This report includes:
A) Middle East and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Jordan, (3) Iran, (4) Afghanistan, (5) Pakistan
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) Republic of Congo, (3) DR Congo, (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia, (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
C) West Africa: (1) Côte d'Ivoire, (2) Liberia, (3) Sierra Leone, (4) Guinea
D) Southern Africa: (1) Malawi, (2) Tanzania, (3) Madagascar, (4) Angola, (5) Mozambique, (6) Zambia, (7) Zimbabwe, (8) Swaziland, (9) Lesotho
E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Bolivia, (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) Jordan, (3) Iran, (4) Afghanistan, (5) Pakistan
1) Iraq
(a) The first shipments of food for the centre/south departed for Baghdad on 17 April. The 50 trucks carrying 1,412 tons of wheat flour had been sitting on the border for two days waiting for security conditions to improve. The cargo should arrive in Baghdad Friday 18 April. Arrangements have been made with the US Civil Affairs Department in Baghdad to meet the convoy at the WFP office and escort it to Ministry of Trade (MOT) warehouses.
(b) The WFP transit warehouses at Mosul and Kirkuk have been repaired and cleaned in order to receive cargo. On 15 April, WFP national staff met with senior MOT officials in Basrah. It was agreed that warehouse staff would return to work on 16 April and that WFP would be allocated temporary office space in the warehouse complex.
(c) The flow of wheat flour into Northern Iraq continues. Cumulative wheat flour dispatches from Turkey amount to 9,864 tons of wheat flour and 1,473 tons of pulses. 14 trucks loaded with 259 tons of wheat flour were received in Erbil on 15 April. On 16 April Sulaymaniyah received 570 tons of wheat flour, of which 556 tons was distributed to cover the needs of around 60,500 beneficiaries.
2) Jordan
(a) 114 third country nationals (TCN's) arrived in Jordan on 15 April. They are being held in 'no-man's land' with another 108 people already there. UNHCR is discussing their situation with the Jordanian government. In an arrangement with a local bakery, WFP provides bread to people in Jordanian TCN camps.
3) Iran
(a) The security situation along the borders with Iraq remained stable. Tehran remains in Security Phase II and western border areas in Phase III. UN Security Officers have advised that bullet proof vests should be worn for cross border operations. As of 15 April, no Iraqi refugees were detected crossing the Iranian borders. A joint UN security and needs assessment mission (comprising representatives from UNSECOORD, UNJLC, UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, WHO, UNDP, OCHA, IOM and MSF) received clearance from the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA) to cross the border to access the Iraqi town of Badreh, some 15 km from the border, where media had reported up to 50,000 IDP's in need of assistance. The actual number of IDP's, 2,500, turned out to be much smaller than initially reported. For WFP's part, the mission concluded that there was no immediate need of food assistance, as the IDP's had food stocks sufficient to last until late May.
(b) While urging caution, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (HCI) encouraged agencies and NGO's ready for trans-border operations, to proceed through three official Iran/Iraq crossing points at Shalamcheh, Khosravi and Penjween. A first test convoy is being prepared for transport of 200 tons of vegetable oil from Kermanshah in Iran to Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq, immediately to be followed by a large portion of the 10,000 tons of wheat flour, borrowed from the Government. Mills are currently delivering the first quantities of flour. WFP expects that procedures now established by the Iranian Government will facilitate uninterrupted cargo flow, which eventually will determine the importance of this corridor.
(c) From 08 to 15 April, WFP met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BAFIA, the State Organization for Grains (SOG), the Customs, Port and Shipping Organization (PSO), diplomatic representatives, ICRC and IRCS and NGO's. Iran gave its official approval and go-ahead for trans border operations and the Iranian Government reaffirmed its preparedness and willingness to grant all necessary facilitation and to respond swiftly to changes on the ground. WFP informed government authorities that it remained concerned over the plight of possible future Iraqi refugees given the disruption of the Oil for Food Programme (OFFP). The Director General of BAFIA informed that Iran was prepared to receive up to 400,000 refugees in the designated camps being set up for this crisis. BAFIA was hopeful that the ongoing programmes of WFP with BAFIA regarding the current Afghan and Iraqi refugees would not be neglected and expected WFP to play an active role in the joint BAFIA/UNHCR repatriation programme, targeting the repatriation of 500,000 Afghan refugees for the year 2003. According to UNHCR and BAFIA, 413,350 Afghan refugees have crossed the borders in Dougharon (northeast) and Milak (southeast) since 09 April 2002. The WFP feeding operation for Afghan refugees is currently 32 percent resourced. The Director General also announced BAFIA's readiness to launch a repatriation programme for the existing 200,000 Iraqi refugees as soon as the situation in Iraq permits.
4) Afghanistan
(a) The security situation remained volatile, particularly in the northern and southern parts of the country. In the South, the Coalition and Afghan forces conducted several major operations resulting in the closure of the road between Spin Boldak and Kandahar. An Italian tourist was killed in Zabul province; investigations into the cause and circumstances are ongoing and all missions to Zabul are suspended. In the North, fighting broke out between two local factions in Maymana city, and all UN and NGO international staff were relocated to Mazari Sharif. In Kabul, three rockets and one bomb exploded, but there were no casualties.
(b) From 10 to 15 April, WFP distributed 2,500 tons of food to 497,400 beneficiaries, including 1,972 tons of food to 186,757 beneficiaries under Food for Work/Food for Asset Creation, 128 tons of food to 157,685 beneficiaries under Food for Education, 43 tons of food to 2,694 beneficiaries under Relief and Resettlement of IDP's and Refugees, 268 tons of food to 149,784 beneficiaries under Urban Vulnerable Bakery Projects and 1 ton of food to 468 beneficiaries under Supplementary Feeding. 116 tons of food was distributed under Free Food Distribution.
(c) Heads of UN Agencies in Mazari Sharif met with an advance Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) of the British military, the Civil-Military Operations Centre (CMOC), the British and Dutch Ambassador, and DFID representatives to discuss the security situation, assistance in the North and the possibilities of introducing PRT's in the northern part of the country.
(d) From 13 to 15 April, WFP organised a workshop in Fayz Abad for WFP staff and Government counterparts to launch the PRRO. The PRRO field manual was reviewed and the implementation of different PRRO activities, including monitoring, was discussed in detail.
(e) Following recent contributions, 12.44 percent of the requirements under the PRRO have been met.
5) Pakistan
(a) The distribution of food under EMOP 10171.0 "Food Assistance for Drought Affected Persons in Sindh and Balochistan" was hampered for some weeks, due to the security situation following the war in Iraq. Distributions will be resumed next week. The distribution of food to 211,000 beneficiaries in Sindh and Pishin district in Balochistan is likely to be completed by late May, while distributions to 94,000 beneficiaries in other districts in Balochistan will continue until August 2003.
(b) In relation to EMOP 10228.0 "Food Assistance to Afghan Refugees", Action Contre la Faim (ACF) has resumed its nutritional survey, following the improvement of security in Balochistan Province. In North West Frontier Province, WFP has resumed its Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFP) in all new refugee camps, in collaboration with UNHCR. Malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women and patients with debilitating illnesses will be enrolled in the SFP.
(c) Recent contributions to EMOP 10228.0 will be used for local procurement of much needed commodities. EMOP 10228.0 is currently 44 percent resourced and the pipeline remains precarious.
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) Republic of Congo, (3) DR Congo, (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia, (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
1) Burundi
(a) The security situation remained a concern, especially for the provinces of Muramvya, Bubanza, Bujumbura rural and Kayanza bordering with the Kibira forest. Armed confrontations were reported in six communes of Kayanza, Muramvya and Gitega provinces.
(b) Household Food Economy Assessment teams conducted a rapid assessment in Bwambarangwe commune of Kirundo province following the hailstorm there and recommended food assistance for an additional 1,520 persons, who would receive 20-day ration food baskets between April and May. In December 2002, the assessment indicated that 5,400 persons, including repatriates and crop failure victims, should be receiving food assistance up to June 2003.
(c) WFP received 588.046 tons of food, including 555.1 tons of cereals, 31.496 tons of corn-soya blend and 1.45 tons of pulses from Kampala and Shinyanga in Tanzania. As of 13 April, in-country stocks stood at 3,518.128 tons with 1,251.33 tons of cereals and 439.93 tons of pulses. An additional 554 tons, including 254 tons of cereals and 300 tons of pulses, are in transit to Burundi. In the view of current needs, the availability of food commodities remains low.
2) Republic of Congo
(a) The Ebola pandemic continued to claim victims. IDP's continued to reach Brazzaville IDP sites, with 768 new households registered during March. On 17 March, a reaffirmation of the 1999 peace agreement was signed between the Minister in Charge of the Coordination of Government Actions and a senior member of the rebel forces.
(b) Assistance to IDP's from the Pool region continued. From 13 to 19 April, WFP distributed 163.18 tons of food to 4,688 IDP households in Brazzaville.
(c) WFP is awaiting the delivery of 1,562 tons of cereals, 252 tons of pulses, 60 tons of sugar and 127 tons of salt.
3) DR Congo
(a) The issue of power sharing between the Government, rebel movements, opposition parties and representatives of civil society was eventually settled in South Africa on 02 April with the signature of an agreement by all parties. However, due to the flare up of violence in South Kivu province, the prospects for peace, and by implication for improved access to areas in need of food aid, remain gloomy. A group of militia known as "Mundundu 40" attacked RCD forces in Bukavu. Due to the ensuing insecurity and difficulties in obtaining clearance from RCD authorities, humanitarian access to Walungu, Bunyakiri and Shabunda areas in Bukavu was further hampered.
(b) In Equateur province, WFP and implementing partners completed the distribution of 81 tons of various food commodities to 10,000 IDP's in Businga, covering the needs of the targeted beneficiaries for one month. In the Lumbwe IDP camp, 7 km from Kalemie, an additional 10,000 people were reported to be in need of WFP food aid.
(c) With recent contributions totalling of USD 6.4 million, 50 percent of targeted requirements have been met. However, late pledges have resulted in delays in food consignments.
4) Eritrea
(a) The harvest has been completed in nearly all Northern and Southern Red Sea sub regions. The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture for NRS confirmed that the results were minimal, with no harvest in Nakfa, Adobha and Afabet sub-regions and very small harvests in the remaining sub-regions. Water continues to be a critical problem across the country. In the Agordat sub region of Barentu, WFP noted that the lack of water due to the drought is compromising the ability of schools to implement wet feeding activities. Livestock are suffering due to the ongoing impact of the drought, with continual reports of distress sales as farmers try to sell their stock due to the lack of available water and fodder.
(b) A rapid assessment on the impact of the drought in the Senafe sub region of Debub was recently conducted. Results showed significant strain on households' traditional coping mechanisms such as the sale of chicken and eggs. The Head of Meseraha Health Station reported that 52.2 percent of the children monitored under its Growth Monitoring Programme were malnourished.
(c) Recent contributions will be used for the purchase of wheat, destined for PRRO 10192. However, resourcing for PRRO 10192 and EMOP 10261 remains very low, with shortfalls still at about 70 percent.
5) Ethiopia
(a) A new WFP Emergency Operation for Ethiopia, EMOP 10030.2 "Relief Food Assistance to Small Scale Farmers and Drought-Affected Pastoralists", was recently approved. Under the EMOP, WFP is appealing for resources to cover the needs of 4.6 million beneficiaries of the total 11.3 million Ethiopians in need. WFP food tonnage (net requirement) is 481,950 tonnes, with total costs at USD 205 million.
(b) The short season (Belg) rains continue in various parts of the country. The Belg picture is very mixed; although recent rains have been positive, many areas suffered from a dry period in early March, and DPPC reports that the areas planted in some parts of the country are less than usual.
(c) Total requirements for April are 137,530 tons of cereals for 11 million people, using a reduced 12.5 kg/per person/per month ration size. Such requirements will be covered by food aid currently available, but supplementary food needs of 15,400 tons greatly exceed stocks available.
(d) A total of 619,137 tons of food assistance is required to meet projected requirements for 2003, with 174,780 tons required under EMOP 10030.1 from January to March and 444,357 tons required under EMOP 10030.2 from April to December. EMOP 10030.2 includes a provision for expected needs for January to March 2004 totalling 51,593 tons. With carryover contributions from the previous operation (10030.1) of 14,000 tons available for distribution during April 2003 to March 2004, net food requirement for EMOP 10030.2 amount to 481,950 tonnes.
6) Rwanda
(a) As of 06 March, UN Security Phase 3 areas were downgraded to Phase 1 and Phase 2 areas were downgraded to phase nil. The repatriation of Rwandan refugees continued from neighbouring countries. 1,856 returnees crossed the Rusumo border and received food rations for three months before resettling in their province of origin. 2,892 returnees were registered by UNHCR throughout the country. A total of 1,856 returnees, including 1,185 who settled in Tanzania in 1959, registered in Nyakarambi transit centre via the Rusumo border in Kibungo province, 555 registered in Nkamira in Gisenyi province and 481 registered in Nyagatare transit centre in Cyangugu.
(b) WFP provided food assistance to about 22,516 provisionally released detainees at "solidarity camps" in line with an MOU signed between the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and WFP. WFP food distributions were carried out in support of 29,534 refugees at the three camps in Rwanda, including 518 refugees at Kigeme camp in Gikongoro province, 15,089 beneficiaries at Kiziba camp in Kibuye province and 13,927 refugees at Gihembe camp in Byumba province
(c) Stock positions remained adequate during the month of March, with enough food to cover the monthly projected needs. The stocks for all projects opened at 9,634 tons on 03 March and closed at 7,033 tons on 31 March. However, the ration of cereals under the PRRO was adjusted following cereal shortages. Shortages of essential food commodities for Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania are foreseen between March and September.
7) Somalia
(a) The Somalia peace conference continued in Mbagathi and an interim government is expected to be elected in June. The transitional National Government (TNG) of Somalia has dismissed two ministers because they failed to adhere to the TNG's position at the peace talks. The self-declared presidential elections held in Somaliland on 14 April proceeded peacefully and were monitored by more than 20 international observers. Election results are pending.
(b) Gu rains began in southern Somalia on 15 April, with rainfalls during the next days and weeks being crucial for the crop season.
(c) Relief distribution to IDP's returning from Ethiopia was carried out in Awdal region. A total of 121.17 tons of food was distributed to 7,290 beneficiaries in Jidhi, Amud Culus, Shiekh Issa, Elgal, Ahmed Shabel and Gerisa.
8) Sudan
(a) On 15 April an expansion of Emergency Operation 10048.2, in favour of 3.25 million war and drought affected people in Sudan, was jointly approved by FAO and WFP, with distributions of 148,419 tons of food commodities at a value of USD 35,402,198. The overall operation, however, remains seriously short of contributions.
9) Uganda
(a) The delayed onset of the rainy season may result in a significantly reduced August harvest nationwide. Despite initial hopes for a ceasefire in northern Uganda, the peace talks have broken down. The Lord's Resistance Army rebels have issued a travel ban on IDP's from their respective camps in the Acholi sub-region. As a consequence over 800,000 internally displaced persons are unlikely to plant for the August harvest. The continuing LRA rebel insurgency in the Acholi sub-region and cattle raids by Karimojong warriors into neighbouring districts of Pader, Kitgum, Lira and Katakwi, have resulted in deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the area. Lack of sufficient military escort vehicles for safe passage of humanitarian aid into Pader District and the repair of key bridges and roads to gain access to IDP camps, has resulted in 241,000 IDP's remaining isolated in congested camps with no access to humanitarian assistance.
(b) WFP and USAID visited Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda. Limited rainfall has resulted in loss of the 2002 harvest. No rainfall to date indicates a high likelihood of a second almost total loss of the annual harvest for 2003. Significantly increased levels of assistance are likely to be required for most of the regional population of 950,000 people. WFP is currently conducting a rapid nutritional assessment in the Moroto, Kotido and Nakapiripirit Districts of Karamoja, to be followed by a full nutritional surveillance survey in the coming weeks.
(c) As a result of the increasing food needs in northern Uganda and the drought in Karamoja, WFP faces a pipeline shortfall of 57,982 tons of food from April to December 2003 to meet the needs of IDP's, refugees and other vulnerable groups.
C) West Africa: (1) Côte d'Ivoire, (2) Liberia, (3) Sierra Leone, (4) Guinea
1) Côte d'Ivoire
(a) A joint security and humanitarian mission was conducted to Bloloquin, giving WFP access to the area for the first time since the crisis began. The humanitarian situation in Bloloquin is critical. The hospital is closed, the food security situation is precarious, there is no electricity or water and schools and the market are not functioning. According to local authorities and the Red Cross there are 20,000 IDP's in Bloloquin and 5,000 in Keibli. Access to the West and to the Northeast from Bouaké is restricted due to fighting. In Korhogo in the North, demands for WFP assistance by individuals and NGO's is increasing, suggesting that the food security situation in the area is becoming more difficult.
(b) In Man coffee growers are anticipated not to be able to market their produce this season, which will have a negative economic impact on many rural households. In Man, WFP will initially provide emergency feeding to IDP's, implement Emergency School Feeding, and launch a seed protection programme. In collaboration with MSF, WFP may also begin a selective feeding programme in Man. WFP food aid distribution in the area is expected to begin next week.
(c) WFP distributed 14.6 tons of food aid to 3,729 IDP's in Guiglo, consisting of one-week basic rations. In Guiglo, Daloa, and Duékoué, WFP continued to work with local Crisis Committees and Solidarity and Social Affairs representatives on the registration of IDP's and vulnerable groups. In Yamoussoukro and Prikro, WFP distributed 28 tons of general rations to 3,550 IDP's. In Bouaké WFP and implementing partners distributed 54 tons of food aid to 21,036 beneficiaries. WFP sub offices continued to make progress in identifying partners and establishing contact with local authorities, especially in the West, in preparation for distribution of much needed food aid in this area. A vulnerability ranking was conducted in Bouaké, taking into consideration 15 indicators of urban household economy and food security.
2) Liberia
(a) Security conditions further deteriorated throughout the country, following Liberians United for the Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and MoDeL rebel attacks on Ganta and Zwedru. The escalation of the fighting forced the humanitarian organisations to evacuate these areas and increased tension in Harper further restricted the movements of humanitarian organisations, including WFP staff, which no longer could be evacuated by road. However negotiations allowed for a chartered vessel to evacuate WFP staff to Monrovia on 31 March. The humanitarian situation in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Maryland and River Gee Counties in the northern and eastern parts of the country remains a great concern, especially concerning refugees and third country nationals.
(b) On 26 March, WFP assisted 1,111 refugees and third country nationals in Zwedru with assorted food rations for the month of April. On 28 March 1,098 refugees in Saclepea were assisted and received food rations for the Month of April. 141 new arrivals were served food rations while awaiting their monthly rations.
3) Sierra Leone
(a) The security situation across the country, including border areas, remained calm and stable.
(b) The repatriation of 21,000 Sierra Leonean refugees from various camps in Guinea through the Bellu/Dandu bridge into areas covered by WFP operations began. The first convoy of 300 returnees arrived in Kailahun town on 04 April, after the official opening of the bridge. This first phase in the repatriation of a total of 30,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in 2003 is expected to be completed by mid-June, prior to the rainy season. WFP will provide an initial two-month resettlement package to all the returnees. An additional two-month ration entitlement will be decided pending an assessment. Repatriation convoy movement continued via the Kambia/Port Loko axis for those Sierra Leoneans returning to Kono and other locations other than Kailahun. At the Port Loko way station, WFP provided wet feeding for approximately 1,000 people.
4) Guinea
(a) On 29 and 30 March, more than 4,000 mainly Liberian refugees entered Guinea via Yomou prefecture, fleeing an outbreak of fighting in the town of Ganta in Liberia. Guineans and other nationals continue to leave Côte d'Ivoire through N'Zérékoré, but at a much reduced pace compared to previous months.
(b) Emergency road and bridge repairs have been completed on 75 km of the Gueckedou - Macenta road axis and from 04 to 06 April 800 Sierra Leoneans were able to repatriate via the Languette stretch. A UNHCR awareness campaign is underway to prepare the transfer of Liberian refugees from Kouankan to Albadariah camps.
D) Southern Africa: (1) Malawi, (2) Tanzania, (3) Madagascar, (4) Angola, (5) Mozambique, (6) Zambia, (7) Zimbabwe, (8) Swaziland, (9) Lesotho
1) Malawi
(a) Four people died and 1,160 people were left homeless as floods and subsequent landslides hit Salima in Mzuzu District (Northern Province) on 11 April 2003. An official from the Ministry of Agriculture reported that the floods swept away a number of bridges and roads and damaged mining equipment at Mchenga coalmine, which supplies local industry and exports to Tanzania. In some rural areas, WFP Distribution Points are completely cut off and some areas along the Shire River and Mangochi District are not accessible by road. Government assessments are ongoing and WFP and UNDP are closely monitoring the situation.
(b) The Joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is ongoing. The school feeding baseline survey has been completed in 122 schools in eight districts. Beneficiary data collection is almost complete and data has been entered for 150,000 households. The database will provide valuable inputs to profile beneficiaries and contribute in the identification of potential areas of vulnerability.
2) Tanzania
(a) The Prime Minister of Tanzania and other government officials met with representatives from the Burundian and Congolese refugee camps. The main issues highlighted were the reduction in humanitarian food rations and the current political situation in Burundi and the Congo. The Prime Minister assured the refugees that the Government of Tanzania would continue to facilitate the ongoing peace talks in Arusha.
(b) UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited Lugufu on 30 March and observed various phases in the assistance provided to refugee children, including transport, reception, registration, issuing of ration cards, distribution of food and non-food items, and construction of blendes in allocated plots. Ms Jolie intends to produce and distribute a film to assist in funding UN aid activities.
(c) From 24 March to 06 April, two-week food rations were distributed in all camps. Food commodities were distributed at full ration with the exception of cereals and corn-soya blend, which were distributed at 50 percent and 75 percent respectively. However, 7,059 extremely vulnerable individuals (EVI) in Lugufu, Kasulu, Kibondo and Ngara received 100 percent of all food commodities. Due to the current pipeline situation, general rations will be modified beginning 16 and 17 April, but special feeding programmes and EVI rations will be maintained at 100 percent levels.
(d) WFP conducted a nutritional survey in all refugee camps from 24 March to 06 April, in collaboration with partners. All children under five were assessed and results will be shared upon completion. Preliminary findings indicate a significant increase in malnutrition since July 2002.
3) Madagascar
(a) The Government recently confirmed that 600,000 people have been affected by the drought in the southern areas. The south has been plagued with continuous drought and sparse rainfall for the last three years. Most of the local people have sold their household goods including kitchen utensils in order to purchase food and many have migrated to other areas. The remaining population in the south continues to survive on cactus fruit and tamarind. President Ravolomanana announced that through the support of the World Bank, the 2003 - 2004 school year would no longer have fees attached to the Primary School Cycle. In addition the government also plans to implement a school-feeding programme at the national level. As part of an on going anti-corruption battle, the President has agreed to a 10 percent salary increase for all civil servants. The present base salary for civil servants is less than USD 200. Student protests persist as a result of poor housing conditions and a lack of scholarships. In Toamsina city, students blocked the national road and set fire to businesses. This is the third protest of its kind since early March.
(b) WFP continues to work towards implementing and resourcing a pilot HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in conjunction with the School Feeding and Food For Work programmes. Discussions are underway with UNICEF on possible interventions to assist 6,300 HIV orphans.
4) Angola
(a) UNHCR will begin a formal repatriation of approximately 170,000 Angolan refugees in June. The refugees are currently in the neighbouring countries of Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. This is the first formal repatriation since the end of the war in April 2002. UNHCR is working closely with the Angolan Government, WFP and other international organisations. UNHCR will organize the transportation of people from refugee camps in the above countries to reception areas in the provinces of Moxico (east), Zaire and Uige (north) and Kuando-Kubango (southeast).
5) Mozambique
(a) The Mozambican Parliament held a debate on the Government's disaster response. Speaking at the Parliament, the Prime Minister warned that large-scale investment would be needed to prevent future disasters. The Public Works Minister, Robert White reported that between May 2002 and February 2003, the government had met less than half of the estimated needs for the May 2002 - April 2003 period. Minister White reassured the Parliament that the government would continue its efforts to normalise the areas hit by tropical storms Delphina and Japhnet, particularly by repairing access roads and river crossings.
6) Zambia
(a) The WFP Logistics Officer met with officials from Engineering Services Corporation Limited to discuss the necessary requirements and repairs in the Southern and Western Provinces. In Sesheke District, the Katima Mulilo pontoon, which runs between Sesheke and the Zambezi River to other districts in the Western Province, is in poor condition. Other pontoons inspected included Kalongola, which offers services across the Zambezi River providing access to the western shore, where WFP and implementing partners are carrying out aid activities in the Nagweshi refugee camps.
7) Zimbabwe
(a) The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) field researchers have completed their training and commenced fieldwork. The VAC report is expected in mid-May and will clarify the location and numbers of people in need, as well as the estimated volume of required food aid. A FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will begin on 22 April.
8) Swaziland
(a) People are selling increased numbers of livestock as a result of the continued food insecurity brought about by the drought. The price of maize has dropped by 13 percent since January, when the harvesting season began in the Lowveld, the Lubombo Plateau and the dry Middleveld. The increased availability of maize will have a positive effect on food security in poorer households who still have income.
(b) WFP will be assisting a reduced number of 152,000 people during the April to June harvest period. A FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission will take place in early May 2003, and will assist in determining the level of food assistance required after June.
(c) WFP met with the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm the extension of WFP's assistance for the period April to June 2003. An additional meeting was held with the US Ambassador to discuss the needs for a further Government response to the current food security crisis caused by drought and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
9) Lesotho
(a) From 02 to14 April, WFP distributed 1,815 tons of food in collaboration with implementing partners. WFP and UNICEF embarked on a joint venture to assist malnourished children under five in Early Childhood Development Centres, through the provision of UNIMIX, a fortified and enriched corn/soya blend supplement specifically tailored for malnourished children. An estimated 50,000 children will be assisted in two districts of Maseru and Mokhotlong for a period of three months. Children will be fed twice daily and UNICEF will also provide de-worming tablets to ensure that the children derive the maximum benefit from their nutritional intake. In order to ensure long-term sustainability following the phase out of UNIMIX, UNICEF is providing the centres with vegetable garden kits, plates, cooking pots, buckets and basins.
E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
1) DPR Korea
(a) Recent confirmed food contributions are expected to meet cereal distribution targets for the most vulnerable beneficiary groups into the fourth quarter of 2003, provided all contributions arrive as scheduled. Local food production activities face shortages in soya beans, for the production of enriched blended foods for young children and pregnant and nursing women.
(b) Additional contributions of 140,000 tons of food, including 105,000 tons of cereals, 15,000 tons of pulses, 11,000 tons of corn-soya milk, 4,000 tons of sugar and 3,000 tons of oil, are needed as soon as possible to ensure continued implementation of WFP activities throughout the year.
F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Bolivia, (2) Ecuador
1) Bolivia
(a) Following the landslide of 31 March, a smaller landslide occurred, forcing an additional 300 families to seek refuge in emergency shelters. WFP arranged meetings with UN agencies, donors and international and national NGOs to coordinate further assistance.
2) Ecuador
(a) A 1 km high vapour column from the peak of Tungurahua volcano was reportedly moving westwards. According to the Geophysical Institute, only one account of volcano-tectonic activity was registered last week, but the possibility of new explosions has not been discarded and the area around the volcano remains in orange alert.
(b) A rupture in the OCP pipeline in Jamanco in the province of Napo, approximately 85 km from Quito, has seriously polluted community water sources and damaged aquaculture. Installations covered in petroleum are unusable and approximately 16,000 trout were lost. Tourism, a critical source of income for the local population, has greatly suffered. WFP and the Municipality of Quijos are presently assessing the general needs of the 45 affected families (approximately 225 people). Assistance provided will be financed with local resources.
(c) A USD 176,641.63 emergency response operation (IRA) to support Colombian refugees was approved on 09 April. An emergency operation is being prepared to follow this 45-day IRA. The two operations will cover the food needs of 1,360 people over the next 9 months.
Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons.
(End WFP Emergency Report No 16).