Situation Update
WFP’s most critical concern at this stage is to secure enough funding to provide the level of support required to refugees, returnees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host populations in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. WFP has already leveraged its internal financial mechanisms and supply chain networks to ensure that food can be moved as quickly as possible once resources are confirmed. Through its revised Regional Emergency Operation 200777, WFP expects to reach nearly 400,000 people in 2015. In May, WFP will launch Special Operation 200834 to ensure humanitarian access to northeast Nigeria by providing air transport services. Apart from the limited funding, WFP is affected by the heavily congested port in Douala, Cameroon, and lengthy administrative procedures at this port. Insecurity and the resulting access difficulties along the border areas in the three countries also affect operations.
WFP Response
Cameroon
WFP initiated a first distribution to IDPs in November 2014. Since then, WFP had not been in a position to assist the growing IDP population or vulnerable host communities in Cameroon given the lack of resources. Finally, in mid-April, WFP was able to begin providing some support to IDPs, but this was limited to a 15-day reduced ration – and will not cover the full estimated IDP caseload. At current food supply pipeline levels, WFP anticipates that in May and June, it will only be able to cover refugees in Minawao camp – who represent 20 percent of the total monthly target in the Far North.
In March, WFP distributed food to some 31,000 refugees in the Minawao camp.
Chad
In March, WFP in Chad assisted some 9,000 per-sons: 5,500 IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities and 3,500 refugees. Approximately 10,000 beneficiaries are targeted for food assistance in April.
Results from the national market survey show that markets in the Lake area have been affected so severely that WFP will not implement a voucher programme as planned until after the lean season, when the market situation is expected to improve.
Due to limited funding, WFP is unable to scale-up its operations, particularly for the local populations, returnees and IDPs. To date, WFP is able to assist less than half of the planned beneficiaries who now depend on food assistance, following an early exhaustion of their food stocks. This bleak situation is further compounded by the fast approaching lean season, as well as the rains which will impede WFP’s access to many areas.
Niger
WFP in Niger has increased its assistance to affected populations and served 62,000 beneficiaries in March. Some 90,000 beneficiaries are targeted in April.
WFP currently complements the food basket of the ICRC to ensure that the displaced population (refugees, returnees and IDPs) and vulnerable host populations receive required food and nutritional commodities, thus avoiding duplication of efforts.
In the Diffa region, a critical shortage of nutrition products will affect pregnant and nursing women among displaced and local populations starting in May.
