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WFP starts second airlift in northern Katanga

    NAIROBI

    The World Food Programme started its second airlift into the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Katanga province on 3 October, delivering 20 mt of food from Kalemie to Manono, the UN agency reported on Friday.

    In addition to airlifting a total of some 500 mt of food to partner NGO Nueva Frontiera's nutritional centres in the region, WFP plans to deliver seeds and tools provided by the FAO and various NGOs. The three-week operation will cost US $378,000, of which WFP has advanced $250,000 to enable a rapid start in deliveries. From June to July, WFP airlifted 400 mt of emergency food aid which, it said, contributed "to a significant decrease" in the number of malnourished people attending nutritional centres in northern Katanga.

    WFP reported that security on roads northern Katanga province has recently improved, and that civilians are traveling from Kongolo to Kabalo and Nyunzu and across the frontlines. However, the presence of armed groups is still reported, and humanitarian activities in Maniema province have been suspended following intense fighting in Kindu since 29 September, with the district of Basoko being the worst affected. WFP said it is prepared to evacuate aid workers in Kindu, if necessary. WFP and other humanitarian agencies are planning an assessment mission in the region as soon as authorities consent to the landing of a humanitarian aircraft at the airport of Kindu - reportedly under the control of Congolese Mayi-Mayi militias.

    Meanwhile, WFP, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and FAO carried out an assessment mission in Tundwa, northern Katanga province, where a high number of internally displaced people (IDPs) had been reported following insecurity in areas between Tundwa and Kioko. WFP reported that 1,050 IDPs have already received emergency food rations, and that it intends to distribute 1,000 mt of food to 4,000 farmers to increase the cultivated land in northern Katanga province. FAO will provide tools and seeds.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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