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WFP Emergency Report No. 49 of 2003


This report includes:
A) Middle East and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Afghanistan

B) East and Central Africa: (1) Republic of Congo, (2) DR Congo, (3) Burundi, (4) Rwanda, (5) Tanzania, (6) Kenya, (7) Uganda, (8) Sudan, (9) Eritrea, (10) Ethiopia

C) West Africa: (1) Guinea, (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Liberia

D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Namibia, (3) Angola, (4) Zambia, (5) Zimbabwe, (6) Malawi, (7) Tanzania, (8) Mozambique, (9) Swaziland, (10) Lesotho, (11) Madagascar

E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea

F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Ecuador, (2) Colombia, (3) Honduras, (4) Guatemala, (5) Haiti, (6) Dominican Republic

G) Eastern Europe and the Caucasus: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Georgia

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 and Central Asia: (1) Iraq, (2) Afghanistan

1) Iraq

(a) Note: A consolidated update will be included in next week's WFP Emergency Report.

2) Afghanistan

(a) UN missions remained suspended in southern and southeastern provinces. On 03 December, a grenade was thrown at a Coalition Forces military police patrol in Kandahar city and another hand grenade was thrown to a crowd of people. Three soldiers and the attacker were injured. Due to ongoing military operations in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan, UN missions throughout the area remain suspended. UN curfew for international staff in Jalal Abad city is from 1900 to 0530 hrs. In the north, UN missions to Chitonsal district in Balkh province, and Kohistanat and Sangcharak districts of Saripul province were suspended. The heavy weapons withdrawal process triggered tensions and attacks against Afghan National Army patrols in Mazari Sharif. As a result, missions on the Mazari Sharif-Shibirghan road were suspended. Effective 27 November, the UN curfew was brought forward from 2400 to 2200 hrs, and lasting until 0530. All non-essential missions to Afghanistan are suspended for at least the next 6 weeks. A joint UN/NGO mission is assessing the impact of an earthquake, which struck in Qalay-I-Zal district in Kunduz province on 30 November.

(b) From 20 November to 03 December, WFP provided 807,480 beneficiaries with 4,546 tons of food through WFP's Food for Work, Food for Education, Relief and Resettlement of IDP's and Refugees, Urban and Rural Vulnerable and Supplementary and Institutional Feeding activities in Fayz Abad, Mazari Sharif, Kabul, Kandahar and Hirat. To date, 93 percent of planned commodities have been prepositioned with implementing partners in areas in the north, northeast and central highlands expected to become inaccessible during the winter. Due to heavy snowfall and landslides, some monitoring visits and delivery of food to parts of Badakhshan province were delayed.

(c) A 10-minute documentary on food for education, produced by the Ministry of Education and WFP, was shown on Afghan television on 03 December, highlighting the importance of school feeding.

B) East and Central Africa: (1) Republic of Congo, (2) DR Congo, (3) Burundi, (4) Rwanda, (5) Tanzania, (6) Kenya, (7) Uganda, (8) Sudan, (9) Eritrea, (10) Ethiopia

1) Republic of Congo

(a) So far 43 people are reported to have been killed in the second outbreak of the Ebola virus this year. The first outbreak killed more than 110 individuals. WFP received a request for food aid to the Ebola virus-affected villages under quarantine from the Minister of Health. Some 15,000 people are living in this area in Central Congo and the greatest impediment will be logistics, as there are no roads or passable tracks at this time of the year. WFP is studying the situation to see how the urgently needed assistance can be brought to the affected villages, which according to reports from WHO, already suffer from a lack of basic commodities, including salt. People in the region much depend on wild meat and are being discouraged from eating bush meat. If the campaign is to succeed, alternative sources of protein have to be made available. Last week WFP, in collaboration with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), flew in almost one a ton of food and medicines to the affected area.

2) DR Congo

(a) The security situation remained volatile with reports of looting, sexual violence and harassment by uniformed men, particularly in the eastern parts of the country. The security situation in the Ituri district increasingly came under control of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUC, but the return of IDPs to their homes remained a major concern requiring safe corridors, rehabilitation of infrastructure and provision of reinstallation kits. In spite of the tense security situation in North Katanga, some 20,000 IDPs in the Makala and Lubwe camps said they wanted to return home to grow their lands.

(b) WFP contributed to the UN/NGO joint emergency intervention to the victims of a ferry collision in the Equateur province. Alongside medicines and clothes provided by other humanitarian organizations, WFP provided food to the 230 survivors for 7 days. In addition, WFP provided 1,104 tons of food to 102,787 beneficiaries, including IDPs, returnees and malnourished children and carried out assistance to children in difficult circumstances, food for work and food for training activities.

3) Burundi

(a) The overall security situation remained calm, but acts of isolated banditry were reported and areas of Front for National Liberation (FNL) rebel activity remained insecure.

(b) WFP carried out a joint assessment mission with UNICEF, OCHA and NGO partner CRS at two sites in Bujumbura Mairie. An emergency distribution of 33 tons of food followed, to assist about 8,500 displaced persons in Mont Sion. Household Food Economy Assessment (HFEA) teams reported that cassava mosaic could reduce the cassava production in Muyinga province and consequently have a negative impact on the prices of other food products as well.

(c) From 24 to 30 November, WFP provided 924 tons of food to 84,826 beneficiaries through its different programmes and activities. Some 570 tons of food aid planned for 51,815 people in Kabezi and Isale communes of Bujumbura Rural province were not distributed due to insecurity.

4) Rwanda

(a) Irregular and unevenly distributed rainfall from September to November is likely to affect the harvest season expected in January 2004. As a result, vulnerability of the poorest households in Kigali Ngali, Umutara, Kibungo and Gikongoro provinces will be further compounded. Recent WFP and Food Early Warning System (FEWS)-net reports indicate further depletion of coping mechanisms of these households and an increasing reliance on WFP food assistance.

(b) A joint Ministry of Health/WFP/UNICEF/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-Belgium nutrition survey carried out in October 2003 found moderate to high malnutrition rates among children under five in the most affected districts located in the Bugesera region. Of particular concern are high levels of stunting, implying chronic under-nutrition, which are being addressed with improved child feeding programmes. WFP and its partners continue to closely monitor the Bugesera region, addressing the situation through its current portfolio of food assistance activities, which include food-for-work, assistance to nutrition centres, school feeding and support to food insecure households affected by HIV/AIDS.

5) Tanzania

(a) Note: See under Southern Africa.

6) Kenya

(a) The security situation in and around Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps was generally calm.

(b) WFP distributed 1,958 tons of food to 221,510 mainly Somali and Sudanese refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps through supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes, as well as school feeding programmes in the camps. A full food-basket was provided to the refugees. WFP also distributed 22 sewing machines to vulnerable refugee women in Dadaab, who have graduated from the NGO CARE's Community Services tailoring school. The sewing machines were funded through the sale of empty bags through a WFP Trust Fund, at a cost of over USD 2,500. WFP supports income generating activities in the camps through the trust fund so as to provide a source of income for the vulnerable, especially women.

(c) Regular donor contributions have ensured a healthy pipeline over the past seven months and current pledges are sufficient to maintain full rations until May 2004. Some 26,000 tons of food valued at USD 15 million are required for the operation for the period June to December 2004.

7) Uganda

(a) On 03 December, two trucks travelling without a military escort were ambushed and burned in the eastern Teso sub-region, on the road from Kalaki to Soroti in Kaberamaido district. Two people were killed and their bodies burned by suspected rebels. One truck belonging to the Office of the Prime Minister was returning from delivery of 30 tons of government-purchased relief food to IDPs in Kaberamaido.

(b) WFP continues to provide food assistance under PRRO 10121.0. From 24 to 30 November, WFP distributed 2,496 tons of food to 212,896 people in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, including IDPs in six camps in Gulu, two camps in Pader, three camps in Lira, and two refugee settlements in Arua and feeding centres and primary schools in conflict-affected areas. WFP is currently distributing 45-day rations in Gulu, 60-day rations in Kitgum and Pader to ensure that all IDPs will have food during the Christmas period.

(c) In the eastern Teso sub-region, WFP is currently distributing full rations of cereals, pulses, corn-soya blend and vegetable oil to over 100,000 persons displaced from Soroti district. WFP has started distributing full ration to 145,728 displaced people in Kaberamaido district. In Kumi district, most of the 18,315 people who were displaced have returned to their homes. Distribution in Soroti municipality ends on 06 December and will resume after a re-verification exercise and issuing of new cards. In Katakwi district, WFP food has reached people displaced by the Karimojong warriors. The displaced population in Teso is currently 426, 470 people.

(d) WFP and district authorities have completed the re-registration of all IDPs in the northern district of Kitgum and will carry out a verification exercise. The current caseload in Kitgum district stands at 237,269 IDPs. From 03 to 12 December, WFP will carry out an Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) in the northern and northeastern regions of Lango and Karamoja and in refugee-hosting Moyo district in the West Nile region, to assess the food needs of IDPs and other vulnerable groups and adjust food rations accordingly. Rebels attacked and abducted six people in refugee-hosting Adjumani district on 03 December and WFP consequently diverted the EFSA mission from Adjumani to Moyo district as of 04 December.

8) Sudan

(a) The situation in the Darfur region has continued to deteriorate. The number of displaced people has already reached 700,000. Currently, WFP is only able to reach 450,000 of them because of insecurity. Attacks on humanitarian workers and food convoys continue to place impediments on accessing most locations and communities affected by the conflict, despite Government efforts to ensure safety. The NGO Save the Children-UK reports, that "parts of western Sudan are experiencing what has been called the worst humanitarian crisis in Sudan since Bahr el Ghazal in 1998." They report Global Acute Malnutrition rates reaching 25 percent in some of the affected areas of Darfur. Further displacement will exacerbate what is already a situation of great concern both for the Government and the humanitarian community in Sudan. The growing numbers of victims are in urgent need of food aid and non-food items.

9) Eritrea

(a) The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Eritrea released its special report indicating that Eritrea's 2003 cereal production has been estimated at around 106,000 tons, which, although double the amount produced during last year, is much less than the 210,000 tons hoped for during an assessment in August. The 2003 cereal estimate is only 57 percent of the 11-year average. Cereal import requirements for 2004 have been estimated at 478,000 tons and it is estimated that only 30,000 tons will be imported commercially. With 31,000 tons of cereal food aid in country or in the pipeline for distribution in 2004, the uncovered deficit, for which assistance is needed, has been estimated at 417,000 tons. Of immediate concern is the nearly 1.4 million highly vulnerable people, who will require about 220,000 tons of food aid in 2004, plus an additional 500,000 urban vulnerable people. So far, WFP has planned projects for 2004 amounting to almost 200,000 tons of food aid.

(b) The FAO/WFP Assessment Mission also observed that adequate 'kremti' rainfall has provided good quantities of fodder and water for livestock in most areas, but that these in many areas will be exhausted in 3 to 4 months. Support to the livestock sector, a mainstay of the rural economy and household incomes, should be a priority of future support. The USD 147 million 2004 joint consolidated appeal (CAP) was launched in Asmara on 28 November, with WFP appealing for USD 97 million for food aid.

(c) WFP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and NGO CRS is currently conducting nutrition surveys in the Gash Barka and Debub regions, which displayed alarmingly high levels of malnutrition during surveys conducted earlier in the year. The current surveys will for the first time follow a standardized method, based on the National Nutrition Surveillance System approach, developed by a consortium of agencies' nutrition experts with the Ministry of Health and coordinated by WFP. Repatriation of Eritrean refugees from the Sudan is ongoing. Some 129 people returned in last week's convoy, receiving an initial two-month food ration from WFP and will continue to receive regular food assistance until they complete their first successful harvest.

(d) With a recent pledge of USD 2.7 million and contributions of USD 13,500 from private donors, overall pledges for EMOP 10261.0 now stand at 99,329 tons, amounting to 76 percent of the total requirements, while only 46,743 tons, amounting to 45 percent of the overall requirement, has been resourced for PRRO 10192.0. Additional resources for both operations are critical to avoid pipeline breaks and increased malnutrition in Eritrea.

10) Ethiopia

(a) A Partnership Event on the "Coalition for Livelihood and Food Security in Ethiopia" was held from 01 to 02 December during the annual World Bank Consultative Group meeting, attended by WFP's Deputy Executive Director Mr Graisse.

(b) In comparison with the food emergency in 2003, the prospects for 2004 are relatively good following a near-normal main rainfall (meher) season, from June to September, in most parts of the country. Humanitarian requirements are expected to be reduced significantly, but will remain substantial. Part of the population requires assistance to meet minimum food needs due to the combination of structural difficulties and localized problems, such as climate, pests and disease, as well as depressed coffee prices. The "2004 Humanitarian Appeal for Ethiopia" is being prepared by representatives from government ministries, UN Agencies, donors and NGOs and will be issued on 10 December.

(c) A government-led assessment of southern pastoralist areas is underway. It will include southern Somali Region, where it is focusing on the impact of the very delayed "deyr" (minor season) rains. While rain in late November has eased water and pasture conditions in western parts of the Region, the deyr rains have been very poor in Warder, Degehabour and Fik zones, and part of Korahe Zone. There is abnormal migration of livestock both within Somali Region and across the border from northeastern Somalia. Parts of Shinile Zone, where recent "karan" rains were not uniformly spread, will remain vulnerable. Somali Region has experienced difficulties for several years, and the coping capacity of the people has been eroded. A rapid deterioration of the general situation, including the nutritional status, is expected in the worst-hit areas, as asset depletion accelerates, milk production declines and animals are moved to distant points. Around one million people in Somali Region have been receiving food assistance between August and December. The humanitarian requirements for the first half of 2004 will be defined by the current assessment.

C) West Africa: (1) Guinea, (2) Sierra Leone, (3) Liberia

1) Guinea

(a) The security situation was generally calm throughout the country. At the border-entry points in Forested Guinea the situation remained calm and some 145 Liberians entered Guinea from Liberia over the past ten days. Some 147 Liberian refugees were transferred from transit centres to the Lainé refugee camp, while 77 Ivorian refugees were transferred from the transit centres to the Nonah camp. UNHCR's relocation of urban refugees continues, with 13 refugees from Conakry transferred to the Boréah camp.

(b) From 18 to 30 November, WFP provided 550 tons of food to 37,973 beneficiaries under its PRRO. Repairs on the roads in Forested Guinea are currently underway and a trip by truck from Conakry to the Lainé camp is now taking 3 to 5 days, instead of 15 days as previously.

2) Sierra Leone

(a) The security situation remained calm.

(b) WFP continues to collaborate with fellow UN agencies, NGOs, camp managements and Government Ministries in providing humanitarian assistance within operational areas and monthly pre-positioning of food commodities continued. Countrywide, WFP supported 74,928 beneficiaries, 65 percent of whom were female, with 1257 tons of food through vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programmes for refugees, resettlement, returnees and institutions, therapeutic feeding centres, supplementary feeding and mother and child health programmes (TFC/SFP/MCH), emergency school-feeding (ESF), safety nets (institutional feeding), food-for-work and food-for-training activities. The final round of food-for-work projects was completed and some 352 tons of food was distributed to 24 projects serving over 11,000 beneficiaries in Bo and Mile 91, in collaboration with NGO partners Christian Community Development Project (CCDP) and Future In Our Hands (FIOH).

3) Liberia

(a) On 01 December, the SRSG Mr Jacques Klein and the Chairman of the National Transitional Government Mr Gyude Bryant attended a ceremony to mark the start of the USD 50 million UN demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration campaign (DDRR), which aims to disarm some 40,000 combatants over the next 9-months, and the destruction of 22 tons of weapons destined to former president Taylor, seized by ECOMIL peacekeepers in early August.

(b) Under the protection of UNMIL forces WFP distributed 2.5 tons of food to 510 ex-combatants, including 408 men and 102 women, and their dependents in Scheiffelein on 01 December. In an effort to ensure that all beneficiaries receive food assistance before the Christmas Holidays, WFP launched an extensive food distribution cycle on 01 December, which will target some 385,393 beneficiaries with a total of 5,782 tons of food, which will be distributed in camps in Montserrado, Bong, Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties.

D) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Namibia, (3) Angola, (4) Zambia, (5) Zimbabwe, (6) Malawi, (7) Tanzania, (8) Mozambique, (9) Swaziland, (10) Lesotho, (11) Madagascar

1) Regional

(a) The southern Africa regional emergency operation continues to face the possibility of pipeline disruption in 2004, when commodity requirements are at their peak. As of 04 December, projections indicate acute cereal shortfalls beginning in February, and continuing through March and April. From March onwards, pipeline projections also show serious shortfalls in pulses, vegetable oil and corn-soya blend. In order to prevent disruptions in food distributions affecting approximately 6.5 million people during the critical months before the April-May harvest, additional donations are urgently required.

2) Namibia

(a) To date, 4189 refugees of Angolan origin have been repatriated. Due to a decline in the numbers of refugees interested in repatriation during the festive season, coupled with the rainy season, UNHCR has postponed future repatriation until 5 Jan 2004. The last convoy left Namibia on 19 November.

3) Angola

(a) The NGO Halo Trust removed an anti-tank mine on the Catobola-Sande road in Bie, which subsequently was closed for humanitarian assistance, affecting WFP food assistance for 2,500 families in Sande.

(b) Organised repatriation movements of refugees/returnees have slowed due to the advent of the rainy season. Total returns under organised repatriation is to date over 43,000, including 21,000 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 18,000 from Zambia and 4,000 from Namibia. The number of refugees who have arrived in Angola either spontaneously or by organised convoys, now totals 68,000. Due to repairs on the bridges Rio Pombuije, Longa and Cariango in Luanza Sul by the Swedish Rescue Service Agency, 11,404 people have been registered as returnees in Cariango Comuna. WFP will in collaboration with NGOs expand assistance to these returnees to cover the period January to May 2004.

(c) In Bie, the first training session of ex-UNITA soldiers, supported by WFP with food assistance, was completed. Some 79 teenagers were trained in carpentry, stonemasonry, tailoring and mechanics. Seeds and tools for the current agricultural season were distributed to 94,829 families, 55 percent of which are returnees.

(d) In Benguela, 46 newly constructed schools were handed over to the Ministry of Education. WFP contributed by providing commodities for food for work, while UNICEF, the NGO CREA and others contributed non-food items. The NGO Santa Barbara Foundation has completed clearing the road from Bocoio to Cavimbi, with connection to Chila, thus shortening 68 km of access to a locality where WFP is assisting 8,253 returnees and other vulnerable beneficiaries. The road however still needs to be opened by UNSECOORD.

4) Zambia

(a) Significant hunger pockets are emerging in areas such as Kaputa in the northern province. The Vulnerability Assessment Committee is currently assessing the situation and information will be made available when the analysis is complete.

(b) From 25 November to 01 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 1,297 tons of food through its programmes. The pilot school-feeding programme is progressing well and is currently reaching 19,045 beneficiaries. The Urban Intervention programme is currently targeting children in 156 community schools and drop-in residential centres for street children. In November, 54,562 children benefited and 29,826 families received assistance. Preparations are underway for the new refugee pilot project, commencing 01 January. WFP will manage food distribution in six refugee camps and settlements.

(c) Concern has been expressed over the current stocks of maize that are due to run out next month. No new contributions have been confirmed.

5) Zimbabwe

(a) Local health authorities are having difficulty controlling a cholera outbreak in Kariba district in Mashonaland west province due to a shortage of qualified staff, and insufficient material and technical capacity. By 02 December, 491 cases and 18 deaths had been recorded. WFP general food distributions remain suspended in three wards until the situation stabilizes. WFP is, for the time being, providing corn-soya blend rations at clinics and camps.

(b) The planting season is underway with the start of principal rains over the past week, but concern remains high, due to the severe shortage of seed and other inputs. Some types of grain seed such as millet, sorghum, and others, are not available and communities that rely on these grains are worried that if the situation does not improve, Matabeleland will still find itself facing a food crisis next year.

(c) WFP has extended the emergency school-feeding programme to primary schools in Chitungwiza. The project is implemented by NGO partner HELP. The rapidly expanding feeding project will cover primary schools in several poor settlements in Harare and Chitungwiza, assisting 180,600 pupils. Food is distributed through on-site feeding with parents actively involved in the preparation of a mid-morning porridge made from WFP-supplied corn-soya blend and vegetable oil.

6) Malawi

(a) According to recent reports, food scarcity at household level continues to be a problem in a number of areas, especially Tengani and Mlolo in the south and in parts of the central and northern region. In order to purchase food and seed for planting, many households have reportedly been forced to sell livestock. All Supplementary Feeding and Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRU) in the southern region have reported increasing numbers of malnourished cases. Chikwawa NRU registered the highest number of admissions in the Lower Shire area, with Nsanje NRU registering significantly higher numbers in comparison to previous months.

(b) From 27 November to 02 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 668 tons of food.

7) Tanzania

(a) Since March 2002, a total of 61,543 refugees have returned home in facilitated repatriation from all the camps in western Tanzania. In addition, 160,965 refugees have expressed an interest in returning through registering for repatriation.

(b) From 17 to 30 November, a two-week general food distribution was conducted in all camps and supplementary rations were distributed for selective feeding programmes in the camps.

8) Mozambique

(a) Most coastal districts in the southern and central provinces and the western part of Tete province reported significant rainfall from 27 to 29 November. However, very low rainfall levels, or no rain at all, were registered in the inland districts of Gaza, Inhambane, Manica and Sofala provinces.

(b) From 25 November to 1 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 2,910 tons of food. WFP participated in the first national Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) conference held in Maputo.

9) Swaziland

(a) Recent rainfall was poorly distributed in the Lowveld and the dry Middleveld, which may result in further livestock deaths.

(b) From 25 November to 01 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 239 tons of food to 16,801 beneficiaries, including 10,401 women.

(c) WFP's operation continues to experience a shortfall in pulses.

10) Lesotho

(a) According to the Lesotho Meteorological Services, there was improved rainfall during November. However, Maeru and Quthing still remain critically dry and overall spring yields and river flows remain low.

(b) From 25 November to 02 December, WFP provided 374 tons of food to 25,073 beneficiaries through targeted distributions for people affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, pregnant and lactating mothers and vulnerable children.

11) Madagascar

(a) Sporadic rainfall occurred in some areas, but most of the southern region continues to experience a lack of rain.

(b) From 26 November to 03 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 587 tons of food to 13,515 food-for-work participants in five communities in the south, benefiting a total of 67,575 beneficiaries.

E) Asia: (1) DPR Korea

1) DPR Korea

(a) Pipeline shortfalls of 184,000 tons for EMOP 10141.1are projected for December through May. In December, cereal shortfalls will affect 2.2 million beneficiaries, including young children and pregnant and nursing women. Distribution of food to Food For Work participants, typically urban factory workers, will also be delayed. The shortfall for December totals some 40,000 tons and no recent pledges have been made for early 2004. Only 8,000 tons of wheat bought with multilateral funds and a bilateral contribution of 40,000 tons of wheat are expected to arrive at the start of the year for distribution to west coast beneficiaries, but all beneficiaries on the east coast will be left without cereal rations from January. Cereal shortfalls, estimated at 156,000 tons over the next six months, will affect all 3.8 million WFP beneficiaries countrywide from May. In addition, local food production factories on the east will stop functioning in April due to lack of wheat flour, while Food For Work projects for the spring season will have to be suspended unless new pledges are immediately confirmed.

F) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Ecuador, (2) Colombia, (3) Honduras, (4) Guatemala, (5) Haiti, (6) Dominican Republic

1) Ecuador

(a) Significant seismic activity has been recorded at the Tungurahua Volcano since 22 November and communities near the volcano have reported incandescent rocks landing 200 meters from the summit and a thick, dark layer of ash now covering most crops in the area. The most affected communities are currently Baños, Runtún, Pelileo, Patate, Cusúa, Cotaló and Mocha, west and east of the volcano, but increasing ash emissions may, according to the Geophysical Institute, increasingly affect areas west of the volcano.

2) Colombia

(a) Clashes between government forces and illegal armed groups have been reported in various municipalities of Antioquia. In San Luis, western Antioquia, one soldier died and five were wounded when a land mine exploded. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has strongly condemned the murder of a Japanese businessman by suspected rebels. Nearly 800 members of the main right-wing paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) gave up their weapons in the city of Medellin last week as part of the peace and reintegration process, which is being seen as the first stage in a broader peace process. The group has said its 13,000 men will all disarm by the end of 2005. The paramilitaries have been a major force in Colombia's civil war, especially since the 1980s. New displacements have been reported in the department of Antioquia, where 55 people were forced to move from rural areas in the north to the municipality of San Andrés de Cuerquia. According to the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), more than 372 displaced families have arrived at Soacha, near Bogotá, which has received an average of 8 IDPs per day between January and August.

(b) The unusually heavy rainy season since August has extended to almost 90 percent of the country with numerous cities and rural areas having been affected by floods, strong winds and landslides. Some 33 people have died over the last two weeks and at least 30,000 families along the principal rivers have been affected, with adverse weather conditions expected to continue until mid-December.

(c) Colombian truck drivers launched an indefinite strike at midnight 30 November in protest against increasing fuel prices and road tolls and the lack of security on the country's roads. General food deliveries across the country were reduced by 30 percent on the first day of the strike.

3) Honduras

(a) A cold front generating strong rains on the Atlantic coast of Honduras has caused most major rivers to overflow. On 29 November, after 50 hours of continuous heavy rains, the Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO) declared "Red Alert" for 24 hours. The municipalities of Arizona, La Masica, San Francisco, and Esparta in the department of Atlantida in the northern part of the country were hardest hit, with four reported deaths and 248 persons evacuated from their homes. Over 100 houses and 700 hectares of crops have been damaged. WFP is in contact with local authorities and is monitoring the situation closely.

4) Guatemala

(a) In its 2002-2003 report to the Government, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights expressed concern for the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, while the celebration of Journalist Day this year emphasized the increase in attacks, threats, and intimidations to members of the press. Post-electoral protest actions related to the results of mayoral elections continued this week in various municipalities. Several thousand indigenous farmers marched in the capital on 26 November to draw attention to the farming concerns of indigenous people and commit presidential candidates to the implementation of the Social Assistance Plan, compensating farmers for the loss of income caused by low international coffee prices.

(b) Strong winds of up to 70 km per hour accompanied by heavy rains caused damage to buildings and triggered power outages in various parts of the country. The winds, produced by a cold front, also brought about a drop in temperatures, raising the concern for possible hypothermia among homeless people.

(c) According to the FAO annual report, "The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2003", the number of undernourished people in Guatemala more than doubled from 1.4 million in 1990-1992 to 2.9 million in 1999-2001, while the proportion of undernourished people among the total population increased from 16 to 25 percent. These figures most likely do not take into full account the effects of the nutritional crisis of 2001-2002 and the coffee crisis.

(d) This week UNICEF put forward a 12-point agenda to improve the quality of life for children in Guatemala, including the need for food assistance to 600,000 undernourished children and preventive measures for 60,000 children and 30,000 families in risk of malnutrition.

5) Haiti

(a) Between 19 and 22 November, a total of 42.3 tons out of 113 tons were looted at final distribution points (FDPs) as WFP and the Haitian Red Cross carried out food distributions to 2,500 flood victims in Grande Saline and Saint-Marc. In Chevreau Commune in Grande Saline, a large crowd supported by an armed group looted the FDP and attacked a truck loaded with WFP food on 19 November, resulting in a loss of 17.9 tons. In Rossignole Commune in Grande Saline, 12.31 tons of food was looted from the FDP on 20 November. On 22 November, 12.09 tons of food was looted from Chatelain Commune in St Marc. WFP staff in Chevreau Commune informed local police authorities after the first incident, but the looting continued the following days despite police presence and WFP was forced to suspend the distribution. There were no injuries to WFP staff or property. The Government has been informed, and an investigation is underway.

6) Dominican Republic

(a) WFP signed an amendment of the plan of operations for school feeding with the Ministry of Education, to allocate 785 tons of rice, vegetable oil, fortified maize and sugar to 6,000 affected families in the area of Montecristi, in response to the severe flooding that affected part of the island in late November.

(b) WFP has signed bilateral agreements with the Federation of Red Cross, World Vision and two local NGOs to distribute emergency rations over the next two months. Those affected by the floods are slowly returning to their homes in need for food and other basic items, which are being supplied by other international organizations.

G) Eastern Europe and the Caucasus: (1) Russian Federation, (2) Georgia

1) Russian Federation

(a) The security situation from 22 to 30 November remained tense in Chechnya and Ingushetia, although no major incidents were reported during the Eid holiday period. Sporadic fighting continued between the Russian forces and separatist rebels in Chechnya. UN offices in Nazran have increased security measures, in the light of recent terrorist attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan. Authorities have announced the scheduled closure of the IDP tent camp Alina in Ingushetia, by mid-December. The IDPs have the choice of moving to the tent camp Satsita or some spontaneous settlements in Ingushetia, or return to Chechnya. WFP plans to visit Shali district of Chechnya in mid-December to monitor the implementation of school feeding activities. A joint UNSECOORD/WFP security assessment mission to Kurchaloy district of Chechnya will take place shortly to evaluate the security situation, which is a requirement for starting the planned school feeding there.

(b) As of 30 November there were some 69,900 Chechen IDPs living in Ingushetia: 8,354 in camps, 23,444 in spontaneous settlements and 38,102 in private accommodation. From 22 to 30 November, 161 Chechen IDPs returned to Chechnya from Ingushetia, bringing the total number of returnees in November to 2,207.

(c) From 22 to 30 November, WFP, in collaboration with implementing partners, distributed 460 tons of food to 24,800 beneficiaries, including 68 tons of basic food rations to 3,000 IDPs in Ingushetia and 392 tons of food to 21,800 'very poor' and 'poor' household members in Chechnya.

2) Georgia

(a) After weeks of non-stop protest rallies organized by the united opposition and thousands of Georgia's citizens, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned on 23 November. In accordance with the constitution of Georgia, Nino Burjanadze, former chairperson of the Georgian parliament elected in 1999, is now fulfilling the duties of Georgia's president. Constitutionally, new parliamentary and presidential elections must take place within 45 days after the president's resignation and are scheduled to take place on 04 January 2004.

(b) On 27 November the Minister of Agriculture and Food and WFP signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) on the implementation of WFP's PRRO 10211.0. Representatives of government agencies, UN, organizations, NGO community and media as well as diplomatic corps were present at the signing ceremony.

(c) November was marked by intensified work on matters relating to security, including warden systems, evacuation plans, radio checks, vehicle tracking, first aid training, issuance of first aid kits and stress counselling. WFP Food For Work projects started in eight communities of the Racha-Lechkhumi region. Projects are scheduled for six months, until the end of April 2004. By that time 652 participants in the projects will have received a total of 197 tons of food. Another 52 project proposals have been approved in Samegrelo and Guria regions. A total of 8,990 people will participate in both regions and receive 2,380 tons of food after completion of 944,170 workdays by the end of May 2004. Community mobilization is ongoing in the remaining three targeted regions of Kakheti, Satonsskhe-Javakheti and Imereti. WFP provided 27 tons of food to 1,680 beneficiaries through two Food For Work projects on the rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure in Bagdati district of West Georgia and three soup kitchens in East Georgia, benefiting 115 people.

Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons.

(End WFP Emergency Report No 49).