WFP, Hunger's global hotspots: 27 November 2007

Countries where violence persists and populations live in fear. People in Hunger’s Global Hotspots don’t know what tomorrow will bring and they often have to rely on WFP for their next meal.

BANGLADESH – In the wake of category 4 cyclone SIDR, Emergency Operation (EMOP) 10715.0 was approved on 22 November 2007 to meet relief, early recovery and rehabilitation needs of
affected people for six months (Nov 16-May 16 2007) in two phases.

A total of 2.2 million cyclone victims need 71,364 metric tons of food (rice, pulse, oil, mixed and blended food, salt, ready to eat foods) valued at almost US$52 million. Recovery activities
for the second phase are being assessed by WFP field assessment teams.

As of November 25, WFP distributed 98 metric tons (mt) of High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) pre-positioned in nearby Jessore district in addition to the HEBs air dropped to remote and inaccessible
areas.

Currently, a second round of HEBs distribution is ongoing. WFP has shored up ICT, public information and logistics with deployment of technical staff from the regional office and from Rome
headquarters.

As of November 25, the death toll from SIDR stands at 3,061 and is expected to rise. Substantial damage was caused to houses, infrastructure, communications, and agriculture.

Enormous efforts are underway by the Government of Bangladesh, response agencies and armed forces. UN and other aid agencies, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are
working in close coordination with the national and local administration.

The July 2007 flooding left an estimated 13.7 million people living in the 46 flood-affected districts in need of life saving emergency food assistance (Source: Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management, dated 3 October 2007) Damage to their productive assets and livelihoods is substantial while a high food price has limited their access to food.

The Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) activity has been operational since May 2007. Beyond August, VGD implementation will be limited to limited targeted areas due to a shortfall in resources.

AFGHANISTAN – A joint Governmentt/UN assessment has indicated that out of 800 families recently displaced from Badghis province into Hirat, 150 are in need of food assistance. The Hirat
area office will provide emergency rations to these populations in the coming weeks.

The slow dispatch of wheat purchases in Iran continues to hamper movements into Ghor province. To date, 8,500 metric tons (mt), of a 14,000 mt requirement, has been dispatched to Ghor since
September.

Out of the pre-winter movement of a planned 20,000 mt of food into high elevation areas, 17,900 mt (89%) has thus far been dispatched.

WFP offices in Mazar, Jalalabad and Faizabad have already completed their planned dispatches, with Kabul, Kandahar and Hirat yet to finalise.

CHAD – Internally Displaced Person (IDP) distributions around Goz Beida in eastern Chad have been completed. A total of 79,226 beneficiaries have been assisted with 1,432 metric tons
(mt) of food. Distributions for the IDPs in the Assongha department are still ongoing and are expected to be completed by the end of the week.

The Emergency Operation (EMOP) still needs an additional 14,000 mt of food commodities to complete its prepositioning for 2008. The food needs to arrive in Chad by end June 2008. Funds are
urgently required to purchase these commodities (in addition to what is required to repay a total of US$11.2 million advanced to the project).

Contributions need to be confirmed by January 2008 at the latest in order for the food to reach Chad on time.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) – Tensions remain high in North Kivu, where dissident Commander Laurent Nkunda continues to resist integration into the regular army. Congolese
militias, hostile to Laurent Nkunda and to the regular army, continued their military operations. Clashes on November 21-22 in Rutshuru once again displaced thousands among the rural
population. There is fear of escalation of violence after a commander of the regular army announced the Government’s decision to start an offensive campaign against Laurent Nkunda until he
surrenders.

Given this situation, WFP continues to push for the rapid delivery of food stocks, currently at entry ports, to be able to respond to any sudden crisis, in addition to the ongoing Internally
Displaced Person (IDP) crisis in North Kivu.

In areas where the situation is steady, such as in Katanga, WFP is working with the Swedish Rescue Services Agency(SRSA) to map out roads/bridges and assess their status. New delivery routes
are being established.

SOMALIA – Two vessels carrying 3,650 metric tons (mt) of WFP food are being offloaded in Merka port after being escorted by the French military. France’s assistance allows WFP to catch
up on the delays experienced over the last few months due to unavailability of vessels to make the risky voyage. The British and Dutch Governments have indicated interest in providing escorts
to WFP contracted vessels.

The voluntary repatriation of 1,800 Somali refugees from Djibouti to Somaliland started this week. WFP will provide rations for nine months, in three installments.

WFP and SAACID (say-eed – Somali, meaning ‘to help’ – a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in Australia and Somalia), are now carrying out community mobilisation and distribution of
ration cards in preparation for wet feeding for 50,000 beneficiaries in Mogadishu starting this week. The project will be implemented through ten kitchens, and the most vulnerable people who
have not fled Mogadishu will benefit from the project.

Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU) preliminary results from the nutrition surveys conducted in the Shabelle region indicate that although the rates of malnutrition have not deteriorated
further, they remain at or close to the emergency threshold levels of less than 15 percent, with continuing high rates of severe acute malnutrition.

SRI LANKA – Due to the prevailing tense security situation in the Eachchalampattai Division of Trincomalee, food distributions to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were suspended from
November 17

SUDAN – WFP and World Vision resumed food distributions in Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur (suspended since October, amid tension stemming from reports of forced IDP disarmament by the
Government of Sudan military). A high level UNAMID (African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur) delegation held a meeting with the Governor of South Darfur in which it was agreed
that arms within Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps posed a threat to IDPs and humanitarian workers. Both agreed to a joint work plan to disarm within the camps.

Food airdrops to flood-affected areas in South Sudan remain suspended due to aircraft grounding by the Sudanese Aviation Authority, citing insufficient technical paperwork. The balance of 924
metric tons of food to be airdropped can be completed within 15 days of receiving clearance.

WFP is monitoring security developments along the Eritrea and Ethiopia border, which could have an impact on WFP operations in eastern Sudan, should a massive influx of refugees occur.