This report includes: A) Horn of Africa drought: Ethiopia and Somalia B) Sierra Leone C) Angola D) Namibia E) India
- drought.
From Francesco Strippoli, Senior Humanitarian Advisor. Available on the Internet on the WFP Home Page or by e-mail from Deborah.Hicks@wfp.org . For information on resources, donors are requested to contact Aleesa.Blum@wfp.org or Marius.deGaayFortman@wfp.org at WFP Rome, telephone 39 06 6513 2004 or 06 6513 2250. Media queries should be directed to Trevor.Rowe@wfp.org telephone 39 06 6513 2602. The address of WFP is Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68, Parco dei Medici, 00148 Rome, Italy.
PART I - HIGHLIGHTS
(Details below in Part II)
A. HORN OF AFRICA DROUGHT: ETHIOPIA AND SOMALIA
1. Ethiopia - most information as of 10 May
a) Security update as of 15 May: Fighting in north between Ethiopia and Eritrea resumed on 12 May; WFP operations in region suspended, non-essential staff re-deployed to Dessie.
b) Widespread rain reported in most parts of Ethiopia, including drought-hit areas; however, recent rains arrived too late for planting crops; in northern parts of Ethiopia belg crops near total failure; other belg areas may expect some production following the rain; positive effect of rains on pastures observed.
c) Somali Region: since early May, widespread and steady rainfall in Somali Region; heavy rainfalls reported in Fik, Warder, Shinile, Gode and Jijiga zones for at least two days in early May.
d) Significant rain recorded in Degehabur and Liben zones raises hopes for recovery of pastures and optimism about planting longer-term rainfed crops.
e) Need for food aid continues, but transport made more difficult by deteriorating road conditions due to rain.
f) UN inter-agency pastoral assessment mission to Somali Region composed of WFP, Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (EUE), WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and DPPC started on 9 May from Dire Dawa.
g) Djibouti port becoming congested due to many vessels arriving simultaneously and low discharge rate.
2. Somalia - information as of 15 May
a) WFP delivers 320 tons to Elberde and Rabdure districts, Bakool region, southern Somalia and additional 291 tons to Sool and Togdheer regions in the north-west; food aid convoys en route to Bardera (Gedo), Hiran (south) and Baidoa (Bay).
b) Gu rains: Due to heavy rains in Ethiopian highlands, rivers Shabelle and Juba in southern Somalia started to rise considerably; exceptional rainfall reported in some areas of Hiran, and Lower and Middle Shabelle regions; in Hiran, rainfall received, half the normal annual amount, poses risk of flooding; reports from the Juba region of heavy rainfall between Jilib and Kismayu in Lower Juba.
c) Upcoming Gu harvest looking more hopeful after rains; pasture in the Bay and Bakool regions slowly improving; weather patterns remain unpredictable; excessive rain is already hampering food aid deliveries, increasing cost of basic commodities.
B. SIERRA LEONE
1. Update - information as of 12 May
a) Situation remains calm in Freetown; further RUF attack reported on Port Loko, but town still held by UNAMSIL.
b) WFP provides food for children living in UNICEF-sponsored Interim Care Centres.
c) Initial humanitarian assessment (by HACY, UNICEF and WFP) down Freetown peninsula as far as Waterloo found large numbers of IDPs moving toward Freetown; some IDPs seen returning after UNAMSIL/SLA/CDF consolidated their presence in the region.
d) Five WFP international staff return to Freetown after temporary relocation to Conacry; WFP helicopter flew vaccine and medicine to Bo for UNICEF and World Vision International; WFP-chartered vessel "Salvator II" arrived off Freetown, now available to support humanitarian operations in Sierra Leone; WFP trucks in available in Niti port to move food to Bo if necessary.
C. ANGOLA
1. Update - information as of 10 May
a) Current WFP protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO 6159) received only 46.5 percent of total food requirement; total WFP planned distributions in May reduced by 8 percent against the original plan in order to minimize impact of anticipated break in pipeline in August/September 2000.
b) Government of Finland confirms a new contribution of USD 310,000 to be used for local purchase of maize.
c) In Namibe port, US Embassy and WFP representatives officially receive US donation of 500 tons of beans; balance of US donation, some 5,724 tons of beans, CSB and vegetable oil, destined for ports of Lobito and Luanda.
D. NAMIBIA
1. Assistance to Angolan refugees - information as of 10 May
a) Planned May food distribution in Osire refugee camp completed on 2-3 May by WFP and Namibian Red Cross; a total of 9,113 people received WFP ration of maize meal, beans, vegetable oil and CSB.
E. INDIA - DROUGHT
1. Update - information as of 12 May
a) WFP providing food assistance to drought victims within ongoing India and Rajasthan assistance activities; about 130 tons of pulses, and 50 tons of vegetable oil, nearly 3,300 tons of wheat released or in pipeline for disbursement in nine acutely affected districts (Ajmer, Bhanswara, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur).
PART II - DETAILS
A. HORN OF AFRICA DROUGHT: ETHIOPIA AND SOMALIA
1. ETHIOPIA - most information as of 10 May
1.1 Ethiopia/Eritrea conflict - information as of 15 May: Fighting in the north between Ethiopia and Eritrea resumed on 12 May. Due to the renewed fighting, WFP operations in the region have been suspended, and non-essential staff re-deployed to Dessie, awaiting further developments.
1.2 Rains - General
a) Widespread rain is reported in most parts of the country, including areas affected by the drought of the last few months. It remains to be seen what impact the rains will have on planting in central and northern parts of the country.
b) The recent rains were received too late to be very useful for planting crops and in the northern parts of the country belg crops are near 100 percent failure. In other belg areas, some production can be expected following the rain. The effect of rains on pastures has been positive, and reports from northern Ethiopia indicate that animal health is improving and that livestock markets are stable.
1.3 Somali Region
a) Since the beginning of May, widespread and steady rain has fallen in Somali Region. Reports have been received from Jijiga WFP sub-office that quite heavy rainfalls were reported in Fik, Warder, Shinile, Gode and Jijiga zones of Somali Region for at least two days in early May. This was confirmed by the WFP field office in Gode. Jijiga and surroundings areas received 9-10 mm rainfall on May 1 and 2. Gode recorded rainfall of 11.8 mm on 7 May.
b) ICRC reports that significant rain has been recorded also in Degehabur and Liben zones. The rain is good for the recovery of pastures and for the replenishment of wells and ponds, and the rains have largely alleviated the acute water shortage. There is also optimism about possibilities for planting longer-term rainfed crops, such as sorghum and maize in the agro-pastoral areas.
c) The rain is welcome, but in many ways also exacerbates an already fragile humanitarian situation in Somali Region. The need for food assistance remains acute, but transport is made even more difficult by further deterioration of road conditions. Some airstrips have been reported flooded.
d) There is concern that the number of livestock deaths may increase following the rains. There are unconfirmed reports from the field that large numbers of goats and cattle, already weakened by months of drought, have been killed by floods.
e) The risk of outbreak of communicable diseases is also increasing with the rains; in addition, there are the dangers of pneumonia brought about by prolonged exposure to the cold.
f) A UN inter-agency pastoral assessment mission to Somali Region, composed of two WFP staff, two persons from Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (EUE), WHO, UNICEF, United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) and the local branch of the national Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Commission (DPPC) started on 9 May, using Dire Dawa as their base. The mission will return 14 May, and a report is expected by 20 May. The mission started in Jijiga and Gode, and will visit various other locations. Fik and Degehabur will not be visited, owing to insecurity. A separate mission will take place later in Afder and Liben zones of southern parts of Somali region
1.4 Logistics
a) The port in Djibouti is becoming congested. Too many vessels are arriving within the same timeframe, and the discharge rate is low. In order to avoid congestion, the minimum discharge and offtake per vessel per day should be 2,000 tons (i.e. 6,000 tons counting the three berths). Between 21 April and 23 May a total of 228,400 tons is expected. The situation is compounded by problems of through bills of lading whereby certain transporters have continued to enter into contracts although they lack the capacity to transport the tonnage involved.
2. SOMALIA - information as of 15 May
2.1 During the reporting period, a total of 320 tons was distributed to Elberde and Rabdure districts, Bakool region, southern Somalia and an additional 291 tons to Sool and Togdheer regions in the north-west. Some 440 tons is currently en route to Bardera (Gedo) and 325 tons to Hiran in southern Somalia. A further 400 tons is en route in Baidoa (Bay).
2.2 Gu rains
a) Due to the heavy rains in the highland areas of Ethiopia, the levels of both the rivers Shabelle and Juba in southern Somalia have started to rise considerably. Reports as of 12 May indicated exceptional rainfall in some areas of Hiran, and Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. Particularly in Hiran, rainfall received was half of the normal annual amount and now poses the risk of flooding in these areas. Reports have also been received of population movements to higher ground. Reports from the Juba regions, indicate heavy rainfall particularly in areas between Jilib and Kismayu in Lower Juba.
b) As a consequence, there are now some hopeful signs for the upcoming Gu harvest. Pasture in the Bay and Bakool regions is slowly improving especially for camels and shoats which feed on shrubs and trees and pre-planted crops have begun to germinate. However, as weather patterns remain fairly unpredictable, it is still too early to determine the extent to which the rains will have a positive effect on the harvest. Excessive rain is already hampering food aid deliveries and increases the cost of basic commodities, thereby further affecting the food security situation of vulnerable groups.
B. SIERRA LEONE
1. UPDATE - information as of 11 May
1.1 The situation remained calm in Freetown as fears of an Revolutionary United Front (RUF) attack on the city abated. After the recent renewed fighting in the country, the UN Mission to Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) troops have been consolidating and re-organising, the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) and Civil Defence Forces (CDF) mobilising and entering action, and the support areas have been secured by British in the Western region. One further attack was reported on Port Loko, but the town is still held by UNAMSIL. In the Eastern Region, the situation has remained quiet. In the Southern region, the CDF continues to mobilise. Since 2 May some 500 UNAMSIL troops have been held hostage.
1.2 UNICEF has urged all parties to the conflict to avoid recruiting or re-mobilising children and is endeavouring to provide safe locations for those already in the Interim Care Centres. WFP is supporting these with food.
1.3 On 10 May the UN Security Management Team (SMT) approved an initial humanitarian assessment down the Freetown peninsula as far as Waterloo. Large numbers of displaced people were on the move towards Freetown as the team consisting of the Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (HACU), UNICEF and WFP was travelling down, but on the return trip they noted that movement had slowed and that some people were already moving back. This reflected some reassurance provided by the UNAMSIL/SLA/CDF/British troop deployments on the road and particularly at Waterloo. The assessment mission team estimated that most of the 15,000 IDPs at Waterloo displaced camp had moved towards Freetown; that about half of the 15,000 at Grafton had moved closer to the city; that other displaced camps had received new IDPs (they thought about 7-8,000); and another 10,000 or so from villages along the road had also moved. On 11 May WFP staff started together with the Government and NGO partners a more accurate count, but proceeded with food deliveries to those already registered in the camps or holding registration cards from Waterloo IDP camp or Grafton. The health agencies are undertaking their assessment today and all inputs will be coordinated by the Government Agency - the NCRRR.
1.4 Two more WFP international staff returned to Freetown after the temporary relocation to Conacry of all the non-essential staff which brings to four the number of WFP international staff in Freetown. One more was due to return on 12 May to bring the number up to five, as approved by the SMT for WFP. The National staff in Freetown, Bo, Kenema and Niti have been working in order to respond to the current crisis. MSF Belgium has made their chartered helicopter available for any necessary movements of personnel or supplies for humanitarian agencies. On 11 May the WFP helicopter flew vaccine and medicine to Bo for UNICEF and World Vision International. The WFP-chartered vessel "Salvator II" has arrived off Freetown and is now available to support humanitarian operations in Sierra Leone. WFP trucks in Niti are already in place in case it is necessary to use that port to move food to Bo. The WFP heliport is in full use by both WFP and the MSF (B) helicopter and is still facilitating the deployment of troops to protect the Aberdeen area.
1.5 Freetown - update as of 15 May:
a) The Government soldiers rebuffed the RUF troops about 45 miles outside Freetown after the positions of the Government forces had been attacked. The UN troops have a visible presence around the city of Freetown, staffing roadblocks and conducting foot patrols. In addition, the first of eight British warships dispatched to provide cover to the British paratroops has arrived off Sierra Leone's Atlantic seaboard over the weekend.
C. ANGOLA
1. UPDATE - information as of 10 May
1.1 The overall resourcing and pipeline situation for WFP Angola remains precarious with only 46.5 percent of the total food requirement confirmed by donors for the protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO 6159) to assist the war affected. As a result, total planned distributions in May have been reduced by 8 percent against the originally planned monthly food aid assistance and further reductions are likely in coming months in order to minimize the impact of an anticipated break in the pipeline in August/September 2000. Therefore WFP and its implementing partners must continue to review their distribution plans in order to target the most vulnerable in all categories of assistance under PRRO 6159.
1.2 On 5 May, WFP Angola received confirmation of a new contribution of approximately USD 310,000 from the Government of Finland. This cash contribution will be used to purchase 455 tons of maize locally for distribution under the current PRRO.
1.3 Namibe: On 5 May, a delegation from the US Embassy and WFP travelled to the port of Namibe to officially receive a shipment of commodities donated by the US Government to WFP Angola. A total of 500 tons of beans was off-loaded from the M/V Saint Markos into railroad cars for transport to WFP's warehouses in Lubango via the Namibe-Huila railroad. The balance of this American donation, some 5,724 tons of beans, CSB and vegetable oil, was destined for the ports of Lobito and Luanda.
1.4 From 1 - 7 May, WFP Angola delivered a total of 1,846 tons of food commodities and 176 tons of non-food items by air. During the same period, WFP Angola delivered a total of 186 tons of food commodities by road. Of this amount, 14 tons were delivered to implementing partners within Luanda and Bengo provinces and the balance was delivered WFP warehouses in Malange.
1.5 WFP is planning to distribute approximately 15,760 tons of food commodities to some 1,131,600 beneficiaries during the month of May, the largest portions being destined to the provinces of Malanje, Huila and Bie.
1.6 The security situation in Angola remains tense and is characterized by an increased number of small-scale ambushes and attacks throughout the country.
D. NAMIBIA
1. ASSISTANCE TO ANGOLAN REFUGEES - information as of 10 May
1.1 The planned May food distribution in Osire refugee camp was carried out on 2-3 May by WFP and UNHCR's implementing partner, the Namibian Red Cross. A total of 9,113 people received a WFP ration of maize meal, beans, vegetable oil and CSB. A senior WFP staff from WFP Angola observed the implementation of the distribution in Osire camp on 7 May and attended a series of meeting which involved the Emergency Management Unit and involved Ministries of the Government of Namibia, UNHCR, USAID, the EU and the German Embassy. An extension of the current WFP emergency operation (EMOP 6206) for Angolan refugees in Namibia is under preparation.
E. INDIA
1. RAJASTHAN DROUGHT - information as of 12 May 2000
1.1 In India's western state of Rajasthan the drought continues to affect millions of people. Independent assessments over the last two weeks by several key partner agencies including ACTIONAID, Asian Development Bank, OXFAM, USAID and others have confirmed the drought's spread and severity.
1.2 A total of 23,406 villages in 26 out of 32 districts (administrative regions) in the state have been officially designated by Government of Rajasthan (GOR) as drought affected, home to an estimated 35 million cattle and 26 million people (59 per cent of the state's total population). Most of the drought-affected populations had been living in poverty before the drought struck. Even if July brings rain, it would not mean the end of drought and food scarcity situation is not likely to improve. Agricultural productivity will almost certainly decline as two to three cycles of crops have been adversely affected by drought. Moreover, with acutely reduced purchasing power resulting from lost livelihoods, people have difficulties in accessing food.
1.3 A rapid assessment undertaken by WFP in two drought affected districts, Barmer and Jaisalmer, confirmed that children and women are chronically malnourished. A deterioration of their current nutritional status is expected due to the drought. The assessment mission team recommended increasing the number of beneficiaries and/or doubling the food rations (allocations) to beneficiaries during the drought period.
1.4 WFP has intensified its ongoing development activities in the drought-affected areas in order to provide food assistance to drought victims. To date, in addition to about 130 tons of pulses, and 50 tons of vegetable oil, nearly 3,300 tons of wheat have been released or are in the pipeline for disbursement in nine acutely affected districts (Ajmer, Bhanswara, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur).
1.5 Under its ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) Programme which provides food assistance for vulnerable groups, WFP will double its food allocation to ICDS Centres. It will be possible to take WFP food rations home rather than have them prepared and consumed at the centres. To further facilitate feeding, WFP is considering the provision of sweetened Indiamix, a ready-to-eat food.
WFP will continue to provide the food monitoring system that has proved so effective in the past to ensure that assistance reaches those for whom it is intended.
1.6 Aided by Government of India (GOI) the Government of Rajasthan remains the main implementing partner of relief and recovery work. To date, it has sanctioned 19,261 relief works of which as of May 2 a total of 13,016 were under way. A total of 469,646 persons were employed through relief and other work. However, the needs of Rajasthan go beyond the assistance provided by the Government.
1.7 On 11 May FAO issued a Special Alert: " Millions of People Seriously Affected by Drought in Several Countries in the Near East and South Asia" which contains country reports on the drought situation in Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan and India. The full text of the Alert is available on the FAO home page at <http://www.fao.org> select economics, then GIEWS, then Special Reports and Alerts.
Note: all tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons
(End WFP Emergency Report No. 19 of 2000 - May 12, 2000)
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