United Nations World Food Programme Operational Update - Eastern Congo

The United Nations World Food Programme is stepping up food distributions
in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with plans to reach nearly
100,000 displaced people around the city of Goma and in territory further
north, which is controlled by rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.



WFP, on Tuesday, started distributions of a 20-day ration to over
56,000 people in the three camps of Mugunga 1, Mugunga 2 and Bulengo,
which are situated around Goma. Distributions in another three camps in
the area will follow.



These latest food distributions are in addition to rations that were
delivered to all 6 camps around Goma, earlier this month.



Distributions will get underway, on Tuesday, to 25,000 displaced in
Kitchanga and 11,000 in Kilolirwe. Both of these camps are situated in
the Masisi region, north-west of Goma, which is under the control of
Laurent Nkunda.



The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is due to start
distributions of WFP food in Sake and Minova, on Friday, to some 50,000
displaced people.



Distributions to 93,000 displaced people and host families in
Rutshuru and Kiwanja are due to finish on Wednesday.




A further 800 metric tons of food is being transported at regular
intervals to nutrition centres across the region where people have been
displaced by conflict.



The security situation is still fluid and the continuation of all food
distributions depends on the provision of escorts by the UN peacekeeping
force, MONUC.



WFP is extremely concerned for the many thousands of people it has
been unable to reach due to fighting. Reports of new clashes around
Rwindi and Kanyabayonga - over 100 kilometres north of Goma - are
extremely worrying, given the difficulty of accessing the area.



Even in places that WFP is able to access, the heavy downpours of the
rainy season and the rudimentary road infrastructure are making it
extremely challenging for humanitarian convoys to reach their
destination.



WFP is increasing storage capacity in Goma, putting up five temporary
warehouses at two current warehouse sites.



WFP has sent two staff to Beni in the Grand Nord of North Kivu to set
up a logistics hub which will help to supply food to displaced people
south of the town. New staff are being hired and local customs clearance
issues sorted. Warehouse space in Beni has already been secured. Food
will start to move from Kampala to Beni within the next three days. WFP
will be working with the Norwegian Refugee Council to reach some 91,500
people in the Beni and Lubero districts.



WFP is today receiving the eighth rotation from Kinshasa of a Belgian
government Hercules C130 aircraft at Goma airport. The cargo includes
five tons of sugar for WFP's operations, as well as medical equipment.



Since the beginning of November, WFP Goma has received 3,157 tons of
a total 5,783 tons already dispatched through various corridors, by
truck and barge. This is equivalent to over 100 large truck loads
already received in November alone.



WFP