This report includes: (A) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan, (3) Pakistan, (4) Iran (B) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Guatemala, (2) El Salvador, (3) Honduras, (4) Nicaragua, (5) Ecuador, (6) Peru (C) Central Africa Region: Democratic Republic of Congo (D) West Africa Region: (1) Sierra Leone, (2) Guinea (E) Eastern Europe Region: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Balkans
From Francesco Strippoli, Senior Humanitarian Adviser; available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page (www.wfp.org), or by e-mail from Zlatan.Milisic@wfp.org. 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) West and Central Asia Region: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan, (3) Pakistan, (4) Iran
(1) Regional overview
(a) On 4 October, WFP approved a regional emergency operation to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan as well as the surrounding countries and warned that the situation could worsen with the onset of winter. On 29 September, WFP made an important start with the resumption of overland food deliveries, which now average about 500 tons a day. WFP is trying to increase these deliveries, ideally up to 52,000 tons per month. This is the amount necessary to feed the six million people identified as neediest, as well as the 1.5 million people that are expected to seek refuge outside Afghanistan in the event of hostilities. The total cost for such an operation running for six months will be US 230 million.
(b) In addition, WFP will mount a separate USD 27 million Special Operation to provide a region-wide logistical support network, telecommunications, passenger air servicFe for humanitarian personnel, air cargo support, a fleet of 190 trucks as well as security equipment and personnel. So far WFP has about 27 percent of the resources needed for both operations.
(c) WFP estimates that 100,000 families will be cut off from food deliveries once the snows, starting in mid-November, make most roads impassable. Given the current situation on the ground, it is impossible to pre-position all the necessary supplies to last these people through the winter. This is why WFP is planning to airdrop food to the area. WFP estimates that a total of 30,000 tons of food would be required to assist these families. To organize an airdrop, WFP is identifying safe air corridors and will need to obtain approval to use them from the Afghan authorities. WFP will also need to get approval for staff to operate the drop-zones.
(d) Meanwhile, WFP is preparing for those who may cross the borders into the neighbouring countries. WFP started airlifting emergency food rations into countries neighbouring Afghanistan on 28 September. About 265 tons of high energy biscuits were pre-positioned in Pakistan, Iran and Turkmenistan before 1 October to help feed the expected influx of refugees into these countries for the first few days. WFP is already feeding about 150,000 Afghans who live as refugees in Pakistan and in Iran.
(2) Afghanistan
(a) Security situation inside Afghanistan is reported to be deteriorating with an increase in crime and armed robberies. Communication from inside Afghanistan remains very limited and is being monitored by the Taliban following an order prohibiting communication with the outside world. The security of WFP warehouses in Afghanistan remains stable and WFP staff has not received any threats of looting. Earlier reports of looting of the Kandahar warehouse stocks were not accurate. The warehouse stocks continue to remain under the control of WFP national staff. However, WFP office in Kandahar is still controlled by the Taliban.
(b) WFP in collaboration with various NGOs has distributed about 14,450 tons of food from 11 September to 5 October under various programmes inside Afghanistan, mainly in Herat and Kabul regions. As of 5 October, WFP food stocks inside Afghanistan amounted to over 8,400 tons of food. In addition, WFP has over 44,600 tons of food available in the neighbouring countries.
(c) WFP has prepared a map based on the VAM food security survey for pre-positioning of food in priority districts before 15 November when access is likely to be snow-bound. WFP held a meeting with its NGO partners to agree on their respective operational areas. Each partner will be responsible for a specific region in Afghanistan.
(d) The first 218 tons of wheat successfully arrived in Kabul on 3 October from Peshawar, with no difficulties reported during the journey. A remaining balance of 782 tons of wheat dispatched from Peshawar is expected to arrive in Kabul by 5 October. WFP is currently distributing food to 51,000 families regularly involved in the General Bakery in Kabul. As of 2 October, 891 tons of food had been distributed. Despite the continuous reluctance of local transporters to travel to rural areas, WFP dispatched 100 tons of food on 1 October to be distributed to the Kuchi nomadic tribes. WFP dispatched 100 tons of wheat to Panjao district (Hazarajat Province) to be distributed by Oxfam under a Food for Education, Food for Asset Creation (FOODAC) projects.
(e) 70 to 80 families were reported to have crossed over from Kabul into Panjshir Valley. WFP in collaboration with Action Contre la Faim (ACF) is currently distributing 1,300 tons of food in the Valley.
(f) The WFP first trial convoy of 100 tons of wheat dispatched from Quetta on 29 September arrived in Herat on 4 October. The truck drivers reported no problems encountered along the entire route. WFP intends to dispatch and additional 570 tons of food from Spinboldak and 1,000 tons of wheat from Quetta, as soon as possible. WFP is arranging trucks from Afghanistan to cross load a trial run of 100 tons of wheat flour from Iran to Herat. WFP pre-positioned 100 tons of food in Mashlak camp to cover the needs of 12,000 IDPs. In addition, WFP continues to support children under 15 and pregnant and lactating mothers through a Supplementary Feeding Center (SFC) at the Mashlak camp.
(g) The price of wheat flour in Kandahar has reportedly gone up by 30 percent, although supplies have resumed a few days ago. About 45 trucks with 35 tons each of wheat flour cross the Chaman border daily, which is less than 50 percent of the wheat flour exported to Kandahar before this crisis. People who had fled to rural areas are now returning to Kandahar.
(h) WFP is currently dispatching 1,000 tons of wheat from Ishkashim to Faizabad. As of 4 October, WFP had received 137 tons of wheat. Due to restrictions at the Tajikistan border, only 100-150 tons of wheat can be transported per day from Tajikistan to Afghanistan.
(i) WFP received about 200 tons of wheat in Andkhoi warehouse on 3 October. A remaining balance of 602 tons of food is expected in the near future. The population in Jalalabad has drastically reduced. It is estimated that 20 percent of the population are in the city, while 40 to 60 percent have either moved to the rural areas or trying to cross the border with Pakistan. Transporters in Jalalabad are refusing to transport food to the rural areas for security reasons. WFP distributed 647 tons of food to the bakeries and its regular projects implemented by various NGOs in the Mazar area.
(3) Pakistan
(a) Afghanistan borders into Pakistan remained closed to refugees with very little movement reported through Chaman and Torkham borders although people are reportedly slipping through. Some WFP national staff from the Afghanistan Country Office have been deployed to Peshawar and Quetta to support the emergency refugee operation under the regional EMOP.
(b) The food situation in Quetta remains normal and food is available in the market. There is no significant fluctuation in the prices of food commodities. Food is also available in the markets close to Chaman border. No increase in prices is noticed, except for the vegetable oil, which has gone up by 10 percent due to decreased imports from Iran.
(c) The border remains officially sealed by the Government of Balochistan and refugees are blocked by the Frontier Corps. However, on average 30 families cross the border daily through the main check point or infrequent routes. There were no reported gatherings of refugees at the Chaman border (near Quetta). Refugees who initially moved to the border have either gone back or managed to cross the border.
(d) UN agencies in Quetta are continuing to work on the establishment of refugee camps at Dara and Roghani at Chaman border. The sites of Dara and Roghani were endorsed by the local administration and have been submitted for the approval of the Home Department of Balochistan. WFP is ready to dispatch wheat flour to the camps, as soon as the Government of Balochistan allows refugees to settle in the camp. WFP is currently discussing with Mercy Corps International (MCI) the modalities for a possible partnership for food distribution. Once the distribution arrangements are agreed, they will be presented to Community for Afghan Refugees (CAR) for clearance. Dara is expected to receive 2,500 families, while Roghani will host 40,000 refugees. Besides, two other camps will be established in Qilla Saifullah and Chagai districts.
(e) The Thorkham border between Afghanistan and Pakistan (near Peshawar) remains officially closed. However, commercial trucks carrying fruits are being allowed to cross from Afghanistan to Pakistan. Likewise trucks carrying food from Pakistan are allowed into Afghanistan. About 500 to 600 individuals per day are also crossing from Pakistan to Afghanistan. As the refugees are being stopped at the border, they are using unofficial routes, passing through Ali Masjid (Pakistan) to Groko (Afghanistan) and Bara (close to Peshawar).
(f) WFP completed food distribution through NGOs for 11,800 families at Jalozai camp on 1 October. WFP supplied 63 tons of food to MSF-H to assist an additional 900 children admitted in the SFC programme in Jalozai. WFP in collaboration with its NGO partner plans to start the distribution of 850 tons of food to 52,300 refugees in Shamshatoo camp on 8 October, including 460 families relocated from Jalozai camp.
(g) Inter-agency missions comprising UN agencies, NGOs and CAR assessed various proposed campsites in Khyber Agency, Khurram Agency, Bajaur Agency, Dir district, North and South Waziristan Agency. As a follow-up of this joint mission, UNHCR is conducting separate assessments. UNHCR confirmed that the camp at Chaman, in Khyber Agency met all the security, water, access requirements. The proposed camp has a current capacity of 10,000 refugees, but can be expanded up to 50,000 as needed. WFP identified a well-secured private store in Landikotal with a capacity of 12-15,000 tons.
(h) Four main sites and ten alternative camps were identified in Khurrum agency, with a capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 people each. Two proposed campsites, which could accommodate around 70,000 refugees, were visited in Bajaur Agency. Sadber and Barary camps, with a respective capacity of 7,000 and 10,000 were visited in Dir District. Finally, 10,000 to 20,000 people could be accommodated in two sites identified in North Waziristan.
(4) Iran
(a) WFP discharged 49 tons of high-energy biscuits at Mash airport airlifted from Brindisi, Italy and transported them to Dogharoun on the border with Afghanistan. In the absence of Iranian transporters willing to go from Mashad to Afghanistan, WFP is considering the option of trans-shipping to Dogharoun/Islam Qalla where Afghan trucks coming from Herat can receive the consignment. WFP plans to dispatch 100 tons of wheat flour from Bandar Abbas to Mashad (Herat) on 6 October. In addition, WFP is considering the possibility of borrowing 600 tons of wheat from the State Organization for Grain (SOG) stocks in Khorassan province and dispatch the food to Herat. WFP is discussing with SOG authorities both at the local level, in Mashad and central level in Tehran.
(b) The UN working group is regularly updating a contingency plan. Seven camps have been identified along the border to accommodate the refugees in Sistan ?Baluchistan and Khorassan Mehbodan areas. WFP is in the process of setting up sub offices in Khorassan, Sistan and Baluchestan provinces bordering Afghanistan. WFP is also currently discussing with Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) for possible partnership for food distribution in the Afghan camps. The IRCS is able to lend food to cover the needs of 125,000 people for one-month.
(B) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Guatemala, (2) El Salvador, (3) Honduras, (4) Nicaragua, (5) Ecuador, (6) Peru
(1) Guatemala
(a) WFP is increasingly concerned by the rise of the number of people suffering from the prolonged drought. An estimated 17,000 families are now affected by the drought according to WFP and Ministry of Agriculture's recent assessment mission findings. The nutritional assessment in the Jocotan district is on-going. UNICEF and the Ministry of Health have identified 865 children moderately malnourished and 258 severely malnourished.
(b) WFP concluded its first emergency food distribution in the Salama, San Miguel Chicaj, Rabinal and San Jeronimo districts of the province of Baja Verapaz, last week. WFP distributed 1,160 tons of food in all the drought affected provinces, under the PRRO 6089 and the regular development projects. CRS, Red Cross and Movimiento Solidaridad distributed an additional 366 tons of food to over 3,500 families.
(c) The Ministry of Agriculture has provided credit and fertilizers to the most affected families in the provinces of Chiquimula, Zacapa, El Progreso y Jalapa. UNICEF and the Ministry of Health continue their nutritional assessment in the 34 most drought-affected districts.
(2) El Salvador
(a) WFP has assisted 195,100 people affected by the January and February 2001 earthquakes under its EMOP 10022. For the last seven months 37 NGOs have been implementing Food-For-Work (FFW) activities, contributing to the reconstruction process in 515 communities.
(b) Among the most notable achievements is the construction of about 17,900 temporary houses and 1,000 permanent houses, as well as 1,200 latrines. The activities were possible thanks to role of WFP food resources in conjunction with the technical assistance and non-food items (NFIs) provided by WFP NGO partners.
(c) As a result of the continuing food insecurity situation of tens of thousands of families affected by the earthquakes, WFP extended its EMOP 10022 beyond September. WFP is facing a shortfall of 53 percent and was forced to reduce by one third the ration scales as well as the number of beneficiaries from 40,000 families to 15,000 during the September-November period. With no new resources coming in, WFP will cover the needs of only 2,000 families, 5 percent of the original caseload of beneficiaries between November and January 2002.
(3) Honduras
(a) As of 24 September, WFP has distributed 1,920 tons of food to 114,700 persons during the first 36 days of the drought-emergency operation. Although the precipitation of rain is normalizing and the planting period for the second harvest is going as scheduled, the effects on the economy of the drought during the first planting season are expected to last during the next eight months.
(b) The Ministry of Agriculture (SAG) has requested the Inter-American Development Bank for a USD 10 million loan to reactivate the productive capacity of small farmers that have been affected by the drought, with technical assistance, incentives for food production, nutritional supplements and employment.
(4) Nicaragua
(a) WFP has distributed monthly rations to 45,365 drought-affected people in 309 communities. WFP plans to undertake the next food distribution on 8-15 October. As part of the FFW activities carried out to mitigate the impact of the drought, WFP in collaboration with CARE intends to rehabilitate roads in La Trinidad, San Nicolas, Ciudad Dario and San Juan de Limay districts.
(5) Ecuador
(a) According to the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute, the Tungurahua Volcano has maintained low levels of activity during the past seven days. The Emergency Operations Committee is assessing the needs of the affected communities in the province of Tungurahua, and calling for contributions to support the reconstruction efforts.
(6) Peru
(a) The 23 June earthquake, the tsunami and hundreds of aftershocks continue to impact on hundreds of families left homeless and without incomes. Poor people living in peri-urban areas, highlands and small towns along the southern coast were the most affected. 30,000 people were identified as needing emergency food aid. Through the use of the Immediate Response Account (IRA), WFP assisted 20,000 persons during the first month. The subsequent EMOP - approved on 31 August - allowed expanding coverage to 30,000 persons that are presently receiving food aid borrowed from the development projects while contributions are received.
(b) WFP made arrangements with various NGOs for the food distributions and the provision of NFIs, while the National Food Programme (PRONAA) continues to be in charge of logistics. WFP food aid thus far provided is enabling beneficiaries to rebuild their homes in as short a time as possible without further jeopardising their nutritional status. Contributions, however, are not forthcoming, despite the fact that the need for assistance remains.
(c) The Government estimates that USD 389 million are needed to rehabilitate the devastated areas. With the assistance of Inter-American Development Bank, the Government is preparing a donor meeting in Spain to mobilize resources for the reconstruction phase.
(C) Central Africa Region: Democratic Republic of Congo
(1) Democratic Republic of Congo
(a) WFP started its second airlift operation in Northern Katanga on 3 October, delivering 20 tons of food from Kalemie to Manono. A second aircraft is expected to reinforce WFP delivering capacity. In addition to airlift 500 tons of food to Nueva Frontiera's nutritional centres, WFP plans to deliver seeds and tools provided by FAO and NGOs. This second airlift operation has been planned to last three weeks. The total cost of the operation amounts to USD 378,000, of which USD 250,000 have been advanced by WFP emergency funds to enable a rapid start up of the operation. WFP airlifted 400 tons of emergency food aid from June to July 2001, contributing to a dramatic decrease in the number of malnourished people attending nutritional centres in Northern Katanga province.
(b) The security on the roads is greatly improving in Northern Katanga province and civilians are travelling from Kongolo to Kabalo and Nyunzu and across the frontlines. However, the presence of armed groups is still reported along the frontlines. Humanitarian activities in the Maniema province have been suspended following violent confrontations in Kindu on 29 September. The district of Basoko was particularly affected. WFP is prepared for organising an emergency evacuation of the aid workers based in Kindu, using the United Nations Passenger Air Service aircraft. WFP and other humanitarian agencies are planning to undertake an assessment mission as soon as the authorities give consent to the landing of a humanitarian aircraft on the airport of Kindu.
(c) WFP intends to assist vulnerable groups and in particular nursing women and widowers in the towns of Kipushi, Kolwezi and Likasi, north of Lubumbashi (Katanga province). In addition, WFP in collaboration with FAO plans to support IDPs through FFW activities in the rural areas. 3,300 malnourished persons benefit from WFP food assistance through attendance to nutritional centres managed by ACF in Lubumbashi and Malemba-Nkulu.
(d) Intensification of war in the north-eastern part of Angola was reportedly pushing back to DR Congo recently repatriated Angolan refugees and many other newcomers. The caseload of new refugees might be as big as 20,000 people.
(e) WFP, OCHA and FAO carried out an assessment mission in Tundwa (Northern Katanga province) where a high number of IDPs had been reported following insecurity in areas between Tundwa and Kioko. Given their precarious situation, WFP decided to assist them. 1,050 IDPs have already received a WFP emergency food ration. In addition, WFP intends to distribute 1,000 tons of food to 4,000 farmers for the coming season to increase the cultivated land in Northern Katanga province. FAO will provide them with tools and seeds.
(f) WFP in collaboration with Save the Children Funds (SCF) assisted about 1,900 returning families in September, through seeds protection programmes in Kalembe and Mweso areas (North Kivu province). WFP and SCF have planned a post-distribution assessment mission to measure the impact of the food distributed on the socio-economic and nutritional situation in Kalembe and verify if the seeds distributed have been planted.
(g) WFP has just established a sub-office in Zongo, Equateur to better ensure assistance to some 20,000 refugees from Central African Republic. Food assistance has been planned for six months. WFP has already purchased 250 tons of maize and 19 tons of palm oil locally to boost production in the fertile province of Equateur. The additional commodities should arrive from Kinshasa.
(h) WFP established a first presence in the Equateur Province one year ago, when fierce confrontations induced massive displacements of populations towards Mbandaka. WFP currently assists 24,413 people, mainly IDPs in Mbandaka. With the ceasefire holding, the caseload of beneficiaries has been growing because of an influx of people who had been hiding in the forest, now looking for food and clothes.
(i) A decrease in the OXFAM-Quebec 's attendance registry showed that the nutritional situation of refugees in WFP supported camps in Bandundu province has stabilised and most of the new entries originated from surrounding villages. Malnutrition was still high in Kahemba due to the departure of the active population in Angola.
(D) West Africa Region: (1) Sierra Leone, (2) Guinea
(1) Sierra Leone
(a) WFP distributed a total of 355 tons of food to about 26,800 beneficiaries, under various programmes from 24 to 30 September. This includes the monthly distribution of over 300 tons of food to 24,700 IDPs in Port Loko and Lungi. WFP in collaboration with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) completed the distribution of 60 tons of food to 4,750 Sierra Leonean returnees in Jembe and Gerehun settlements in Bo area. In addition, WFP is currently distributing about 230 tons of food to about 17,500 IDPs in 26 villages around Mile 91. WFP is currently conducting verification exercises in all IDP camps in the Western Province. Results will be communicated at the end of the exercise.
(b) WFP distributed 9 tons of food to over 1,000 malnourished children admitted in various Therapeutic Feeding Centers (TFC) and SFC managed by MERLIN in Kenema, last week. WFP, UNHCR and International Medical Corps (IMC) conducted a joint nutritional assessment in Kailahun and Boidu (Kailahun District) where Liberian refugees continue to arrive. WFP continues to support TFC and SFC programmes in the Bo region and distributed, last week, 24 tons of food to over 2,500 malnourished persons through ACF, the National Red Cross (SLRC) and the Government hospital.
(c) WFP in collaboration with Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assisted 2,300 families with 94 tons of food in support of agricultural activities in Soro-gbema, Dea and Mandu chiefdoms (Kenema district). WFP distributed the third provision of Food-For- Agriculture (FFag) to farmers in Kailahun District to complement Africare's effort in distributing vegetable seeds. Furthermore, 324 families in Daru (Kailahun District) and 673 families in Njaluahun chiefdom were assisted with 34 tons of food in the form of FFAg rations.
(d) WFP distributed through its Food-For- Training programme 3 tons of food to over 1,600 beneficiaries in Kenema Township. In addition, WFP is assisting in collaboration with GTZ and UNHCR about 200 people enrolled in Skills Training Institutions in Zimmi chiefdom.
(e) WFP is currently assisting over 18,700 children enrolled in primary schools in Lungi, Lunsar and Kambia (Western and Northern provinces) through a School Feeding Programme.
(f) WFP urgently requires 837 tons of pulses to meet the needs up to December. This shortfall will increase to 2,845 tons by the end of February 2002. WFP also expects shortfalls of 250 tons of sugar by December as well as shortfalls of CSB by the end of February 2002. Current cereal commitments are expected to meet WFP's total delivery requirements for 2001. However, the late arrival of cereals will result in a shortfall of 3,427 tons in December 2001. Finally, WFP has insufficient oil stocks to meet delivery requirements for October.
(2) Guinea
(a) The security situation is stable throughout the country, except in Kissidougou township where crime is still prevalent. WFP distributed about 200 tons of food, assisting over 11,700 persons from 24 to 30 September.
(b) Following the floods, WFP, OCHA and local authorities visited the Mandiana prefecture to assess the extent of the damage. The mission confirmed that the floods caused a widespread destruction and made around 13,000 people in need of food assistance in the Mandiana prefecture. According to OCHA and local authorities, the Kouroussa and Kankan prefectures where most of the fields are flooded have also been affected. An additional 13,000 people would be in need of food assistance. The exact extent of the damage in all three prefectures has yet to be ascertained.
(c) WFP in collaboration with Organisation Catholique pour la Promotion Humaine (OCPH) and Première Urgence (PU) plans to rapidly assist the affected population in Mandiana, Kankan and Kouroussa prefectures with an emergency food ration, covering their needs for 15 days.
(d) During this past week, UNHCR repatriated 100 refugees from Kissidougou region to Sierra Leone and indicated that 250 refugees could be repatriated weekly. WFP in collaboration with PU is currently distributing 200 tons of food to about 11,200 refugees in the Telikoro camp. About 600 children and pregnant and nursing mothers received WFP assistance through the Albadaria nutritional centres, managed by ACF, this week.
(e) Over 500 refugees have been transferred to the Kola camp (N'Zérékoré region), where they initially received 13 days of WFP food through OCPH and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). About 4,100 refugees are currently registered in the Kola camp. 35 moderately malnourished children and pregnant women are receiving WFP assistance through the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) in the Kola camp.
(f) WFP in collaboration with the local Red Cross intends to assist 7,425 vulnerable IDPs in Dinguiraye (Dabola region). On 24 September, UNHCR started a verification exercise in the Sembakounya refugee camp. Results should be available next week. WFP in partnership with ACF and IFRC assisted 100 vulnerable people through a SFC in the Sembakounya camp and the Dabola hospital.
(E) Eastern Europe Region: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Balkans
(1) Russian Federation: (a) Ingushetia, (b) Chechnya
WFP distributed over 3,500 tons of food during the month of September in collaboration with various partners in the Republics of Ingushetia and Chechnya. Donors have so far provided about USD 23 million, out of the revised total requirements of USD 27.9 million for WFP current emergency operation. However, despite generous donor contributions, there will be a pipeline gap in December - January due to late arrival of a wheat flour shipment. Donors are urged to pledge cash contributions in order to address this shortfall.
(a) Ingushetia
1. Due to the intensification of hostilities in September, about 1,300 people fled from Chechnya to Ingushetia. 1,250 IDPs were officially registered by UNHCR and Danish Refugee Council (DRC). In spite of the Chechen Administration's efforts to encourage displaced persons to return home, IDPs in Ingushetia found the volatile security situation to be the main obstacle.
2. As of 30 September, DRC has registered over 146,200 IDPs in Ingushetia. Out of them, over 21,300 persons live in tent camps, 30,800 in spontaneous settlements and 94,100 with local host families. WFP in collaboration with DRC, Islamic Relief and Saudi Red Crescent Society distributed about 2,100 tons of food during the month of September among 147,000 beneficiaries in Ingushetia.
(b) Chechnya
1. WFP delivered over 1,400 tons of food in September to DRC, People in Need Foundation, Centre for Peacemaking and Development and Caritas International to be distributed to about 100,000 beneficiaries in Grozny city, Grozny rural, Achkoy-Martan and Sunzha districts.
2. WFP is currently finalising a school feeding project proposal for Chechnya, in line with WFP's global school feeding initiative. The proposal was designed in consultation with several NGOs willing to collaborate with WFP in the implementation of school feeding for the session October-December 2001.
3. In preparation of the Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) 2002, an inter-agency mission composed of UN agencies, ICRC, NGOs, donors and representatives from the Russian Federal Government and Chechen administration carried out a needs assessment in the Republics of Ingushetia and Chechnya. The local administration in Achkoy-Martan district (Chechnya) emphasised food, health and shelter as priority needs by. Also, WFP visited a number of schools, prior to the commencement of the school-feeding programme next month. During a follow-up meeting, participants stressed the need for continuous and increased emergency relief programmes in Chechnya as the population continues to be affected by the on-going conflict.
(2) Balkans: (a) Kosovo, (b) Serbia, (c) FYRoM, (d) Montenegro, (e) Albania
(a) Kosovo
1. The number of refugees continues to decrease as the security situation in fYRoM stabilizes. WFP's local distribution partners (LDPs) have carried out an assessment of the 25,000 refugees remaining in Kosovo. Out of this caseload, WFP identified over 15,100 particularly vulnerable persons who are not benefiting from the Social Assistance Scheme and who received WFP continued support in September.
2. The reduction of the safety net programme is on target with the planned final estimate of 70,000 for October deliveries. WFP and partners are pre-stocking for winter distributions in those areas that will be difficult to access.
3. The training programme for WFP partners continues. An analysis aimed at evaluating the capability of LDPs to manage food assistance interventions independently after WFP and Implementing Partners have phased out is still ongoing. The results will be used to further define capacity-building and training requirements over the coming months.
(b) Serbia
1. In keeping with the process of phasing down, WFP has closed the extended delivery points (EDPs) of all nine Implementing Partners in the Belgrade area. The remaining food was moved to the central WFP warehouse.
(c) FYRoM
1. As of 1 October, 41,200 people were still reported to be displaced, according to the Macedonian Red Cross - a significant drop from the 70,000 previously reported.
(d) Montenegro
1. WFP completed food distribution for 14,700 refugees and 6,100 IDPs, covering their needs for the months of September and October.
(e) Albania
1. WFP distributed food to approximately 5,300 unassisted-unemployed households (26,500 beneficiaries) in the northern prefectures of Kukes, Lezha, Diber and Shkodra. In addition, 385 vulnerable women (1,900 persons, including their family members) participating in psycho-social counselling programmes received WFP assistance. Food was also distributed to 26 village associations with about 1,500 heads of households (7,700 beneficiaries) engaged in Communal Forestry and Pasture Development activities.
Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No 40)