This report includes:
A) Middle East and Central Asia: (1)
Iraq, (2) Iran, (3) Afghanistan
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Eritrea, (2) Uganda, (3) DR Congo, (4) Burundi
C) Southern Africa: (1) Madagascar, (2) Mozambique, (3) Zimbabwe, (4) Malawi, (5) Zambia, (6) Angola, (7) Lesotho, (8) Swaziland
D) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
E) Latin America and Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Ecuador
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 Trevor.Rowe@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 and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Iran, (3) Afghanistan
1) Iraq
(a) WFP will begin bringing new food aid supplies into Iraq when security conditions permit. Most Iraqi families are entirely dependent on monthly food handouts and on average it is estimated that most Iraqi families not being displaced will have enough food supplies to last them until the end of April. WFP has not yet received any reports about extreme food shortages in areas of conflict in the south, but information on Basra is scanty. In the north, the situation in Sulaymaniyah became more tense on 25 March due to the recent bombardments in Tawella and Halabja areas, and possible counter attacks. Most displaced people are staying with relatives and friends, but some are housed in mosques and schools. On 26 March, 95 percent of the bakeries in Sulaymaniyah were working, but less than half the shops remained open. Since the closure of the route to central Iraq, prices of vegetables, wheat flour and vegetable ghee have risen 100 percent. The price of petrol has risen by 60 percent, following the cease in supplies from GoI-controlled territory but fuel is still getting through from Iran.
(b) WFP food distributions in Erbil have been scaled down due to reduced levels of stock. WFP has concentrated on distributing to areas where residents are hosting displaced relatives. WFP visited 50 food agents and reported that 60 percent of families had collected their rations. Schools have been closed since the war began.
2) Iran
(a) UN security phase III has been declared for the five western provinces, west Azerbaijan, Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and Kurdistan and phase II has been declared for the rest of Iran. As of 26 March no Iraqis had yet crossed the border, which officially remains closed. None of the 22,000 Iraqi Kurds reportedly gathering near the border made attempts to cross into Iran. As of 19 March 268,554 Afghan refugees including 38,390 families had repatriated since 9 April 2002. A further 136,510 returned on their own making a total of 405,064 Afghan returnees.
(b) In response to the Iraqi crisis, a WFP sub-office will be opened in Ahwaz in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. A warehouse has already been established and the purchase of 2,000 tons of wheat flour for EMOP 10259.0 is in process. 1,000 tons will be delivered to the warehouse in Ahwaz and 1,000 tons will be delivered to the WFP warehouse in Kermanshah in western Iran. 41.76 tons of high-energy biscuits have been moved from Kermanshah to Ahwaz, in anticipation of a possible influx of refugees from southern Iraq.
(c) A tripartite agreement for implementation of the EMOP 10259 has been negotiated between WFP, UNHCR and Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).
3) Afghanistan
(a) The security situation remained volatile. UN Security reports and media confirmed the killing of an ICRC staff member in Northern Kandahar Province on 27 March. Due to the ongoing situation in Iraq, international organizations maintained a low profile of their activities during the week. Anti-war demonstrations took place in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces in eastern Afghanistan. UN missions to Gosfandi district and Laghman province in northern and eastern Afghanistan were suspended.
(b) An emergency meeting was called by WFP in Mazari Sharif to discuss assistance to flood-affected areas. Following the meeting, representatives of the local government, UN agencies and NGOs formed four teams to register the families in need of immediate food assistance. Consequently, 21 tons of food was distributed to 1,950 beneficiaries in the flood-affected areas.
(c) From 20 to 26 March, WFP distributed 2,500 tons of food to 525,220 beneficiaries, including 1,734 tons of food to 207,598 beneficiaries through the Food for Work/Food for Asset Creation; 75 tons of food to 94,953 beneficiaries through Food for Education; 389 tons of food to 80,347 beneficiaries through Relief and Resettlement of IDP's and Refugees; 268 tons of food to 139,100 beneficiaries through Urban Vulnerable Bakery Projects and 26 tons of food to 3,218 beneficiaries through Supplementary Feeding. As of 23 March 38,200 tons of food, amounting to 80 percent of planned commodities, had been distributed to beneficiaries through the Winterisation scheme.
(d) On 24 March, WHO and WFP signed an agreement on providing assistance to 27,400 tuberculosis patients and their families (totalling 164,400 beneficiaries) for one year, from 01 April to 31 March 2004. The purpose of WFP food aid to the patients and their families is to provide adequate nutrition during medical treatment, help ensure access to tuberculosis treatment, and help encourage treatment completion. WHO in consultation with WFP will be responsible for identifying tuberculosis centres to be supported with WFP food aid, and identifying and providing numbers of beneficiaries to support with food aid.
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Eritrea, (2) Uganda, (3) DR Congo, (4) Burundi
1) Eritrea
(a) Water remains a serious concern across the country. Regional ERREC officials in Debub reported that 15 water points in the Mai Mine sub region are now dry and people are travelling three to four hours in search of alternative sources. The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture in Debub informed WFP that dry cultivation was not yet underway due to a lack of oxen to assist with land preparation. Even if oxen were to be available, the land itself remains very dry and difficult to penetrate. Farmers are still awaiting the arrival of the Azmera rains to soften the soil. The rains, normally due to arrive in March/April, have not yet started in the region. The Ministry of Agriculture in Debub also expressed concern regarding the lack of available seeds for the upcoming planting season. During the last cultivation season farmers resorted to consumption of their seed supplies due to severe drought conditions and ensuing food shortages. In the Southern Red Sea region, all agricultural areas remain extremely dry, with only a limited number of sowed hectares of sorghum and pearl millet, all of which were in bad condition due to the lack of moisture. Sorghum and maize were found to be in a similar condition in the Shieb sub region of the Northern Red Sea. The cotton crop in Afabet sub region has been unsuccessful due to the lack of rain; less than a 5 percent harvest is anticipated. Grain prices in markets around the country remain high due to price increases and a general lack of availability.
(b) WFP accompanied a team of international journalists to some of the worst drought affected parts of Eritrea. From 24 to 26 March the team travelled to the Anseba and Gash Barka regions and visited drought affected communities, IDP camps and returnees. The team also visited schools and sites under the Emergency School Feeding Programme and the Supplementary and Therapeutic Feeding Programme.
(c) The Central Drought Committee allocated 13 million Nakfa to the Anseba region to assist with drought relief. The funds have been used to purchase 3,200 tons of cereals to distribute to 160,000 beneficiaries for March and April. The Committee has no resources to purchase further food supplies after that period. Due to a shortage of resources, WFP is still implementing "Scenario II" in terms of beneficiary targeting. This includes 841,145 beneficiaries, but excludes 200,000 demobilized soldiers and 40,000 expected returnees and takes into account only 45 percent of the drought-affected caseload, providing only 60 percent of the regular ration. Based on current levels, resources would last until July 2003. Effectively food aid is focused on those who are now seriously at risk and cannot be used to prevent larger numbers from slipping increasingly into serious levels of malnutrition. Due to the weak international response to the drought, the Government and WFP have decided to revise the 2003 CAP in order to give priority to the most severely affected vulnerable groups.
2) Uganda
(a) The prolonged conflict in northern Uganda has resulted in massive displacements of the population, now exceeding 800,000 people. As an example, Acet IDP camp in Gulu District has become even more congested due to the continuing influx of displaced people. More than 250 new households are reported to have entered the camp recently, increasing the number of households from 3,199 to 3,449. The visibly unplanned settlements present a health hazard for the camp population. WFP and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) are re-registering and verifying new arrivals before the start of the next monthly distribution cycle.
(b) WFP has released a second monthly tranche of 1,000 tons of food aid for 59,000 of the most vulnerable drought-affected pastoral households in Karamoja region, northeastern Uganda. Distributions are carried out at the parish level (lowest level administrative unit) to ensure appropriate targeting. WFP is planning to conduct a nutritional status assessment in the three Districts of Karamoja in April in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, District authorities and UNICEF.
(c) WFP, together with district authorities, AVSI and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will conduct a food needs assessment in Chwa County, eastern Kitgum District in April. The assessment aims to address increased humanitarian needs as a result of prolonged drought, Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) incursions and incessant raids by Karamojong warriors into the district. WFP will establish the net food needs and intervene with a one-off distribution of food aid assistance to the vulnerable population. AVSI will distribute seeds for March/April planting season together with WFP rations.
(d) The food pipeline situation has improved somewhat, thanks to recent cash and in-kind contributions. As a result of the increasing food needs in northern Uganda, WFP will face pipeline shortfalls of 28,193 tons of commodities, including 12,835 tons of cereals, 6,781 tons of corn-soya blend, 3,329 tons of pulses, 3,031 tons of vegetable oil, 1,778 tons of sugar, 429 tons of salt and 60 tons of high energy biscuits, to meet the needs of IDP's, refugees and other vulnerable groups from April to September.
3) DR Congo
(a) During the first half of March there were several reports of Rwandan troops crossing the border into South Kivu province. On 06 and 07 March fighting broke out between Ugandan troops and soldiers from Union du Peuple Congolais (UPC) over control of Bunia, ending with the defeat of the UPC soldiers. According to the latest OCHA report on displacement in DRC, 80 percent of the Ituri population, amounting to 3.8 million people, have been displaced since 1999. The positioning of a significant number of DRC troops to the south east of Bukavu is raising fears of new clashes between DRC troops, backed by Rwandan soldiers, and militia troops under Commandant Masunzu. This could cause further displacement in Uvira in South Kivu province and could risk having a negative impact on WFP's supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes in the area.
(b) A joint Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo (SNCC), UN Mine Action Coordination Centre (UNMACC) and OCHA assessment team discovered 7,000 IDP's in Kabalo area, who had been hiding in the forests in North Katanga for four years. According to OCHA, preparations have been made for the return of the IDP's to their villages of origin. Their return is expected to increase therapeutic food needs in Northern Katanga. On 11 March, tremors and flames from the central crater of the Nyragongo volcano caused panic and spontaneous evacuations from nearby villages.
(c) WFP operational activities from 01 to 20 March included 11 tons of emergency food assistance to 553 survivors of a barge disaster near Lukolela; 121 tons of food to Première Urgence in support of 42,000 returnees in Imese, Libenge, Dongo; 677 tons of food to German Agro Action (GAA) in support of 60,000 IDP's and nutritional centres; an airlift operation on 14 March involving 102 tons of food to 5,000 people in Maniema Province. In Kinshasa, the Ministry of Social Welfare launched an initiative to coordinate assistance to street children, envisaging WFP in a lead role. An evaluation mission of the PRRO, which has been extended until December 2003 with a budget increase of USD 39,8 million to cover the food needs of 1,1 million people, began on 03 March.
(d) In the Bas-Congo province, where WFP mainly targets Angolan refugees, distributions in February were marred by a lack of pulses. Impassable roads continue to hamper operations and 9,663 Angolan refugees may not receive their monthly food rations for March due to transport constraints.
4) Burundi
(a) Many provinces remained insecure and in some areas planned distributions had to be cancelled. An important move of FDD fighters was reported from DR Congo into western Burundi and rebels ambushed several mini-buses killing seven people. Attacks were also reported in Muramvya, Kayanza and Cankuzo in central and eastern Burundi. In Bujumbura Rural, casual skirmishes took place between the army and FNL fighters and fighting intensified in Mubimbi and Mageyo communes. A growing number of rebels were reported to have gathered in the outskirts of the capital. The deployment of African Union (AU) peacekeeping troops and the succession of leadership is planned for 01 May.
(b) From 17 to 23 March, WFP distributed 1,543 tons of food to 125,528 beneficiaries. Of this, 44.628 tons of food was distributed to social centres in support of 1,650 vulnerable people, 592 of whom are HIV/AIDS victims. However, insecurity and insufficient stocks continued to hamper distributions. A planned 732.2 tons of food to 66,570 recipients in Bujumbura Rural, Ruyigi and Gitega provinces could not be delivered due to insecurity. On 21 March the distribution of Seed Protection Ration (SPR) came to an end with 5,658 tons of food having been distributed to 528,380 beneficiaries. Targeted distributions resumed in Karuzi province after having been suspended for 4 weeks due to insecurity and lack of access.
(c) The pipeline situation improved slightly following recent contributions and pledges, but availability of commodities in the country remained very low. 10,850 beneficiaries could not be assisted in Gitega due to the low stock position. Urgent dispatches from Dar-Es-Salaam are needed to respond to food requirements. In view of the pipeline situation, WFP will reduce the frequency of targeted distributions until the pipeline improves. New Food-For-Work projects remain suspended.
C) Southern Africa: (1) Madagascar, (2) Mozambique, (3) Zimbabwe, (4) Malawi, (5) Zambia, (6) Angola, (7) Lesotho, (8) Swaziland
1) Madagascar
(a) The drought situation in the South is alarming and food shortages continue to plague the area. From 18 to 21 March, WFP, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and USAID conducted a mission to the affected areas in order to assess the nutrition and food security situation. Malnutrition rates at centres and hospitals were estimated at 30 percent. The mission recommended an immediate nutritional survey along with an increase of emergency food supplies for the South. A drop in school attendance has also been observed in the drought affected areas. In response, WFP is considering an expansion of its school feeding programme. Student protests continued as a result of poor housing conditions and lack of scholarships.
(b) From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 366 tons of food in collaboration with implementing partners.
2) Mozambique
(a) During the last phase of the emergency airlift operation WFP delivered 109 tons of food to 4,000 people in southern Sofala Province. In other areas now accessible by road, an additional 400 tons of food were delivered to 24,000 flood victims of tropical storm 'Japhnet'.
(b) Displaced families, affected by the flooding of the Save river in northern Inhambane, started leaving the temporary accommodation centre in Maluvane locality, where a two-month food ration had been provided by WFP. The local government has provided land plots in Maluvane for resettlement, and WFP started distributing one-month food rations to 1,200 people during the week.
(c) From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 1,775 tons of food in collaboration with implementing partners.
3) Zimbabwe
(a) For two days most of Zimbabwe came to a virtual standstill, following a workers' stay-away called by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Violence broke out in Harare and Bulawayo resulting in a number of arrests. The MDC is threatening renewed mass action. WFP's planned deliveries could again be affected by renewed unrest.
(b) WFP's Urban Development Intervention programme, targeting children under five, is progressing well. The turnout of children in Bulawayo city has been very high and the programme is expected to include 2,000 additional children in the coming month. WFP's implementing partner Help Germany reports that 70 percent of the children have tuberculosis and other related diseases. From 01 to 22 March, WFP distributed 41,900 tons of food to 3.4 million beneficiaries.
4) Malawi
(a) On 24 and 25 March, the National Aids Commission (NAC) organized a meeting to review the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and overall operations of the NAC. The NAC, donors and other stakeholders agreed on the importance of integrating HIV/AIDS issues into humanitarian responses and on the importance of nutrition in providing care and support to HIV/AIDS victims.
(b) From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 6,939 tons of food in collaboration with implementing partners.
5) Zambia
(a) The Minister of Agriculture announced that Zambia expects an exceptional harvest of over 800,000 tons of maize. WFP expects a significant reduction in the estimated number of people in need of food aid from April to June. From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 4,706 tons to beneficiaries throughout the country.
6) Angola
(a) WFP completed pilot exercises for a new beneficiary registration system in Benguela and Moxico Provinces using hand held computers. The system uses software especially designed for WFP use. The new system will allow WFP to monitor beneficiary movements closely and strengthen targeting assistance.
(b) From 20 to 27 March, WFP carried out food distributions in Kuando Kubango Province to 67,700 beneficiaries. In Bie Province, poor road conditions and heavy rains hampered WFP food distributions to 17,000 returnees. In Huambo Province, poor road conditions likewise hampered distributions to approximately 26,000 people.
(c) A total of USD 2,870,428 was received in support of PRRO 10054.1 "Food Assistance to War Affected People". The funds will be used to purchase urgently needed maize and pulses. The PRRO is currently funded at 52.6 percent, leaving a shortfall of USD 114.5 million. A total of USD 250,000 was also received in support of SO 10149.1 "Logistics Services to the Humanitarian Community" which now remains 65 percent funded. A donation of USD 500,000 was made towards WFP's air passenger transport operation SO 10146,0.
7) Lesotho
(a) During the week heavy rainfall throughout the country disrupted distributions in some districts.
(b) WFP distributed 826 tons of maize meal, pulses and vegetable oil to 75,203 beneficiaries in 7 districts. An additional 6.4 tons was distributed to ten schools in Mafeteng District.
8) Swaziland
(a) From 20 to 27 March, WFP distributed 262 tons of food to 16,328 beneficiaries. Training of Women's Relief Committees (WRC) continued at distribution sites in the Red Cross and Save the Children's operational areas. Training included roles and responsibilities of WRC's in relation to food distribution and proper preparation and use of Corn Soya Blend (CSB). WFP met with the Minister of Health and WHO to discuss the Ministry's proposal on food assistance to the chronically ill and vulnerable through health clinics and outposts, and on a proposal to use Ministry of Health staff to train Women's Relief Committee members as peer counsellors.
D) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
1) DPR Korea
(a) In response to an urgent appeal last month by the UN Secretary-General, new contributions were pledged or confirmed this week. A contribution of 9,170 tons of dried skimmed milk, valued at USD 17.32 million, was confirmed and is expected to arrive in June. The contribution will be used for the local production of fortified blended foods and biscuits to be distributed to pregnant and nursing women and children. On 27 March, WFP, WHO and UNICEF welcomed another pledge of almost USD 20 million for emergency feeding and healthcare programmes in DPR Korea. 100,000 tonnes of maize valued at USD 18 million will be provided to WFP for food aid, USD 500,000 will be provided to UNICEF for child health and nutrition programmes and USD 700,000 will be provided to WHO for malaria prevention.
(b) Following recent confirmed contributions, food distribution needs for all beneficiary groups will be met until the end of April and for some groups well into May. Additional pledges of about 241,600 tons are required for the remainder of 2003, including 207,800 tons of cereals, 11,000 tons of corn soya milk, 4,300 tons of sugar, 15,500 tons of pulses and 3,000 tons of oil. The level of funding secured by UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and the Red Cross movement still remain short of the USD 225 million required to fully implement humanitarian programmes in DPRK. WFP and UNICEF have repeatedly warned that the considerable improvements achieved in child malnutrition rates since 1998, could be lost without continued, substantial aid. Survey results announced last month indicated that the proportion of young children underweight had dropped from 61 percent to 21 percent; wasting, or acute malnutrition, fell from 16 percent to 9 percent; and stunting, or chronic malnutrition, was down from 62 percent to 42 percent. But the underweight rate remained "high" and the stunting rate "very high", according to WHO criteria.
E) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Ecuador
1) Colombia
(a) The security situation remains volatile. Armed clashed between illegal groups were reported in Atrato Medio River area and Uraba Antioqueño, affecting food availability and access. Two WFP staff members were intercepted by four men while completing a survey in schools in the "Communa 13" neighbourhood of Medellin. This neighbourhood has recently been the scene of clashes between illegal groups. The men identified themselves as members of an armed group and confiscated the WFP driver's HF radio, which was returned after WFP staff members explained the use of the radio and WFP's relationship with UNHCR. The staff members were subsequently allowed to leave.
(b) Local authorities reported a significant displacement of rural communities in San Francisco municipality in the Department of Antioquia, caused by clashes between armed groups. A total of 1,150 displaced people from 8 different rural localities, including 200 children, arrived in the urban centre of San Francisco and are now settled in provisional shelters or in homes of friends and family. WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation has provided assistance to more than 900 persons in this municipality in the past two years to address continuous displacements and critical nutritional conditions. Other new displacements were reported in the department of Choco, in Cundinamarca, and in Dabeiba, Antioquia, affecting especially children. Food shortages and limited fuel availability was reported in the municipality of San Luis, in Antioquia.
2) Ecuador
(a) The intensity of tremors at Tungurahua volcano and the number of volcanic explosions decreased notably in the past week. WFP and the Civil Defence continue to monitor the effects on the affected population. At El Reventador volcano, tremors continued over the past week, with a daily average of 15 volcano-tectonic events and 120 events of long duration. The events of long duration are possibly associated with gas emissions. WFP is currently assisting 3,500 people whose food security was affected as a result of the November 2002 eruption.
Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons.
(End WFP Emergency Report No 13).