This report includes:
(A) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Russian Federation
(B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Rwanda, (6) Sudan, (7) Uganda
(C) West Africa: (1) Chad, (2) Liberia, (3) Cote d'Ivoire
(D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2), Angola, (3) Madagascar, (4) Mozambique, (5) Namibia, (6) Swaziland, (7) Zimbabwe
(E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
(F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Cuba, (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) Russian Federation
1) Afghanistan
(a) The security situation continued to deteriorate during the week, particularly with incidents of improvised explosive devices, rockets, landmines and ambushes targeting the government, coalition forces and aid workers. In the north, an improvised explosive device exploded at the main gate of Afghan Aid, a national NGO, in Fayz Abad on 16 June, injuring one security guard. In the south, the UNHCR office in Kandahar was attacked with small arms fore and rocket-propelled grenades on 18 June, causing no casualities. On 21 June, a vehicle of Joint Electoral Management body (JEMB) carrying three policemen to a voter registration site in Kandahar was ambushed, causing the death of one policeman and injuring the driver.
(b) During the reporting period, over 362, 910 beneficiaries received some 2,480 tons of food.
2) Russian Federation
(a) According to the government of the Russian republic of Ingushetia, ninety-seven people were killed and more than 100 wounded in a series of coordinated attacks by militants on the law enforcement agencies' buildings in Nazran and the surrounding area during the night of 21-22 June. In Nazran, the Border Guard Service HQ, police posts and the Republican Ministry of the Interior (MVD) building were attacked. An OCHA local driver was killed when caught in a cross-fire on his way home from work in a private vehicle. Intensive fighting lasted for approximately four hours with intermittent shooting continuing later. Thousands of Russian troops moved in to reinforce the military contingent in Ingushetia and restore order. Due to this security situation, UN international staff members in Ingushetia were relocated and WFP's office in Nazran will remain temporarily closed.
B) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Eritrea, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Rwanda, (6) Sudan, (7) Uganda
1) Burundi
(a) Some 30,000 Congolese refugees from Uvira and Bukavu districts in DRC fled to Bujumbura Rural and Cibitoke provinces in Burundi. However, the flow of refugees is declining gradually. WFP has already distributed more than 100 tons of food aid to the refugees and will continue to assist new arrivals. The Government of Burundi guaranteed relocation sites for these refugees and Cankuzo province is being considered. WFP will continue to assist the refugees in their new locations.
(b) WFP suspended food distributions following general disorder and looting of over 10 tons of food commodities during a distribution to vulnerable groups at Magara site in Bugarama commune of Bujumbura Rural province. WFP is working with local administrators and CARE to identify the reasons and perpetrators behind this act.
(c) Between 14 and 20 June, WFP distributed over 900 tons of food aid to around 103,000 beneficiaries through different programme activities. Targeted distributions reached almost 60,000 beneficiaries in Ngozi, Bujumbura Mairie and Bujumbura Rural provinces. Most of the distributions, however, were conducted without oil due to a shortage of this commodity. A total pipeline break in oil is jeopardizing all future distributions, including those to the recently arrived Congolese refugees. The dispatch of oil from Mombassa port and the agreed loans must be accelerated to ensure distributions.
(d) Assessment teams continue analyzing field data collected during the Joint Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (JCFSAM), conducted jointly with FAO, UNICEF and the Ministry of Agriculture. Preliminary findings indicate that food shortages during the rest of the year will be higher and affect more people than previously envisaged.
2) D.R. Congo
(a) The security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is still unpredictable with the reported deployment of additional government troops at the border with Rwanda. Although the dissident General Laurent Nkunda has withdrawn from Bukavu, his action instigated violence in the whole province of South Kivu. Fierce confrontations occurred in Kamanyola between regular government forces and dissident forces of Colonel Mutebuzi. Massive displacements of rural populations from Kamanyola to Nyangezi and Burundi areas bordering the DRC were reported. Ethnic confrontations between Bira and Hema communities were reported at Marabo, some 15 km south of Bunia.
(b) Even though expatriate staff have returned to Bukavu, humanitarian activities are still very limited. On 20 June, 130 Congolese were repatriated from Cyangugu to Bukavu through efforts of UNHCR. In Kalemie, WFP is repossessing the office equipment looted early in June. Tensions between Banyamulenge and other communities remained strong. Some 125 Banyamulenge were still in the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) compound and some 17 others under the protection of government military authorities.
(c) During last week, approximately 150 tons of various food commodities were distributed to some 12,000 beneficiaries in Bunia, Ituri district, most of whom were returnees. IDPs, willing to return to their home from Bunia camp, were identified and the first round covered IDPs from Nizi, a village located some 35 km north of Bunia.
(d) In North Kivu province, food distributions continued. Reports from implementing partners in Goma, Masisi and Rutshuru indicated that over 90 tons of food were distributed to almost 6,000 beneficiaries, including malnourished children, vulnerable groups and HIV/AIDS infected people.
(e) In Bukavu, food dispatches into town were limited because of security constraints. Coordination meetings of food assistance resumed as well as the recording of targeted beneficiaries.
(f) Nutritional centres in the suburban areas of Kalemie reportedly resumed their activities. The shortage of oil, due to the recent looting of WFP's warehouse, is expected to further imbalance the food basket of malnourished children. WFP stocks at Kalemie amounted to just over 700 tons with a zero balance in oil.
3) Eritrea
(a) Prospects for the 2004 agricultural season remain poor as many regions continue to receive below average and sporadic rainfall. In the Northern and Southern Red Sea regions, the shortage of water has become a common scene. People are forced to walk long distances in search of potable water. Sugar, bread and milk are no longer available in the markets of Massawa, and the price of coffee has risen to unaffordable levels. Similar shortages have been reported in Decamhare. In this area, sales are reportedly being conducted by the Eritrean Grain Board to counterbalance the increasing prices of cereal.
(b) In Anseba region, rains, which normally fall in May, are delayed, resulting in severe water shortages and delays in sowing of the main cereal crops. According to an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers will be supplied with seeds for this cropping season. In Debub region farmers are engaged in sowing sorghum and barley. Villages were also observed working on terracing land and on other soil conservation measures to reduce soil erosion and increase water infiltration in connection with the heavy rains expected during June and July.
(c) A refined targeting of drought-affected people is a key element of EMOP 10261.01, which is under approval. WFP has organized a workshop on targeting with the active participation of approximately 75 representatives of local government, Village Relief Committee members, the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission and WFP. All participants welcomed this initiative and highly appreciated the opportunity to seek clarification and exchange experiences. A comprehensive workshop report will be presented shortly.
4) Ethiopia
(a) The main season "kiremt" (or "meher") rains have started in the central highlands, the western and north-western parts of the country and in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). In the eastern highlands, rain is reported in highland but not yet in midland or lowland areas.
(b) The rains have not yet started in the north-eastern part of the country, where several areas which depend on "belg" or secondary rains, experienced insufficient and interrupted "belg" rains earlier in the year. The "belg" season needs assessment mission, which will also be looking at crop conditions, will begin shortly. In parts of the north-east, livestock condition is reported to be deteriorating as a result of the poor "belg" rains. The main season rains traditionally start later in this part of the country than in the central highlands.
(c) In the two northern districts of Somali region, there are early signs of the coming "karan" rains, which fall in July/August. In the southern part of Somali region there is concern about stress signs appearing earlier than usual during the current "hagaa" dry season, which lasts until October. There is pasture and water scarcity in some areas following an early end of the main "gu" rains, as no rain was reported in May. However, untimely rains in southern Afder and Liben districts were recently reported; the extent of the rains, which also reached into neighbouring parts of Somalia, is still to be established.
(d) The National Meteorological Services Agency (NMSA) is predicting a generally normal "kiremt" or "meher" season, but the eastern half of the country is expected to experience below average rains.
5) Rwanda
(a) Drought conditions and the premature end of rains, adversely affected the staple bean crop resulting in the national bean production being below normal this June harvest season. Most affected areas are: Gashora district, Bugesera region, parts of Cyarubare, Mirenge and Nyarubuye districts of Kibungo province, and parts of Kahi, Nyakigando, Gabiro, Rukara, Nyamiyaga districts in Umutara provinces. The official results of the Crop and Food Assessment Mission (CFAM) will confirm actual production and shortfalls. WFP will continue to monitor the food security situation and implement appropriate food-for-work projects, school feeding and HIV/AIDS projects in these areas.
(b) A refugee verification exercise was carried out by UNHCR last week at the Nyagatare transit site in Cyangugu. The number of refugees from Bukavu is 2,415 with 1,062 at the transit site and 1,353 in Cyangugu town. A new development in refugee movements saw the arrival of 70 Rwandese refugees of Tutsi origin from Burundi this week.
6) Sudan
(a) Hostilities continued in the Darfur region despite the President's directive to disarm the militias. The hostilities impede access for humanitarian agencies to many areas. The UNFSCO cleared areas which were reasonably secure and the designated areas where security was a big challenge as "NO-GO" areas.
(b) The rains are beginning and most roads will soon become impassable. Hence, WFP is accelerating its efforts regarding the pre-positioning of food commodities.
(c) Since January this year, WFP has distributed 30,579 tons of assorted food commodities to over 842,117 war-affected beneficiaries. Food distribution was undertaken as follows: 6,781 tons to 239,488 beneficiaries in West Darfur; 15,570 tons to some 316,538 beneficiaries in North Darfur; and 8,228 tons to approximately 286,091 beneficiaries in South Darfur.
7) Uganda
(a) The humanitarian situation in the northern Acholi and Lango sub-regions continues to worsen as a result of regular brutal and horrifying Lord's Resistance (LRA) rebel attacks on the civilian population. The displaced population's ability to cope has reduced drastically, while food needs have increased.
(b) A visiting mission of donor representatives from Finland, the EU, Canada, Sweden, Spain and the UN described the situation in the northern Uganda districts of Gulu, Kitgum and Lira as a "humanitarian crisis of tragic magnitude that had become a human tragedy of vast proportion".
(c) Continued displacement was reported in refugee-hosting sub-counties in Adjumani district, northwestern Uganda. LRA rebel presence in the district has forced a number of refugees to commute to their fields daily in order to access them.
(d) WFP food distribution continues to reach over 1.6 million displaced persons, 148,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. During the period from 12 to 18 June, over 3,200 tons of WFP relief food assistance reached almost 249,000 beneficiaries including IDPs sheltering in camps in Kitgum, Pader and Lira districts in the northern Acholi and Lango sub-regions; refugees and vulnerable persons.
(e) WFP urgently requires USD 31 million in generous contributions to continue providing relief assistance to over 1.6 million people through December this year. WFP faces a shortfall of 57,100 tons of food commodities (45,685 tons cereals, 7,512 tons pulses, 3,776 tons CSB and 127 tons vegetable oil) from June through December. A cereals shortfall is anticipated in August, while current stocks of pulses will last until late September. Fortified blended food stocks available, though removed from the general ration, are sufficient to meet the needs of the school feeding, nutrition and HIV/AIDS programmes.
C) West Africa Region: (1) Chad, (2) Liberia, (3) Cote d'Ivoire
1) Chad
(a) The visit of Secretary General Kofi Annan to the country has been scheduled for 1 July. Preparation meetings have taken place with UN agencies and the mission plans to visit the refugee camps.
(b) Chad has threatened to abandon its role as mediator in the Darfur crisis. Ahmad Allami, Personal Advisor to President Idriss Deby, stated that a former Chadian rebel movement has been revived on the Sudanese side of the border and little is being done by the Sudanese Government to put a stop to the situation. In the East, Agence France Presse reported clashes on 13 June between Chadian Army which killed 69 Djanjaweed Arab Militia, though reports from MSF-B indicate 30 dead from the incursion.
(c) A UNHCR mission from Geneva estimates that 200,000 more refugees may enter into Chad if the Darfur security situation deteriorates.
(d) Water supply is creating a desperate situation for the refugees in the Bahai region. This is coupled with the increase in Sudanese rebel activities which has raised the concern of the humanitarian community working in the region. Movement of "Liberateurs" (Chadian forces backing current Central African Republic president) are reported around Yangougou, the main refugee camp in the south. The armed elements are located at 30 km from the camp and this is a key protection issue for UNCHR
(e) The estimated caseload for the refugee population by UNHCR has gone down from 193,677 to 179,968. The decrease is related to the verification and relocation process, where some refugees are remaining or have considered alternative options. In addition, Chadians believed to be included in previous estimations have been removed through the process of verification. As of 22 June the camp caseload is comprised of 105,115 refugees. UNHCR continues its efforts to relocate some 75,000 refugees at border sites.
(f) Under EMOP 10327.00 the distribution plan for June is to reach 123,013 beneficiaries with 1,698 tons of food. Actual distributions will be available at the end of the month.
(g) A joint WFP/UNHCR mission to evaluate a northern transport route is planned from N'Djamena through northern Chad to Iriba. The mission is due to depart this week. With the rains, it is only a matter of time for road transport routes to become impassable. WFP has been working to move as much food to the southern EDP sites as they will be the first to be effected, as the rains move from the southern part of the country to the north.
(h) A nutrition survey team returned to N'Djamena. Preliminary results indicate a global malnutrition rate of 26.2 percent and a severe malnutrition rate of 2.7 percent and in Bahai/Cariari area, a global malnutrition rate between 22 and 24 percent.
(i) Most of the NGOs indicate that their current medical stocks will not be enough for the rainy season. With the limited vaccine supply situation in Chad, medical NGOs are making international purchases.
(j) A new air craft from WFP-Humanitarian Air Service arrived 19 June which will the double capacity of the air operation. Project proposal has been submitted to deal with increased demand which will allow for an enhanced air service from 80 to 115 hours a month. Project is scheduled to the end of year. Resources mobilization for the project is on-going.
2) Liberia
(a) The food pipeline is facing critical shortages. WFP is now forced to distribute reduced rations of cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, CSB and salt in to all refugees, returnees and IDPs. The situation in September is critical with a pipeline break for all commodities, which could cause rioting in the camps for displaced.
(b) From 16 to 22 June, WFP distributed 1,423 tons of commodities to 116,576 IDPs and returnees. WFP also distributed 342 tons of commodities to 68,000 children through the school feeding programme. WFP also continues to support the disarmament and demobilization process; during this week more than 280 tons of commodities were distributed 22,000 ex-combatants and dependents.
(c) From 15 to 18 June, a WFP assessment team visited Nimba County. The mission found that the food security situation in Nimba is precarious and largely affected by the current lean season, the continuous flow of IDP returnees to the war-devastated areas and the delayed DDRR interventions. The mission recommended expanding FFW/Food in Support of Local Initiatives in Nimba County, particularly for infrastructure rehabilitation (shelter/road/bridges) and vegetable/tree crop farming activities.
(d) During this week, a WFP assessment mission was also conducted in Kolahun and Foya districts of Lofa County; it was the first WFP mission in these areas since the end of the civil war. The mission noted that a significant number of IDPs and refugees are returning in the communities which are currently engaged in farming and rehabilitation activities. Limited access to food was cited to be one of the major concerns of the population along with the lack of shelter and infrastructure. The mission has recommended initiating targeted food assistance interventions in support of recovery activities particularly during the next months of the lean season.
3) Cote d'Ivoire
(a) During the past week, clashes broke out between rival factions of the Forces Nouvelles in Korhogo and Bouake. It is reported that twenty-two people died in the fighting. WFP offices in Korhogo and Bouake were closed on Monday 21 June due to the insecurity, and some distributions were delayed. Since 20 June, WFP's office in Guiglo has been observing a curfew each night from 20:00 until 6:00 hrs. The UN Security Council mission visited Cote d'Ivoire as part of its visit to West Africa. During their stay in Abidjan they were harassed by Jeunes Patriots [pro-President Gbagbo youth group] while trying to leave their hotel to meet with the National Assembly.
(b) The majority of travelers from Burkina Faso and Mali, that were blocked by government troops when they tried to cross the cease fire zone into government-controlled territory, have left, with the exception of around 150 people who remain stranded due to their lack of funds to continue their voyage. WFP continues to provide high energy biscuits to this population. Of the travelers that left, some of these people appeared to have successfully crossed into government territory and returned to their plantations. Others returned to Burkina Faso and Mali.
(c) From 16 to 22 June, approximately 717 tons of various food commodities were distributed to some 58,115 beneficiaries.
(d) WFP and the Ivorian Red Cross are collaborating on a pilot project targeting people affected by HIV/AIDS in the western town of Daloa. Food aid will complement medical care and psychological counselling.
(e) The UN has announced the appointment of a five-member independent commission to investigate human rights violations committed during the four months of civil war that followed the September 2002 rebellion. The commission will arrive in the country at the end of June or early July.
D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2), Angola, (3) Madagascar, (4) Mozambique, (5) Namibia, (6) Swaziland, (7) Zimbabwe
1) Regional
(a) Addressing the press in Johannesburg after a visit to southern Africa, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa, Mr. James Morris said southern Africa is being debilitated by the 'death spiral' caused by the confluence of HIV, food insecurity, burden on public administration and services, and most critically, the drain on human resources. Mr. Morris visited Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Namibia from 14 to 22 June to review how the UN system and the international community can strengthen its assistance to the region's most vulnerable people in battling the effects of food insecurity, HIV/AIDS, and the drain on human resources, which the pandemic causes. Southern Africa has the highest rates of HIV infection in the world. There are already 14 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa and the number is expected to reach more than 20 million by the end of the decade.
(b) Furthermore, Mr. Morris expressed concern that the UN Consolidated Appeal for southern Africa remains seriously under funded with only USD 327 million (53 percent) in confirmed donations to date, out of a requested USD 615 million. In particular, funds for non-food items, such as medicines, healthcare, education, water and sanitation supplies, are desperately needed with only 16 percent of resources for these items having been raised.
2) Angola
(a) PRRO 10054.2, Assistance to War Affected People, continues to be severely under funded. Food shortfalls are obliging the Country Office to reduce the number of activities and beneficiaries which it supports, to alter the composition of rations and to review its structure and staff levels in both Luanda and the provinces. Some 480 tons of Zambian white maize are being delivered by road from Zambia to Cazombo in Moxico province in eastern Angola. This contribution will allow WFP Angola to issue full rations for the returning Angolan refugees from Zambia for the next two months.
3) Lesotho
(a) From 15 to 22 June, WFP and its partners distributed about 1,400 tons of food to some 120,800 beneficiaries. The supplementary feeding programme assisted about 18,600 children under five, 14,500 HIV/AIDS and TB patients and 7,000 pregnant and nursing mothers with food through health centres, 46,800 beneficiaries under Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), and 34,000 orphans.
(b) WFP Lesotho is experiencing an acute shortage of maize meal. The balance in the stores is sufficient for three days distribution only.
4) Madagascar
(a) The joint WFP/FAO/Ministry of Agriculture Emergency Rapid Needs Assessment (ERNA) mission was completed on 14 June. The mission reported that approximately 400,000 hectares of cultivated land, 320,000 hectares of which are rice fields, have been damaged and/or destroyed by the cyclones Elita and Gafilo and subsequent flooding. On 30 June, the Ministry of Interior and its National Emergency Council will officially present the results of the ERNA, along with the results of the assessments conducted by UNICEF.
(b) WFP's School Feeding programme in the south covers 276 schools with 62,200 beneficiaries. Catholic Relief Services are in the process of submitting a proposal to cover the schools in Mananjar in the southeast where the school attendance rate is only 17 percent. The present WFP School Feeding Programme in the south has reportedly raised attendance rates in assisted schools by 37 percent to 96 percent. The overall average school attendance rate in Madagascar is 59 percent.
5) Mozambique
(a) There are currently about 1.3 million orphans in Mozambique, of which about 370,000 have lost one or both parents to the virus. By 2010, it is expected that there will be nearly 1.8 million orphans, of which more than half will have lost one or both parents due to HIV. About 500 new infections are recorded each day; these are mostly women, aged 25 or younger.
(b) The latest Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) report for Mozambique surveyed 53 EMOP and Country Programme FFW distribution points, covering 1,050 households in six provinces: Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Tete and Sofala. This represents a 40 percent increase on last month's number of households. Of those interviewed, 33 percent were female-headed and 19 percent elderly-headed. Further, it was found that 15 percent of the households are caring for orphans and 9 percent have chronically ill members.
6) Namibia
(a) The UN, donors and Government of Namibia officials welcomed the inclusion of Namibia as part of the mission of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa. The mission will help to increase the visibility of the "Triple Threat" concerns of food insecurity, AIDS and weakened capacity for governance in the context of Namibia. Strengthening collaboration among UN, donors and civil society, in support of Government priorities in these areas, is seen as very important and urgent.
(b) Resources for EMOP 10334, Targeted Food Assistance for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Namibia Affected by Food Insecurity and the Impact of HIV/AIDS, and EMOP 10145.1, Food Assistance to Angolan Refugees in Namibia, remains critical. WFP appeals for donor assistance for additional resources to support food distributions beyond August. Urgent attention and support is also needed for nutritional surveillance in northern Namibia.
7) Swaziland
(a) HIV/AIDS prevalence among women attending antenatal care services in Swaziland has risen from 3.6 percent in 1992 to 38.6 percent today. The full impact of the epidemic is now being felt, with health service institutions and other public services being overburdened. An estimated 20,000 people require care in Swaziland, but there are only 1,500 hospital beds available. About half of admissions are HIV/AIDS related. Some 60,000 children have already been orphaned by the virus and by 2010, it is expected that Swaziland will have 120,000 orphans out of a population of 930,000 people.
(b) WFP food monitors and World Vision field staff carried out a Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) exercise in the Lowveld. About 60 percent of the households were found to be using seasonal wild fruits and vegetables to supplement the food aid ration that is not adequate to carry them through the month. The PDM results show a zero harvest of the maize crop for about 50 percent of the households visited. Donor assistance is urgently required to avert hunger.
8) Zimbabwe
(a) Special Envoy Mr. Morris said his mission was disappointed not to be able to visit Zimbabwe, and hopes to do so in the not too distant future.
(b) The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) document was finalized and presented to the Government. The Government has reportedly approved the report and will present the key findings to stakeholders at a meeting on 28 June.
(c) Zimbabwe has a very high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, around 34 percent, one of the five highest in the world. It has at least 800,000 orphans because of HIV/AIDS and a life expectancy rate nearly cut in half. WFP and NGO partners in 2003 provided food to feed 6.5 million people. In March of this year WFP provided food for 4.4 million people. This month, after the harvest, WFP is providing food for 640,000 people, a huge percentage of them being children under the School Feeding Programme, another 15 percent being children under five. Malnutrition rates in the urban environment are very serious.
E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea
1) DPR Korea
(a) Seventeen out of eighteen Local Food Production factories operated during the past week; one factory was closed due to the delayed transportation of DSM and sugar. Production for the third week of June remained high and was almost 1,400 tons. This is over 90 percent of the EMOP weekly requirement.
(b) Under EMOP 10141.02, in June and July, more than two million core beneficiaries, including pregnant/nursing women and children in kindergartens and primary schools on the west, will remain without cereal rations. The situation will temporarily improve in August following the expected arrival of wheat in late July. However, unless additional contributions are pledged immediately, by October cereal distributions to all beneficiaries and Food-For-Work programmes for the fall season will have to be suspended.
(c) New pledges of 173,000 tons are required for the coming 6 months (June-November 2004).
F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Colombia, (2) Cuba, (3) Dominican Republic, (4) Ecuador, (5) Guatemala, (6) Haiti, (7) Nicaragua
1) Colombia
(a) Clashes between illegal armed groups forced new displacements in Norte de Santander province and La Gabarra municipality. Due to road blockades a maximum alert has been declared in the affected region. WFP continues to implement nutritional recovery activities in this village.
(b) On 19 June, clashes between rebels and a government military convoy near the village of Frontino, province of Antioquia, resulted in 5 people killed and 5 injured.
(c) In the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced, WFP distributed 345 tons of food in 9 provinces to over 54,315 beneficiaries.
2) Cuba
(a) The country is facing the worst drought of the past 40 years. The Eastern provinces, in particular Holguín, Las Tunas and Camaguey, are the most affected. The Government continues to work on additional water supply, e.g. by means of the foreseen construction of an aqueduct in Las Tunas province. Furthermore, the government has doubled food aid rations for vulnerable groups. WFP has continued its nutritional project in the mentioned affected areas.
3) Dominican Republic
Food shortages are foreseen in the affected areas in the province of Independencia for the next two months. About 601 families will require emergency food assistance including homeless families, Haitian families living in shelters and other vulnerable groups.
WFP continues to provide logistics and food assistance to Jimani. On 21
June, the Food Security team lead by WFP met and agreed to provide three months of food assistance in Jimaní using WFP food rations standard to ensure a balanced diet. From 23 to 24 June, WFP visited Jimaní to monitor the implementation of the logistics mission recommendations on warehouse organization.
The school-feeding project continues 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. In the area of the disaster, Province of Independencia, the project assists 20 schools.
Current in-country stocks amount to some 144 tons.
4) Ecuador
(a) Ash emissions and explosions have been reported from the Tungurahua volcano, with a 12 June explosion being the largest since December 2003.
(b) The Third Andean Regional Conference for Disaster Preparedness and Civil Protection was held in Quito from 16 to 18 June. Agreements were reached in the three sub-regional strategies: 1) Public information for prevention and awareness, 2) Protocols for mutual assistance and performance in the Andean countries, 3) Volunteer strengthening in the Andean Sub-region.
5) Guatemala
(a) Heavy rains caused a landslide in the village of El Cerrito, in the outskirts of Guatemala City. Twenty-four houses were damaged.
(b) Three teams comprising WFP and counterpart staff visited WFP-assisted communities in the highlands to monitor food deliveries to beneficiaries and progress of activities aimed at assets creation. Significant progress was observed in the province of San Gaspar Ixil, Huehuetenango, where four communities will benefit from the construction of a drinking water system.
6) Haiti
(a) The security environment remains uncertain and volatile. In Port-au-Prince there has been an increase in the number of armed gang activities
(b) Nevertheless, the current security situation allows WFP to continue operations in the areas covered by the EMOP, CP and PRRO. The humanitarian operations in the flooded areas of Fonds Verrettes and Mapou also continue without security problems.
(c) Since May 23, when the devastating floods and landslides hit the country, WFP has distributed to the area more than 375 tons of food covering the needs of 6,093 families.
(d) A total of 70.39 tons of food were transported to Mapou of which 19 tons have already been distributed to 4,000 people to cover their needs for 10 days. The remaining will cover the needs of about 3000 families at the areas of Barrois, St-Michel, Nan Roche, Haut Fort, Didieu, Kakont, Cibao, Marchasse, Citadelle, Bois Tombe, Tiplace, Zamor, Nan Galette and Pichon.
(e) As of 24 June, a WFP-chartered cargo helicopter stopped its operations after having served with a total of 39 flights transporting a total of 110 tons of food and 23 tons of non-food items to 15,030 victims of the floods.
(f) In the current emergency operations, WFP continues to take the lead for coordinating logistics, transportation and telecommunications.
(g) Despite funds provided by 9 countries, the current EMOP 10347 shortfall stands at 58.34 percent of the USD 7.9 million required for the emergency operation. Further and urgent contributions are essential for WFP to be able to respond to additional emergency needs.
7) Nicaragua
(a) According to INETER (Nicaraguan Institute for Territory Studies) and MAGFOR (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) crop losses were reported due to drought in some municipalities, particularly in central northern Nicaragua (Esteli, Jinotega, Chinandega, Ocotal and Condega). Other regions have reported to be affected by heavy rains. INETER mentioned above average precipitation in the two Atlantic Regions exposed to frequent flooding. WFP is closely monitoring the situation.
(b) Food distributions under PRRO 10212.0, Targeted Food Assistance for Persons affected by Shocks and the Recovery of Livelihood, continue to cover a total of over 79,465 school children in the RAAN and in the municipality of Matagalpa. In addition, some 18,755 vulnerable children under 2 years of age and expectant and nursing women and 2,000 poor rural families are also being assisted in the northern region of the country.
(c) For the next six months, beginning in July, the PRRO will face accumulated shortfalls of beans (415 tons), rice (362 tons), and CSB (809 tons) and beginning in September of vegetable oil (191 tons). Country Programme school feeding basic and supplementary activities are also facing serious shortfalls for the next six months. A total of 1,402 tons of rice, 1,087 tons of maize, 537 tons of beans, 446 tons of vegetable oil and 1,013 tons of CSB are urgently needed.
Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tones (MT).
(END WFP Emergency Report No. 26, 2004)