Nutrition Information in Crisis Siutations - Guinea-Bissau
RNIS 27, July 1999
The outbreak of fighting between Junta and Government forces
on May 6th altered the political and military landscape of
Guinea-Bissau. Malam Sanha has been sworn in as President replacing ousted
President Joao Vieira and all ECOMOG troops have now withdrawn from the country.
At least 100 civilian and military deaths due to the fighting were reported
(IRIN-WA - 08/06/99; OCHA -17/05/99) IDPs Large population displacements, due to fighting between
Government and Junta forces, have occurred in the country in the past twelve
months. Most of the residents who fled the capital last year have now returned
home (OCHA - 16/04/99). The coup has not resulted in an acute humanitarian
situation; there are no reports of large numbers of new IDPs or people fleeing
the country. Indeed, UNHCR has stated that the security condition is
sufficiently stable to proceed with the voluntary repatriation of refugees back
into the country. Several thousand refugees fled the country last year and UNHCR
is still assisting around 900 in Senegal, 720 in the Gambia, 600 in Cape Verde
and 1,800 in Guinea-Conakry (OCHA -15/06/99; UNHCR - 07/05/99). WFP is providing a general food distributions to approximately
220,000 people within Guinea-Bissau (this represents a decrease since the last
RNIS report). The agency is in the process of gradually shifting from general
ration distribution programmes to IDPs and other war-affected groups, to food
for work, and school and hospital feeding programmes. The food reserve/pipeline
situation is reported to be satisfactory for the next five months (OCHA
-15/06/99, WFP - 22/04/99). More generally, a recent FAO report found that cereal
production in Guinea Bissau is anticipated to be well below average due to the
civil strife which hampered agricultural activities. It is estimated that the
1998 harvest will be reduced by 31% compared to 1997 (WFP - 22/04/99). A nation-wide vaccination campaign against meningitis which
was conducted in response to an epidemic which began in January had successfully
covered more than one million persons, or 95% of the total population, by the
end of the May (OCHA - 31/05/99). Refugees in Guinea-Bissau Latest reports estimate that Guinea-Bissau is providing asylum
to 6,600 refugees. This figure includes 5,400 Senegalese dispersed in the
northern frontier areas and approximately 750 grouped at Jolmette camp, some
200km east of Bissau. Other refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone are in the
urban areas of Bissau. There is no new information on the nutritional situation
of these refugees (IRIN-WA -16/04/99). Overall, although the RNIS has not received the
results of any nutritional surveys amongst the IDPs in Guinea-Bissau it is
probable that their nutritional situation is probably improving and is not
considered to be critical (category IIc). Priorities and recommendations:
- Agricultural
inputs are required to enable the returnees to start farming again.
- Assistance is required to help
the refugees from Guinea-Bissau in neighbouring countries to
repatriate.
RNIS 26, March 1999
On June 7th 1998, a conflict erupted between
Government troops loyal to President Viera and part of the army supporting
General Mane. Fighting occurred in two main phases in early June and October. A
peace agreement was signed on November 1st and ECOMOG troops have
been deployed in the country since February 1999. However, sporadic fighting
continues (OCHA - 12/98, IRIN-WA - 12/02/99, 04/02/99, 03/02/99). At the time of
going to press, a transitional Unity Government had been appointed and a general
election is planned for the end of July (IRIN-WA - 19/03/99). The conflict has resulted in large population displacements,
particularly in and around the capital, Bissau. Many people who fled the city in
June returned to their homes only to have to flee a second time when further
fighting broke out (OCHA-12/98; IRIN-WA - 01/02/99, 20/11/98; WFP - 18/01/99,
09/10/98). Current estimates of IDPs place 170,000 in Bissau and 100,000 around
the city, mainly in Cumura, Safim and Cumere. Many are staying with friends or
relatives, however some are reported to be sheltering in poor conditions in
churches and other public facilities on the outskirts of Bissau (IRIN-WA -
05/02/99). A WFP report on the nutritional situation of the population of
Guinea Bissau in December found "no famine or starvation" (see Annex I(8 a)).
Indeed this report described low levels of malnutrition in Oio, Bafata and
Cacheu regions. The prevalences of wasting ranged from 7.5-5.2% (these rates
were based on nutritional screenings using MUAC less than 12.5cm). The agency
has been delivering food aid by air throughout the emergency, when security
conditions allowed (WFP -12/98). Latest reports suggest that life in Bissau is gradually
returning to normal,and following the successful harvest in December food is
available in the markets. However, many of the IDPs have no money to buy items
and hence their access to food is restricted (IRIN-WA - 23/02/99,
01/02/99). Sengalese Refugees There are approximately 5,400 Senegalese refugees living along
the border of Guinea Bissau. As a result of the conflict, which involved
Senegalese troops on Guinea-Bissau soil, this group urgently needs relocating
away from the border. Approximately 5,000 people fled from Guinea-Bissau during
the conflict into neighbouring countries. Most of them were accommodated with
host families, not in camps. It is hoped that the signing of the peace treaty
will result in rapid repatriation for these people (OCHA -12/98). Overall, the IDPs in Guinea-Bissau are not considered
to be at nutritional risk (category IIc). Recommendations and Priorities:
- The WFP
report recommended that food aid be carefully targeted to certain areas of the
country (WFP -12/98).
- WFP's current emergency
operation for the country is aimed at 350,000 IDPs until the end of March and a
further 211,200 vulnerable people until the end of August (WFP -
06/01/99).
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