Afghanistan Weekly Update No. 250

Humanitarian Assistance for Afghanistan

From the frontline

The general security situation in the north is unchanged. Although there is evidence that conditions are returning to normal, factional tensions continue to prevail in Mazar-I-Sharif and the surrounding area. In addition, allegedly fierce fighting is being reported from the Baghlan area. On 19 January a security mission to Mazar reopened negotiations with northern leaders preparatory to resumption of UN activities in the region.

Kabul is reported generally quiet, although reports of robberies and killings persist. On 20 January, Radio Shariat reported the seizure of a large quantity of heavy and light weapons in the city. Tagab is reported relatively calm, and there have been no changes to the frontline.

Bamiyan was subjected to two bombing sorties on 25 and 26 January.

1998 Consolidated Appeal

Copies of the Appeal and accompanying Compendium of Projects have been sent to agencies, NGO coordinating bodies and Islamabad-based donor representatives. Further copies have been sent to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York and Geneva for onward distribution.

The Appeal will be launched in New York on 4 February by Under Secretary-General, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The UN Coordinator for Afghanistan will host a short presentation and discussion session on the Appeal in Islamabad on the same day.

Humanitarian Update

Central Region

WFP released 853 tonnes of wheat flour and lentils for bakery and orphanage projects in Kabul.

UNHCR started its winter relief distribution in District 7. The relief package includes two quilts, a blanket and a plastic sheet per family.

FAO Crops carried out a joint preliminary survey in the new P.E.A.C.E. initiative districts in Mohammad Agha in Logar and Charasiab and Chardeshi in Kabul Province.

Eastern Region

In the second phase of the Acute Respiratory Infection campaign, ten districts have been covered in Nangarhar, ten in Kunar and five in Laghman.

MADERA has started implementing an irrigation project in Kama district, Nangarhar. This will permit farmers to obtain two crops per year instead of one and will benefit 5,000 families.

Northern Region

During the last week WFP Faizabad distributed 264 tonnes of wheat for 2717 males and 2791 females in district one the city under the Faizabad Emergency Operation. Each beneficiary received 48 kilos of wheat for four months. After the distribution, the price of wheat in the local bazar declined by 7.7%.

NO Update

There will be no update next week due to the Eid holiday.