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Hunger's global hotspots: 24 Sep 2008

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Cuba
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WFP
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Rome, 24 September 2008 - Facts, figures and the lastest updates from WFP's high profile emergencies.

Cuba

- In the framework of IRA EMOP 10776.0 an airlift paid by AECID (Spanish Cooperation Agency) carrying 13.9 mt of canned fish from Dominican Republic and another airlift paid by the Ecuadorian Government carrying 9.996 mt canned fish from Ecuador arrived in Havana last week. Up to now, 77.6 mt of HEB and canned fish have been received to be delivered to Isla de la Juventud where people are still unable to prepare their own food.

- WFP is taking action to release to the Country Office the funds already approved by CERF for the provision of storage and food distribution to people in Isla de la Juventud and in the most affected municipalities of Pinar del Rio for a total amount of US$703,197.

- A second CERF application, including a proposal for food assistance by WFP, is being prepared in response to the damages inflicted by Hurricane Ike.

- WFP Cuba is also preparing an EMOP covering people affected by both hurricanes. This will be part of the interagency effort to mobilize additional funds through a Plan of Action to respond to the emergency situation in the country.

DRC

- Severe pipeline breaks, prioritization and ration cuts continue for some beneficiaries and activities.

- 130 mt of WFP food transported by a local partner have arrived in Befale territory, Equateur province to implement nutritional activities. This is the first time WFP food arrives in this area due to the problems of access. Befale territory is one of the 2008 Humanitarian Action Plans top priorities.

- The national railway society (SNCC) staff strike (in eastern and southern provinces including Katanga, Maniema and South Kivu) has ended. In Katanga, a 14-wagon humanitarian train left Lubumbashi to Nyunzu, Kongolo and Kabalo with 480 mt of Food for the Hungry International food and 80 mt of INGO "Solidarités" building materials.

Ethiopia

- The Government confirmed last week that some 6.4 million people will be in need of relief assistance for the coming months. This includes nearly two million people in Somali region. Considering those assisted through the Safety Net Programme, more than 12 million Ethiopians are affected by drought and impact of high food and fuel prices.

Kenya

- With the continued deteriorating situation in Somalia, UNHCR has reported an increase in the number of new arrivals to 5,000 persons in August up from the previous average rate of 4,000 per month early in the year. The population has increased by 24 percent since January 2008

- Discussions are underway between the UN agencies, government and local leaders on establishing a new camp in Dadaab. The current refugee population in Dadaab (213,000) in the three camps has over stretched the available facilities.

- WFP has consulted widely with the government, donors and NGOs on modalities of transition from relief to recovery given the new government structures. PRRO-Recovery document is being drafted.

Zimbabwe

- The two main political parties reached an agreement for establishing a National Unity government and a signing ceremony took place on Monday, 15 September 2008. An agreement on the makeup of a new cabinet has not yet been reached and the formation of the new government is unclear.

- WFP is having meetings with all Governors and other provincial authorities to discuss the pending implementation of the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme. Everyone who has met so far has welcomed the resumption of VGF activities, and has agreed to conduct registration and distributions.

- WFP, in partnership with ten NGOs, has launched the full scale preparation of its VGF programme in 37 districts. Reactivation of rosters and recruitment of additional staff is underway.