and Kajiado. The urgent resumption of rains will be crucial for these areas to avoid imminent crop failure. For many parts of the Coastal and Eastern Provinces, this represents the third very poor season in a row.

(b) WFP has prepared a contingency plan for the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) for drought in Kenya, considering only the worst-case scenario in the coming months. In the worst case scenario, rains will subside earlier than normal causing acute food insecurity to emerge in several pastoral and agro-pastoral Districts, particularly Garissa, Samburu, Mandera and parts of Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta. Furthermore, the situation will continue to aggravate in Turkana, Marsabit, and parts of Kajiado, Narok and Isiolo.

(c) Nearly 1.3 million people would be in need of assistance under this scenario, though timely mitigation interventions could reduce the needs for emergency food aid. Assistance would be needed until end 2004 or beyond depending on the short rains performance. There would be a need for extensive imports of food aid commodities, and donor cash contributions.

(d) WFP and NGO implementing partners are currently conducting a two-week impact evaluation survey of the HIV/AIDS project in Busia District of Western Kenya. Under the project, which was launched in October 2003, food insecure, mainly child-headed or grandparents-headed, households that have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, are provided with monthly food rations.

(e) Together with the Ministry of Education, WFP is undertaking a feasibility study for implementing school feeding in Nairobi's worst slums. The study includes a comprehensive survey of school cooking facilities and capacity, in expectation of a private donation that will allow School Feeding Programme coverage of most of these areas.

6) Rwanda

(a) As a result of clashes in Bukavu, South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to UNHCR as at 2 June, Cyangugu province has received an influx of some 2,715 Congolese refugees. Food assistance, comprised of around 10 tons of assorted items and BP biscuits, is provided to over 2,160 refugees in Nyagatare transit centre, Cyangugu Province. WFP in Butare is currently issuing ration cards.

(b) The harvest season is likely to be below normal in the areas that were planted late due to erratic rains or lack of planting materials; these areas are drought-affected districts of Bugesera region, Butare provinces, Gikongoro, Mirenge and Rusumo districts. The joint Crop and Food Assessment mission will provide official confirmation of total production and deficits in mid June. WFP will continue to monitor the situation closely, while simultaneously implementing accelerated FFW, school feeding and HIV/AIDS projects.

7) Sudan

(a) The Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) signed three protocols in the Kenyan town of Naivasha on 26 May. The protocols included issues on power sharing and the administration of three disputed regions - Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile and Abyie. Both parties are left with only technical and military aspects of a cease-fire to achieve a comprehensive peace accord, hopefully by mid-July. It is expected that the 26 May agreement will have a positive spill over effect on the Darfur crisis. The UN-Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan hailed the peace accord and described it as "a major step forward." Referring to the Darfur crisis, he called on Khartoum and the armed opposition in Darfur to "seize the momentum created in Naivasha to reach a political solution in western Sudan, putting an end to the grave humanitarian and human rights situations there."

(b) Since January 2004, WFP has distributed some 26,519 tons of assorted food commodities to 792,890 war-affected beneficiaries in Darfur. Food distribution was undertaken as follows: 10,179 tons to 361,807 beneficiaries in West Darfur, 13,703 tons to 315,775 beneficiaries in North Darfur and 2,637 tons to 115,308 beneficiaries in South Darfur. In May, a total of 9,710 tons of food commodities was distributed to 577,575 beneficiaries.

8) Uganda

(a) The humanitarian situation in northern Uganda has reached alarming levels. Regular Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel attacks on civilians occur almost daily, following the massacres in Pagak and Lokudi IDP camps in Gulu district in recent weeks. Bobi sub-county, in Gulu district, has experienced increased frequency of attacks following the withdrawal of the military from three detachments, resulting in spontaneous movement/displacement of people from neighbouring villages into what appears to be an unrecognised camp. In response, WFP together with UNICEF, UN OCHA, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), district authorities and the military visited the area on 29 May to establish the humanitarian situation of the affected people. Preliminary findings indicate that over 400 households have moved into the Bobi camp during the past week and the total population of the new arrivals is estimated at 700 households. The situation has not caused major disruption in the affected people's livelihood and delivery of social services. Schools and health units still open normally, though the displaced are in urgent need of tarpaulins for roofing their newly constructed huts. Food is not yet a priority at this stage since most people are able to access their abandoned homes and fields to harvest potatoes and cassava, albeit at the risk of being abducted or killed by the rebels and against restrictions imposed by the military.

(b) WFP food distribution continues to reach over 1.6 million displaced persons, 148,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the period 22 to 28 May, some 3,260 tons of WFP relief food assistance reached 267,580 persons including IDPs sheltering in camps in Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira districts in the northern Acholi and Lango sub-regions, refugees and vulnerable persons. Owing to inadequate cereals available for distribution, only two camps in Gulu district were reached under General Food Distribution.

(c) The heightened insecurity and increasing daily food needs of in excess of 1.6 million displaced persons have resulted in a serious pipeline shortfall. WFP faces a serious shortfall of 103,886 tons of cereals, pulses, CSB and vegetable oil (79,388 tons cereals, 15,722 tons pulses, 7,868 tons CSB and 908 tons vegetable oil) from May through December. A pipeline break in fortified blended food is anticipated for the same period.

(d) In order to continue assisting the massive numbers of people in need of food aid in seven districts of northern and northeastern Uganda (Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido) through December this year, WFP urgently requires contributions of USD 55 million.

C) West Africa Region: (1) Chad, (2) Cote d'Ivoire, (3) Liberia, (4) Sierra Leone, (5) Guinea

1) Chad

(a) The last week of May showed continued instability in Darfur and refugees continuing to cross the border. In the east, an incursion of Janjaweed has been registered in the southern part of the border. UNHCR estimates that more than 76,700 refugees are scattered along the border from Bahai in the north to Tissi in the south.

(b) UNHCR and National Agency of Registration and Reinsertion of Refugees (CNAR) carried out a new registration in the border area, indicating a decrease in the number of refugees originally anticipated from 179,000 to 158,065. At present, registered refugees number 72,390 and 8,890 refugees are awaiting registration bringing the total to 81,280 refugees. There are indications of an increase in the number of malnourished children in the camps which requires further investigation. With regard to camp security, UNHCR is in consultation with CNAR to finalize an agreement with the Chadian Government.

(c) Upon request from UNHCR, WFP under EMOP 10327.0, Emergency Assistance to Sudanese Refugees in Eastern Chad, is distributing food to some 25,000 beneficiaries scattered along the border on "wadi beds" for a 15 day period. These settlements near Bahai and Cariari are precarious as such areas will soon become through-fares for heavy rain flows.

(d) Access to water and tensions with the host community has hampered the identification of camp sites. Lack of water continues to be problematic in the existing camps, with UNHCR supplying the minimum of six litres per day to refugees compared to the recommended daily intake of 20 litres. Despite concerns cited by WFP, a new camp, Djabal, has been opened in the south. For WFP opening additional camps in the south poses the difficulty of positioning the necessary food stocks prior to the upcoming rainy season, which is only days away, as indicated first rains that have already hit south-eastern Chad.

(e) In spite of the circumstances, WFP in response has erected two wickhalls and started pre-positioning with the food stocks available. WFP faces the challenge to position buffer stock in the various extended delivery points (EDPs) that amounts to more than 13,115 tons. As of 30 May, over 6,765 tons had been pre-positioned. WFP has requested UNHCR to reconsider adjusting the camp caseload to match food stocks that will be available and avoid nutritional problems in the future. At present, the total approximate camp caseload in Chad amounts to 81,280.

(f) The Chadian government has established a high level Steering Committee comprised of donors, heads of agencies, Ministers and others, for the national coordination of refugee assistance programmes. (Upon the request of the Government, this UNHCR chaired Steering Committee will be referred to as the Coordination Committee).

(g) A three-person team from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] is in Abéché to participate in a nutrition and mortality survey for eastern Chad. Participating agencies include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, Chadian Minister of Health, and local and international NGOs. The survey will cover refugees at the camps and along the border, as well as adjacent local populations. The data will be used to make recommendations to international agencies to improve the health situation in the region. The survey, which is expected to last until June 22, will also include data on global mortality rates and mortality rates among children from 6 months to 5 years old. Meanwhile, WFP is awaiting a proposal from IRC to start a Supplementary Feeding Center in Bahai where the agency raised nutritional concerns

(h) WFP will establish a fleet of 10 DAF trucks for the month of June. The trucks have a loading capacity of 5 tons and should improve food distribution for the operation. According to the current figures from UNHCR there will be a need for 10 additional rubb halls for a total of 34 in the region.

(i) A budget revision has been submitted for approval, in order to increase commodities and beneficiaries.

2) Cote d'Ivoire

(a) The security situation in Guiglo remained tense, due to protests of the Jeunes Patriotes, an unofficial militia loyal to President Gbagbo. The Jeunes Patriotes have stated they will stop their demonstrations and roadblocks only on the condition that the French troops leave the area by 9 June.

(b) From 26 May to 1 June, approximately 370 metric tons of various food commodities were distributed to more than 27,000 people.

(c) From 1 to 3 June, WFP hosted a regional strategic meeting in Abidjan which included WFP, implementing partners (including UNHCR, FAO, Oxfam, ACF) and donors from the region, to discuss recent assessments and planning for 2005-2006 programmes.

3) Liberia

(a) The DDRR process continued smoothly at the disarmament sites, and during the reporting period about 2,000 combatants were disarmed. This brings the total number of disarmed and demobilized people in the last 46 days to some 19,790.

(b) From 25 May to 1 June, WFP provided more than 32,670 internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees with 406 tons of commodities through general food distributions. WFP also distributed High Energy Biscuits to 323 Liberian returnees who were flown into the country by UNHCR after being rescued from a broken-down ship off the shores of the Ivory Coast.

(c) The food pipeline is facing critical shortages and as a consequence, WFP is now forced to start distributing reduced rations. In the General Food Distribution, cereals were reduced by 24%, Pulses by 50%, CSB by 20% and Oil by 17%. For "Food to support Local Initiative" activities, cereals were reduced by 25% and Pulses by 25%. In School Feeding distributions, cereals reduced by 17% and Pulses by 17%.

(d) With improved security in Bong country, WFP has enrolled 87 schools with 44,000 school children to the feeding programme. Over 100 schools out of 293 in the county have resumed education activities in the past two months, since the end of the civil war last year. The overall caseload for the School Feeding programme currently stands at 330,000 beneficiaries.

(e) WFP carried out a joint assessment mission in Zwedru. The mission found that there is need for food assistance, particularly in certain rural areas of the Grand Gedeh County. As a first response, WFP plans to assist urban communities of Zwedru with sanitation Food for Work activities while rural communities will benefit from the planned rehabilitation of 190 km of road.

(f) As a consequence of the before mentioned shortages, new contributions are urgently needed to prevent complete pipeline breaks.

4) Sierra Leone

(a) Local government elections proceeded smoothly with no incidents of violence, and the general security situation within the country remained calm.

(b) From 17 to 30 May, WFP distributed 760 tons of assorted food commodities to 144,000 beneficiaries. This included more than 118,000 children who are participating in school feeding programmes.

(c) The food pipeline is facing serious shortages of several commodities. Pulses and oil will run out in August and October, respectively, unless new contributions are confirmed soon.

5) Guinea

(a) From 17 to 31 May, WFP distributed 1,281 tons of assorted food commodities to 68,000 beneficiaries.

(b) Verification exercises led by UNHCR and done in cooperation with WFP were conducted during this period, and initial revised refugee figures in the seven refugee camps in Guinea have been lowered to 69,000 (from the previous level of 108,000). A final revised figure should be confirmed soon.

(c) On 21 May, UNHCR and WFP presented their joint strategy for the 2005-06 programmes to partners and donors.

(d) Following the transfer of some commodities from Guinea to Liberia (in an effort to prevent pipeline breaks in Liberia), the pipeline in Guinea is now only secure through October. Additional contributions are urgently needed to prevent this break from happening.

D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Madagascar, (5) Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia, (8) Swaziland, (9) Zambia, (10) Zimbabwe

1) Regional

(a) In southern Africa, joint FAO and WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Missions (CFSAM) have been completed in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Delayed, inadequate and erratic rains characterized the first half of the 2003/04 growing season, according to the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture publication "Foodcrops and Shortages Report", released on 31 May. "As of May 2004, the number of countries facing serious food shortages throughout the world stands at 35 with 24 in Africa" Seven of the 24 African countries are in southern Africa : Angola, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zambia. The report blames civil conflict, adverse weather, particularly drought for much of the food shortages, but adds: "In many of these countries, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major contributing factor." While the crop prospects improved with more favorable rainfall in the second half of the season, the report noted that the rain was so intense in parts of Zambia and Angola that many rivers overflowed causing serious flooding in western Zambia and in downstream parts of Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

2) Angola

(a) In the western Benguela province, the United Nations Field Security Office (UNFSO) assessed the road from Bocoio to Chila (68 km) last week. As soon as the road is open, WFP will be able to assess the food security situation of more than 9, 000 returnees, who have not received any assistance since November 2003. In the central Huambo province, a WFP re-verification exercise found that in Tchicala-Tcholoanga, Samboto districts about 38,500 persons out of 40,000 need food.

(b) The forced repatriation of Congolese nationals by the Angolan Government in Malanje province, south of the capital Luanda, has left approximately 7,000 returnees vulnerable to food insecurity. The municipality administration approached WFP for urgent food assistance. However, unless the road and bridges are repaired, access to returnees may be extremely difficult, especially during the rainy season.

(c) The latest Vulnerability Assessment in Massango municipality indicates that about 11,000 returnees are increasingly at risk of mortality at Kihuhu and Kinguegue localities, due to food insecurity. Food assistance needs to be urgently provided. Ministry of Health, Ministry of Assistance and Social Re-integration, Association De Unificacao De Familias Angolanas (AUFA) and World Health Organization reported that more than 25 people have already died as a result of eating poisonous tubers containing high concentration of cyanide.

(d) WFP Food distributions activities under the PRRO 10054 "Food Assistance to War Affected People" will be interrupted by a major cereal shortfall in June and a break from July onwards. Returnees' caseload in May has been reduced to some 18,000 beneficiaries. Donors are encouraged to urgently contribute funds for targeted nutritional supplements for the displaced and vulnerable population groups facing food insecurity.

3) Lesotho

(a) The preliminary results of a mid-season assessment by FAO and WFP in February-March indicated that maize, wheat and sorghum production this year is expected to be only about 41 000 tons, down by more than half from the already reduced harvest of 2003.

(b) From 24 to 28 May, WFP and implementing partners distributed about 1,200 tons of food to some 22,000 households. The supplementary feeding programme assisted around 4,000 children under 5, some 300 pregnant and nursing mothers, 2,500 HIV/AIDS and TB patients, about 12,400 households under Vulnerable Group Feeding, 2,000 orphans and nearly 300 households targeted for FFW activities.

4) Madagascar

(a) In the markets of Southern Madagascar, the prices of rice and maize are increasing and farmers complain that their purchasing power is steadily being eroded. Preliminary reports from the EU-funded Early Warning System indicate that some 2,000 tonnes of food aid will be needed to assist some 74,000 people during the September 2004-April 2005 lean period.

(b) The report from the Early Warning System also indicates Tsihombe to be food insecure for a second year. The intensive nutritional care center (CRENI), reported several cases of severely malnourished children.

(c) Urgent resources for EMOP 10236.0, Assistance to Victims of 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 Cyclones and Drought in Madagascar are required.

5) Malawi

(a) The newly elected Malawi President, Bingu Wa Mutharika held a meeting with donors and UN agencies in which he highlighted some of his government's priorities. He indicated that he will put special emphasis on promoting transparency, reducing cabinet, and on eradicating food insecurity in Malawi among other priorities.

(b) The National Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) and the FAO/WFP CFSAM completed their fieldwork in May and are finalizing their reports. The preliminary findings indicate that the harvest of maize, the country's staple food crop, will be around 1.7 million tons or about 15 percent below the previous year's harvest.

(c) Urgent resources are required to avoid a pipeline break of vegetable oil anticipated from July onwards.

6) Mozambique

(a) Donor representatives from the German Government visited WFP activities targeted at People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), orphans and vulnerable children as well as school feeding projects in Sofala province. WFP continues to seek the support from donors and humanitarian organizations to feed vulnerable and food insecure population groups.

7) Namibia

(a) The ruling party, South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) congress nominated Mr. Pohamba, Namibia's Minister of Land and Resettlement, for the presidential election in November this year.

(b) About 13,500 refugees in Osire camp and 410 refugees in Kassava transit camp were provided WFP food during the month of May. The refugees were provided with full rations (based on 2,100 kcal per person per day).

(c) Recent multilateral contributions have been programmed for the procurement of 726 tons of assorted commodities for Namibia's EMOP, Food Assistance to Angolan Refugees in Namibia. These quantities will enable the programme to continue providing food assistance for the 14,000 refugees for the period of June to August of this year. However, there is an urgent need to mobilize resources to continue provision of food for orphans and vulnerable children and for the refugees until they are repatriated. Donor support to the UN appeal for USD 5.8 million to assist over 600,000 vulnerable people has not yet materialized.

8) Swaziland

(a) According to preliminary findings of the FAO/WFP/Government rapid assessment in February, maize production is estimated at 64,000 to 86,000 tons, or 13 to 35 percent below the five year average production level. The 2003/04 rainfall was below average in the lowveld and the dry midveld areas. This resulted in lack of sufficient forage for livestock causing livestock deaths and further impoverishing communities in the drier areas of the country.

(b) The joint FAO/WFP CFSAM is currently assessing the food supply situation and prospects for 2004/05. Preliminary findings of the VAC indicate a food aid requirement of 20,000 to 25,000 tons during the coming 12 months.

(c) A South African Airways in-flight magazine "SAWUBONA" journalist, visited WFP supported school feeding programmes and food distribution points in the Lowveld for a story to be published in the magazine.

9) Zambia

(a) The VAC 2004 rapid assessment in the flood-affected areas of Northwestern and Western provinces has been finalized. The findings indicate food needs in the magnitude of about 9,500 tons of cereals to feed the estimated 39,000 households who have been affected by the floods. The results from the ongoing crop assessment conducted by Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives are however yet to confirm this figure.

(b) WFP is currently feeding at least 22,700 schoolchildren in 61 schools in five districts in Southern and Eastern Provinces under the pilot School Feeding programme, which started in July 2003. By providing a daily ration of micronutrient rich porridge (CSB) to primary school children attending classes, the programme aims at increasing enrolment and attendance, preventing drop out, improving the attention span, at contributing to the nutrient intakes of the school children and at stimulating parents' participation in education. The programme is carried out in close collaboration with UNICEF who provides the non-food items.

10) Zimbabwe

(a) Workers displaced from two of the country's largest estates in the eastern parts of the country are becoming increasingly vulnerable to food insecurity. WFP and cooperating NGO field reports reveal that the displaced families have started to sell assets such as household goods and livestock. The government recently took over the two farms, which employed more than 5,000 workers. War veterans have made threats about 'foreigners' traveling to the area and have warned NGO staff to keep away from the area.

(b) Report writing and analysis of the Zimbabwe VAC findings is being finalized. The first draft is expected for next week.

(c) WFP in collaboration with partner NGO, AFRICARE has completed the first distribution cycle of the "Nutrition on Wheels" Home Based Care Programme in Mutasa district of Manicaland Province. Under the initiative, volunteers use bicycles to deliver food rations to HIV/AIDS affected households. More than 9,000 beneficiaries are receiving food under the intervention.

E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea

1) DPR Korea

(a) All 18 Local Food Production factories operated from 29 May to 4 June. Total production in May was almost 5,500 tons, which is over 90 percent of the planned output.

(b) A WFP sponsored study tour mission with three senior DPRK Government officials is currently in Indonesia to visit FFW projects (manly in urban areas) and the country's Public Food Distribution System.

(c) Due to further delays in the arrival of wheat under EMOP 10141.02, more than two million beneficiaries, including pregnant/nursing women and children in kindergartens and primary schools on the west, will go without WFP cereals in June and July. The situation will temporarily improve in August, however, by October distribution cuts will affect 6 million people receiving WFP food. Unless additional contributions are pledged immediately, by November, cereal distributions to all beneficiaries and Food-for-Work programmes for the fall season will have to be suspended. New pledges of about 175,400 tons are required for the coming 6 months (i.e. June - November 2004).

F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Regional, (2) Colombia, (3) Dominican Republic, (4) Ecuador, (5) Guatemala, (6) Haiti, (7) Nicaragua

1) Regional

(a) The situation in the Hispaniola Islands continues to be of greater concern following weeks of heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides. People are still threatened as rains continue to fall. According to Haitian Civil Protection Department and OCHA, the death toll is of 1,069 people, and 1,606 are still missing, from which 1,500 in Mapou town. Mapou is still submerged. In Dominican Republic, according to a National Emergency Commission-COE report, the floods have killed 413 people, from which 392 in Jimani town, the worst hit area. It has been also reported that 275 are still missing. Some 5.930 families have been affected and another 1,600 families are without shelter. It is estimated that over 9,000 hectares of agriculture production was lost.

(b) UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination) teams are coordinating joint efforts, consolidating information, working closely with other agencies on the ground. WFP is participating in assessment missions and coordinating meetings that are continuing tacking place in both affected countries to determine the damages and assistance required.

2) Colombia

(a) New displacements have been reported in rural areas of Lebrija, province of Santander, where at least 10 families have fled their homes due to clashes between different armed groups in the area. WFP Colombia develops implementation activities in this province and is awaiting more information about this issue in order to coordinate food aid delivery if required.

(b) In the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by Violence, from 24 to 30 May, WFP distributed some 305 tons of food to about 15,940 beneficiaries in 6 provinces.

3) Dominican Republic

(a) The areas worst affected by the floods caused by heavy rains that hit Hispaniola Islands are the South, Northwest, and Northeast. The yellow alert is still in-force from Hatillo to the Samana Bay (East), the Northwest region as well as the border area. A Presidential Decree was approved on 26 May declaring the Municipality of Jimaní in emergency state.

(b) Regular meetings are tacking place with UNDAC teams, ECHO and World Vision. On 26 May, WFP participated in a rapid assessment mission with UNICEF, PAHO/WHO and UNDP. WFP recommended providing assistance in warehouse management, reception and distribution of goods and commodities. On 27 and 28 May, WFP carried out a rapid logistic assessment in Jimaní to identify the support required by the Dominican Government within the UNDAC framework related to warehouse management and other related logistics services. WFP is deploying a logistics officer to improve the logistics support by providing technical guidance, surveying the situation, and gather the views of the central players on coordination of humanitarian response.

(c) As a result of the assessments, WFP distributed 10 tons of commodities to the affected population using commodities available under the school feeding programme. The school-feeding programme has continued to distribute food to 75,292 children in 645 mostly rural and remote schools in eight of the poorest provinces along the border with Haiti.

4) Ecuador

(a) Floods continue in the northern coast of Esmeralda Province and in the Amazon Region, in Napo and Sucumbíos provinces. The floods have affected the infrastructure and main roads. The number of families affected continues to increase. Families in the provinces of Napo and Esmeraldas are totally isolated, lost their assets and property, and have limited access to food. The National Civil Defense reported that the water system in Napo is in poor conditions due to several landslides.

(b) The interagency emergency team (UNETE), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Civil Defense will assess the impact of floods in communities and crop fields to provide required assistance in affected areas.

5) Guatemala

(a) The rainy season has started causing floods in some areas of the capital. A contingency plan has been prepared by the National Coordinating Committee for Disaster Reduction (CONRED). WFP is holding meetings with CONRED within the context of the collaboration agreement signed in 2001 and the PRRO 10212 so as to ensure an immediate response should the need arise.

(b) WFP assistance through the PRRO 10212, Targeted Food Assistance for Persons Affected by Shocks and the Recovery of Livelihoods" reached more than 15,000 children under 5 years of age with acute malnutrition. A total of 1,330 metric tons of commodities were delivered in three different regions of the country during last week.

(c) A total of 346 tons of maize, beans, CSB and vegetable oil were distributed to some 6,020 families (30,110 beneficiaries) in the municipalities of Jocotán, Camotán, and Olopa, province of Chiquimula, under the recovery component of the PRRO 10212.

6) Haiti

(a) Helicopters of the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) have airlifted 60 tons of WFP food assistance for some 15,000 beneficiaries in Haiti. On 3 June, a first convoy of 11 WFP trucks distributed food and non-food items.

(b) The flood affected population in Haiti is being assisted under the EMOP, initially planned to target vulnerable population affected by political and civil unrest. Since May 27, WFP has been distributing a total of 60.77 tons of food to 14,885 beneficiaries in Fonds Verrettes and Mapou, the two most affected villages. The emergency rations for one week include locally-made fortified biscuits, rice, cereal flour (wheat-soya blend) and vegetable oil. Stocks in country are adequate to address the emergency.

(c) Food assessment missions continue to be organized to identify villages, many in remote locations, in need of relief assistance. On May 30, an assessment mission by helicopter to the affected area, composed of a WFP consultant and NGO representatives, recommended the provision of relief food aid to the villages of Bodari (2,700 people) and Cibaou (2,000 people).

(d) The security environment in Haiti remains uncertain and volatile. There is an increase in the number of crimes reported, such as armed robbery and kidnapping. On 27 May armed men assaulted the house of a UNV in Fort Liberté .

(e) Support to WFP's EMOP is urgently required as there is still a shortfall of 56.4 percent on the current operation.

7) Nicaragua

(a) Food distributions under the PRRO 10212.0 continue. Currently, a total of some 67,465 school children are being assisted in the RAAN and more than 12,000 school children in the municipality of Matagalpa. In addition, over 10,025 vulnerable children under 2 years of age, 8,729 expectant and nursing women and 2,000 poor rural families are also being assisted in the northern region of the country.

(b) PRRO 10212.0 will face shortfalls for the next six months, beginning in May, of beans (413 tons) and rice (556 tons), in July of CSB (881 tons) and in August of Vegetable Oil (190 tons). If no commodities are announced in the coming months or those that are announced will arrive late, PRRO will face serious pipeline breaks.

(c) School Feeding Basic and Supplementary Activities of the Country Programme are also facing serious shortfalls for the next six months. A total of 728 tons of rice, 941 tons of maize, 919 tons of beans, 376 tons of Vegetable Oil and 1,181 tons of CSB are urgently needed.

Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons

(END WFP Emergency report No. 23, 2004)