The fund was set up in 1997 to provide NGOs and UN Agencies with a rapid response mechanism for short-term emergency needs of vulnerable communities. The review of food distribution registers by WFP's implementing partners and municipal authorities is still under way. The results are not yet available. Families in Lombe said the looting in February and March had jeopardised the agricultural campaign and the mortality rate was high due to a lack of food. ADRA's current food assistance programme caters for 2,000 families and the vulnerable group feeding programme is said to have partially relieved the situation.
Water is a major concern and only two out of six pumps are working.
There are insufficient wells to meet demand and many families are using water from small rivers or springs. Plans are under way for further demining activities on land for resettlement. Humanitarian demining organisations are considering resuming activities in areas outside the current security perimeter. The risk of mines on roads to peripheral areas still remains high. A truck was attacked on the Lombe-Calandula road on 24 November.