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WFP Emergency Report No. 51 of 2003


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

B) East and Central Africa: (1) DR Congo, (2) Burundi, (3) Rwanda, (4) Uganda, (5) Sudan, (6) Eritrea, (7) Ethiopia, (8) Somalia

C) West Africa: (1) Mauritania, (2) Guinea, (3) Sierra Leone, (4) Liberia, (5) Côte d'Ivoire

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

E) Asia: (1) Bhutan, (2) Indonesia, (3) DPR Korea

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

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) The 'Loya Jirga' grand council commenced in Kabul on 14 December with high security arrangements in place in the city. Two to three rockets exploded in Kabul on 16 December near the airport, not far from the council site. In the south and southeast, UN missions to Nimroz, Hilmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Ghazni, Paktika, Khost and Paktya provinces remained suspended, while essential missions on Gardez-Khost road were cleared. In the east, UN missions to Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan provinces were suspended. In Jalal Abad, a small explosive device detonated near the Indian Consulate and UNAMA office, seriously injuring a child. In the north, withdrawal of heavy weapons to two cantonment sites continues. UN missions to Chimtal district in Balkh province, and parts of Saripul province remained suspended. Mazari Sharif-Sheberghan road is only secure during the day. The airport in Mazari Sharif was affected by snow and ice. In the west, UN missions to Bakwa district in Farah province and on Shindand-Dilaram road remained suspended.

(b) From 11 to 17 December, WFP assisted 725,828 beneficiaries with 3,924 tons of food through 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.

(c) An assessment of the bakery projects started in Mazari Sharif in collaboration with representatives of the municipality and beneficiary communities. In Hirat, the security situation, ongoing activities and collaboration with the Ministry of Planning was discussed during a combined Area and Provincial Coordination Body meeting. WFP briefed participating agencies on preliminary National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) results and encouraged NGOs to submit proposals for priority areas.

B) East and Central Africa: (1) DR Congo, (2) Burundi, (3) Rwanda, (4) Uganda, (5) Sudan, (6) Eritrea, (7) Ethiopia, (8) Somalia

1) DR Congo

(a) Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahau attended a ceremony of unification of ex-rebel combatants and the regular army on 08 December. Belgium will support the training of 3,700 soldiers in Kisangani over the next three months, who will make up the first joint brigade of the Congolese army. The joint brigade will be deployed in Ituri District in northeastern Congo, to work with MONUC to reinforce the peace process in the region.

(b) WFP provided 486 tons of food to 67,522 beneficiaries, including IDPs, returnees and malnourished children. In eastern DR Congo, most of the dispatches were made on the basis of reduced rations because of pipeline breaks. Priority was given to therapeutic feeding centres. In Kinshasa, food distributions resumed slowly, following the appraisal of implementing partners' performance in food and beneficiary management.

(c) WFP in-country food stocks remain insufficient to cover requirements in the east, with a break in the pipeline for pulses in Bunia, salt in Goma and pulses, oil and sugar in Bukavu.

2) Burundi

(a) Regular attacks on military posts and reprisal fighting were reported in different sectors of Bujumbura Rural province, but other areas remained relatively calm.

(b) The joint Government, FAO, UNICEF and WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission has so far visited eight provinces and is expected to cover sixteen out of the country's seventeen provinces. The final report of the mission is expected in mid January 2004.

(c) During the week, WFP and implementing partners distributed 1,197 tons of food to some 123,000 beneficiaries through different food aid activities.

(d) WFP stocks of cereals in Ngozi remain low and a break in the cereal pipeline is expected in February and March 2004. WFP is looking for loan possibilities from other operations to cover the gaps.

3) Rwanda

(a) A serious food shortage in the Bugesera region, parts of Kibungo and Umutara provinces remains a major concern. Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, WFP and Food Early Warning System (FEWS) are to carry out a crop assessment mission between 16 and 27 December and the report should be available in early January 2004. The government reported that 12 million Rwandan Francs will be released for assistance to 7,000 families in the Gashora district of the Bugesera region to complement WFP's on-going food assistance, distributed under food for work, school feeding and supplementary feeding activities. The affected regions are likely to continue facing serious food shortage until the harvest in June 2004, as the expected harvest in January 2004 will partially fail in these areas.

4) Uganda

(a) WFP food assistance continues to reach over 1,397,000 IDPs, 154,000 refugees, 300,000 displaced or conflict-affected school children and 100,000 other vulnerable people under PRRO 10121.0. From 08 to 13 December, WFP distributed 3,139 tons of food to 236,658 people in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, including IDPs in four camps in Gulu District, three camps in Kitgum, three camps in Pader, four camps in Lira, two refugee settlements in Arua, and feeding centres and primary schools in conflict-affected areas. WFP food distribution in Gulu district was hampered due to inadequate military escorts.

(b) In the eastern Teso sub-region, WFP continues to reach the displaced population with relief food for over 100,000 persons displaced in Soroti district and 145,728 displaced people in Kaberamaido district. On 15 December, WFP completed distribution of relief food to the displaced population in Kumi district, while distribution to 160,000 displaced persons in Katakwi district was completed on 12 December.

(c) The US Agency for International Development (USAID) visited Gulu from 10 to 12 December and travelled with a WFP convoy to a food distribution in Unyama IDP camp.

(d) On 16 December, WFP completed the pilot data collection for its Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA), using newly revised survey instruments, in the northern and northeastern regions of Lango and Karamoja, and in the refugee-hosting Moyo district in the West Nile region.

5) Sudan

(a) The security situation remains very tense in greater Darfur, especially in El Geniena in West Darfur State, where tribal fighting is ongoing. On 11 December the conflict resulted in the relocation of WFP/UN staff to Nyala. A UN Field Security Coordination team arrived on 16 December, to conduct security assessments in the area. WFP activities in the area have been suspended due to insecurity.

6) Eritrea

(a) WFP updated representatives from the Government 12 diplomatic missions, the UN Country Team (UNCT), and NGO partners on the implementation of the National Nutritional Surveillance System (NSS), progress on its new targeting strategy and its resourcing status for 2004. A presentation was also made on how final harvest figures, as per the FAO/WFP Joint Crop Assessment Mission, affect the 2004 consolidated appeal process (CAP) appeal, since the final harvest was approximately 106,000 tons less than anticipated during the drafting of the CAP. Revised appeal figures are likely to be 421,000 tons for a total of 1.9 million beneficiaries.

(b) WFP supported nutrition surveys by the Ministry of Health in the Gash Barka and Debub regions from 03 to 13 December. The surveys indicated an acute global malnutrition rate at 16.1 percent in Gash Barka, which although less than the 24.7percent registered in June, still remains alarmingly high. In Debub the rate had gone down from 13.0 percent to 10.2 percent. Pre and post harvest seasonal differences make it difficult to effectively compare the June and December results, but it is feared that the situation could become increasingly alarming within three to four months, without urgent intervention.

(c) Overall confirmed pledges for drought EMOP 10261.0 amount to USD 36,358,517, which is 78 percent of the total requirement. A total of USD 20,144,854, representing 42 percent of the total need, has been resourced for PRRO 10192. Indications have been received for possible further contributions towards EMOP 10261.0. Additional resources for the remaining 86,538 tons for both operations are urgently needed. WFP is increasingly concerned about the resourcing situation for 2004. At present it is the only organization in the country with a food pipeline. Given its current carryover and the lack of additional pledges, a pipeline break for all commodities is expected by March 2004. Food aid pledges for 2004 are an urgent priority in order to avoid continued widespread malnutrition in Eritrea.

7) Ethiopia

(a) The latest civil disorder in the Gambella Region flared up on 13 December when 8 people, including 3 Government officials from the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), were ambushed and killed in their vehicles about 18 km from Gambella, on the way to Odier, a newly identified site for a refugee camp. News of the killings spread quickly, leading to attacks on Anuaks, one of the major tribal groups in Gambella Region, by "highlanders", the name given locally to all Ethiopians originating from outside Gambella. Most of the 8 people reported killed were apparently 'highlanders'. The 'highlanders' believe that the perpetrators of the ambush were Anuaks. Since 13 December, houses belonging to Anuaks in Gambella town have been burned and a number of Anuaks have been killed in the fighting. Schools, banks and other businesses have been closed and Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Gambella. A dusk to dawn curfew has been put into effect and a heavy military presence in Gambella town is trying to restore order. However, the situation remains very tense. The deteriorating security conditions have spread to Fugnido refugee camp, which has been highly insecure since serious ethnic conflicts between Anuaks and other tribes at the Sudanese refugee camp about a year ago. Owing to these developments, December food rations distributions in Fugnido camp have been completed early. Trucks carrying food rations to Fugnido for January distributions have been halted temporarily until the situation improves.

(b) UN staff have not yet been evacuated from the Gambella area, but are on stand-by to do so should the need arise. Preparations are underway to relocate UN staff from Fugnido camp to Gambella to make their evacuation to other locations easier, should this become necessary. The UN Field Security Coordination Office in Addis Ababa has sent a mission to Gambella to conduct a detailed security assessment of the situation. WFP is closely monitoring developments in the Gambella Region.

8) Somalia

(a) The humanitarian crisis in the Sool Plateau is worsening due to the failure of the short 'Deyr' rains, the seventh consecutive rainfall season to fail. However, the latest field reports and remote sensing analysis suggest that significant (and very unusual) rainfall has fallen in some of the areas covering the coastal strip including Bosasso, over much of Somaliland, including Togdheer region and as far as El Afwein and Erigavo in western Sool and Sanaag, over much of central Somalia including Mudug and Galgaduud and the southern Sool Region, including Las Anod, and into the Somali Region of Ethiopia (Haud). But large areas of northeastern Somalia including parts of the Sool Plateau have not received significant rainfall. Moreover, rainfall at this time would have limited impact for the populations and the pastoralists in particular, who have already lost 60-80 percent of their livestock. Rain after a long period of drought can also result in increased livestock mortality before animals start to recover.

(b) Insecurity close to Baidoa led to an assessment by WFP, UNICEF, World Vision and ACF during November, which found that up to 6,000 people have been displaced in the area. WFP provided food assistance to the most vulnerable of the IDPs and is continuing to monitor the situation.

(c) To date, WFP has distributed 732 tons of food to some 12,816 households, including 76,900 beneficiaries from the most vulnerable populations, such as families with malnourished children, drought affected families, destitute, disabled and aged persons. Relief food distribution in Somaliland and Puntland started on 27 November and was completed on 15 December. WFP will continue to monitor the drought situation very closely to determine if further assistance is needed.

(d) A team from UNICEF is currently carrying out nutritional screening. WFP food relief intervention in January 2004 will target the populations based on the new UNICEF nutritional screening results. This process will assist WFP to target and expand the food assistance to other areas in need. WFP 's Pilot School feeding project in the Northwest including 23 schools began this month reaching 5,345 beneficiaries.

C) West Africa: (1) Mauritania, (2) Guinea, (3) Sierra Leone, (4) Liberia, (5) Côte d'Ivoire

1) Mauritania

(a) The latest Food Early Warning Systems (FEWS) report argues that the 2003/2004-crop forecast should be revised downwards in view of pest damage and poor seed quality, and that the current improved food security situation may be short-lived. The Government issued an alert on 11 December concerning the current desert locust outbreak and authorities are running short of pesticides. Locusts could pose a long-term threat to agriculture in the region if not treated in time. In the South, the stalk-borer sesamia is causing significant damage to crops.

(b) Distributions are underway for the Country Program Rural Development activity, benefiting some 30,000 beneficiaries. The next phase of EMOP distributions will start in January with modalities tailored to enable the recovery process in areas hit by the 2002 drought. WFP-supplied commodities will be earmarked for food-for-work and food-for-training.

2) Guinea

(a) The security situation remained generally calm throughout the country. The upcoming elections are not believed to pose any major security risk to the general population, but dozens of soldiers and high-ranking officers have reportedly been arrested and detained across the country in recent weeks. At the border-entry points in Forested Guinea, the situation remained calm.

(b) From 11 to 29 November, some 129 Liberians entered Guinea from Liberia. Meanwhile, a large number of Liberian refugees are also spontaneously leaving Guinea's camps, particularly Lainé, for Liberia. A 20 percent absenteeism rate was reported during Lainé's most recent distribution. Some sources claim they are going home for Christmas, while others attribute their return to the elections, stating that the refugees consider themselves a potential target should the elections fail to pass peacefully. The departing refugees are generally those who had most recently arrived. UNHCR organized three convoys repatriating 556 Sierra Leonean refugees, while WFP and implementing partner IRC supplied hot meals the night before each convoy. Repatriation is expected to begin again on 10 January.

(c) Some 63,297 beneficiaries received 1,237 tons of food, covering 45 days, in preparation for the upcoming elections and holidays.

3) Sierra Leone

(a) The security situation remained calm. In an effort to crack down on fraudulent ration card circulation, WFP and UNHCR have increased their monitoring activities during December food distributions and have intensified their tracking of absentee refugees. With the stabilization of the crisis in Liberia, many refugees have decided to spontaneously return to Liberia but are leaving or selling their ration cards to other individuals who are not entitled to the food and non-food items assistance. A statement was issued and sensitizations was carried out in all eight refugee camps to clarify the necessity for proper accounting of all beneficiaries. A consolidated appeal process (CAP) donor mission is expected to visit Sierra Leone in mid-January 2004 to discuss donor coordination, the transition recovery process and capacity building.

(b) From 01 to 14 December, WFP supported some 105,200 beneficiaries, including 64,964 women, with 780.39 tons of food countrywide through vulnerable group feeding (VGF), therapeutic feeding centres and supplementary feeding, mother and child health programmes, institutional feeding, food for work and food for training activities. WFP carried out cooking demonstrations, nutritional education and HIV/AIDS awareness messages for 150 women in the Bandajuma, Jimmy Bagbo and Gondama refugee camps in the Bo District.

(c) The pipeline for corn-soya blend, sugar and cereals remains critical.

4) Liberia

(a) On 17 December, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) decided to suspend the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) programme until 20 January 04 to allow time for completion of the camp facilities and improvement of the security conditions at the site. In addition, UNMIL announced plans to decongest the Schieffelin camp. The camp was intended for 1,000 people but is currently sheltering some 5,000 ex-combatants. During the break period, the camp would primarily service an undetermined number of vulnerable ex-combatants. WFP's implementing partner, Premiere Urgence will continue to provide daily hot meals to occupants of the camp. Given the deteriorating security conditions earlier in the week, WFP suspended food distributions for 2 days. WFP operations have now resumed, but the distribution plan for December has been significantly disrupted. December food distributions are now expected to be completed by the end of the current week. The security situation in Monrovia and up-country is relatively stable and reports from implementing partners operating in the Schieffelin camp indicate that the situation there remains calm also.

(b) From 10 to 16 December 113,175 beneficiaries received 1,800 tons of food through IDPs and refugees distributions. Under the DDRR programme, WFP and UNMIL assisted some 3,064 ex-combatants a day from 08 to 15 December with a total of 4.7 tons of food. On 16 December WFP's implementing partner Premiere Urgence served hot meals to some 1,500 ex-combatants and will continued to prepare meals for disarmed ex-combatants for the duration of the DDRR programme.

(c) On 13 December, WFP, OCHA and UNHCR launched a joint sensitization campaign to encourage the estimated 11,000 occupants of the 'SKD' stadium to relocate to officially recognized camps. Some 7,167 IDPs have been registered for relocation, facilitated by UNHCR during the weekend. The relocated IDPs will receive WFP food assistance after their arrival.

5) Côte d'Ivoire

(a) The situation in Abidjan remains tense. UNHCR conducted a mission to Man to evaluate the situation among some 7,000 Liberian refugees in Bin-Houye and 700 in Danane. Pending on the results of the evaluation, WFP will provide food aid for these populations. A decline in the moderate and severe malnutrition rates was reported in areas around Guiglo town and in the Man region of Bin Houye and Zouan-Houane. WFP partners MSF and ACF are concentrating their efforts in Toulepleu and Duekoue, but will continue to monitor the situation around Guiglo.

(b) WFP and implementing partners distributed 406 tons of food to some 59,345 beneficiaries during the week.

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

1) Regional

(a) Despite ongoing appeals, WFP's Regional Emergency Operation in southern Africa continues to face serious pipeline disruptions in early 2004. As of 18 December, projections indicate significant cereal shortfalls continuing through until the programme's closure in June. From March onwards, pipeline projections also show critical shortfalls in pulses, vegetable oil and corn-soya-blend. Additional donations are urgently needed in order to prevent continuous disruptions in food distributions that will affect approximately 6.5 million people at a crucial time before the April to May harvest.

(b) Recent increases in the price of maize on the South African market have forced WFP to look to foreign markets to procure food for its emergency operation in Southern Africa. White maize prices in South Africa increased by 32 percent between 01 and 15 December, rising from USD 145 to USD 191 per ton. Since January, WFP has procured nearly a quarter of a million tons of maize in South Africa at a total cost of USD 35.5 million.

(c) Eastern South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and southern Mozambique continue to feel the effects of long-term drought during last year, and are now hurting from meagre 2003/04 early season rains. Lesotho is the most seriously affected country and crop prospects are very bleak due to a combination of a dry preceding winter, dry spring and early summer, and widespread insect damage to what little crop has survived. In many parts of South Africa, 2-month precipitation totals are 15 to 50 percent of normal.

(d) Rains increased in much of northern Mozambique and western Zimbabwe during the past seven days, though the season continues to be slow to start in much of eastern Zimbabwe as well as the Tete, southern Zambezia, Manica and Sofala Provinces in Mozambique. November rainfall in these regions ranged from 0 to 60 percent of normal, and conditions have not improved during the first half of December. High pressure is predicted to dominate the weather over the next week and this will further exacerbate dryness in the south of the region. Widespread moderate to heavy rains fell throughout much of Tanzania, though areas in the northeast remained dry. These rains, along with previous precipitation, have helped to remove short-term dryness in much of western and central regions. Due to very poor moisture availability during November, most of eastern Tanzania continues to be very dry.

2) Namibia

(a) Findings from a recent WFP, UNICEF and WHO assessment mission indicate that there is serious food insecurity among households in the northern regions due to drought, floods, poor health and environmental degradation. However, the main problem seems to be access and not availability of food. Households appear increasingly incapable of dealing with shocks due to limited production technology, poor livestock management, and deteriorating health conditions, as a result of poverty and diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The mission found that malnutrition cases are strongly linked to HIV/AIDS, and there is heightened concern over the growing number of orphans and child-headed households.

3) Angola

(a) On 12 December, five people died from a landmine explosion when a CARE tractor and trailer hit an antitank mine in Chipeta, approximately 30 kilometres from Kuito in Bie Province. On 04 December, a mine critically injured another 14 people in the same area. Bie saw some of the heaviest fighting in the 27-year civil war, which ended in April 2002. It is estimated that approximately 15 million landmines were planted during the war, making Angola one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Traditionally the start of the rainy season is a time of increased mine incidents, frequently due to drivers leaving well used and rutted roads to avoid water filled potholes and obstacles, such as fallen trees.

(b) The latest official figures released by the Government show that over 3.4 million IDPs have now returned to their areas of origin or preference. However, the Government has calculated that over 830,000 people are still internally displaced. The official expectation is that relatively few families will now migrate from IDP camps or host communities to areas of origin in the next few months, due to rains. The situation is expected to be relatively static until the next dry season. It is estimated that approximately 400,000 IDPs will opt to establish new livelihoods where they are rather than seek transport to their areas of origin. Approximately 100,000 Angolan refugees have returned home over the past year, including about 71,000 under the UNHCR voluntary repatriation programme and an additional 30,000 that returned on their own accord. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 Angolan refugees remain in bordering countries and that 170,000 will return to Angola in 2004.

(c) As a result of delayed and damaged cereal shipments, WFP has been forced to implement half rations of cereals for all activities for December distributions. However, due to heightened levels of vulnerability, nutritional and social programmes will receive full rations.

4) Zambia

(a) From 09 to 15 December, WFP distributed 987 tons of food through programmes for vulnerable children, refugees and participants in food for assets projects. As roads in Northern, Luapula and Western Provinces are deteriorating due to rains, it is becoming increasingly difficult to transport food to refugee camps. WFP's urban intervention programme is currently reaching 59,026 orphans and vulnerable children, close to the original target of 60,000 children for the year. WFP's pilot school-feeding programme is currently reaching 19,045 beneficiaries in 50 schools in five districts in the Southern and Eastern Provinces. The programme will extend to another 10 schools in each of the five districts in 2004 and will bring the number of beneficiaries to approximately 40,000 pupils in 100 schools.

5) Zimbabwe

(a) The food security situation throughout the country continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate and a rapidly increasing number of people are turning up at distribution sites to appeal for food aid. There is an overwhelming need to reach additional food insecure people, but inadequate food supplies seriously hamper WFP activities.

(b) The state-Grain Marketing Board's (GMB) depot in Mutare has increased the price of a 50 kg bag of maize by 38 percent. The parastatal body's retail maize price continues to vary in different parts of the country, with supplies being either erratic or non-existent in some areas, despite reports that the GMB has significant stocks in selected silos. The cost of urban commuter transport doubled in mid-December and is now higher than the minimum monthly wage. Many people are now walking long distances to work because they cannot afford the transport fare.

(c) Without urgent additional pledges, WFP may be forced to reduce the quantity of food distributed as well as the number of beneficiaries. WFP will run out of cereals in February 2004.

6) Malawi

(a) Recent reports from therapeutic feeding centres from some parts of the country show an alarming increase in the number of admissions of malnourished children. In Lilongwe District four centres have experienced increases of over 100 percent. While this period of the year is associated with the onset of the 'hunger season', initial reports seem to indicate higher than normal patterns of vulnerability. Additional results from assessments will be examined in the light of the ongoing Vulnerability Assessment Committee assessment, other food security information, data from the National Nutrition Surveillance System and available nutrition surveys.

(b) From 11 to 17 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 2,400 tons of food to vulnerable beneficiaries.

7) Mozambique

(a) As the rainy season develops, concern about the poor performance of rains in southern Mozambique is increasing. A recent FEWS NET report indicates that total rainfall in Maputo, Tete and Gaza Provinces have been very low so far this season, and recommends close monitoring of the season's development. Of special concern are areas in the extreme south and parts of Tete Province that have already faced two or more consecutive years of drought. Rains in some areas are not yet fully established and despite having received early rains, crops may experience water stress following germination. In Maputo and southern Gaza, assessments of the planted areas and information gathered in the field reveal the loss of most of the first planting and severe water stress on existing vegetation. In Tete Province, current satellite imagery shows that vegetation is much lower than normal in most of the province, due to very poor rains and high temperatures. Irregular rains in some areas during the first two months of the season and the possibility of poor rainfall in the second half of the season remains a cause of concern.

(b) From 09 to 15 December, WFP distributed 1,800 tons of food in collaboration with implementing partners.

8) Swaziland

(a) Ministry of Agriculture field survey reports indicate that there will be poor output from maize fields sampled in the Lowveld, due to very limited rainfall. Cotton and groundnut crops showed a more positive growth picture. An estimated one-third of families have cultivated land in WFP operational areas in the Lowveld and Dry Middleveld. A common reason cited by beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was the inability to be able to afford contracting government tractors. Current charges for ploughing have risen by 70 percent since the last growing season. Expensive agricultural inputs have narrowed the margin between the cost of production and the value of grown maize. Lowveld areas are still experiencing a severe shortage of water for both livestock and human consumption.

(b) From 08 to 15 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed 477 tons of food to 33,559 beneficiaries.

9) Lesotho

(a) According to a recent FAO report, there is a major drought over most of Lesotho, with rainfall well below average especially in the west of the country. The latest weather bulletin from the Lesotho Meteorological Service states, that "there is a high likelihood of low rainfall situation during the season December 2003 - January 2004. Hence drought conditions are expected to continue into the beginning of 2004, although some isolated showers can still be expected." The drought has led to a reduction in planted areas in most districts, but especially in the important grain growing areas of Leribe and Berea. Late planted maize crops in the mountain districts are at high risk of frost damage before they mature. Winter wheat crops have failed in the southern districts, and are generally poor in Leribe and Butha Buthe. Vegetable crops and wild foods are also failing on a wide scale. The drought situation is further exacerbated by heavy pest damage to maize crops in all mountain districts. The condition of livestock is also poor, due to hunger. Veterinary staff report high levels of calving difficulties, due to cows being weak from hunger, and other parasitic diseases. As a result, crop yields and livestock productivity will be sharply lower in 2004, with obviously adverse effects on the food security of rural people, who have few other sources of income. WFP believes there is a strong case for increased food aid. Lesotho expects to produce no more than 20 percent of its food requirements.

(b) From 10 to 16 December, WFP distributed 1053 tons of food to 89,338 beneficiaries through supplementary feeding programmes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, mother-child health clinics, vulnerable group feeding projects, and food for work activities.

10) Madagascar

(a) Tropical storm 'CELA' passed over northern Madagascar, decreased in intensity, and regenerated in the Mozambique Channel. As of 17 December, the cyclone was located in the southern Channel and was nearly stationary with winds just below cyclone strength. The storm has already produced very heavy rains in western Madagascar, eliminating any dryness in the areas, and may lead to additional precipitation in the south as it moves eastward again. WFP has been in close contact with the National Rescue Committee and there have not been any reports of displacement or significant storm-related damage.

(b) From 10 to 17 December, WFP and implementing partners distributed food to 1,200 food for work recipients for completed activities in Tsihombe District.

E) Asia: (1) Bhutan, (2) Indonesia, (3) DPR Korea

1) Bhutan

(a) On 15 December, the Bhutanese army launched a military offensive to flush out Indian militant groups in Southern Bhutan. According to the Indian news channel NDTV there were 7 Bhutanese army casualties and 10 ULFA militants killed on 16 December. The Indian military are on full alert on the India-Bhutan border ready for the Indian militants emerging from Bhutan. A curfew has been imposed on all Bhutanese vehicles travelling to India until 17 December. On 05 December, the UN designated official declared UN security phase I in the south of the country, due to increasing insecurity.

(b) With the security situation deteriorating in the south, WFP has implemented a number of preparedness and contingency measures, including medical evacuation and SOS trials and stock piling of emergency fuel.

(c) Following a government request, advance 2004 food distribution for all programme activities is underway, including school feeding and food for work.

2) Indonesia

(a) The Government announced a six months extension of martial law in Aceh province. On 29 November, four people reportedly died during shooting in Poso. A bomb blast was reported on the same day, but causing no casualties. Some 135 people were killed and more than 100 people were missing after landslides and floods caused by deforestation hit Bukit Lawang in North Sumatra. The local government and community authorities provided food aid, but water and sanitation remained a concern. WFP's El Niño assessment indicates that another weak El Niño may occur next year. The food security situation in Nusa Tenggara Islands, Maluku and Papua requires continued monitoring.

(b) During November, WFP and implementing partners distributed 6,583 tons to some 1.74 million beneficiaries, mostly women and children, through WFP's urban poor, subsidized rice (OPSM), children and mother nutrition and IDP and refugees activities.

(c) WFP convened two food aid coordination (FAC) meetings in November. Participants discussed initiatives to support the work of the School Health Coordination Board, while the next FAC meeting will look into the potential for private-public partnerships to advocate for production of nutritious food. WFP also presented its Food Insecurity Atlas to Government counterparts, donors, fellow UN agencies and NGOs.

(d) A contribution of USD 2.65 million was confirmed and will be drawn upon in mid 2004.

3) DPR Korea

(a) Due to shortfalls, about 3.2 million beneficiaries will be deprived of cereal rations in January. With the arrival of additional wheat by the end of January, core beneficiary groups in nurseries, kindergartens, and primary schools will receive two months cereal rations. However, a cut in cereal distributions will again affect all 3.8 million core-beneficiaries starting from late March 2004. In addition, local food production factories will stop functioning in April due to a lack of wheat flour, and food for work projects for the spring season will have to be suspended, unless new pledges are immediately confirmed.

(b) New pledges of about 180,000 tons of food, including 150,000 tons of cereals, are needed for the coming 6 months. A recently confirmed contribution of 4.2 million Euros will be used to purchase pulses, oil and CMB for pregnant and nursing women. A confirmed donation of USD 400,000 will be programmed to purchase pulses for kindergarten and nursery children.

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

1) Bolivia

(a) Many rural areas are threatened by drought and recently seeded lands have been affected by a lack of rainfall, particularly in the western highlands, where seven out of nine departments have been affected. The most seriously affected department is Oruro, where more than 70 percent of the production of quinoa cereal has been lost and the mortality rate of cattle has reached 25 percent according to the National Service of Early Warning and Food Security (SINSAAT). In some areas, the lack of rainfall has reduced the availability of water for human consumption. The food security situation is expected to further deteriorate in the next few months when the current food stocks of rural families begin to be depleted. The government lacks funds to support the drought-affected population and has appealed for international assistance. The Government is considering declaring a national emergency and the Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a more accurate and broader impact assessment, which will be made available to aid organisations.

(b) WFP is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Civil Defense and the national counterpart DRIPAD to assess the impact of the crisis and future needs. Some of the most affected areas are within WFP intervention areas, where they can be supported with regular resources. For other areas, additional resources may be required.

2) Colombia

(a) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has refused to call off troops searching for five foreign tourists kidnapped by left-wing rebels last September. On 09 December, the rebel group responsible for these kidnappings said they had suspended plans to free the hostages because of army operations in the Sierra Nevada Region. On 12 December, the United States government warned about the "high probability of one or more terrorist attacks" in Bogota and in Cartagena over the next several days. Inhabitants of the municipality of San Francisco in the Department of Antioquia have received threats by an illegal armed group about a possible take over of the town. Five Government officials were kidnapped by illegal armed groups in the municipality of Alto Baudó in the Department of Choco, but one was subsequently released. Confrontations between Government troops and illegal armed groups continue to be reported in the municipalities of San Rafael and El Peñol, Department of Antioquia. On 12 December, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) criticized the new antiterrorism laws approved by Congress, calling them incompatible with international law. The measures give Colombia's military forces powers of arrest without warrants, phone tapping, and collecting evidence in war zones.

(b) The main road linking Quibdo in the department of Choco with the department of Antioquia is still blocked due to landslides and adverse weather conditions in the region, causing delays in the distribution of food supplies to the area. Flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rainstorms in rural areas of Santa Fe de Antioquia have left a number of people affected.

(c) WFP and partners distributed 175 tons of food to some 34,000 beneficiaries in 5 departments through pre-school, primary school and food for work and food for training activities under PRRO 10158. The Colombian Government agency coordinating assistance to internally displaced people, Red de Solidaridad Social, plans to invest some USD 160,000 in support of agricultural recovery and environmental and business management training over the next four years for some 1,000 displaced families from East Antioquia.

3) Guatemala

(a) Assaults in public buses have become an everyday occurrence, often with the result of drivers or assistants killed during the robbery. This has prompted bus drivers to stop servicing and block access to an area in the capital city where these incidents are particularly frequent until police forces guarantee their security. Robberies in tourist areas are increasingly common and a group of foreign tourists and their guide were attacked by armed men in the province of Peten. Electoral related violence continues, with members of municipal electoral boards receiving death threats, particularly in the area of Ixcán, Quiché, and the municipality of Aguacatán, Huehuetenango.

(b) Thousands of farmers and indigenous people marched in the capital on the International Day for Human Rights, to demand a commitment from the presidential candidates to implement the National Compensation Plan, which compensates victims from the civil war. The National Food Board (NFB) presented a proposal for a National Food and Nutritional Policy to presidential candidate Álvaro Colom and vice-presidential candidate Eduardo Stein. During the meeting, members of the Ministry of Agriculture put forward WFP's Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM), identifying municipalities most vulnerable to food insecurity. The NFB is a national public organization established in January this year to design a national policy for food and nutritional security. It is composed of governmental departments, indigenous people's representatives, social organizations, producers and industry associations, and research centres. Both candidates endorsed the proposal and committed to support the work of the NFB.

(c) Low temperatures continued this week. Members of the Guatemalan Red Cross and the National Coordinating Committee for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) distributed blankets and set up temporary shelters in the capital and other cities throughout the country to prevent hypothermia among homeless people. Distribution of 1,469 tons of food to 17,493 families, totalling 87,465 beneficiaries, under the relief component of PRRO 10212 started this week.

4) Haiti

(a) UNSECOORD upgraded approximately one-third of the country, including Port au Prince, Cap Haitian, Gonaives, and areas in the south, to Security Phase II on 17 December. Phase I remains in place the rest of the country. On 16 and 17 December UN Security staff requested all UN staff to leave their offices early due to disturbances in the streets.

(b) Key ministers and officials resigned on 18 December, indicating a further deterioration in the political situation faced by the current government. Supporters of President Aristide marched this week, while Aristide opponents, including businesses and labour unions, continued their protest strikes, which are becoming increasingly violent. The United States has strongly condemned the recent government violence in response to political demonstrations and has called for the Organization of American states to peacefully resolve the political crisis. On 01 January, the government is planning celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Haiti's independence from France.

(c) Food commodities left undistributed after the Saint-Marc /Grande Saline looting incidents in November were returned from Saint-Marc to Port-au-Prince and could not be distributed safely due to ongoing security concerns. School feeding activities have ceased for this school year and assistance to health centres, planned for the coming weeks, have not been affected by the current strikes and violence. If the strikes continue and the security situation does not improve, WFP operations may become increasingly affected.

5) Dominican Republic

(a) WFP continues its relief assistance to 6,000 families affected by floods in the area of Montecristi, working in partnership with the Federation of the Red Cross, World Vision and two local NGOs. Partners are transporting commodities from the WFP central warehouse for distribution in the affected communities. The Federation of Red Cross began distribution on 01 December and the local NGOs on 10 December. A total of 373 tons of rice, vegetable oil and sugar has been distributed to date.

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

(End WFP Emergency Report No 51).