ReliefWeb

SOUTHERN SUDAN: Emergency Hunger Gap Response: Airdrops commenced Thursday 29 October 2009 with WFP delivering emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations in prioritized locations in three states: Warrap, Jonglei and Upper Nile. As of 16 November, 1,130 mt of food have been delivered through airdrops. The plan is to deliver over 4,300 mt through airdrops to 22 drop zones in the three states to assist some 158,000 people affected by the extended hunger gap through December 2009. This is WFP's first airdrop in Southern Sudan since 2007.

WFP commenced its fifth boat convoy from Malakal to Akobo in Upper Nile State. The convoy departed Malakal on 16 November and will transport 763 mt of food along the Sobat corridor with the bulk of commodities destined for Akobo. The convoy comes in the wake of WFP's concerns regarding the decreasing water level of the Sobat River which may result in halting boat deliveries.

Number of DDR Beneficiaries Increasing: The Southern Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SSDDRC) in Rumbek reported an increasing number of ex-combatants registering for demobilization and reintegration in Lakes State. The beneficiaries have increased from some 350 planned in 2009 to almost 4,000 as of November, requiring additional WFP assistance in support of the reintegration exercise.