WFP Logistics

After the 2007 floods which mainly hit Northern and Eastern Togo, the 2008 floods affected rural populations and infrastructures in the Southern country.

The major humanitarian impact of recent floods was on infrastructures. Floods have provoked the destruction of nine bridges along the main road which links the north and south of the country. This meant an important increase of transportation costs. As a result, the price of basic food staples has also increased dramatically in several locations across the country, including the capital. Furthermore, in August 2008, the government has increased the price of petrol from 505 XOF to 595 XOF worsening the social and economic situation of Togolese population. In December 2008 and March 2009, prices of petrol have reached their lowest level following the international trend (440 XOF).

In 2008, floods totally provoked six (6) deaths, three (3) missing persons, four (4) badly wounded persons and also important damages to infrastructures (roads, bridges, houses). A total of 20,000 people have also been displaced during this crisis.

As per infrastructures, the collapse of the Amakpapé brige has cut the Togo country in two, creating a transport bottleneck for the deliveries to the North Togo and neighbouring countries. Other bridges and railroad bridge collapsed causing the impracticability of main highways and creating other local bottlenecks. Lomé port had to slow down its activities from August to November.

A strong and fast response have been made by the UN Country Team, including WFP (leadership in emergency response providing food assistance and technical / logistics advice), UNICEF (NFIs, Water and Sanitation). These activities have been realized in coordination with the Minister of Security and Civil Protection. Moreover, some donors have provided important contribution to restore the axis Lomé - Burkina Faso's border (works on Amakpapé bridges funded by China) or to set up a detour (railroad bridge rehabilitated after IMF's approval and subsidies).

WFP Togo supplied one month ration for 20 000 victims, which is approximately 400MT of food items and also distributed kitchen sets for a 10,000 US$-value.
Partly to respond to the crisis, partly to prepare the next emergency, WFP Togo chartered from Accra to Lomé two (2) zodiacs to provide support to the humanitarian community in terms of assessment in isolated areas due to high level of water.

Distributions of foods were also made in Northern Togo to respond to food insecurity, as aftermaths of 2007 floods, high food prices and high transport costs after the destruction of infrastructures. A total of 2,200MT have been distributed to 65,000 people in November 2008.

These activities have been done through a good networking with local and national authorities. From June 2008 to December 2008, WFP Togo managed to increase significantly its warehousing capacity in the country, especially in Lomé, Kara and Dapaong. Most of warehouses have been granted - for free - by different ministers (focal point for different kind of structures which could be turned into warehouses) after important advocacy work during the crisis; hence, a warehousing capacity which has been extended up to 3,000 m2 of food in Lomé (against 400m2), 800m2 in Kara (against 150m2) and 3,500 m2 in Dapaong (against 800m2), without any additional costs.

As of today, WFP has a network of transporters and partners which closely works with the UN Coutry Team.

Finally, WFP provided supports to other UN agencies such as UNICEF, which is using part of Lomé and Dapong spaces for storing plumpynut and therapeutic milk.