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Facts, figures and the lastest updates from WFP's high profile emergencies.

• Preliminary results from the nutritional survey conducted in early July 2008 in eastern Chad indicated that the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate (weight for height <- 2 Z-score and/or oedema) was 12.3 percent. As compared to 2006 (GAM rate between 7 and 8 percent), the nutritional status of the refugees has relatively deteriorated throughout 2007 to 2008. The prevalence of GAM deterioration is serious as per the World Health Organization’s standard. According to the survey report, the nutritional situation calls for serious concerted efforts in order to maximize the utilization of the allocated available resources for the programme.

• General food distribution to Sudanese refugees is currently ongoing in eastern Chad. WFP planned to provide about 4,194 mt of food commodities to over 245,600 refugees for 30 days. Refugees in all 12 camps are receiving full rations of 2100 kcal/person/day. IDP requirements were met prior to the rainy season.

• WFP has approved IR-EMOP 10776.0 to provide immediate assistance to those affected by Hurricane Gustav. Three airlifts carrying HEB from El Salvador (45 mt in total, 15 on each flight) arrived in Havana on Friday and Saturday. Biscuits and canned food are to be delivered to Isla de la Juventud where people are still unable to prepare their own food.

• In order to ensure temporary food warehousing and provide food to Isla de la Juventud and the most affected municipalities of Pinar del Rio, WFP is preparing a CERF application along with the other agencies (expected at around US$700,000).

• The Heads of Agencies were invited to visit Pinar del Rio province (one of the two most affected provinces) last Friday. While a detailed report will be submitted in the coming couple of days, the general impression is the massive destruction of infrastructure and crops.

• Since last Thursday national authorities and the UN are closely monitoring Hurricane Ike. On Sunday September 7, the hurricane (category 3) entered Cuba through Cabo Lucrecia in Holguin, northeastern Cuba. No official damages are reported yet, but according to WFP monitors, the hurricane has caused severe damages to houses and roads.

• Due to Ike, a hurricane warning is now in effect for all Cuban provinces.

• Large pipeline shortfalls continue. The situation is to improve marginally in December and January. Shortfalls threaten to loom again in March 2009.

• Approximately 130 mt of WFP food to be transported to Gemena have been stored in a transit warehouse in Akula for months. Bad road conditions hamper WFP's ability to effectively operate in northern Equateur province.

• Public schools’s did not open for the new school on 1 September. Teachers of these schools demands a raise in salaries. School feeding activities in the country are delayed.

• From 9 to 25 August, WFP provided food assistance to over 138,000 IDPs and conflict-affected local populations in Georgia. The second round of WFP food distribution, which started on 26 August, was completed in all regions. The round covered 110,480 IDPs and local populations in conflict-affected areas. A total of 564 mt of mixed commodities was distributed during the round, covering a ten-day ration. Based on the recently signed Field-Level Agreements (FLAs), this distribution round was carried out by WFP in cooperation with three NGOs; World Vision International, CARE and Save the Children.

• WFP and its cooperating partners have launched another distribution round. Following a request from the Government, the round will again cover a ten-day ration for the whole caseload.

• The return of displaced Ossetians was facilitated by Russia's Federal Migration Service. As a result, temporary accommodation centres in the south of Russia are not in use. Several thousand displaced persons remain with host families, mainly in North Ossetia.

• WFP has thus far provided 3,000 South Ossetian returnees with food packages in the Russian Federation.

• After Fay and Gustav, Haiti is affected by hurricane Hanna, while Ike is also approaching Haiti. Joint UN/GoH helicopter assessments, rapid assessments and emergency distributions are ongoing.

• Certain areas are inaccessible by road, hampering WFP interventions. Alternative means of transport and routes are being used (helicopters and barges).

• The food requirements are increasing as data on the hurricane-affected population continues to be updated.

• UNICEF and WFP, in collaboration with local authorities and partners, are providing potable water, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking sets, high-energy biscuits, rice, beans, corn-soya blend and vegetable oil.

• As of 2 September, WFP delivered over 100 mt of emergency food assistance to some 11,000 hurricane-affected people, of which over 800 persons in temporary shelters. Emergency response distributions are on-going.

• The UN is finalising a flash appeal to assist 800.000 beneficiaries.

• The Iraq Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for 2009 is starting with a workshop on 24-25 September. The document should be ready by the end of October containing the Pillar I, which should respond to in-country needs and Pillar 2, that should respond to Iraqis displaced throughout the Middle East Region.

• Syria: Implementation of the voucher pilot phase is pending a decision from the Government.

• The Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum has indicated that for the October – December 2008 rainy season, there is a high likelihood of near normal to above normal rainfall over central and western Kenya; eastern and northern Kenya has a high chance of near to below normal rainfall.

• As of end of first week of September, some 16,000 internally displaced people still lived at official sites, according to the Kenya Red Society. WFP continued food distributions to these IDPs as well as those living in satellite camps and returnees, totaling 220,000.

• The expected arrival of vessels on 15 September carrying 15,000 mt of WFP food from South Africa and India will increase availability of cereals for the emergency operation.

• A strike is ongoing at the port in Ashdod, with only 25 percent of the normal activities ensured. Shipping lines are rescheduling arrivals and might even cancel some. The logistics unit is monitoring the situation and analyzing the impact this will have on the scheduled 4,200mt arrivals in September.

• The 5,000 mt bulk of wheat was cleared by the Israeli MoH, after receiving positive lab results.

• WFP's Humanitarian Air Service still faces severe funding problems. Despite recent donations, available resources only cover operational needs through to mid-September 2008, thus additional funding is urgently required to renew contracting obligations and ensure continued air service for the rest of the year and into 2009. The air service remains vital to over 300 aid agencies operating in Sudan, with the elevated security levels in Darfur and in parts of northern Sudan. There is a need to ensure that the service remains operational to facilitate staff movement and to maintain the ability to undertake emergency evacuations when needed.

• In South Sudan, floods are reported in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states. WFP continued to receive reports of flooding and displacements in Aweil south, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, which now has an estimated 7,000 homeless households, an increase from 2,750 last week. On 5 September, an inter-agency team conducted an aerial assessment in Aweil South and East counties, to verify SSRRC reports of displacements. The team noted some houses and crops under water and completely deserted villages. Due to road inaccessibility to the affected locations, motor boats will be used to undertake comprehensive needs assessments. In Malakal, Upper Nile, WFP distributed about 90 mt of food to over 3,500 individuals, displaced by floods in Nasir County.

• On 3 September, WFP met with the Director of Social Welfare Department to discuss plans for the Vulnerable Groups Feeding (VGF) season. The Director confirmed that WFP’s implementation plan was in compliance with the 2003 PVO activities, including cooperating partners by location, thus, the VGF programme can be started.