10/2002
1. Bolivia
Reporting period: 02/21 to 03/04/2002
a) Significant Events:
La Paz is slowly recovering from the 19 February rain and hailstorm. Police reported 65 people killed and 13 are still missing. Around 146 people were injured.
The National Institute of Statistics reported 114 affected households living in houses, apartments, rooms and other improvised shelters. 19 houses were completely destroyed, and 35 others must be demolished. 17 families were relocated in new homes provided by the Government.
According to a joint WFP, FAO and Ministry of Agriculture assessment mission, there are some 450 affected families in rural communities downstream of the La Paz River. In addition to the crops lost on 19 February, these families are still vulnerable because of weakened dykes and continuing rain.
A new flood was reported on 27 February in the city of Caranavi, province of La Paz. One person died, 75 families lost their homes and were evacuated. Another 75 houses were affected and approximately 15 hectares of crops were lost.
b) Implementation:
The main shelter continues to host 200-350 people. Animal protein to complement the ration with proteins (200 KG canned fish) has been provided by WFP.
WFP, UNDP, FAO USAID, CARE, ADRA are closely coordinating actions with the Prefecture of La Paz to provide food aid, material for gabions, tools and productive inputs to 17 communities in the rural area. WFP is contributing US$20,500 worth of food (11,000 rations) to help these communities to repair infrastructure, and to protect crops and homes from new floods. 450 participants will receive a food ration during 25 days.
WFP provided an additional 1,500 food rations to the flood victims in Caranavi. Further follow up assessments will determine the rehabilitation needs.
WFP support is being provided through the use of resources from the Country Programme's Activity 1.
2. Colombia:
Reporting period: 03/05 to 03/11/2002
a) Significant events:
Colombia's parliamentary elections took place on 10 March. A few scattered incidents were reported. Authorities canceled voting in 15 of the nation's 1,097 municipalities, mainly because rebels seized and burned the ballots. Meanwhile, the Government indicated that progress was being made with the guerrilla group ELN (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional).
According to the government ministry ("Red de Solidaridad Social" RSS), the displacement of some 2050 people was reported in the week of 4 March in three municipalities of the province of Cundinamarca. They were forced to flee their homes due to clashes between guerrillas and paramilitary groups. The Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) reported a difficult food situation due to shortage of commodities.
Other major displacements took place in Orito (Putumayo), where some 5,000 people were forced to leave their homes due to intensive government fumigations. These persons are in a difficult food security situation. The Government, USAID, and other international organizations will be providing assistance.
b) Implementation:
WFP food deliveries continue as planned. WFP staff is under travel restrictions and require UNSECOORD clearance to go to the field.
c) Logistics:
RSS and WFP will deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to 14,260 displaced persons who are returning to their place of origin. These IDPs were displaced a month ago from La Sierra Nevada de Santa Martha (northern Colombia). A total of 128 MT of food (rice, vegetable oil, panela - brown sugar sweetener - and pulses) will be distributed to cover family requirements for one month. This is the largest humanitarian assistance by WFP to IDPs in Colombia to date.
PRRO food deliveries continued as planned: 88 MT of food commodities (146,565 rations) will be delivered to 57 municipalities from 7 provinces during 12-21 March.
3. El Salvador
NAME AND TYPE OF OPERATION:
EMOP 1002.2: Assistance to Earthquake
Victims in El Salvador
PRRO 6089: Reconstruction and rehabilitation for families affected by Hurricane
Mitch
REPORTING PERIOD 3 March-11 March 2002
a) Significant events:
EMOP 10022
16,540 families affected by the 2001 earthquakes are to receive FFW assistance in order to participate in reconstruction and rehabilitation of houses, water works and community infrastructure. 3,363 MT of food commodities will be distributed during the last phase of the operation. Distributions continue in the provinces of La Libertad, Auhachapan, Sonsonate, San Vincente, Usulutan, San Miguel and La Paz.
PRRO 6089
Food is becoming scarce in the areas most affected by last year's drought. The coming months will be difficult in terms of food security. The next harvest will be in until August. CO field monitoring confirm a worsening of the situation.
The affected communities are usually located in very isolated regions. Therefore it has been difficult to find implementation partners. NGO's have been urged to present detailed plans addressing the crisis. Some have begun taking action: CRS has initiated a substantial program in the targeted areas; the Red Cross has begun providing assistance to 200 families; and CARE has agreed to shift some activities from their regular areas of intervention to drought-affected regions. CARE distributions are expected to begin next week.
A survey is underway in 30 communities that will provide input for the formulation of a new PRRO. Preliminary information is that the food security situation is worsening and alternative employment in rural areas is unavailable.
The possible arrival of El Niño is raising concern among farmers. With reports varying from too much rain to too little, farmers are unsure how to react. Many are considering not to plant in order not to lose investment capital and seeds. Local newspapers fuel this atmosphere of uncertainty.
b) Pipeline
132 MT of beans are confirmed to arrive on 12 March. No major pipeline constraints are to be reported.