U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
MANO RIVER COUNTRIES (GUINEA/LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE) - Complex Emergency
Situation Report #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2003    October 9, 2002


Note: The last situation report was dated June 12, 2002.

BACKGROUND

Since 1990, sustained conflict in the Mano River basin has spread across
borders and engulfed the region in a severe humanitarian crisis. Civil
wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the early 1990's led to the exodus of
more than one million refugees to Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea over the course
of the decade. In addition to refugees, sporadic fighting internally
displaced an estimated one to two million people throughout the region.
Although Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone formed the Mano River Union
economic pact in 1973, the conflicts of the past decade severely strained
political and economic relations between the three states. A struggle for
control of diamond fields in Sierra Leone has been at the heart of the
crisis in recent years. Several failed peace accords and peacekeeping
efforts, collapsed economies, and some of the worst human rights
atrocities in recent history made this one of the world's most severe
humanitarian crises.  Although 2001 brought improved security in Guinea
and Sierra Leone, an upsurge in fighting in Liberia continues to threaten
the stability of the region. Since 1990, the United States Government
(USG) has provided more than $970 million in emergency assistance to those
affected by war in the Mano River Countries.


NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

          Guinea              Liberia      Sierra Leone   TOTAL
IDPs      100,000-300,000(1)  126,427(2)   12,000(3)      232,000-432,000
Refugees  173,0004             66,000(4)   30,000(4)      269,000

1 UN OCHA (5/02)
2 UN OCHA (9/02)
3 U.N. DPKO (7/02)
4 State/PRM (9/02)

Total FY 2002 USAID/OFDA Assistance to the Mano River Countries*
$12,086,839

Total FY 2002 USG Humanitarian Assistance to the Mano River Countries**
$71,040,653



CURRENT SITUATION - REGION

Political

On September 11, 2002, security ministers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra
Leone pledged to renew peace-building efforts in the region during a
two-day meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The ministers agreed to conduct
a border tour comprised of high-level officials from each of the countries
in December 2002. The meeting continued an initiative launched in Morocco
in February, during which the Presidents of the three countries agreed to
increase security along the common borders, support refugee repatriation,
continue assistance for displaced persons, and reactivate economic
development through the Mano River Union.


Sexual Exploitation Report

The Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in
Humanitarian Crises, co-chaired by the U.N.  Children's Fund (UNICEF) and
the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA),
developed an action plan for combating sexual exploitation and abuse in
humanitarian crisis in July 2002.  In August, Save the Children Alliance
and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with
support from UNICEF, launched a regional training initiative for
humanitarian workers in Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia entitled
"Action for the Rights of Children" (ARC). In addition to addressing
sexual exploitation and abuse, the program will cover unaccompanied
children, child soldiers, disability, landmine awareness, female
education, and child and adolescent preventive health.



CURRENT SITUATION - GUINEA

Security

The security situation has been stable throughout most of Guinea since
late 2001. However, as a result of recent fighting in Liberia, more than
13,000 new refugees have entered Guinea since May 2002. The new arrivals,
mostly women, children, and the elderly, report continued problems with
Liberian security restrictions when attempting to cross into Guinea.


IDPs

Results of the Government of Guinea (GOG) census of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) have yet to be published, and estimates of the number of
IDPs in Guinea range from 100,000 to 300,000.


Refugees

On August 17, UNHCR launched a major beneficiary registration in three
refugee camps in southeastern Guinea. The registration will allow
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting the camps to update
statistics on the characteristics and size of the current refugee
population.  On August 31, UNICEF reported that the number of registered
refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone totaled 94,402. However, thousands
of additional unregistered refugees have established unauthorized
settlements or are residing with host families. According to a September
27 World Food Program (WFP)  report, all humanitarian activity in the
Koyama sub- prefecture, near the Liberian border, has been suspended
following armed confrontation between the Guinean army and unidentified
armed assailants, presumed to be from Liberia.



CURRENT SITUATION - LIBERIA

Political / Security

Violent conflict has continued between the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)
and the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) in
northern Liberia, mostly in Lofa County. The overall situation continued
to deteriorate in 2002 as sporadic fighting and insecurity hindered the
efforts of relief agencies to reach vulnerable populations. On June 20,
LURD forces abducted five Liberian nurses. The nurses were released to
UNHCR on September 2, following weeks of negotiations. On August 21,
Government of Liberia (GOL) troops arrested and detained a MERCI employee
near the border with Sierra Leone. The relief worker was released on
August 30.

President Charles Taylor launched a national peace and reconciliation
conference in Monrovia on August 24, without major opposition leaders in
attendance. On September 14, President Taylor lifted the government-
imposed ban on political rallies and public gatherings, and on September
18, the GOL began removing soldiers from the streets of Monrovia after
lifting the state of emergency imposed in February 2002.


IDPs

According to UN OCHA, the number of IDPs in Liberia increased from 45,000
in January 2002 to 126,427 in August, although estimates from other
sources range from 90,000 to 200,000. In September, the World Food WFP
resumed 100 percent distribution of emergency food assistance rations to
IDPs, as well as Sierra Leonean refugees. The rations were reduced by 50
percent in July as a result of the delayed arrival of cereal commodities.


Refugees

According to U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR)  estimates, the security
of 30,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia is threatened by the conflict
in Liberia. USCR issued an appeal for the rapid repatriation of the
refugees to Sierra Leone. As of August 2002, however, less than 5,000
Sierra Leonean refugees had registered for repatriation. The refugees
cited the absence of civil authority and the lack of schools, healthcare,
and job opportunities in Sierra Leone as reasons for remaining in Liberia.


Health

In early September, the Liberian Ministry of Health reported a major
outbreak of cholera in Monrovia and surrounding areas. By September 1, the
World Health Organization (WHO) had received reports of 661 cases of
cholera in Montserrado County. According to UN OHCA, cases of cholera are
increasing in Liberia as a result of inadequate water supplies and poor
sanitary conditions throughout the country, as well as in IDP camps.
Nearly 70 percent of the total population lacks access to potable water
and proper sanitation. The main water treatment plant in Monrovia, damaged
in early fighting, has yet to be repaired.

In June 2002, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through USAID/Liberia to repair
the Phebe hospital, which was damaged during a May 7 attack on the city of
Gbanga by LURD forces.



CURRENT SITUATION - SIERRA LEONE

Political / Security

The security situation in Sierra Leone, which has steadily improved since
August 2000, was bolstered by the May 2002 re-election of President Ahmad
Tejan Kabbah.  However, areas near the Liberian border remain unstable as
a result of continued border incursions by both the Armed Forces of
Liberia (AFL) and LURD. According to UN OCHA, the humanitarian community
operating in Sierra Leone has developed an alert system to inform agencies
of security incidents near the border. On July 16, 2002, LURD militia
abducted 20 people from the villages of Sanga, Kolu, and Manduvuluhun. The
villagers were still reported missing at the end of August and are
presumed to be in Liberia.

On September 5, 2002, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended a
six-month extension for the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone
(UNAMSIL) and the gradual downsizing of the mission from the current level
of 17,000 peacekeeping troops to 5,000 by 2004. The U.N.  Security Council
approved the renewal of UNAMSIL's mandate on September 18. President
Kabbah requested the extension in August 2002, citing the threat posed to
Sierra Leone's fragile peace by renewed insecurity in Liberia.


DDR Process

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) campaign in
Sierra Leone officially ended on January 7, 2002. According to the
National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
(NCDDR), approximately 21,000 of the 54,000 ex-combatants are
participating in reintegration programs; 10,509 former soldiers have
completed the program.


IDPs and Resettlement

According to the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO),
less than 12,000 IDPs remained in Sierra Leone as of July 2002.* The
remaining IDPs are mainly in the Tonkolili District. UNHCR completed the
resettlement of registered Sierra Leonean IDPs from camps in the Pujehun
District in August 2002 leaving the camps occupied almost exclusively by
Liberian refugees. The Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) expects
resettlement efforts to be completed by October 2002.


Refugee Returnees

The number of refugees returning to Sierra Leone from Liberia continues to
decline. As of September 2002, UNHCR reports indicated that approximately
30,000 Sierra Leoneans remained in Liberia. According to UN OCHA, the
refugees are awaiting more favorable social and economic conditions to
develop in Sierra Leone before returning. In September, repatriation
vessels, with capacities of 300, transported between 50 and 100 returnees
per trip. On September 10, UNHCR announced the temporary suspension of
repatriation efforts until refugee demand increases. According to UNHCR,
of the 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Nigeria, only 270 have registered
for repatriation. UNHCR resumed overland repatriation of refugees from
Guinea following a 42-day suspension resulting from logistical problems.
As of August 2002, 42,000 Sierra Leonean refugees remained in Guinea.




U.S. GOVERNMENT HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO THE MANO RIVER COUNTRIES

Agency
Implementing Partner
Sector
Regions
Amount


Guinea - FY 2002
USAID        $3,595,300
USAID/OFDA     $375,000

WFP
Air Support and Vulnerability Assessment Mapping
Countrywide
$375,000



USAID/FFP 	$3,220,300

WFP
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 5,150 MT
$3,220,300


STATE/PRM*	$13,211,908

AAH/USA
Health, Nutrition, Water/Sanitation, Food Security
$815,000

ARC
Micro-credit
$478,460

ARC
Health and the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
$1,974,502

ARC
Refugee Support
$390,555

Center for Victims of Torture
Refugee and Mental Health
$798,987

IFRC
Refugee Support
$650,000

IFRC
HIV/AIDS
$38,000

IRC
Education, Reproductive Health, SGBV Response
$1,587,777

SCF/US
Reintegration of Ex-Combatants / At-Risk Children
$858,627

UNHCR
Refugee Support
$4,700,000

UNHCR
Refugee Children
$700,000

UN OCHA
Field Coordination
$200,000

U.S. Embassy in Guinea
Refugee Small Project Fund
$20,000

TOTAL USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO GUINEA IN FY 2002 	$16,807,208


Liberia - FY 2002
USAID        $3,101,800
USAID/OFDA     $275,000


UN OCHA
Coordination and Information
$250,000

USAID/Liberia
Health
$25,000


USAID/FFP   $2,826,800

WFP
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 5,480 MT
$2,826,800


STATE/PRM*   $3,158,986

ACF
Health, Nutrition
$193,500

ICFC
Refugee Support
$460,000

ICRC
Emergency Appeal
$1,000,000

IRC
SGBV Response
$275,486

UNHCR
Refugee Support
$1,230,000


TOTAL USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO LIBERIA IN FY 2002
$6,260,786



Sierra Leone - FY 2002

USAID        $35,639,639
USAID/OFDA   $11,436,839

AAH/USA
Nutrition, Water/Sanitation
Western Area and Northern Province
$1,151,678

Africare
Agriculture, Health
Tonkolili, Kailahun
$799,999

CARE
Rural Resettlement
$2,118,389

CRS
Agriculture, Health, Shelter
Northern, Eastern, Southern Provinces
$1,184,579

CRS
Shelter and PHU Rehabilitation
$314,022

FAO
Agriculture
Country-wide
$200,000

IMC
Health
Port Loko, Kambia District
$390,912

IRC
Health
Kono District
$899,956

MERLIN
Health, Water/Sanitation
Freetown, Tonkolili, and Kenema Districts
$412,172

MERLIN
Health, Water/Sanitation
$765,000

UMCOR
Agriculture
$586,781

UN OCHA
Coordination, Information
Country-wide
$300,000

WV
Agriculture
Kono District and Southern Province
$995,173

WV
Health
Kono District
$700,878

WFP
Air Support
Country-wide
$500,000


Administrative Costs
$117,300



USAID/FFP   $24,202,800

CARE
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 6,530 MT
$4,517,700

CRS
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 12,900 MT
$7,896,900

WVI
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 9,060 MT
$6,292,100


WFP
P.L. 480 Title II Food Assistance - 8,850 MT
$5,496,100



STATE/PRM*   $12,333,020

ARC
Micro-credit
$1,036,648

Center for Victims of Torture
Refugee, Mental Health
$999,699

IFRC
Refugee Support
$460,000

IFRC
HIV/AIDS
$75,000

IMC
Health Service for Returnees
$1,322,651

IRC
School Rehabilitation / SGBV Response
$1,999,022

UNHCR
Refugee Support
$2,840,000

UNHCR
Refugee Children
$300,000

UNHCR
Emergency Repatriation Appeal
$2,100,000

UNICEF
Water/Sanitation, Health
$950,000

WHO
Health
$250,000

TOTAL USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO SIERRA LEONE IN FY 2002
$47,972,659


* These contributions are in addition to State/PRM's unearmarked
contribution to UNHCR for Africa, totaling $29.8 million in FY 2002.



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