CHECHNYA LINKS LIBRARY

WFP Bi-Weekly Report for the Period 1–15 February 2001

WFP Report on the Northern Caucasus operation is issued twice a month

No. of Beneficiaries	335,000	Commodities	Gross Requirement
Duration	1 January - 31 December 2001	Wheat flour	54,270
Total Cost to WFP	US$ 23,949,762	Sugar	7,236
Total Commodities	Gross Requirement - 65,727 MT Net Requirement - 62,915 MT	Oil	3,618
		Iodised Salt	603

Humanitarian Situation in the Northern Caucasus

The UN agencies decided in the beginning of February to resume their operations inside Chechnya from this month with the condition that humanitarian operation is managed through experienced local staff, and expatriate NGO staff use armed escorts when they travel in Ingushetia, Chechnya and North Osetia. Mr. Kenny Gluck, MSF (H) was released on 4 February after 27 days of detention in Chechnya.

A joint humanitarian convoy with food supplies from WFP (292 tons) and ECHO (130 tons) and non-food items from UNHCR and UNICEF is planned for Chechnya on 18 February. On 15 February, the Military authorities in Chechnya issued passes to Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and People in-Need Foundation (PINF) for two weeks to bring in and distribute humanitarian assistance to targeted beneficiaries.

The influx of IDPs from Chechnya to Ingushetia continued during this period. As reported by UNHCR, some 1,700 new IDPs arrived from Grozny, Urus-Martan and Argun in between 2-16 February and the majority of them are staying with relatives and friends in Ingushetia. They reported that, apart from security issues relating to hostilities and military screening, lack of basic needs, including food were the reasons for their departure. During the same period, about 100 people went back to Chechnya from Ingushetia.

According to UNHCR/DRC statistics, the number of registered Chechen IDPs in Ingusehtia stands at 153, 683 as of 15 February 2001. The Russian authorities announced on 15 February stating that there are about 234,000 people who have been displaced within Chechnya, of whom about 12,000 displaced persons live in camps.

WFP officials met with Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Ingush Parliament and Minister of EMERCOM separately in Nazran last week and discussed with them various food related operational issues. They reiterated the Republic Government’s appreciation for food assistance provided by the international community to IDPs living in Ingushetia. They also expressed their concern about gradual taking over of local labour market by IDPs, who offer cheap rate as compared to local Ingush in the republic.

During the reporting period DRC and IR have served a total of 86,272 IDPs providing them with a basic monthly food ration. DRC distributed a total of 1,110 mts of food commodities to 73,659 beneficiaries in Nazran city, Sunzha, Malgobek, and Karabulak, whereas IR covered 12,613 IDPs in Nazran region and camp Alina (Sunzha region). The total amount of food distributed to IDPs during the reporting period makes 1,300 mts.

The total planned number of IDPs in Ingushetia to be served within the month of February is 158,366, and the total amount of food to be distributed is 2,387 mts.

Though UN had decided to resume its operations in Chechnya in February no humanitarian assistance was provided during this period due to lack of passes, which are issued by Military authorities in Chechnya.

However during the second half of the month, WFP is planning to serve through its implementing partners about 81,000 beneficiaries, of which some 75,000 are the IDPs and vulnarable groups in Grozny and Grozny region (implementing partners DRC and PINF), and 6,000 school children in Achkhoy-Martan (implementing partner CPCD). The food ration in February for Grozny and Grozny region beneficiaries will consist of 15 kgs of wheat flour since other commodities are not available in stocks. The total planned amount to be distributed in February to the above categories is 1,125 mts of wheat flour. CPCD will distribute 10 mts of high energy biscuits to above mentioned school children.

WFP commodities are distributed in Ingushetia by the implementing partners, DRC and IR, through 35 established distribution centres. Within the reporting period, WFP Monitors conducted a total of 26 visits to food distribution centres. They observed that all the distribution centres are properly furnished with necessary measuring equipment and relevant documentation (lists of beneficiaries, food rations, etc.), except for three which did not have measuring cups for sugar and weighing scales. They also reported that the working conditions in some of the centres could be improved by providing heating and electricity.

WFP Monitors also interviewed some 150 IDPs during the reporting period (summary of their findings will be reported in the next report).

For the first time WFP conducted the market survey of various food commodities in Nazran. WFP will continue to undertake such survey regularly twice a month starting from this month.

Resources Mobilisation

As of 15 February two donors, namely UK and the Netherlands have confirmed their pledges, which is about 10% of WFP's total requirements. These funds will be utilized for local purchase of wheat flour and international purchase of vegetable oil. WFP will have to reduce the food ration in March for both Ingushetia and Chechnya due to lack of sufficient stocks.

Commodity Status (as of 15 February 2001)

(Figures in metric tons)	Wheat flour	Veg. Oil	Sugar	Salt	HEB	Total
Regional stocks on 1 Feb	2,350	108	-74	-17	10	2,468
Quantity delivered (1-15 Feb)	642	0	424	0	0	1,066
Total available	0	108	350	0	10	3,460
Distributed in Ingushetia	1,165	79	43	13	0	0
Balance in the region (15 Feb)	1,827	29	307	-30	10	2,173

Note: Negative figures indicate WFP's borrowings