R e l i e f W e b http://www.reliefweb.int Source: World Food Programme (WFP) Date: 06 Jul 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sudan Daily Bulletin No. 1 1. The plight of the war-affected and hungry population of Southern Sudan continues to be of great concern. The need for increased international assistance was highlighted at the Donor Briefing held at the World Food Programme Headquarters in Rome on 25 June 1998. At that briefing, WFP undertook to prepare a daily bulletin highlighting actions taken, for the purpose of keeping all concerned informed. Within this context, this Sudan Daily Bulletin, hence, represents the first of a series of daily updates put together by WFP's Africa Bureau (OSA) in Rome, based on information provided by the WFP Offices in Nairobi and Khartoum on a regular basis. 2. During the month of June a total of 5,952 Mt. of food was distributed to some 820,000 beneficiaries (provisional estimate) in the Southern Sector. This was a marked increase relative to the 3,860 Mt. delivered in May. The increase in distribution is due to the increased number of airdrops, including those originating in El Obeid, which supplied 1,024 Mt. to the Southern Sector. 3. Southern Sector Food stocks - - Cereal stocks as of end-June were 4,490 Mt. Cereal requirements for July were estimated at 7,979 Mt. Scheduled arrivals during July amount to 10,050 Mt., to meet part of the needs and to reimburse loans. - Pulses stocks as of end-June were 390 Mt. Pulses requirements for July were estimated 1,197 Mt. Scheduled arrivals during July amount to 1500 Mt. - Veg. Oil stocks as of end-June were 28 Mt. Veg. Oil requirements for July were estimated 299 Mt. Scheduled arrivals during July amount to 166 Mt. - No stocks of CSB, DSM, salt and sugar were available as of end-June. However, loans were arranged to cover needs for July. 4. Aircraft Clearance - Written clearance for the use of 13 aircraft to provide urgently needed food assistance to beneficiaries in Southern Sudan was granted by the Government of Sudan on 5 July. Following this, at least a week's lead time will be required for eight additional aircraft to become operational. Thirteen aircraft have been cleared as follows: Lokichokio(Kenya) 4 C130 + 2 Buffalo El Obeid 1 C130 + 1 Buffalo Khartoum 2 Ilyushins Nairobi 3 Ilyushins 5. Road Closure - On 3 July UN Security decided to close the road between Lokichokio and the Sudanese border, following reports of increased insecurity in the area, which should affect food deliveries by road. 6. Wau - Influx of people to Wau in Bahr El Ghazal, continues at a reported pace of 2,500 per day. Total number of beneficiaries as of 5 July is 42,612. A general food distribution will be conducted in Wau on 7 July. A total of 488 Mt. food have been airlifted to Wau since 30 May via commercial aircraft. A second commercial aircraft is to be contracted on 7 July to airlift 722 Mt. to meet the food needs of recent arrivals. 7. Juba Corridor - Barges for Juba Corridor (Juba Town plus 33 locations along the corridor) are presently being loaded. Convoy is expected to depart on 10 July to deliver some 2,100 Mt. of relief food. 8. Sobat Corridor - Clearance for Sobat river Corridor deliveries also received from the Sudanese Government and RASS. SRRA clearance still pending. Due to reported insufficient availability of barges the convoy, which intends to deliver 994 Mt. of food to 37 locations along the river corridor, would have to wait until September, after the Juba convoy completes its mission. WFP will be sending a technical team to the WFP barge base in Kosti to look into ways of improving and enhancing barge operations. 9. UN Staff Missing - Two UN staff were reported missing in Juba since 2 July, 1998. The incident was reported by the Head of the WFP Juba Sub-Office on the 3 July. The UN Security Co-ordinator for Sudan is presently in Juba looking into the situation. 10. Nyal/Leer (Western Upper Nile) - UN security has cleared visit of WFP team to Nyal where there have been reports of population fleeing insecurity around Leer. NGO compounds and a feeding centre were looted and burned down in Leer Town during recent inter-factional fighting. More detailed information on Daily Bulletins can be obtained from Mr. Nicholas Siwingwa and Mr. Omar Bula-Escobar - WFP/OSA -, to be reached at 39 06 6513 2929 or 39 06 6513 2735. ------------------------------------------------------------------------