(A) Highlights
(B) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran
(C) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Djibouti, (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Kenya, (7) Rwanda, (8) Somalia, (9) Sudan, (10) Tanzania, (11) Uganda
(D) West Africa: (1) Sahel region, (2) Chad, (3) Cote d'Ivoire, (4) Guinea, (5) Liberia, (6) Sierra Leone
(E) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Madagascar, (5) Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia, (8) Swaziland, (9) Zambia
(F) Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Myanmar
(G) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Caribbean region, (2) Colombia, (3) Cuba, (4) Dominican Republic, (5) Grenada/Jamaica, (6) Guatemala, (7) Haiti, (8) Nicaragua, (9) Peru
From David Kaatrud, Director of the Analysis, Assessment and Preparedness Service (ODA). 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) Highlights
- Within 48 hours after tropical storm JEANNE caused devastating floods in Haiti, the affected people in the city of Gonaives received 40 tons of food and around 5,000 loaves of bread.
- The UN/NGO food security committee in Goma, DR Congo, agreed that an additional 15,000 to 20,000 people would be in need of food assistance in the coming days.
- Road access to all refugee camps located in Chad's northern and central zone is improving rapidly, facilitating WFP's operations.
B) Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe: (1) Afghanistan, (2) Iran
1) Afghanistan
(a) The security situation remained fluid during the week throughout most of the country, with incidents targeting the government, coalition forces and aid workers. In the north, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on one of the vehicles accompanying Vice-president Nematullah Shahrani along Kunduz-Takhar road on 20 September, resulting in the injury of two persons. In the southeast, in Gardez district of Paktya, an IED exploded in the compound of IBNESINA, a local NGO, on 16 September, injuring a security guard. In the south, an Afghan army commander was shot dead and one security personnel was injured in an ambush in Helmand on 18 September.
(b) From 16 to 22 September, some 504,930 beneficiaries received over 1,420 tons of food.
(c) The Department of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (DRRD) and WFP carried out an assessment in Chimtal district of Balkh and Dara-I- Suf and Ruyi Du Ab of Samangan provinces, to find the number of vulnerable people who will not be able to meet their basic food needs during the winter. Poor harvests and inaccessibility to market would increase vulnerability of local population in the coming winter. To ensure sustained food assistance in these remote food insecure areas which become inaccessible in cold weather, food is pre-positioned in Balkh, Sari Pul, Faryab and Samangan provinces to be distributed during two to four months of the winter.
(d) DRRD and the Department of Planning, WFP and its partners met in Kandahar on 20 September to find ways for enhanced coordination for better implementation of food-for-work (FFW) programmes in southern region. FFW activities aim to increase agricultural production and improve community access to social services through construction or rehabilitation of communal infrastructure. In collaboration with the Government and the partners, WFP is targeting vulnerable people in five drought affected provinces (Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Urozgan and Nimroz) of southern region to ensure food security of local population and restore communal assets.
2) Iran
(a) The repatriation of Afghans has now resumed following its temporary disruption due to the change of leadership at the provincial level in Herat/Afghanistan. A total of over 1,026,565 Afghan refugees have returned since April 2002, out of which over 318,315 were spontaneous. The remainder was assisted by UNHCR. As of July, UNHCR has stopped its Care and Maintenance programme to about 32,000 Afghan refugees in camps. WFP's food assistance to these camps eventually will phase down as well. During the first fortnight of September, no Iraqi repatriation took place. There are still about 130,000 Iraqi refugees in Iran.
(b) WFP provides Food assistance to 12,000 Iraqi and 31,600 Afghan refugees in 26 camps. Almost 26,140 Afghan returnees received WFP bread ration upon repatriation.
(c) A Joint Assessment/Review of the PRRO 10213.0, Food Assistance and Support to education of Afghan and Iraqi refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran, by a team from WFP/UNHCR/BAFIA, is under process. The Assessment/Review will examine the food needs of the refugees for 2005. The PRRO is now extended-in-time through September 2005.
(d) Over 4,832 vulnerable orphans living close to Zahedan, Sistan Baluchestan province, receive WFP food assistance on a monthly basis. Food for Training is provided to 200 women and girls attending Life Skills and Literacy Training in Zahedan through Global Partners.
(e) The PRRO 10213.0 is fully resourced up to the end of this year.
C) East and Central Africa: (1) Burundi, (2) DR Congo, (3) Djibouti, (4) Eritrea, (5) Ethiopia, (6) Rwanda, (7) Somalia, (8) Sudan, (9) Uganda
1) Burundi
(a) Insecurity continued in Bujumbura Rural province. Acts of banditry were reported in Bujumbura town, Ngozi and Bubanza provinces, along with road ambushes and grenade explosions in various provinces. A number of human casualties were the consequences of those violent acts.
(b) The relocation of the remaining refugees from DR Congo towards new sites further from the border has started. However, very few refugees are willing to be relocated to the sites in Mwaro and Rutana provinces, but instead prefer to return to DR Congo.
(c) Between 13 and 19 September, WFP distributed over 1,750 tons of food aid to 202,400 beneficiaries through different programme activities. Distribution of cooked food rations in the returnee transit centres and the temporary IDP site in Kabezi, Bujumbura Rural province, has been tested. WFP plans to continue with the provision of cooked rations in selected sites, on a temporary basis.
(d) The distribution of the Seeds Protection Rations (SPR) continued according to schedule. Last week, approximately 105,000 beneficiaries in three provinces received the 20-day ration. A total of 1,170 tons of food was distributed through WFP's implementing partners (IPs). This operation is likely to be jeopardised by the slow arrival of food commodities into the country.
(e) WFP plans to extend its School Feeding Programme (SFP) to other primary schools located in Kirundo, Karusi, Rutana, Cankuzo and Makamba provinces. The SFP will reach a total of 93,235 school children in 155 schools in all provinces. In order to implement this programme, WFP signed agreements with four partners, namely World Vision, German Agro Action, International Medical Corps and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. They will manage and distribute food stocks and monitor some aspects of the field activities.
2) D.R. Congo
(a) The security situation remained critical in eastern DR Congo. Movements of people from South Kivu to North Kivu were reportedly triggered by military operations of government troops.
(b) During last week, 269 Angolan refugees were repatriated by UNHCR. To date, some 3,725 refugees have been repatriated to Angola from Bas Congo province.
(c) In Bas-Congo province, farmers were concerned with the early rains which destroyed hundreds of hectares of market gardening areas.
(d) Participants of the last UN/NGO food security committee meeting in Goma agreed that an additional 15,000 to 20,000 people would be in need of food assistance in the coming days.
(e) Despite tension and insecurity, mainly in the eastern part of DRC, WFP distributed some 1,000 tons to approximately 98,000 beneficiaries in Kindu, Kisangani, Bunia, Goma and Kimpese. Close to 300 tons were provided to over 10,000 Angolan refugees.
3) Djibouti
(a) WFP, UNHCR and ONARS (Government partner) are actively working on the transfer of refugees from Aour Aoussa refugee camp (4,000 to 4,500 prima face refugees from South Somalia) to Ali Addeh refugee camp. Tents are currently being erected in Ali Addeh refugee camp. The next convoy of Somaliland refugees under the voluntary repatriation is planned for 29 September.
(b) The current failure of the Karan/Karma rains is threatening food security in the southeast pastoral border sub-zone and the northwest pastoral zone. July rains were below normal throughout the country; localized rains in August improved the situation in parts of the country. Rural households in the southeast pastoral zone mainly purchase their food, supplemented by own milk/meat production. In the northwest pastoral zone, food access is likely to decline between October and March due to failure of the rains and an expected increase in the price of staple food. Pastoralists in both the roadsides and border sub-zones have been significantly affected by the delayed Karan/Karma rains. Future prospects are not promising for the Karan dependent areas, which face six dry months before the next rainy season.
(c) Staple food prices have stabilized at higher than average levels, following a steady increase since September last year. The prices of cooking oil and meat started escalating this month. These higher prices have augmented hardship throughout the country. WFP and FEWS-Net are closely monitoring the food security situation in areas at risk.
(d) For the first time in four years, the Djibouti Government's proposal to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria was approved, for a total amount of USD 12 million (only the HIV/AIDS proposal was accepted). The Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) members composed of all HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria stakeholders, convened last week under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health to submit proposals on the CCM bureau composition.
4) Eritrea
(a) During the reporting period rainfall has substantially decreased throughout the country. However, regular rainfall is very much needed to compensate for the deficit of the previous months. Although some rainfall has been observed in some sub zones of Anseba and Debub region, it was insignificant in terms of intensity and distribution. Spate irrigation in Sheeb and Bada in the Northern Red Sea region, which normally takes place at this time of the year, has been adversely affected due to insufficient rain in the highlands. In Gash Barka region on the other hand, there were some torrential rains and hailstorms that destroyed about 3,410 hectares of crops in Gogne sub region. The overall prospects for the harvest are rather bleak, due to late and insufficient rains in most parts of the country.
(b) In Maekel region accumulation of water in dams has been observed as a result of heavy rains. Barley and wheat are at the grain development stage and still need sufficient rainfall to ensure a good yield. The current situation of pasture for livestock is relatively good and no health problems with livestock have been reported.
(c) The energy crisis in the country continues and remains a major concern. Rationing of diesel fuel to small enterprises, government and UN Offices has been applied this week and fuel is expected to be released towards the end of the week. No improvement has been observed in the availability of basic food commodities such as milk, sugar and bread in the retail market.
5) Ethiopia
(a) Conditions continue to deteriorate in the drought-hit Somali Region. As described in the latest Food Security Report of the Somali Region Early Warning Project jointly run by the regional Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (DPPB) and Save the Children UK, and confirmed by WFP monitoring reports, the situation in some districts is considered as a near-emergency. The report summarizes the main factors leading to the poor food security situation as the poor performance of the "deyr" rains in late 2003, the poor "gu" rains in April this year, and market-related problems. In the worst affected districts, there are reports of livestock deaths, unconfirmed reports of human deaths, stress migrations (mainly of livestock but also humans in some areas), and food shortages that are reportedly causing malnutrition among children. These districts are spread between most of the southern seven zones of the Region, with vulnerable populations affected in much of Dagahbur and Fik zones, and parts of Warder, Korahe, Gode, Afder and Liben zones.
(b) Food interventions are being stepped up, and as of 21 September, about 25 percent of food allocated in August had been sent to the very seriously affected Dagahbur zone, with the rest expected to be sent in the immediate future. Relief food is also being sent to other zones based on the mid-year assessment of needs. Brief rains have been received in Liben zone, seen as precursors to the "deyr" rains expected in October, but any delay in the rains here or elsewhere in the region would have very serious consequences.
(c) Elsewhere, main season rains are continuing in the parts of the south and east of the country that normally receive "Meher" or "Kiremt" rains, but rainfall appears to have ceased in the north of the country. In Tigray region areas of concern are Alamata and Raya Azebo districts in Southern zone, most areas of Eastern zone and the eastern part of Central zone. In Southern Tigray, "Meher" rain in July assisted the better performance of sorghum and teff (an important indigenous cereal crop), but rainfall ceased in the middle of August with only very small showers reported since then. More rain to the end of September would benefit the seed setting of sorghum and the performance of the late planted teff, but is considered unlikely. Eastern low-lying districts of Amhara Region, in North and South Wollo zones bordering Afar region, have not received sufficient rain and thus crop conditions are poor, but crops in most of highland and mid-land Amhara Region are reported to be doing well.
(d) In the south of the country, rains continue in parts of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), with good rain reported in Hadiya, Gurage, Kambata-Tembaro zones, although no recent rain has been received in Konso zone.
(e) In Oromiya region, recent rains are also reported in the pastoral zones of Borena and Guji, though it is too early to determine whether serious drought conditions in these areas will be affected. In East and West Hararghe, where the onset of the "Meher" rains was late by four to six weeks, there was on-going concern in July and part of August, when rainfall was not sufficient for good performance of long cycle crops. However, rain was sufficient to germinate short cycle crops and for their vegetative growth in late July and August in the highlands. Rain has recently shown further improvement in most areas of East and West Hararghe, including the hard-hit lowland areas of East Hararghe, however it comes too late for maize and sorghum crops in the lowland areas to recover. Food aid distributions continue but the malnutrition rate is increasing in several parts of West Hararghe, where there are still problems providing supplementary food and properly targeting pregnant and nursing women and malnourished children.
(f) In the western half of Ethiopia, crop performance is reported good in areas where the usual surplus crops are expected.
6) Kenya
(a) On 21 September, UN agencies, including WFP, organized and supported global celebrations in Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya for this year's International Day of Peace. Some of Kenya's top runners brought messages of peace to the people of the refugee camp.The athletes included, among others, the current world marathon record holder and WFP's Ambassador Against Hunger, Mr. Paul Tergat, who echoed this year's theme of "Peace Through Sport" through a series of special competitions with the mainly Sudanese and Somali refugees who live at the camp. During the celebrations, WFP delivered the message of the UN Secretary-General. Other invited guests included the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President.
(b) WFP has started emergency road repairs along the Garrisa - Dadaab road, the only road leading to the Dadaab refugee camps where 137,000 refugees live. A culvert had been washed away in mid-April 2003 creating large gullies on the road, leaving dozens of WFP trucks stuck in the mud for days, which caused delays in food delivery to the refugee camps.
7) Rwanda
(a) Rainfall forecasts predict high probability of heavy rains in late September - October. These may lead to an increase in the incidences of landslides, soil erosion and loss of crops in the "marais" (inland valley-swamps) due to flooding. (b) Approximately half the country is experiencing significant food shortages, mainly in parts of Bugesera region and Kibungo, Umutara, Gikongoro, Butare and Kibuye province. The Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Social Affairs (MINALOC) has planned a meeting early October with provincial authorities to discuss the situation and make recommendations for an appropriate response. Efforts by WFP and provincial authorities are currently underway to increase food-for-work (FFW) activities in the most affected areas in order to support the most vulnerable households. WFP's support to nutrition centres, school feeding and assistance to HIV/AIDS-affected households continues.
8) Somalia
(a) Week-long tension between militia groups led by Mohamed Hirsi, alias General Morgan, and his opponent MP Bare Hirale, degenerated into a full scale war sending hundreds of Somali refugees into Kenya. The factions are fighting for the control of the border town of Dobley and the strategic port city of Kismayo. As a result of insecurity, all humanitarian agencies have scaled down their operations until the security situation stabilizes in the lower and middle Juba regions.
(b) In a press release, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator warned of an impending disaster in Lower Juba Valley and further emphasized that the region is experiencing severe drought this year with high rates of malnutrition and hunger related deaths. The drought conditions in most parts of the country have affected and stretched the vulnerable communities' coping mechanisms even though the Deyr rains have started in some areas of the country.
(c) The devaluation of the US dollar against the local currency, the Somali shilling, has exacerbated the desperate living conditions of the drought-affected regions in the northeast and northwest of the country. Furthermore, the devaluation of the US dollar is having a negative effect throughout the country making living conditions of the vulnerable communities unbearable and increasing the operational costs for humanitarian work.
(d) WFP plans to assist vulnerable communities in the lower and middle Juba regions through a one-off general food distribution targeting 42,000 beneficiaries and also plans to implement a therapeutic feeding program through MSF-Holland in Marere, Middle Juba, targeting 4,800 beneficiaries.
9) Sudan
(a) Continuing clashes in Darfur affect the delivery of WFP food commodities, particularly in North Darfur.
(b) Since the beginning of September, WFP has dispatched some 13,160 tons of food to an estimated caseload of 752,000 beneficiaries (based on dispatches). WFP dispatched food directly from sub-offices to implementing partners.
(c) The food security and nutrition assessment in Darfur proceeded smoothly. On 23 September, the mission had assessed 45 locations. The mission returned to Khartoum on 22 September and an initial analysis will most likely be available during the first week of October. Thirty out of sixty sites focus on nutrition.
(d) It should be noted that the planned target population for October-December will increase, reflecting the inclusion of host communities and the resident population of 800,000 people. The new provisionally planned target of 2 million is subject to the findings of the food security and nutrition assessment mission and may therefore change.
10) Tanzania
(a) A major nutrition survey is being conducted in all WFP-assisted refugee camps. Results are to be released in October.
(b) A mid-term WFP evaluation mission is being carried out at Ngara refugee camp, which is one of the 13 camps assisted by WFP in western Tanzania and hosts 78,063 refugees. Meanwhile, in Ngara refugee camp, over USD 9,000 was raised through the sale of empty containers in support of a sunflower oil and groundnut production project which will benefit 350 refugees.
(c) The annual UNHCR/WFP Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) of refugee operations in western Tanzania will take place from 18-29 October. This year's JAM will have a special focus on nutritional issues.
11) Uganda
(a) The protracted Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency has resulted in massive displacement in the northern Acholi and Lango districts (Gulu, Kitgum, Pader and Lira). However, during the past weeks, the four districts have experienced relative calm, due to a significant decline in the number of security-related incidents Nevertheless, the displaced population continues to be affected by limited access to land, income earning opportunities and inadequate social services, including water, health facilities and sanitation. Over 1.6 million displaced persons, forced to seek shelter in 188 congested protected camps, continue to depend on WFP food assistance for survival.
(b) WFP food distribution continues to reach the more than 1.6 million displaced persons, 145,000 refugees and other vulnerable persons. Some 400,750 persons among them received 3,554 tons of WFP relief food from 13 to 18 September,
(c) In the eastern Teso region, WFP, together with the Uganda Red Cross Society, completed verification of the displaced population in Kaberamaido district. WFP has started distributing 1,700 tons of resettlement rations to over 97,700 displaced persons in the district.
(d) With effect from October, WFP will provide relief assistance to 120,000 IDPs settled in 17 new camps in Gulu district. Next month, WFP and the Ministry of Health, will conduct a nutrition survey covering all 33 IDP camps in Gulu District.
(e) WFP faces a shortfall of 38,000 tons of food representing, a funding gap of USD 22 million, required to maintain the food pipeline from September this year through March next year.
D) West Africa Region (1) Sahel region, (2) Chad, (3) Cote d'Ivoire, (4) Guinea, (5) Liberia, (6) Sierra Leone
1) Sahel region
(a) The locust situation in the Sahel is now characterized by the extension of the summer swarms and local hopper bands which start attacking rains crops in the agricultural zones. The situation in Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and Niger is considered very critical, because of an outburst of locusts in some areas of each country. In certain cases, eg. the Senegal river valley in Senegal and in Mauritania, "Office of Niger" in Mali, areas where new crops such as irrigated rice will be planted, are at risk; in other areas, rain-fed crops (cereals, bean, groundnut) have reached their maturity phase and will be harvested in the coming weeks.
(b) During the past week, an augmentation of treatments has been noted, but at a global level the total area treated remains very limited, and it is now difficult to efficiently control the infestation.
(c) At the country-specific level, inter-agency emergency mechanisms on locusts are functioning well. At the regional level, the working group on locusts set-up in Dakar met on 20 September. FAO Emergency Coordinator for Africa has arrived in Dakar in order to establish a regional capacity, take the lead on the locust issue and to strengthen links with agencies such as WFP. This is a very positive development.
(d) WFP is still proceeding with contingency planning updates for the affected or potentially affected countries. At the end of this month, all affected countries will have their document ready and will be in a position to prepare an operational document, if necessary.
(e) Needs assessments are scheduled to start at the end of next week and will involve WFP, FAO, FEWS-Net, USAID, CILSS and governmental services in the most affected countries. The aim of the missions is to help partners estimate the impact of desert locusts not only on the agricultural production but also on the food security and vulnerability of the affected populations.
(f) In early November, WFP will have all results of the assessments, which will probably lead to the preparation of a regional EMOP.
2) Chad
(a) The rains in Chad are easing sooner than initially projected. Road access to all camps located in northern and central zone is improving rapidly.
(b) The tension between refugees and the local Chadian population around the camps is of concern to humanitarian workers. Due to insufficient resources of firewood and water to meet the needs of the local and refugee population assaults on refugees, especially women and children, while gathering firewood or looking after their livestock, have taken place. WFP Abeche expressed concern over the safety of its staff following the security incident in Goz Beida involving an attack on COOPI staff by suspected former workers. Due to the incident, WFP had to suspend all food deliveries/distributions for one day.
(c) During last week, the number of refugees reported by UNHCR remained unchanged and stands at almost 189,170. High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Ruud Lubbers will arrive in Chad on 24 September for a five-day mission to Chad and Sudan, during which he will visit the Iridimi camp.
(d) From 15 to 19 September, a total of 790 tons of food was distributed to over 61,000 refugees. During the first three weeks of September, WFP has distributed a total of 2,382 tons, meeting monthly food requirements for 65 percent of a total of 162,539 beneficiaries. WFP is confident that the food for the remaining 35 percent will be distributed before the end of the month. Distributions were completed in Mile, Kounoungou, Iridimi, Touloum, AmNabak, Bredjing, Farchana, Djabal, Goz Amir and Oure Casoni. September distributions are expected to be completed before the end of the week.
(e) Health and medical personnel at the coordination meeting in Abeche on 19 September acknowledged that WFP food rations provided to refugee programmes were well-balanced and adequate as per nutritional requirements. The participants agreed to study the causes of existing pockets of malnutrition. Fears have been expressed of poor water and sanitation conditions at the camps. Much of the refugee population is forced to fetch water from wadi river beds.
(f) Transport contractors in Abeche have agreed to attempt this week to reach by road Djabal camp, located in the southern zone. If road access is successful, next month airdrops/airlifts in Djabal will not be required but airlifts for October distributions may still be required in Goz Amir.
(g) Blanket distribution of supplementary foods to 16,000 children under the age of five and pregnant lactating mothers was completed in Farchana and is ongoing in Bredging. Implementing partners expressed satisfaction of WFP's ongoing support.
(h) WFP UN Humanitarian Air Services (HAS) will receive an additional passenger aircraft on 27 September to meet the growing need of passenger and light cargo service. The Twin Otter is capable of landing on all airstrips in the eastern region and will be used to shuttle humanitarian aid workers from Abeche to the eastern border. From 15 to 19 September, WFP UNHAS delivered some 2.5 tons of medical supplies for MSF Belgium. Additional deliveries of medical supplies are expected during the coming week.
(i) An OCHA workshop is underway in Abeche to discuss the Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for 2005. Participants are exploring the possibility of including refugees and the local population in the appeal. WFP is participating as Food Security Focal Point.
3) Cote d'Ivoire
(a) Officials from the Force Nouvelles said that they will not disarm until lawmakers pass a series of political reforms resolving questions of land ownership, national identity and eligibility for presidential candidates. Under a timetable established at the Ghana summit in July, a series of 11 laws were to be passed by parliament before the end of September ahead of an October 15 start date to a campaign to disarm the West African state's paramilitary and militia forces
(b) From 14 to 20 September, 920 tons of various food commodities were distributed to 64,000 people.
4) Guinea
(a) The overall situation in the country is calm, but still tense due to the economic crisis. On 27 September, representatives of the seven governments of the countries in the region which host Liberian refugees will meet in Monrovia to sign a agreement on the facilitated repatriation process. Initially scheduled to start on 1 October in Guinea, the facilitated repatriation has been postponed to mid-October due to the situation in Liberia, especially in the Lofa County, where the disarmament process is slower than expected. About 91 percent of the Liberian refugees in the Albadariah camps are originating from Lofa.
(b) From 6 to 19 September, over 480 tons of various food commodities were distributed to 40,000 people.
(c) Dwindling food stocks and a lack of resources will prompt WFP to continue to distribute reduced rations (from 2,100 kcal to 1,600 kcal) into October, in order to avoid any interruption in the distributions.
(d) About 720 people from Parent Teacher Associations, cooks and the local management committee attended a literacy training course conducted in N'Zerkore by GTZ. WFP provides daily hot meals to the participants.
(e) On 16 September, WFP and UNHCR conducted a donor consultation, updating donors on the critical financial situation of both agencies. WFP Guinea will suffer a shortfall of 3,900 tons of food by the end of the year. Additional donor support is needed in order to provide full rations in the coming months.
5) Liberia
(a) Following a recommendation from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to September 2005. The Council also called on stakeholders to demonstrate their full commitment to the peace process and to work together to ensure that free, fair and transparent elections take place no later than October 2005. The Council called on the international community to fulfill funding pledges made at the International Reconstruction Conference held in February 2004. The funds are needed for the critically important rehabilitation and reintegration phases of the peace process.
(b) From 15 to 21 September, over 1,850 tons of food were distributed to 174,200 beneficiaries. This includes support to more than 3,500 ex-combatants who are participating in the demobilization, disarmament and re-integration programme.
(c) Data from monthly monitoring reports for WFP-supported selective feeding and HIV/AIDS programmes indicate an increase from 6,100 to 7,600 beneficiaries last month. The increase is attributed to an upsurge in cases of malnourished children occasioned by rising levels of childhood illnesses, and to food insecurity associated with prevailing "hunger gap." Upon receiving reports of increased cases of malnourished children and women in their clinics in Lofa County, WFP carried out a rapid assessment that revealed a precarious food security situation and heightened risks to malnutrition. WFP is now planning a supplementary feeding programme support to the county. WFP will probably need to support more supplementary feeding programmes in areas with increased cases of malnourished population. However, the current pipeline situation is likely to hinder further nutrition interventions.
(d) The food pipeline continues to face critical shortages, and since June, WFP has been forced to distribute reduced rations to the approximate 500,000 refugees, returnees and IDPs receiving WFP support. Unless resources are immediately received, WFP will not be able to provide full support to the Emergency School Feeding programme in October, at the start of the 2004-2005 school year. Food support for local initiatives and training, which aims to contribute to the peace process by helping to build self-subsistence within communities, will also continue to be scaled back. New contributions continue to be needed in order for WFP to be able to provide full rations in the coming months.
6) Sierra Leone
(a) From 6 to 19 September, 240 tons of various food commodities were distributed to 22,200 people.
(b) During the past fortnight, food-for-training support to 17 training institutions recommenced in Port Loko. Due to pipeline constraints, this support had been halted for three months.
(c) Pipeline shortfalls continue to be a problem, and there will be insufficient stocks of oil and corn-soya blends in November.
E) Southern Africa: (1) Regional, (2) Angola, (3) Lesotho, (4) Madagascar, (5) Malawi, (6) Mozambique, (7) Namibia, (8) Swaziland, (9) Zambia
1) Regional
(a) WFP proposes to provide food assistance to a total of 1.85 million people in Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland, whose lives and livelihoods were threatened by serious drought during the growing season from October 2003 to March 2004. The emergency needs were identified during FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment missions that were undertaken in the three countries in May 2004. The Governments of the three countries have been alert and responsive to these needs, and WFP will be working in partnership with them in an endeavour to minimize hunger and other hardship for the people concerned.
(b) To meet the needs of drought-affected people in Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland in the first two quarters of 2005, WFP urgently needs 127,000 tons of food, costing USD 78 million. In addition, other chronically poor and food-insecure people in all five countries require 31,000 tons of food, costing USD19 million, to meet their needs during the first half of 2005.
(c) WFP will provide food aid to vulnerable people in Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland up until the end of December this year through its Regional EMOP 10290, Targeted Relief to Vulnerable Households in Southern Africa. This operation is partially funded, but still requires a further 32,000 tons of food amounting to USD 16.8 million to cover unmet needs between October and December 2004. From January 2005 onwards, WFP proposes to assist the affected populations through its PRRO 10310,Assistance to Populations in Southern Africa Vulnerable to Food Insecurity and the Impact of AIDS, which will be presented to WFP's Executive Board in October.
2) Angola
(a) In southeastern Kuando Kubango province, UNHCR is continuing the repatriation of Angolans from Osire Camp in Namibia, from which 450 returnees have arrived since the first week of September. WFP will provide food assistance for the repatriation process.
(b) WFP is currently supporting 6,400 vulnerable people affected by drought in Cahama, Cuanhama, Namacunde and Ombadja in northern Cunene Province. FFW projects related to water and agricultural support in these drought-affected areas will start soon. In addition, some 800 returnees from Namibia that have settled in these locations started receiving food assistance since the beginning of September.
(c) The PRRO 10054.2, Support to Return and Resettlement, continues to be severely under-funded. The original project has USD 88 million confirmed contributions against an original appeal of USD 254 million, i.e. the operation is only 35 percent resourced.
3) Lesotho
(a) From 15 to 21 September, WFP and implementing partners distributed about 1,800 tons of food to some 151,000 beneficiaries. The supplementary feeding programme provided food to about 16,000 children under five years of age; 9,000 people suffering from the effects of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis; 5,000 pregnant and nursing mothers with food through health centres; 84,000 beneficiaries under Vulnerable Group Feeding; 33,000 orphans and 4,000 beneficiaries under FFW.
4) Madagascar
(a) The Madagascar staple food, rice, stabilized at 4,000 FMG (USD0.41). However, the price is still significantly above the average 2,350 FMG (USD0.23) per kilogram of August 2003. WFP will continue to monitor the food needs of the population in southern Madagascar, where families have been reported to be shifting to non-traditional foods like cassava, sweet potato and maize.
5) Malawi
(a) On 18 September, the President of Malawi, Bingu Wa Muthanika made a special appeal to donors seeking their support to provide humanitarian assistance to the country's vulnerable and food insecurity populations.
(b) Adverse weather conditions negatively affected crop production in the southern region of Malawi. As a result, the majority of households in the affected areas will experience food deficits. The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee estimates that between 56,000 and 83,000 tons of emergency food assistance will be required during the current consumption year (May 2004 to April 2005).
6) Mozambique
(a) The EMOP in Mozambique will experience a shortfall of about 4,000 tons of cereal in November and December. An additional implication is that no adequate carry over stocks can be provided for the regional PRRO 10310, Assistance to Populations in Southern Africa Vulnerable to Food Insecurity and the Impact of AIDS, which is expected to start in January 2005.
7) Namibia
(a) Some 2,400 refugees have been repatriated to Angola since the emergency operation EMOP 10145.1 Assistance to Angolan Refugees in Namibia started in May. About 122 of the refugees were repatriated last week and IOM plans to airlift another 105 this week. WFP is providing the refugees with food rations during the repatriation process.
(b) Food distribution in Oshikoto and Ohangwena region started in the last two weeks in addition to Caprivi and Kavango regions. Orphans and vulnerable children in three of the six regions of Namibia identified under EMOP 10334.0, Targeted Food Assistance Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by Food Insecurity and Impact of HIV/AIDS, are now receiving WFP food assistance. Targeted food assistance is expected to be extended to Omusati region after operational and logistical issues have been finalized.
(c) The EMOP is now 46 percent resourced. It received USD 2.4 million against an initial appeal of USD 5.2 million.
8) Swaziland
(a) WFP and implementing partners will assist about 105,000 beneficiaries monthly under targeted food distributions and 87,000 beneficiaries under supplementary feeding programmes, FFW, food-for-training and food-for-assets from September to December. However, the Swaziland emergency operation that is part of the regional EMOP requires 1,900 tons of cereal and 120 tons of pulses for November and December.
9) Zambia
(a) WFP is currently providing food assistance to about 100,000 refugees (78 percent) out of approximately 128,000 refugees resident in the six camps in Zambia under PRRO 10071.1, Food Assistance for Refugees from Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo. About 2,000 refugees, including malnourished children under five years of age, pregnant and lactating women, chronically ill and TB patients, are receiving High Energy Protein Supplements and oil under supplementary feeding through health centres.
(b) Since June this year, more than 7,000 Angolan refugees have repatriated to Lumbala Nguimbo and Huambo. WFP is facilitating the repatriation by providing wet rations to the returnees at transit and departure centres as well as Humanitarian Daily Rations to the returnees during their daytime travel. Approximately 2,000 tons of food are required to avoid a pipeline break of this operation in November.
(c) The Zambia emergency operation under the regional EMOP 10290, Targeted Relief to Vulnerable Households in Southern Africa, requires 3,300 tons of cereals in November and December.
F) Asia: (1) Bangladesh, (2) DPR Korea, (3) Myanmar
1) DPR Korea
(a) From 18 to 24 September, 16 out of 18 local food production factories operated. Production for the third week of September was 1,200 tons, which is less than the EMOP weekly requirement. However, this temporary low production is compensated by high output in July-August and the second week of September.
(b) All but 900,000 beneficiaries are receiving their cereal rations in September. With the expected arrival of new contributions in the coming weeks, WFP will be able to provide rations to all beneficiaries from mid-October until the first months of 2005, and pay back outstanding loans. This is the first time in over two years that WFP will be able to feed all beneficiaries with planned rations.
2) Bangladesh
(a) Heavy rainfall in the South, South-east and in the central part of the country during the last two weeks resulted in severe flooding, particularly in urban areas. This cut off many transport routes and utilities, inundated buildings, and caused further disruptions to livelihoods, compounding impacts of the catastrophic monsoon floods earlier this year. In rural areas of the southern regions, there has been considerable damage to fish farms, seedbeds and vegetable cultivation, as well as to valuable aman rice paddy planted after recession of the recent monsoon floods.
(b) On 15 September the rain-swollen Gumti River and the Kakri burst through already weakened protective embankments and flooded 100 villages in Devidwar, Burichang, Chandina, Chouddogram and Muradnagar Upazila of Comilla District. Officials estimate the loss of crops at 10,000 ha. And the loss of fish stock at 700. Thousands of people had to take refuge on embankments and in schools, and 6 official shelters had to reopen. NGOs and other civil society organizations have provided assistance to the affected people, and local government has allocated food and cash. As of 21 September water receded from the village roads and most people returned to their homes. However, water is still standing in the paddy fields and low-lying areas. This was the fourth time in the past 18 years that this particular embankment has been breached.
(c) On behalf of the Disaster Emergency Response Secretariat, WFP has organised a Post Flood Assessment of Needs in 27 flood-affected districts. Some 75 staff from 16 organisations including UN, Donors and both National and International NGOs, participated in the Assessment. The draft report will be available shortly.
(d) WFP and UNICEFare coordinating efforts to combat the dangers of serious malnutrition in the post flood period. UNICEF will target children and pregnant and lactating women in the most vulnerable households with fortified blended food; iron-folate supplements and will also support a nationwide campaign to provide vitamin A capsules and de-worming tablets for children. In complementary efforts, WFP aims to provide vulnerable families with a basket of food items, including rice and wheat, pulses, oil and salt to improve nutrition and food security. Extra rations of fortified blended food will be provided to infants, young children as well as to pregnant and breastfeeding women. WFP will also distribute 750 grams of high-energy biscuits daily for over the next ten months among 80,000 primary school children in the worst flood-affected districts. WFP is preparing for its EMOP that will start in October. In the 6 most affected districts, beneficiary household selection has begun. A total of 903,800 households (4,519,000 people) each will receive 30 kg food grain (rice/wheat) per month.
3) Myanmar
(a) During the fortnight, under EMOP 10345.0, a total of about 150 tons of rice was distributed to 14,000 beneficiaries of food-for-education and vulnerable groups feeding in Northern Shan State (NSS). There are indications of increased enrollment of primary students in NSS due to WFP food assistance. In the dry zone, some 30 tons have been distributed to over 105 people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) and to about 350 other chronically ill patients during this month.
(b) A recent baseline survey by the Myanmar Agriculture Services, WFP and NGOs indicated that maize crop in Kokang, NSS, would be considerably damaged this year due to plant disease. It is estimated that the losses in maize harvest could be as high as 70 percent.
(c) Last week, Ms. Sheila Sisulu, WFP Deputy Executive Director, observed food distribution in two primary schools in Kaung Khar district of NSS. In addition, from 10 to 12 September, a delegation from the European Union visited Northern Rakhine State (NRS) to visit WFP operational areas in Muangdaw. They observed food distribution in schools and visited WFP's warehouse in Buthidaung.
(d) A baseline survey on Enhanced Commitment to Women is currently being carried out in 141 sites of the WFP operational areas in NRS, NSS and Magwe Division.
G) Latin America and the Caribbean: (1) Caribbean region, (2) Colombia, (3) Cuba, (4) Dominican Republic, (5) Grenada/Jamaica, (6) Guatemala, (7) Haiti, (8) Nicaragua, (9) Peru
1) Caribbean Region
(a) In Panama, where several organizations aside from WFP have regional representations (i.e. IFRC/UNICEF/several NGOs), the inter-agency emergency preparedness and response group (GRGRD) has been regularly meeting to monitor and coordinate the response to the various hurricanes that have hit the Caribbean region during the past weeks. In particular, the damage caused by IVAN in Grenada, Jamaica and Cuba, and that caused by tropical storm JEANNE in Haiti and Dominican Republic, have kept all agencies in permanent alert mode. OCHA, although counting only on a regional adviser to deal with the numerous events that are succeeding each other in the region, has been instrumental in enabling enhanced coordination.
(b) In countries where WFP has a presence such as Haiti and Cuba, Country Offices have been actively participating in inter-agency assessments immediately at the outset of the cyclones, and have acted promptly to provide much needed assistance. In Haiti, for example, in less than 48 hours WFP managed to move a 12-truck convoy carrying some 40 metric tons of food and around 5,000 ready-to-eat bread loaves to the severely affected population. Bakeries are being coordinated to work around-the-clock to produce fresh bread for people deprived of cooking facilities.
(c) In countries where WFP does not have a permanent presence such as Grenada and Jamaica, the Programme has taken immediate action to send experts to conduct emergency food needs assessments in close coordination with UNDAC teams on the ground. In an effort to identify the best ways in which WFP can provide assistance to these countries, the UN Joint Logistics Centre was activated, after logistics coordination had been identified as a major bottleneck in both countries.
(d) The Hurricane season is not over and, based on current forecasts, the region might still be awaiting the passage of two or three major cyclones before the end of October. The WFP Panama Regional Bureau is currently taking measures to enhance its emergency preparedness and response capacity.
2) Bolivia
(a) Hundreds of wildfires in Eastern Bolivia, started by farmers to prepare their lands, have created a thick haze of smoke in urban areas and prompted the region to declare a state of emergency. The most affected departments are Tarija, Santa Cruz and Beni with some 2,383 wildfires and some two million hectares of land and forest destroyed, forcing many peasant farmers to leave their homes.
(b) A WFP mission evaluated the impact and needs in the municipalities of El Puente and Guarayos, two of the most affected by the fire. The mission reported that 77 families lost their houses. Some rustic food storage infrastructure (silos) burned down and about 6 wooden bridges were completely destroyed by the fire. Many cases of eye infections were reported due to the thick smoke. The fire continues to affect forest, grazing lands, and houses. Due to the smoke and visibility problems, some airports had to be closed for a couple of hours in the past two days, and some domestic flights were cancelled. WFP activities have however not been affected by this closure.
(c) In the municipality of El Puente, the government distributed food for 100 families for a total of 10 days. A few water tankers are helping to fight fires. WFP will consider supporting the reconstruction of houses and bridges with emergency resources.
(d) WFP also assists communities in El Chaco region affected by the drought. The UN Disaster Management Team is preparing a meeting with donors to share the results of a survey carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, WFP and FAO. WFP and UNICEF organized another field trip to coordinate the implementation of the emergency intervention in the affected communities.
3) Colombia
(a) On 16 September, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) expressed concern over the displacement of about 77 percent of the population from the rural areas, and over the loss of human capital due to the migration of people to other countries.
(b) On 18 September, President Alvaro Uribe ordered the paramilitary groups operating in the central province of Meta to demobilize. WFP currently implements 19 activities in this province as part of an expansion plan to the south of the country.
(c) In the province of Cauca, 40,000 indigenous people have been marching for a week, protesting against human rights abuses and violence. They demand respect for their traditions and land reserves.
(d) The Truck Drivers Association keeps an indefinite strike to protest against increased fuel prices and road tolls and lack of security on the roads. According to Colombian authorities, general food deliveries for the whole country have been reduced for at least 45 percent during the first week of strike.
(e) From 13 to 19 September, WFP distributed 172 tons of food in 8 provinces to about 18,760 beneficiaries in the context of the PRRO 10158, Assistance to People Displaced by Violence. The food was distributed to support community kitchens and FFW activities in the area of agriculture, skills training on nutritional and health issues, sanitation facilities and infrastructure. WFP also delivered 62,000 emergency food rations for more than 750 families affected by clashes between illegal armed groups in the municipality of Istmina.
4) Cuba
(a) On 13 August, Hurricane CHARLEY hit the provinces of Pinar del Rio and Havana, destroying infrastructure and causing severe damages to agricultural fields, as well as leaving many people in shelters. One month later, on 13 September, Hurricane IVAN passed through the Province of Pinar del Rio exacerbating the already dire situation.
(b) Government actions are geared toward restoring electricity, cleaning of roads, and reconstruction of schools, health centers and houses. WFP and FAO in coordination with government authorities are assessing damages in agriculture, people nutrition, and food security in general.
5) Dominican Republic
(a) The most affected areas by Tropical Storm JEANNE in Dominican Republic were the Eastern area, from Santo Domingo to Cabo Engaño and the Northern area, from Cabo Engaño to Monte Cristi.
(b) The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Committee (COE) is monitoring three fronts: 1) Northern Front, 2) Eastern Front and 3) Ditches. According to an official COE Report, 23 persons died, 261 are wounded and 6 are missing. COE is distributing food, medicines, water, and many other non-food items to the affected population. COE, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is restoring the main highways and vital lines. Around 21,500 houses were totally destroyed and 4,500 partially destroyed. Some 84 official shelters are available and 300 public schools in the East and Northeast were affected.
(c) The Secretary of Agriculture reported damages of USD 45.3 millions in the agricultural sector, especially in the province of Samaná, which could reportedly lead to serious food scarcity.
(d) Due to the severe effects of JEANNE, the Director of the Civil Defense and the President of the National Commission for Emergency requested emergency assistance from the UN System, mainly food and medicine. On 20 September, the UNDMT met with donors to exchange information and study eventual coordination mechanisms.
(e) On 23 September, WFP and the Food Security Group met to assist in the coordination of the provision of food assistance as well as to discuss future assistance needs. On 24 September WFP will carry out an assessment with FAO, UNDP and UNDAC in the Bajo Yuna area.
(f) By the end of September, the WFP school-feeding project is expected to start food distributions to 50,000 children in 645 mostly rural and remote schools in eight of the poorest provinces along the border with Haiti. Schools located in the area of the disaster will resume classes on 22 September.
(g) WFP's current in-country stocks amount to some 212 tons of food pertaining to the WFP-supported School Feeding programme.
6) Grenada /Jamaica
(a) While Grenada was undoubtedly the hardest hit by IVAN, the cyclone having affected most of the island and the lives of more than 70,000 people, the UNDAC team deployed in Jamaica also found that some areas of that country are in critical need for assistance.
(b) While final reports on food needs assessments conducted by WFP in Grenada and Jamaica are being completed, information received thus far points at general logistics disfunctionality as being the main bottleneck in terms of the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance (food and non-food). In Grenada, thanks to a very efficient set-up, IFRC managed to deliver emergency food to affected populations immediately after the passage of IVAN.
(c) Both in Grenada and Jamaica, food access rather than food availability has been reported as a critical issue to be addressed. Upon being informed of this major bottleneck, WFP, on 22 September, activated the UNJLC. One UNJLC staff is already in Kingston discussing means and ways to assist local authorities within the framework of on-going UNDAC efforts, to better organize the logistics of the delivery of humanitarian aid. The same UNJLC staff will be in Grenada on 24 September to work with the UNDAC team deployed in that country. WFP is appealing for USD 180,000 to cover the costs of three month logistics missions in both countries.
7) Guatemala
(a) Heavy rains flooded around 40 houses in the province of Quiché. In addition, landslides blocked the road to the Pacific Ocean, congesting the traffic for over 20 hours.
(b) A total of 116 tons of maize, beans, CSB and vegetable oil were distributed in the provinces of Chiquimula, Chimaltenango, Huehuetenango, and Quiché, under the relief component of PRRO 10212. The assistance aims to contribute to the nutritional recovery of children, pregnant and lactating women, and their families, all suffering from recurring shocks.
8) Haiti
(a) On 19 September, tropical storm JEANNE caused devastating floods in the coastal areas of Gonaives (Artibonite Department) and Port-de-Paix (North-West Department). Local authorities reported 700 people dead, about 1,050 missing and 175,000 affected. Entire houses, crops and livestock were washed away.
(b) According to an emergency assessment team composed by staff from WFP, UNICEF, OCHA and UNDP, 80 percent of the population in Gonaives has been affected and 30 percent of Port-de-Paix has been flooded. Food distributions are complicated due to the lack of security in the cities. Access to some areas of the department of Artibonite is still very difficult.
(c) On 21 September, the first convoy of 12 WFP trucks carrying some 40 tons of food (rice, beans and vegetable oil) arrived in the city of Gonaives. The convoy also transported some 5,000 loaves of ready-to-eat bread in view of the fact that most of the victims lost everything and are unable to cook their own food. WFP food has been mainly stored in CARE warehouses as CARE will be in charge of distributing food in affected areas.
(d) On 22 September, another truck convoy arrived in Gonaives carrying an additional 40 tons of food and 5,000 fresh loaves of bread. Distribution of both the dry ration and the bread started the same day. Five distribution points were identified and agreed upon by local authorities for the purpose.
(e) On 23 September, WFP distributed 8 tons of food in Ennery (an isolated village northeast of Gonaives). Commodities are being transported by road from Cap Haitien. WFP also transported medicine and medical equipment to Gonaives for the World Health Organization - WHO.
(f) The GRGRD group in Panama, which includes amongst others OCHA, UNICEF, IFRC and WFP, is holding meetings with Haitian Embassy officials based in Panama to fine tune inter-agency actions with those of the Haitian government. The next meeting will be held in the WFP Regional Bureau.
9) Nicaragua
(a) A prolonged drought has caused extensive damages to the 2004/05 first season food crops, mainly 63,270 hectares of maize and 22,000 hectares of beans about to be harvested. The most affected municipalities are in the north and north-west departments of León, Chinandega, Madriz, Esteli and Matagalpa. WFP continues to closely monitor the food security situation in the municipalities affected by crop losses.
(b) Heavy rains continue in parts of Nicaragua, causing damage due to flooding and mudslides.
(c) The third distribution, under the IRA/EMOP, to affected families of the Cerro Musún mudslide in Río Blanco and Matiguás, has concluded. The fourth distribution will take place in late September.
(d) WFP continued to distribute food under PRRO 10212.0, covering a total of 78,960 school children in the RAAN and the municipality of Matagalpa. In addition, 10,027 vulnerable children under 2 years of age, 8,729 expectant and nursing women and 2,000 poor rural families are also being assisted in the northern and central regions of the country.
10) Peru
(a) According to the National Service for Meteorology and Hydrology (SENAMHI), highlands in Puno continue to be "high risk areas", with temperatures reaching below zero. In October, the temperature is expected to reach between -1.8 °C and -7.9°C. The situation is similar in Apurimac.
(b) In the context of the IRA-EMOP for the Puno area, in the last two weeks, WFP assisted 17,692 beneficiaries, distributing 192.8 tons of wheat flour, 20.7 tons of oil and 17.5 tons of sugar.
Note: All tonnage figures in this report refer to metric tons (MT).
