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WFP Emergency Report No. 50 of 2001


(A) West and Central Asia: (1) Regional overview, (2) Afghanistan, (3) Pakistan, (4) Iran, (5) Tajikistan
(1) Regional overview

(a) Between 6 and 12 December, WFP dispatched 20,700 tons of food from regional logistics hubs in Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan into Afghanistan. On 12 December, an additional corridor opened through Tajikistan. Two barges carrying WFP and IOM trucks loaded with 153 tons of wheat flour crossed from NiznjiPjanj/SherKhan bandar into Afghanistan. The food is destined for Kunduz. WFP welcomes the opening of the Termez friendship bridge on 9 December, as an important development. Subject to improvements in the security situation, the Termez bridge will greatly contribute to the humanitarian response to assist vulnerable people in the northern areas of Afghanistan.

(b) Road dispatches continued from Peshawar, Pakistan to Kabul. On 10 December a truck carrying WFP food struck a landmine about 120 km outside Kabul. Fortunately there were no injuries to driver or passenger. The Pakistan/Quetta corridor remained closed this week.

(c) In Tajikistan, the airlift from Kulyab to Faizabad to pre-position food for the winter continued although dispatches were disrupted again this week due to bad weather. WFP has dispatched 431 tons out of a planned 2,000 tons (this was erroneously reported as 9,000 tons in the Emergency Report No 49).

(d) The discharge of wheat from the Iranian ports of Bandar-E-Abbas and Chabahar to Turkmenabad averaged 2,600 tons per day between 9 and 12 December. The rate of dispatch of wheat from the State Organisation for Grain from Mashad to Herat averaged 290 tons per day between 10 and 12 December; a significant improvement over dispatch performance for the previous week.

(2) Afghanistan

(a) In Kabul, a once-off post conflict distribution targeting approximately 1.4 million people began on 8 December. Each household receives 50 kg of wheat. To undertake this distribution, WFP locally recruited 3,600 people, including 2,400 women and covered the cost of the NGO partners' staff. A mistake in the radio broadcast to inform the citizens about the location of the distribution points resulted in some security problems, when crowds initially rushed to the distribution points. WFP resolved the issue by clarifying the message and increasing the number of distribution points. Similar initiatives are being planned in other cities, security permitting. In addition, distributions are taking place through NGOs in rural areas to prevent from further internal displacement of local populations. WFP is targeting some 6,000,000 people throughout the country.

(b) In Hirat*, WFP continued to bolster staffing. The team is preparing a once-off post conflict distribution in Hirat, along the lines of that undertaken this week in Kabul. A member of the Swiss Mine Action Federation in conjunction with OCHA is clearing WFP compounds of unexploded ordinance and conducting mine-awareness training for staff. During the week, WFP staff supported OCHA/MAPA de-mining teams in the Hirat region. The NGO War Child visited Hirat this week to look at the modalities of establishing a bakery at Shaidayee IDP camp. The bakery, which is expected to be up and running by January 2002, would provide bread for up to 25,000 IDPs each day.

(c) At Maslakh camp near Hirat, preliminary reports a MSF nutrition survey indicate that the number of malnourished children arriving at the camp is higher than usual. WFP is distributing 50 kg of wheat flour to each family. WFP is also providing supplementary feeding to children under 5 years and pregnant and to nursing mothers. The official number of registered IDPs in Maslakh is 330,000 with approximately 40,000 in the other 4 camps in and around Hirat. The registration process in these camps has always been problematic with some cases of duplicated registration. On 11 December, the registration exercise undertaken by IOM was disrupted by armed men attempting to control the queue.

(d) In Faizabad heavy snow fell on 8-10 December and the winter is anticipated to be long and difficult. The WFP-contracted CIDA snow/avalanche team reached Faizabad on 12 December and travelled to Ishkashem to assess the risks of snow/avalanche in the coming months along the route for the northeast. The autumn planting around Faizabad is reported to have gone well for those who had seeds to plant. Irrigated wheat seed has always been available, but no one is sure how much will be planted. Spring planting and rains will largely determine the level of production.

(e) All UN agencies, including WFP, await a more stable environment in Kandahar in order to return and undertake assessments. Further TV footage this week showed extensive damage to the WFP office and warehouses. WFP has storage tents on standby if needed in Kandahar. The city has calmed somewhat after fighting between rival Commanders on 7-10 December. However, by 11 December it seemed that the rival Commanders had attempted to resolve their differences through negotiation. There are also reports that the Noorzai tribe have taken control of the border town of Spin Boldak this week and this may have implications for the security of WFP's warehouse there.

(f) The situation in Badakhshan remained calm and quiet this week and security in Takhar has improved, with most NGO personnel having returned to the city. Local authorities have given security guarantees to UN and NGOs. Two WFP security officers, operating under the UN Security umbrella are performing assessments in Takhar and Kundoz Provinces. Jalalabad is still volatile, and an international NGO re-evacuated its staff from there this week. The situation will be re-assessed after the Eid holiday. UN staff are still restricted from travel along the Jalalabad - Kabul road due to continued banditry.

* Please note that the spelling of "Herat" has now been changed to "Hirat". The latter is the Afghan phonetic equivalent (in Dari) and is commonly used by cartographers. It was also the name used by the City during King Zahir Shah's reign.

(3) Pakistan

(a) Following the attack on a UNHCR vehicle in the Northwest Frontier Province last week, UNHCR is organizing a small aircraft to travel to Khurram Agency on day trips. On 12 December, a privately owned NGO vehicle was shot at by men attempting to steal it. Following this incident, a ban on travel on the road between the Chaman border post and Quetta was put in place.

(b) Near the border town of Chaman, close to Quetta the refugee populations in the camps continue to change. As of 12 December, the total number of people registered at Killi Faizo staging camp stood at 20,829 (4,579 families). However, many of these registered people have now been moved on to Roghani camp. As of 12 December, 16,943 people (3,746 families) were registered in Roghani camp. Finally, 2,760 people (648 families) were staying at the newly established Mohammed Kheil camp on 12 December.

(4) Iran

(a) The nutritional and health situation of an estimated 2,000 IDPs near Zaranj (Nimruz Province) remains an issue of concern. Pending further assessments and specific proposals by NGOs in these areas, including MSF-F and Ockenden International (OI), WFP will dispatch food to Zaranj to be distributed by OI.

(b) WFP is also concerned for the people located on the outskirts of Makaki Camp as well as in villages in Nimruz and not formally registered by IRCS. Since initial distributions of WFP food by MSF on 5-8 December, MSF has carried out further limited distributions for these people. WFP and its implementing partners are looking into ways to provide them assistance and prevent new influxes of IDPs into Zaranj.

(5) Tajikistan

(a) Following stabilization of the security situation, WFP started on 12 December, distributing 179 tons of food to 11, 600 Afghan IDPs on Island #9 at the Tajik-Afghan border. Thus far 29 tons have been distributed to 3,000 beneficiaries.

(B) Asia Region: DPR Korea

(1) DPR Korea

(a) The WFP food pipeline situation for 2002 remains precarious as breaks in the supply of cereals may start as early as January/February should further contributions and rapid dispatch not be forthcoming. Average monthly requirements of cereals amount to approximately 50,000 tons. For pulses and sugar, shortfalls will start in March. New pledges are urgently needed to ensure continued food assistance to the most vulnerable groups.

(b) The WFP Executive Director and Country Director launched the Inter-Agency Consolidated Appeal (CAP) for DPR Korea in Washington and Beijing on 27 and 28 November. Under its newly approved EMOP for 2002, WFP intends to provide over 611,000 tons of food aid at a total cost of USD 215.8 million. Some 6.4 million beneficiaries, among the most vulnerable groups are targeted to receive assistance.

(c) WFP plans to implement a bread-baking programme in Pyongyang in collaboration with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and the Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee. Over 1,800 tons of locally produced high-energy bread rolls are expected to be distributed to 143 kindergartens. In 2002, under the new EMOP, WFP will establish collaborative partnerships with NGOs and other UN agencies in addition to those already concluded with Children's Aid Direct and German Agro Action.

(d) Harvesting of rice and maize has been completed and farmers are now undertaking various seasonal activities. Following their recent Joint Crop and Food Assessment Mission, FAO and WFP estimated the main crop harvest to be better than last year, as a result of the availability of inorganic fertilizers and more favourable weather conditions. Following the main harvest, overall food availability has improved. Autumn vegetables were widely distributed to families. An average of 250 g per person and per day was reportedly distributed through the Public Distribution System in November. While monitoring some institutions, WFP continues to observe signs of malnutrition among children, though at lower levels than last year.

(C) East and Southern Africa Region: (1) Zimbabwe, (2) Zambia, (3) Mozambique, (4) Ethiopia, (5) Kenya, (6) Rwanda, (7) Tanzania

(1) Zimbabwe

(a) On 13 December, WFP launched an urgent appeal for USD 60 million to provide food aid to 558,000 rural people affected by a combination of drought, floods and economic crises. The WFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa urged donors to respond with cash contributions when possible, especially in the early stages of the operation, so that food can be bought in neighbouring countries and delivered quickly across the border.

(b) Rural families facing the most acute need are located in the south, west and extreme north of the country, where WFP will concentrate its efforts. While these are chronically poor areas, the situation worsened this year because of erratic rainfall; a strong down-turn in the economy coupled with a sharp rise in staple food prices; and disruption to the commercial farming sector due to land acquisition activities.

(c) According to a WFP team deployed to Zimbabwe in September and October, the price of maize has increased as much as 100 percent during the last year, forcing people to sell their belongings to buy food. Approximately 36 percent of Zimbabwe's 12.6 million people live below the poverty line, with less than USD 1 per day to meet their basic needs. Recognizing that women and children are hardest hit by the crises, they comprise 75 percent of the intended WFP beneficiaries. WFP will monitor closely the food availability countrywide until the April/May harvest.

(2) Zambia

(a) WFP received a first contribution of USD 2 million in cash to its emergency food operation in Zambia, to assist 1.3 million people suffering from a combination of drought and floods. It will enable WFP to quickly purchase 4,400 tons of maize from neighbouring countries. An advance of USD 3 million from WFP's emergency credit reserve will increase the agency's total food purchase to 10,000 tons, just one-quarter of the total amount needed.

(b) WFP made an urgent appeal to donors last month for USD 18 million for 42,000 tons of food to distribute during the lean months of December to March 2002 when the effects of Zambia's worst drought and floods in decades will take their toll. Additional contributions from other donors are urgently needed. WFP plans to begin the first food distributions in early January, when the food will arrive. WFP warned in November that relief food needed to be quickly mobilised to stave off a rise in malnutrition. Chronic malnutrition rates in Zambia for children under five years old are already at 60 percent.

(c) Zambia's major variations in rainfall, combined with a lack of irrigation, often cause polarized climatic conditions such as concurrent floods and drought. For the first few months of this year, heavy rains fell in the north-western and western regions, in some cases as much as 170 percent higher than the 30-year average. Rivers flooded and major dams filled beyond capacity. Roads, bridges and homes were swept away and crops were destroyed. Simultaneously, in the southern part of the country, a one-month dry spell followed a period of late rainfall, also causing widespread crop loss. Until the main harvest next March, the small amount of food remaining in farmers' homes will gradually be consumed and more than one million Zambians are expected to become at threat of food insecurity in January.

(3) Mozambique

(a) A UN Emergency Preparedness plan jointly prepared by the UN agencies and the Government should be finalised by 18 December. As part of its
contingency plans, WFP has commenced the pre-positioning of 2,070 tons of food, the first tranche of a planned 6,000 tons of food. Despite recent arrivals of commodities, WFP immediate pipeline situation continues to be precarious and shortages of pulses and sugar are likely to occur. The balance will be therefore pre-positioned when the pipeline improves. The Government of Mozambique (GoM) held two contingency planning meeting for the southern and northern regions. The workshop for the central region will take place in December.

(b) WFP delivered over 2,100 tons of food to its implementing partners during November. WFP is currently reaching over 70,000 beneficiaries through food-for-rehabilitation (FFR) activities. WFP together with INGC undertook a joint food needs assessment in Nampula and Niassa provinces in October. 12,000 people affected by excessive rain and pests were identified as being in need of assistance in Niassa province. In Nampula province, 30,000 people were also identified along the coastal districts as requiring assistance, mainly due to crop failure and a lack of trading opportunities. Following this joint WFP/INGC assessment, general food distributions were continued in Matilde and Luabo (Chinde district) for 8,000 beneficiaries due to high prevalence of malnutrition, while FFR activities continue in the rest of the district. WFP is also monitoring the possible effects that abnormal high rainfall on the harvest prospects for 2002. With a large proportion of the production areas currently flooded, it is estimated that only 30 percent of the planned area will be planted.

(c) The implementation of WFP operation has been constrained by a lack of access in some areas. In particular, with the commencement of rains, WFP is facing problems to use the road to Sabie in Maputo province. Also, given the difficulties to deliver food by road to Chinde, WFP is exploring other options including the use of the Sena Sugar Company barge.

(d) Following a request by GoM for continued assistance, and based on its assessments findings, WFP is preparing a budget revision to assist an additional 120,000 flood and drought affected people in December (bringing the total number of targeted beneficiaries to 245,000) and 170,000 people from January to the next harvest in March.

(4) Ethiopia

(a) FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission teams have finished their work throughout the country. Relief needs will be established on the basis of the findings of the current DPPC-led Needs Assessment Mission and included in the final FAO/WFP Mission report. The Needs Assessment Mission teams are expected to finish their field work by 14 December, and details will be released in the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) Appeal for 2002 in the second half of January. Donors and UN agencies have been working with DPPC on the Appeal document.

(b) Food distributions throughout the country have declined over the past month, as planned, as the new harvest became available. Distributions are continuing, after a short break, in Somali Region, where 9,000 tons of WFP food will be distributed this month to around 720,000 people. Deyr rains in the southern part of the Region in October/November were uneven and in places insufficient, and a negative impact of this on grazing and thus on livelihoods of the people in areas close to the Somali border is being reported. The DPPC-led Needs Assessment Teams are expected to recommend on-going food aid needs for the region, especially in these areas. A recent increase in insecurity, some of it clan related, has further limited movement of UN personnel within parts of Somali Region.

(c) In case of an expansion of the war against terror to Somalia, possible response options for any resulting population movements are being reviewed by WFP Ethiopia in coordination with other country offices in the Horn of Africa and with UNHCR. Stocks of food and other requirements are being identified.

(5) Kenya

(a) In response to the EMOP shortfall of about 60,000 tons of food, mainly cereals, WFP received a donation of 10,000 tons of maize from the Government of Kenya (GoK). WFP is now looking into ways to cover the associated costs, possibly using part of a cash donation, the balance being used to locally purchase 5,000 tons of cereals.

(b) During the second half of November, WFP distributed over 3,500 tons of food to 216,000 refugees at Dadaab and Kakuma camps under PRRO 6226. In Dadaab camp, diarrhea and malaria were reported to be on the rise as result of the wet season. This increased the level of malnutrition in the refugee camps during the month of November.

(c) Under its EMOP, WFP dispatched approximately 27,000 tons of food for joint November/December distribution to 1,533,800 people in 13 drought-affected districts. The distribution is expected to be completed before the end of December. WFP plans to distribute 10,300 tons of food through approximately 500 food-for-work (FFW) projects in 9 districts under the EMOP. The projects include road rehabilitation and construction, water, soil conservation, health and education related activities. UNDP released USD 26,300 as part of the USD 35,000 pledge to the EMOP to purchase hand tools for FFW activities. WFP continued to appeal for additional funds to procure more hand tools.

(d) The late 2001/02 short rains continued in most parts of the country during the month of November. The Short Rains Food Security Assessment, coordinated by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group, commenced on 21 November and information should be released by 15 December. Despite the late onset of the short rains, over 80 percent of planting has been carried out but most of the crops have not yet reached their expected stages of development. Maize harvesting in the Rift Valley province is on-going and the maize price is expected to continue to fall. The onset of the rains improved water situation for the pastoralist and favourable pasture is expected in the coming weeks. However, the short rains also constrained WFP's access to some distribution sites. Some roads became impassable while others could only be accessed by lighter trucks. In response, the GoK released cereals from the National Cereals and Produce Boards closer to the distribution sites.

(6) Rwanda

(a) During November, WFP distributed approximately 1,800 tons of food aid to 106,000 vulnerable people, including refugees, returnees, flood-affected households, malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers. WFP operations were hampered by sporadic insecurity and looting reported in Rusenyi district (Kibuye province). Incidents were also reported in Nshili and Mushubi districts (Gikongoro province).

(b) The torrential rains that fell in October and November caused significant damage in high altitude regions, in particular in the provinces of Gisenyi, Ruhengeri, Kibuye and Gikongoro. Unsustainable agricultural practices, such as uncontrolled clearing of the Gishwati Natural Reserve (Gisenyi province), have also contributed to widespread landslides and flooding. FEWS-Net noted that similar disasters might occur again in high altitude regions, with the current forecast of above normal rainfall in January 2002.

(c) Since January 2001, UNHCR has registered over 20,000 returnees from DR Congo, Tanzania, Burundi and other adjacent countries. Arrivals in November numbered 1,950 persons, 15 percent higher than in September. Nkamira transit centre in Gisenyi recorded 669 returnees. In addition to the returnees, WFP provided food aid for 413 unaccompanied minors at the Abadahogora centre in Gisenyi.

(d) During November, WFP provided food as part of a 3-month resettlement package to approximately 1,200 demobilized soldiers in Butare, Gikongoro,
Kibuye and Byumba provinces. WFP also provided food-for-training for over 300 ex-child combatants who follow rehabilitative civic education in Nyamata district (Kigali Ngali province).

(7) Tanzania

(a) On 27 and 28 November, a Rwandese delegation visited the Ngara refugee operation to encourage the Rwandese refugees to return in Rwanda. Despite these consultations, only 60 Rwandese refugees registered for voluntary repatriation.

(b) Between 19 November and 2 December, WFP completed the distribution of over 3,500 tons of food in all camps in Kigoma, Kasulu, Kibondo and Ngara Districts. Over 493,600 refugees including approximately 6,000 particularly vulnerable people received a full ration. In addition, WFP supported various Therapeutic and Supplementary Centers (TFCs and SFCs), providing 71 tons of food to approximately 18,750 malnourished persons. Finally, 250
Rwandese were assisted in returning to their communities in Rwanda, bringing the total number of repatriated Rwandese since last January to 3,260. A joint WFP/UNHCR household verification exercise recently took place at Nduta camp. The result of the verification exercise will be shared after completion of the database.

(D) Central Africa Region: Angola

(1) Angola

(a) The humanitarian situation deteriorated in Bié and Huila provinces, with a renewed influx of IDPs into municipal centers following intense military activity in several parts of the country. Malnutrition rates are reportedly on the rise among newly arrived IDPs in the towns of Matala, Cacula and Hoque (Huila province). WFP is liaising with its partners to initiate nutritional interventions.

(b) From 3 to 10 December, WFP distributed over 400 tons of food to approximately 32,400 vulnerable people in Kuito and Kamacupa area (Bié province). Last week, WFP assisted over 3,800 pre-school children in Lobito and Benguela cities (Benguela province). 71 IDPs arrived in Balombo from Sassoma and Chimbondo, and were resettled in two camps.

(c) Last week, WFP assisted 12,400 people in Huambo province with 146 tons of food. This includes the assistance to 3,900 newly displaced persons in
Huambo and Caliamamo. 500 houses built under a FFW scheme were made available for resettled IDPs.

(d) Over 24,000 vulnerable people received 720 tons of WFP food in Huíla province last week. Preliminary results of a nutritional assessment mission carried out in Matala, where hundreds of new IDPs have grouped showed an acute global malnutrition rate varying between 14.9 and 24.7 percent and a severe acute varying from 1.5 to 4.8 percent, depending on the camp. In response, verification exercises were carried out in the Matala region and WFP dispatched food for rapid distribution. Over 6,000 newly arrived IDPs were registered in Hoque, Cacula and Caconda camps during the month ofNovember.

(e) WFP assisted approximately 14,500 people with 195 tons of food in the Kuando Kubango province last week. The delivery of seeds and WFP seed protection rations to over 2,400 families was completed for the current agricultural season. Last week, 350 new IDPs were registered in the town of Menongue. Last week, WFP distributed 540 tons of food to 120,800 beneficiaries in Malange province.

(f) Over 51,000 beneficiaries received 1,153 tons of WFP food in Moxico province during the month of November. 1,314 new IDPs including returnees
from the DR Congo were registered in Luena (Moxico province) during the week. Finally, over 3,400 beneficiaries received 117 tons of WFP food last week in Uige province.

(g) A cash contribution of approximately USD 910,600 to WFP Angola will be utilized for the purchase of over 1,100 tons of pulses expected to arrive in country by February 2002. Further contributions of pulses are needed in order to continue the distribution of a full ration beyond March/April 2002.

(E) West Africa Region: Sierra Leone

(1) Sierra Leone

(a) From 3 to 9 December, WFP distributed a total of 840 tons of food to over 94,000 vulnerable people under various activities, mainly in support of the resettlement process as well as the Emergency School Feeding (ESF) project.

(b) WFP and UNHCR are currently resettling 10,000 Sierra Leonean returnees from Guinea and Liberia in Kambia and Port Loko districts. The returnees are receiving a two-month resettlement food ration from WFP, while UNHCR is providing a non-food item package. This is the first resettlement of returnees since fighting erupted last year in Guinea, leading to a massive influx of Sierra Leonean refugees back to their country.

(c) WFP is also providing a two-month resettlement package to over 4,000 IDPs living in Port Loko. The IDPs are coming from surrounding villages in Port Loko district that have now been declared safe. ICRC is proving the non-food item package. Due to the IOM's withdrawal from the programme, the lack of transport hampered the resettlement of the IDPs from Freetown, which has now been postponed to next month.

(d) WFP delivered 76 tons of food to 46,400 children enrolled in 86 schools in Kenema and Pujehun districts. WFP noted an increase in the attendance in the schools in Daru, following an influx of refugees from Liberia and IDPs into the town. School children are receiving WFP assistance through the ESF programme.

(e) The WFP Programme Technical Support Unit has completed a series of food security assessments in Kailahun, Kambia, Port Loko, Kambia, Bombali and Bo districts. The information gained will be vital for programming interventions in 2002 and will also provide guidance on longer term programming strategies. A presentation of the preliminary findings will be held next week.

(f) On 5 December, the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Oluyemi Adeniji, called for more international support assistance to sustain the reintegration and rehabilitation of ex-combatants. UNAMSIL declared on 5 December that disarmament was completed in Moyamba District. However, it is still incomplete in Kailahun and Kenema districts.

(F) Latin America and Caribbean Region: (1) Honduras, (2) Nicaragua

(1) Honduras

(a) Honduras is still suffering from the impact of both droughts that affected this year's crops and floods caused by tropical storm Michelle. WFP achieved its target, distributing 4,780 tons of food between August and November to over 30,000 drought-affected families. Populations living in parts of the Francisco Morazan and Choluteca provinces will continue to be assisted during December.

(b) In addition, WFP, in partnership with World Vision, is currently assisting 1,500 families affected by the floods caused by tropical storm Michelle in the districts of Morazán, Jocón, Yoro y Yorito. Different rehabilitation activities are being supported through FFW schemes, such as water systems, roads, houses, as well as agricultural lands.

(2) Nicaragua

(a) The WFP drought-related intervention ended last week. During this three-month operation 9,100 families (45,400 people) who had lost more than 50 percent of their maize harvest, participated in FFW activities. Also, 59,500 school children received WFP assistance under a School Feeding
Programme. WFP distributed approximately 2,000 tons of food in 22 districts during this operation.

(b) Following the floods caused by tropical storm Michelle, an inter-agency mission travelled to the Caribbean Coast to evaluate the post-emergency rehabilitation requirements and will soon present its recommendations.

(G) Balkans: (1) Kosovo, (2) Serbia, (3) FYROM, (4) Montenegro, (5) Albania

(1) Kosovo

(a) WFP and UNHCR conducted a joint food needs assessment in isolated minority communities of Gjilan, Prizren, Pristina, Peja AORs and South Mitrovica (predominantly Serb and Roma) as well as the Albanian enclaves of North Mitrovica. While the final recommendations of the mission are
forthcoming, the assessment has helped identify the profiles of those most in need. It also indicated that the situation has not improved for Roma communities and those minorities in urban or high insecurity areas.

(b) WFP and local distribution partners from all regions and ethnic groups met to coordinate the programme for the period leading up to WFP's phase-out in March 2002. This is a significant advance in inter-agency /inter-ethnic collaboration and in the development of civil society in Kosovo.

(2) Serbia

(a) WFP is in the process of reviewing working arrangements with its Implementing Partners (IPs) for the first quarter of 2002. The intention is to extend Letters of Understanding with IPs before the end of December 2001. It is expected that ACF, JEN, CARE and IISA will take over from CRS for WFP food distributions to social cases.

(b) WFP played an active role in the launching of the CAP Appeal. Within the appeal, WFP is requesting USD 7.9 million to cover its programme of targeted assistance to vulnerable refugees in FRY (excluding Kosovo) during the second half of 2002, upon termination of the current EMOP.

(3) FYROM

(a) WFP is currently assisting approximately 4,300 refugees for the period November/ December. Starting from January 2002, UNHCR will take over the food assistance to this caseload, in accordance with the WFP/UNHCR Memorandum of Understanding. The Macedonian Red Cross, which is conducting a registration exercise, estimates the number of IDPs to be 20,000, including 2,500 residing in collective centres.

(4) Montenegro

(a) November/December distribution to 25,000 social cases started on 10 December after prepositioning of commodities. The last WFP-organized Food Storage Workshop was held on 10 December. WFP monitors thoroughly inspected the conditions of warehouses in which WFP commodities are stored and noted that most of them were clean and dry.

(5) Albania

(a) WFP distributed food to 24,500 beneficiaries. Following approval of the extension in time of EMOP 6136.02, to 30 June 2002, agreements with partners were extended for the corresponding period. WFP is taking part in the Forestry Project Joint Supervision Mission of the World Bank / FAO / Italian Government.

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