wfp afghanistan quarterly report april - june 2003

7/28/2019 WFP Afghanistan Quarterly Report April - June 2003

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WFP Afghanistan

Quarterly Report

April - June 2003


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WFP AfghanistanQuarterly ReportQuarterly ReportApril - June 2003


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Table of ContentsPreface

Significant Events

1

2

Government CollaborationThe United Nations TAPAGovernment / WFP AgreementsCapacity Development

3 533

Security Review

Programme ManagementFood for WorkFood for Education

Refugees and IDPsUrban VulnerableSupplementary and Institutional FeedingEmergency AssistanceMonitoring and EvaluationVulnerability Analysis and Mapping

National Days of Unity

Resources and Pipeline

Logistics Management

Human Resources & Finance

ICT Management

6 7

8 178 9

10 11

12131415161617

18 19

20 21

22 23

24

25United Nations Humanitarian Air Services 26 27

2003 - 2004 FAO/WFP CFSAM

4 5


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Government of Afghanistan fully committed

to recovery and reconstruction, the World

Food Programme shifted focus from

emergency aid to a protracted relief andrecovery operation launched in April 2003.

Over a two-year period, the operation will

contribute to protecting and re-establishing

livelihoods and household food security.

Nature is offering a helping hand to therecovery of agriculture. Preliminary findings

of the FAO / WFP Crop and Food Supply

Assessment indicate that this years sustained

rainfall in addition to large scale farming anduse of fertilizers has resulted in a substantial

increase of cereal production and the

rehabilitation of the agricultural sector.

However, not all Afghans will be able to sharethe benefits of these hopeful developments.

Even with increased food availability, many

rural households, internally displaced people,

returning refugees as well as the vulnerable inurban areas, will most likely have difficulties

in accessing food. WFP remains committed to

ensure that food reaches these vulnerable

groups.

During the months to come, the National Riskand Vulnerability Assessment will take an in-

depth look into the level of food insecurity in

the country, and accordingly determine the

actual food requirements. WFP will set out toaddress food needs in pocket areas of poverty

through targeted relief and recovery activities,

to ensure that the disadvantaged and the

vulnerable have access to food and are able to

participate in the making of a new Afghanistan.

PrefaceWith the support of the Transitional Islamic


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SECOND QUARTER 2003

April

On 1 April, WFPs Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation began.

During March and April, floods in different parts of the country affected more than 12,000 people.

May

From 11 15 May, a food and nutrition training took place in Kabul, with participation of Government

representatives, FAO, UNICEF and WFP staff from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Iran.

For one week, starting on 20 May, the Government celebrated National Days of Unity, with assistance fromUnitedNations agencies.

June

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and WFP signed a Letter of Understanding on the Protracted Relief and Recovery

Operation.

On 5 June, the Government celebrated World Water Day and World Environment Day.

On 16 June, FAO and WFP started the joint 2003-2004 Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission.

On 17 18 June, Heads of WFP area offices and country office units met in Bamyan and discussed currentissues. The WFP Regional Director for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Central Asia, and the Regional

Programme Adviser participated in the meeting.

Significant Events

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Apri l - June 2003

Government / WFPAgreements

Collaboration and partnership with theGovernment was further strengthened.

A Letter of Understanding, outlining theimplementation modalities of the ProtractedRelief and Recovery Operation (PRRO), wassigned with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inJune 2003.On 7 April, the Ministry of Health and WFPsigned an agreement on collaboration in theinstitutional feeding programme.The Ministry of Education (MoE) and WFPsigned a Letter of Understanding, consoli-dating joint efforts to implement the food foreducation programme. On 16 June,WFP andMoE agreed on the second phase of the

countrywide implementation of the ARGOSpilot project. WFP will train Government

counterparts, implementing partners andconcerned WFP staff in the functions of theschool feeding monitoring devices, and byOctober, approximately 140 devices will havebeen installed at project schools throughoutthe country to ensure the collection of schoolfeeding data.Agreements were signed with the Ministry ofRural Rehabilitation and Development on thesecondment of a pastoralist adviser for theperiod of May-November 2003 and a foodsecurity adviser for the period of April 2003 -May 2005.

1

The United Nations, including WFP, is committed

to support the Government to ensure that all

international assistance activities are in line with

national priorities, as articulated in the National

Development Budget (NDB), the key instrument

for setting Afghanistans reform and develop-

ment agenda. The 2003 Transitional Assistance

Programme for Afghanistan (TAPA), launched in

December 2002, was formally integrated withinthe NDB. The NDB seeks US$2.2 billion, of which

the 2003 TAPA programmes require some US$527

million.

Through the TAPA, WFP and other United

Nations agencies aim to support and encourage

Government leadership and address national

capacity building requirements; respond to

ongoing humanitarian needs and emerging

reconstruction challenges; and promote further

integration of United Nations activities at

national, provincial and district levels.

One of the TAPA priorities is to provide food aid

to vulnerable groups. Assistance to refugees and

IDPs will not only enable refugees to return to

their places of origin, but also help to ensure that

the returnees will settle down and rebuild their

lives.

Since Afghanistan is predominantly an agrarian

society, food for work activities will support

restoration of agricultural opportunities and

recuperation of irrigation systems and

pasturelands. The particular needs of kuchi

nomadic pastoralists will also be addressed.

In the areas of education and health, WFP will

promote participation in education, enhance

knowledge and skills of teachers, girls, women

and ex-combatants, and help rebuild educational

infrastructure. Through supplementary and

institutional feeding, patients in hospitals,

orphans, street children, tuberculosis patients

and their families and malnourished children and

women will receive food aid assistance.

The United Nations TransiAssistance Programme forAfghanistan

1

The ARGOS device is a solid box, resistant to climate and shocks, with a screen and a keypad interface through which data can betransmitted vi a satellite to a central compu ter.

Government Collaboration

3

tional


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Quarterly Report

Government Collaboration

4

The food for education programme

organized:

security

included:

MoEs

institutes;

and

o Pashtu and Dari.


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In July 2002, the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) requested WFPs assistance in developingits technical capacity in key competencies, identified by the Ministry and compatible with WFPs capacities and

mandate.

Starting in October 2002, Phase I focused on capacity development of MRRD staff in Kabul in core competencies, suchas:

food security and vulnerability assessment;monitoring and evaluation; and

project management, including identification, preparation and appraisal of projects.

Phase I was completed in April 2003, with the following major achievements:secondment of two WFP national programme officers, a language trainer and one staff assistant-cum-computertrainer;training of 13 MRRD Kabul staff and 27 provincial MRRD staff in:- food security and vulnerability assessment- project management, monitoring and evaluation- basic computer skills- written and spoken English

participation of MRRD staff in an urban assessment, kuchinomadic pastoralists survey and rapid emergencyfood needs assessments; and

provision of office equipment and renovation of office premises (including desktop computers, printers,photocopier, desks, chairs, cabinets and more).

A proposal for a second phase, focusing on capacity development of provincial MRRD staff, is under review. Thesecond phase would be implemented for an initial period of four months, to be extended to one year if necessary, and

provided funds are available.

WFP furthermore seconded a pastoralist adviser and a food security adviser to MRRD to assist the Ministry inpreparation of relevant policies.

!

!

!

Capacity Development in

the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

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Impact of High Security Risks on WFP Activities

During the second quarter of 2003, activities of security forces increased in the southernand southeastern regions, particularly along the AfghanPakistani border. The tensesecurity situation led to the closure of the KandaharSpin Boldak and the GhazniKandahar roads. In an attempt to protect ongoing humanitarian operations, the localGovernment in Kandahar deployed extra troops throughout the city and, in particular, totroubled spots. The United Nations Security Coordinator and the local authorities alsoenforced additional security measures.

The killing of an Italian national and the ambush of a mine evaluation and trainingassociation team on the KabulKandahar road raised concern in the internationalcommunity. Suicide and car bomb threats, which materialized in the suicide car bomb

attack on a German International Security Assistance Forces convoy in Kabul, furtherincreased concern on the security situation.

High security risks continued to have a significant impact on the ability of the United Nationsto deliver essential assistance and services to the country. During the second quarter, thevolatile security situation severely affected WFP activities in areas facing serious foodinsecurity, such as the southern provinces.

United Nations missions to nine2 of the 32 provinces in the country were suspended forweeks, and intermittently in several other areas. Particularly in the central and southernregions, staff could only travel with armed escorts provided by the local Government.

This situation prevented WFP from conducting project assessments and monitoring missions.Furthermore, it became increasingly difficult for WFPs implementing partners to fulfilltheir commitments, and distribution of food to beneficiaries was often delayed or evenstopped in high-risk areas.

Approximately 1.3 million rural vulnerable people living in those high-risk areas were adverselyaffected by the curtailed activities of the United Nations agencies and NGOs. Nevertheless,every effort was made by WFP, with assistance from local authorities, to maintain assistanceto those in need of food.

2Nimroz, Hilmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Uruzgan, Farah, Ghor and Ghazni.

Security Review

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Through food for work (FFW), WFP supported amonthly average of 405,000 beneficiaries with13,822 MT of food

during the quarter. A total ofbetween April and

19,900 MT of food wereJune. To meet the

distributed to FoodAC and othernutritional

EMOP drought assistancerequirements of the

projects.beneficiaries,the food basket is

comprised of mixed The implementation of FFW

commodities, i.e. activities and related resources

wheat, pulses,utilization remained lower thanvegetable oil and planned, due to:

the transition from EMOP to PRRO,iodized salt. Within a community, separate

which required training and informationcommittees of women and men selected the assets

sessions for implementing partners;to be created, thus ensuring that women benefitthe volatile security situation in severalfrom the assets created.parts of the country;a shortage of labourers resultingfrom increased employment opportunitiesFrom April to June, WFP implemented 53and agricultural activities; andFFW projects. Monitoring of projects indicatedlimited progress in determining the

that food deliveries to the targeted beneficiary geographical location of FFW and cash forcommunities were often distributed on time, work work programmes.

norms were respected, and food recipients receivedtheir full entitlements.

Quarterly Report

Programme Management

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* underground irrigation channels

Description Unit Fayz Abad Mazari Sharif Kabul Kandahar Hirat Total

Other Outputs

Rural Road Construction

Agriculture Related Outputs

Outputs: April - June 2003

Food for Work

Eight food for asset creation (FoodAC) projectsapproved under EMOP 10155.0 were completed


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Desilting the Sherkhan Bandar River Port

The Sherkhan Bandar river port is located 64 km north of Kunduz city in northern Afghanistan. Once amajor border crossing and commercial route between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, the river port was closed

during the war and fell into disrepair. The situation deteriorated during three years of drought, and

the water level decreased to half a meter due to increased sediment.

WFP started a food for work project in April 2003 to remove silt from the riverbed, mobilizing 714 local

people, mainly kuchi nomadic pastoralists who received 62 MT of mixed food.

By the end of June, 90 percent of the silt was removed, with the water level reaching 15 meters. The port is

now open, contributing to the revitalization of local economic activities.


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Quarterly Report


Food for Education

The food for education (FFE) programme started in April 2002 in support of the Governments Back toSchool programme. Currently, the school feedingprogramme covers 388,610 children in 1,416 schools

throughout the country. During the second quarter of 2003, the schoolchildren, through distributions

by provincial Departments of Education and other implementing partners, received 3,563 MT of food,

including 1,464 MT of biscuits, 758 MT of oil and 1,341 MT of wheat.

Food for teachers, whereby WFP provides a monthly ration of oil as a salary supplement to teachers,

addresses low and irregular salary payments and aims to encourage teachers full attendance and to attract

qualified teachers currently working elsewhere. During the second quarter , WFP provided 66,775 teachers

with 546 MT of oil.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, and UNICEF, WFPs food for teacher

training supports teachers attendance in national training institutes. 333 trainees received 3 MT of

food.

To address high illiteracy rates and promote vocational training, food for trainingprovides food to women,

adolescent girls and ex-combatants as an incentive for participation in courses providing basic literacy, health

education and vocational skills. To date, 8,000 trainees per month on average received a total of 700 MT of

Infrastructure in over 70 percent of the schools had been damaged during more than 20 years of war,

leaving schools with a lack of classrooms and water and sanitation facilities. To ensure students and

teachers access to an adequate learning and working environment, WFP aims to assist in school

reconstruction. 74 schools are currently under construction or rehabilitation with support from WFP, UNICEF,

the United States Agency for International Development, International Organization for Migration, People

in Need Foundation, Central Afghanistan Welfare Center and Afghanistan Rehabilitation and Development

Center. A new project to construct 56 classrooms in seven provinces of Afghanistan has recently been approved.

Partnerships

WFP, UNICEF and WHO are in the process of defining collaboration modalities for a joint operation

under the proposed Alliance for Action on School Health and Nutrition under which deworming,

school reconstruction, and water and sanitation activities will be implemented in project schools. The

three agencies aim to avoid duplication, integrate interventions and strengthen the capacity of the

Ministry of Education.

In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and WHO, WFP is implementing

a countrywide deworming programme. WFP and WHO are developing an information package in

Dari, to start a countrywide sensitization campaign during the third quarter of 2003.

3Approximately US$40.

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food through this activity.

,

Afghanistan's HopeWFP has taken a burden off my shoulders, says Najeeba, a 31-year-old schoolteacher in Kabul. At theend of every month, when I think about all the food that I have to buy, the first thing that comes to mymind is oil.

Most Afghan teachers strive to survive with a monthly salary of 2,000 Afghanis . Aiming to helprevitalizing the education sector, WFP distributes ten litres of vegetable oil to teachers as a supplementto their monthly salary. The distribution, launched in April 2003, targets Afghanistans 100,000schoolteachers.

We need to be fed well to teach well, says Najeeba. Pointing at her students, she adds, Afghanistanshope is these kids. Most of us are teaching nearly 60 students per class for more than six hours a day,and that is a huge task to fulfill.

We appreciate the efforts of the humanitarian community. The gift of oil is a great help to us, theteachers, Najeeba concludes.

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School Feeding Baseline SurveyAn analysis of the school feeding baseline survey conducted from May to November 2002, was made available during the second

quarter of 2003. The survey was carried out among a random sample of 141 schools benefiting from school feeding. A summary

of major findings indicates the following:

The school feeding programme is highly appreciated by teachers and students. Separate focus groups of teachers and studentswere asked to make an assessment of the significance of school feeding in relieving students short-term hunger and boosting their

attention span and capacity to concentrate on lessons. 71 percent of both the teachers and students considered school feeding to be

very highly significant (highest rank on a five-point scale), while 24 percent of the students and 21 percent of the teachers answered

highly significant (second-highest rank).

School enrolment increased by 172 percent between 2001 and 2002. The enrolment increase for girls (345 percent) was fargreater than for boys (122 percent). The sharp increase in girls enrolment is primarily due to a dramatic change in the politicalenvironment that resulted in lifting the ban on female education. A large number of returnee families contributed to the surgein overall enrolment.

The gender ratio doubled in favour of girls between 2001 and 2002, from 0.29 to 0.58 girls per boy. In coeducational schools,the ratio reached 0.63 girls per boy.

Close to half (47 percent) of the school feeding beneficiaries in 2002 were first graders. This reflects the situation that manyschool-age children, especially girls, could not receive school education up until early 2002.

The baseline survey is a first step towards a thorough assessment of the impact of school feeding. A follow-up survey and data

analysis will be conducted in the third quarter.

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Refugees and

Internally Displaced Persons


Returnees

WFP food assistance played a major role in the successful

return and reintegration of IDP and refugee returnees,

particularly in the western provinces. 744,600 returnees

received 6,844 MT of food between April and June 2003.

From January to June 2003, 34,000 IDPs had returned from

Maslakh and Shaidayee camps in Hirat to their places of

origin, where they have had the opportunity to participate

in food for work and food for education programmes. In the

south, where WFP is assisting 150,000 IDPs in variouscamps, the conditions have been less conducive for return.

IDPs in camps

During the second quarter, 161,300 IDPs in camps were

assisted with 5,917 MT of food. In Maslakh camp in Hirat,

WFP reached, through implementing partners, 44,000 IDPs

with an interim package in April, pending the preparation of

FFW projects to be implemented in the camp. In June, WFP

distributed a final package of assistance for the remaining

19,600 IDPs in Maslakh camp. WFP enhanced the existing

returnee package, given the fact that those IDPs who still had

not returned were more vulnerable than those who had returnedearlier to plant and harvest their fields. The enhanced package

included oil and pulses as well as wheat.

UNHCR, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation and WFP

conducted a joint vulnerability and coping mechanism

assessment in Maslakh camp in June, to identify, among the

remaining IDPs, those still in need of assistance.The results

showed that 3,000 families are vulnerable. Plans are under

preparation to include this population in food for work and/or

cash for work activities in Maslakh camp.

WFP furthermore participated in an inter-agency IDP mission ledby the United Nations Office for the Coordination of

Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to assess the current IDP situation

in the country, to seek ways to strengthen the transition from

emergency to recovery activities, and to review the United

Nations institutional arrangements to address the needs of IDPs.4

The mission concluded that care of IDPs must gradually give

way to sustainable solutions, and that insecurity is still a major

obstacle to return for a significant number of IDPs.

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4The mission split into two teams, with one team traveling to MazariSharif and Maymana (north), and the other to Kandahar (south) and Hirat (west).


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The Ogata Initiative: Update

During the second quarter, 158,835 beneficiaries received 5,421 MT of food through FFW and relief

food distributions implemented under the Japan-funded Ogata Initiative.

WFP Area/

Sub-Office

Allocation as

percentage of

total donation

Food distributed

to date (MT)

Distribution as

percentage of

the allocation

Beneficiaries

assisted to date

Jalal Abad wheat 11,600 34% 2,399 21% 33,192

Mazari

Sharifwheat 4,880 14% 1,145 23% 66,534

Kunduz wheat 5,400 16% 0 0% 0

oil 148 106 72%

sugar 95 35 37%

Kandahar pulses 305 36% 142 46% 59,109

WSB 0 354 0%wheat 11,900 1,240 10%

Total 34,328 100% 5,421 16% 158,835

Food allocation

(MT)

Urban Vulnerable

3,276 MT of wheat flour were used to provide a daily

ration of bread, baked by 78 WFP supported bakeries,

to 172,000 urban vulnerable people in three major

cities: Kabul, Kandahar and Mazari Sharif.

The urban bakery programme addresses the needs of

the most vulnerable households without breadwinners,

usually headed by widows, the disabled or the aged.

In Kabul, all 29 women bakeries operate on a full cost-

recovery basis. Approximately 10,700 vulnerable

families receive subsidized bread on a daily basis.

Womens committees manage the revenues generated

from the sale of the bread.

The 14 bakeries in Kandahar reach 6,300 families and

are also managed by womens committees, though

still supported by WFP implementing partners.

In Mazari Sharif, 35 bakeries provide subsidized bread

to nearly 9,000 households. Revenues from the sale of

the bread are used for income generating activities

targeting the same urban vulnerable beneficiaries.

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Quarterly Report


Nearly 41,000 beneficiaries received 897 MT of

food through supplementary feeding activities

during the second quarter of the year.

Following the signing of an agreement between

WFP and UNICEF in March that outlines the

roles and responsibilities in utilizing resources

effectively and efficiently in health and nutrition

related activities, several meetings were held with

UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and concernedNGOs to discuss and agree upon operational

issues in relation to supplementary feeding

projects. As of April, WFP is responsible for the

provision of food to targeted supplementary

feeding projects, provided that those projects

have been technically reviewed and endorsed by

UNICEF and the Ministry of Health.

A phase out strategy of emergency supplementary

feeding projects is being developed by the

Ministry of Health in cooperation with UNICEF

and WFP. The results of an evaluation of existingsupplementary feeding projects, conducted by

the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, will contribute

to the finalization of the strategy.

In support ofUNICEF donated 970 MT of fortified

blended food, 169 MT of vegetable oil and

US$49,000 to cover part of the operational

expenses of supplementary feeding projects.

WFP's health and nutrition relatedactivities,

46,148 beneficiaries, including tuberculosispatients and their family members, received 345

MT of food through institutional feeding

projects between April and June. WFP supports

orphans, in-patients, hospital staff on night

duty, and caregivers of malnourished childrenadmitted to therapeutic feeding centers set up

by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF in

provincial hospitals.

Bringing Iodine to Afghan Tables

Supplementary Feeding

Institutional Feeding

Supplementary and

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Supplementary andInstitutional Feeding

There is more to the story of Ayndae Durkhshanthan the tale of economic success in a countrystruggling on the road to recovery. Mir AqaSharif, the manager of this new salt factory inKabul, has a mission. He strives to bring essentialenrichment to the food on many Afghan tablesthrough iodized salt.

When meals are served without it, syndromesrelated to iodine deficiency, such as goitre,mental retardation and stillbirths, occur. InAfghanistan they are widespread.

WFP, committed to improving the nutritionalstatus of the Afghan people, decided to includeiodized salt in its food basket for Afghanistan.Also committed to supporting the recovery of thecountrys economy, it approached AyndaeDurkshan and on 25 June 2003, purchased 1,200MT of iodized salt. This was made possible

thanks to a cash donation from Denmark.

The purchase means a boost to the business thatbegan at the outskirts of Kabul in March 2003,with machinery donated by UNICEF. Now,

Mir Aqa Sharif says, with 30 workers, wecan produce up to 30 MT of iodized saltevery day.

Five to 30 grams of iodized salt will be

added to the rations handed out to thevulnerable in hospitals, institutions andthose in remote areas. And, from now on,the nan produced by women bakeries, willcontain iodized salt - made in Afghanistan.

In accordance with the agreement signed by WFP

and WHO in March, food is distributed in

conjunction with the treatment of tuberculosis

patients. The purpose is to ensure access of

patients to treatment, to provide adequate

nutrition, and to encourage the completion of thetreatment.


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EmergencyEmergencyAssistance:Assistance: WFPWFP277277 ofofistributeddistributed MTMT foodfoodtoto 41,56041,560 beneficiariesbeneficiariesaffectedaffected byby naturalnaturaldisasters,disasters, suchsuch asasfloodsfloods andand landslides.landslides.


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Quarterly Report

Planned vs. Actual Monitoring Visits


Area Office Planned Visits Actual Visits Percentage (%)

Fayz Abad 52 41 79

Mazari Sharif 38 34 89

Kabul 297 170 57

Kandahar 84 50 60

Hirat 146 186 127Total 617 481 78

Monitoring and Evaluation

During the second quarter, a number of

monitoring and evaluation (M&E) trainings were

conducted in area offices to familiarize food aid

monitors with monitoring checklists,

methodologies, data collection and analysis.

Out of 617 planned monitoring visits, 481

visits (78 percent) were conducted. The main

reason for the low coverage was the tense

security situation, limiting the movement ofWFP staff in rural areas.

From April to June, WFP delivered 56,152 MT of

food through 152 projects implemented by 94implementing partners (IPs), including 66 national

NGOs, 22 international NGOs, three United

Nations agencies and three specialized

Government departments.

WFP monitored the distribution of 29,191 MT on

the spot or 52 percent of the total distributed

tonnage. Field staff spent 604 working days in

the field, monitoring projects in 102 districts in 31

provinces. 13,163 food recipients and 94 IPs were

interviewed through beneficiary contact

monitoring.

Vulnerability Analysis andMapping

A new methodology was developed for a country-

wide assessment to determine vulnerabilities and

food security of ruralpopulations across the

country. The National Riskand Vulnerability

Assessment (NRVA) will be launched in July2003. WFP will provide technical and financial

from female populations throughout the countryfor the first time in Afghanistan, through 12 women

VAM monitors recruited with a grant from the

Department for International Development (United

Kingdom). This will allow a better understanding

of the needs and vulnerabilities of women, not

only through the 2003 NRVA, but also through

other VAM activities.

In addition to the food security assessment, the

NRVA will include comprehensive studies to be

undertaken by the Government and the international

community, particularly on intervention strategies,

poverty levels, dietary diversity, agriculture and

changes of vulnerability in the country since 2002.

The assessment will alsobe directly linked to and

supportive of the National Surveillance System, and

will provide an interface for continuous updates.

The Ministries of Rural Rehabilitation and

Development, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry,Health and Womens Affairs will carry out the

NRVA, with assistance from WFP, FAO, UNICEF,

16

coordination.

In the NRVA, the levels of information collection

will not only cover shuras, but also districts,different wealth groups within communities and

individual households. Of particular note, theassessment will be able to capture information

The new methodology, developed with major

stakeholders i.e. representatives of the

Government and the international community

includes indicators on risks and vulnerabilities,

as well as data collection from different strata ofthe community, including women.


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Apri l-June 2003Apri l - June 2003

the World Bank, Tufts University and NGO partners

of the National Surveillance System.

The assessment results will be released to the

stakeholders as a database, to allow for continuous

updating and refinement of the data through

ongoing monitoring and assessments. The data will

be used to determine the vulnerabilities and levels

of food security throughout the country in the

coming year.

By the end of the quarter, the joint FAO and WFP

Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission had

completed its fieldwork. Preliminary findings

indicate the prospect of a very good harvest, due

to good and sustained rainfall over most of the

country, and a general recovery of the farmingsector. The livestock sector is still recovering

from the impact of drought.

For the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture and

Animal Husbandry, with assistance from FAO,

collected and made a primary analysis of crop

performance data, including a nationwide sample

survey undertaken last winter and an ongoing

pre-harvest field assessment of crops and yields.

Upon review and verification of the data, the

mission will analyze the implications of the

expected harvest on overall food supply and

humanitarian interventions for 2003-2004,

including the impact on market prices and

peoples access to food.

17

2003-2004 FAO/WFP Cropand Food Supply

Assessment Mission


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Quarterly Report

Badakhshan Province: Inauguration of a Bridge and a School

National Days of Unity

The Government celebrated National Days of Unity for a week starting from 20 May, with assistance

from United Nations agencies. The occasion served as an opportunity to highlight the success of the

national polio-eradication campaign as well as other aspects of progress achieved since the establish-ment of the Afghan Interim Administration and the Transitional Government in particular.

Ceremonies and events took place in different provinces, including those organized by WFP in

Badakshan, Parwan and Kandahar provinces.

Qala-I-Kohna Bridge

Through a WFP and Afghan Aid sponsored food for

work project, 659 workers constructed the Qala-I-Kohna Bridge connecting Badakhshan and Takhar

provinces, and received 66 MT of wheat.

With the construction of the bridge, the traveling

distance between the two provinces was reduced by

10 km.

Kandahar Province: Furthering Unity and Development

The Minister of Higher Education opened the

National Day of Unity ceremony in Kandahar bydelivering President Karzais message of unityand development to the local as well as theinternational community.

A series of events took place during the

ceremony, starting with the vaccination of a

child by the Deputy Governor of Kandahar

province. The Department of Health, the

Islamic Aid and Health Centre and WFP signed

a Letter of Agreement on launching second-

phase activities to complete the construction of

a 50-bed hospital in Kandahar city, through food

At a womens vocational training center

supported by WFP, an exhibition took place of

traditional and childrens clothes produced by

Mirmohamad Hashim BoysHigh School

Through a WFP supported food for work project,

implemented by the Building Association forNation Afghan, 320 workers constructed the

Mirmohamad Hashim Boys High School, and

received 16 MT of food.

With the opening of the school, 985 children and

33 teachers are now able to go back to school.

the trainees who, upon completion of a six-month

training course, take home sewing machines and are

able to start home-based small businesses.

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for work.


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Parwan Province: Reopening of Hora Jallali SchoolThrough a WFP supported food for work project, implemented by the Amitie Franco-Afghane, 1,650 workers built aschool for girls at Hora Jallali School in Charikar. The original school building had been completely destroyed by bombsduring the war.

With the reopening of the school, 300 girls, from grades 7 to 12, can now go back to school. Also constructed were abuilding to run a French teacher-training programme and another one for school guards.

Students celebrating the reopening of their school received gifts provided by Japanese students, through the UnitedNations Center for Human Settlements (Habitat).


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Quarterly Report

Resources and Pipeline

Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO)

10233.0, approved by WFPs Executive Board on

6 February 2003, with a total food requirement of

618,989 MT valued at US$337.5 million, became

operational on 1 April 2003 for a period of two

years.

To date, the PRRO is resourced at 14percent or

US$47.5 million, through contributions from

Canada, Denmark, Japan, the United Kingdom,

the United States of America, UNICEF and the

Benetton Group.

PRRO contributions and EMOP carry-over stocks

are sufficient to cover food needs through 2003.

Actual food requirements for October 2003 to

June 2004, the agricultural crop year, will be

reviewed based on the results of the National

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and the FAO/

WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment.

20


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21

PRRO Planned vs. Actual - Food and Beneficiaries

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

Apr-0

3

May-

03

Jun-0

3

Jul-0

3

Aug-03

Sep-03

(MT)

Planned dispatch (MT)

Planned beneficiaries (x 100)

Actual dispatch (MT)

Actual beneficiaries (x 100)

Contributions during the Second Quarter of 2003

Donor Contribution (US$) Remarks

169 MT of vegetable oil, 970 MT of blended food and support

costs for supplementary feeding projects

PRRO 10233.0

UNICEF 541,364

USA 18,958,100 9,100 MT of blended food and 10,000 MT of vegetable oil

Japan (Private) School reconstruction / rehabilitation

Installation of water filters in schools


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Quarterly Report

Logistics Management

WFP utilizes a combination of rail, barge and road

deliveries via six major supply corridors through

five neighboring countries to bring food intoland-locked Afghanistan. From the external

logistics hubs in Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan,

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, food is dispatched

directly across the border into Afghanistan.

As part of ongoing measures to reduce costs and

delivery time, WFP closed its logistics bases in

Osh (Kyrgyzstan) at the end of March and

Ishkashim (Tajikistan) at the end of June, as

goods can now arrive more cost-effectivelythrough the Nizhny PianjSherkhan Bandar and

shortlist of transporters, considerable reductions

of transport prices were achieved;

signed a new umbrella agreement in Hirat,

valid from 1 June until the end of the year, which

sets ceilings for transport prices; and

met with the Ministry of Transport in

to exchange information about WFPs

transport contracting mechanisms and to ensure

timely and unhindered food transportation to

beneficiaries.

Since the start of the PRRO in April 2003, 37,029

MT of food arrived at ports in Pakistan, Iran and

Georgia, and 52,204 MT were procured regionally.

45,605 MT of food have been dispatched into the

country, including:

11,806 MT from Quetta;

29,470 MT from Peshawar;2,200 MT from Turkmenabad;

1,061 MT from Termez; and

1,068 MT from Kurgan Tyube.

to organize the final transport and distribution

offood aid to target communities, and provided

guidance and training on basic logistics opera-tions (e.g. warehouse management, handling and

transport contracting);

secured additional storage capacity in

Fayz Abad and Kunduz, to accommodate food

commodities temporarily stored at the external

hubs;

agreed on new transport rates throughout

Afghanistan for the summer period. Due to

better road conditions from May to November, as

well as increased competition after expanding the

22

KarachiPeshawar corridors. The Afghan

implementing partners throughout the country

Uzbek border at Termez as well as the Friendship

Bridge remain important border crossing points

to enable efficient deliveries to Mazari Sharif and

the surrounding northern areas.

During the second quarter of 2003, WFP:

maintained close dialogue with the

Ministry of Transport and its Directorates in

various regions, as well as with other

humanitarian organizations, to harmonize

transport tariffs for humanitarian aid throughout

continued to operate its own truck fleet to

assist in keeping transport rates stable and to

ensure sufficient transport capacity;

launched a project in Kabul to construct

a new warehouse complex with 15,000 MTstoragy capacity, a truck park and a workshop;

worked with an extensive network of

the country;

Kabul,


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Human Resources & Finance

Human Resources Management

During the second quarter, the number of staffin Afghanistan was stabilized at 964, with 47 regular

international staff, 26 consultants, 14 United Nations

Volunteers and 877 national staff.

Finance Management

Since the beginning of the second quarter, the

financial and procurement management module of

WINGS became operational in the country office in

Kabul. With this development, financial management

has gradually begun to shift from the liaison office in

Islamabad to Kabul.

A finance and administration workshop took place in

June, to enhance the capacity of staff in area offices

and logistics hubs in the use of WINGS, and to

improve financial reporting and budgetary control of

expenditures.

24

Major activities implemented included the following:

To provide better service conditions to

national staff, an exercise was carried out to

convert special service agreements into service

contracts.

The human resources management module

of the WFP Information Network and Global System

(WINGS) became operational, contributing to

enhanced work efficiency and productivity. WINGS is

an integrated system that allows information in

diverse functional areas to be made available for

management and reporting purposes.

qualified


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Apri l - June 2003

Information and CommunicationsTechnology Management

Information and communications technology

(ICT) management focused its efforts on

strengthening the capacity of staff in utilizing

WINGS. Seven WINGS training sessions took

place, and a WINGS Helpdesk was set up to

provide support to WINGS users.

Other major achievements included:

training staff on the advanced use of

Lotus Notes;

upgrading anti-virus computer software;

assisting in the relocation of the Mazari

Sharif Area Office, by dismantling and

reinstalling ICT and electrical facilities; and

installing new generators in Fayz Abad,

Jalal Abad and Bamyan offices.

25


30/362002

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) continued to provide safe air transport services to humanitarian personnel

of United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, representatives of donor countries and essential government

The passenger aircraft fleet remained comprised of one Fokker 28 twin-jet and three Beechcraft 1900 twin-propellers, operating

eight in-country locations and to Islamabad in Pakistan, Dubai in United Arab Emirates and Dushanbe in Tajikistan.

UNHAS carried 13,850 passengers during the quarter, representing a 20 percent increase compared to the previous quarter.

Passengers included the staff of NGOs (43 percent), the United Nations (39 percent), donors and the diplomatic community (17

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

26

to

United Nations Humanitarian

Sep

counterpart staff.

percent), and the media (one percent).

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

No.ofPassengers


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In addition, UNHAS transported 310 MT of cargo, including demining dogs and 17,600 kg of UNICEF vaccines.

The cargo capacity of UNHAS was enhanced, following an agreement with the Government of Belgium on the use of a Herculesaircraft. Several loads have since been transported from Europe into the country, including 22 MT of anti-locust pesticides for

and a seven MT printing press for UNESCO.

The general condition of gravel runways in Bamyan and Maymana was improved, and in Bamyan, the building of a new parking

place and taxiway has begun.

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Air Services (UNHAS)

27

Total Passengers per Month

FAO

2003


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We extend our appreciation to WFP Afghanistan staff and friends who submitted their photosto the Quarterly Report.

Alejandro Chicheri: pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-7, 11, 12, 17, 19, 24, 25 and inside the back coverAmir Ismail: pages 20-21 and 23Dost Mohammad: page 18 (Badakhshan Province)Ebadullah Ebadi: page 10Luke Powell: table of contents-preface and page 13Maarten Roest: page 14Manoocher Deghati: inside the front cover and pages 8, 15 and 22Steffenie Fries: front cover and pages 26-27

WFP Fayz Abad Area Office: page 9WFP Kandahar Area Office: page 18 (Kandahar Province)

Photo Credits:


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WFP Country Office Afghanistan103 Peace Street, Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +873 763 044 995, +93 (0) 70282817-26 Fax: +873 763 044 996

E-Mail: [email protected]

http://www wfp org/afghanistan Tel:051-2270432

wfp afghanistan quarterly report april - june 2003

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