OCHA Situation Report
Sierra Leone
May 2003
17 June 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

SECURITY HIGHLIGHTS

According to UNAMSIL, the security situation across the country, including
border areas, remained calm and stable during the reporting period.


UN Peacekeeping day celebrated

United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone joined their
counterparts the world all over to celebrate the International Day of the
UN Peacekeepers on 29 May.

The ceremony was held at the National Stadium attended by the Vice
President Hon. Solomon Berewa, the UN Resident Coordinator and Deputy SRSG
Mr. Alan Doss, the UN Force Commander, General Opande, and other
dignitaries. The day was celebrated to commemorate the activities of the
UN Peacekeepers in the world.

The Vice President, Mr. Doss and the UN Force Commander paid special
tributes to those peacekeepers that had lost their lives on Mission in
Sierra Leone. The occasion saw the parade of the forces and was climaxed
by the laying of wreaths by the above dignitaries.


UNAMSIL draw down on troops in Sierra Leone

The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone embarked on phase II of their
draw down plan in the country. The UNAMSIL force of 17,500 troops has
gradually drawn down to 13,000 troops. The troop level will remain static
until late August when the next phase of drawdown will commence. The
drawdown plan as authorised by the Security Council will end next year
December.

In addition to other strategic plans put in place, the SLP and the RSLAF
have been deployed to areas that UNAMSIL troops have left. Two force
reserve units are based in Lungi and Masiaka for emergency response should
there be a problem anywhere in the country that would require their urgent
intervention. The peacekeeping force will involve the SLP and RSLAF in an
emergency response exercise in Pujehun and Zimmi in Southern Sierra Leone.
Under exercise "Diamond Ring" the use of the helicopter gunship will
enhance the forces emergency response capacity should the need arise.


New inspector general of police approved

Parliament approved the nomination of Mr. Brima Acha Kamara as
Inspector-General of Police on Wednesday May 15th. Mr. Kamara succeeds the
British national, Keith Biddle, whose contract ends at the end of the
month.


UNAMSIL- strengthening UN peacekeeping capacity

The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) held a
three-day conference on the future of UN peacekeeping at the headquarters
of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone. The meeting the first of its kind
brought together the world body and the troop contributing countries
(TCCs).

In his opening remarks, the Special Representative of the Secretary
General (SRSG) in Sierra Leone, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji thanked the
contributing countries and strategic partners for their contributions,
which has brought peace to Sierra Leone. He highlighted the aims of the
conference to improve the operational readiness of the African infantry
battalions in the UNAMSIL, enhance the implementation of the UN Security
Council mandate in Sierra Leone, and identify steps to continue improving
cooperation between the UN's DPKO and troop-contributing countries in the
provision of logistics.


POLITICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sierra Leone opens oil bids

The Sierra Leone government's Oil Exploration Bid Evaluation Committee
opened its first bids on Friday 30 May at the State House in Freetown.
Bids were invited from companies interested in exploring for oil in the
country's coastal waters. The committee, headed by Vice President Solomon
Berewa, from now until mid-July will have to consider bids from three
companies: Repsol YPF of Spain, 8 Investment Inc. of the United States,
and Oranto Petroleum Sierra Leone Ltd. During the bid opening the Vice
President said he hoped the results of the exploration would be positive
to help the country get out of the woods financially and pledged that the
entire process would remain transparent and open.


ECOWAS to create a rapid response military force for the region

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security committee
has decided to create a rapid response military force to tackle conflicts
in the region. It also agreed to send more peacekeeping troops to
crisis-torn Cote d'Ivoire, according to IRIN news.

At a meeting in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, attended by the leaders of
Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal on 28 May, it was
resolved that the rapid deployment force would work through the activation
of "standby units within the armed forces of member states." The leaders
articulated a sub-regional policy towards maintaining peace and security
in West Africa. The framework of the policy includes strict compliance
with the ECOWAS moratorium on the manufacture, export and import of light
weapons and small arms to accord with UN and African Union provisions.
Additional troops to be sent to Cote d'Ivoire will meet the expanded
mandate of the ECOWAS mission in that country.

ECOWAS already has 1,200 peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire. Alongside 4,000
French soldiers, the peacekeepers are policing a fragile ceasefire since a
failed coup on 19 September pushed the country into civil war. The UN too
is preparing to send military observers there. The creation of a rapid
response force by ECOWAS aims to institutionalise structures for
maintaining peace and security in the region


Joint Regional Humanitarian Field Review

A Joint Regional Humanitarian Field Review composed of UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF,
UNDP, OCHA, IOM, MSF, Save the Children, Oxfam and donor representatives
from the US, UK, Sweden and ECHO will visit Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea
and Sierra Leone on 22 June to 2 July. The Field Review aims to broadly
define core humanitarian objectives by looking at, among other things,
parameters of humanitarian response and protection required in the
countries and their sub-regional linkages addressing, in particular, gaps
in funding, capacity, as well as cross-cutting issues such as threats to
civilian populations and humanitarian workers, access, advocacy and
cross-border operational issues.


The UN Security Council reschedules its trip to West Africa

The United Nations Security Council has rescheduled its mission to West
Africa for the 29th June - 5th July, tentatively. The mission will visit
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, seeking to explore
new opportunities for progress towards peace and stability in the sub
region. The tentative date of arrival in Sierra Leone is 3 July.


Cabinet held in Kenema

Sierra Leone's Government Cabinet met in Kenema 14 - 15 May as part of an
initiative to make rural people feel part of their government. During
their stay in Kenema, the cabinet had meetings with the paramount chiefs
and dignitaries of the Eastern Region. The ministers took the opportunity
to convey their achievements, future plans and constrains to the people
while the local dignitaries also communicated their pressing needs to the
government officials. It is hoped that the government officials having got
first hand information from the people will be equipped to make realistic
policies for the sustainable development of the region and nation at
large.

This is the first time that the cabinet met out of the capital city,
Freetown. Future cabinet meetings are planned for the other provincial
capitals on a quarterly basis, according to the President.


New Sierra Leonean ambassador to the USA

Ambassador Ibrahim M'baba Kamara officially took up his post as the
Ambassador to the United States on Thursday 15 may 2003. Kamara formerly
served as Sierra Leone's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
He succeeds former Ambassador John Leigh, who left the post last year.


UNHCR high Commissioner in Sierra Leone

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, made an
eight-day mission to five West Africa states 10 - 17 May. In Liberia,
Lubbers met with Sierra Leonean refugees on the outskirts of the Liberian
capital Monrovia during which he urged them to return home. The refugees
expressed their desire to return home but feared prosecution for war
crimes.

Lubbers arrived in Sierra Leone on 12 May for a three-day visit. He met
with President Kabbah in Kenema, during which he urged the President to
continue to support the return of Sierra Leonean refugees from
neighbouring countries. While in Kenema, he also met with Liberian refugee
women at the Tobanda Refugee Camp. Later, in Koidu, he visited the
Alladura Primary School for returned refugee children from Guinea, and a
settlement of amputees.

The High Commissioner called post-war Sierra Leone "an island of
stability" in the midst of a still chaotic region, as he spoke to
reporters in Freetown at the end of his three-day visit to the country. He
noted considerable improvement in Sierra Leone compared to when he last
visited the country over two years ago. In his press conference on Friday
14 May, Lubbers said he was concerned about the substantial number of
refugees coming in from Liberia. There are currently some 70,000 Liberian
refugees in Sierra Leone, and the High Commissioner said it was important
to see that the number did not rise.


Sierra Leone Special Court

Special Court indicts more

The special court for Sierra Leone on Thursday 28 May indicted Brima
"Bazzy" Kamara a former senior commander of both the Armed Forces
Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the West Side Boys making him the ninth
person to be indicted by the court.

According to the Court, Kamara was taken into custody two days earlier and
has been indicted for bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes,
crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international
humanitarian law. He will make his initial appearance before the Court
first week in June.

Two affiliates of the CDF, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa, have also
been provisionally detained under a court rule that allows suspects to be
held for up to 30 days before being formally charged.

Those previously indicted by the Court are: Foday Sankoh, Issa Sessay, the
late Sam Bockarie, Morris Kallon, Augustine Gbao, Johnny Paul Koroma, Alex
Tamba Brima, and Samuel Hinga Norman. Seven of those individuals are in
custody. Bockarie was killed in early May in neighbouring Liberia while
Koroma remains at large.


Sankoh to be hospitalised

Former RUF leader Foday Sankoh's health is reported to have deteriorated
to the extent that he may not be fit to stand trial before Sierra Leone's
war crimes tribunal. The Special Court's doctor, Donald Harding told the
BBC that the rebel leader was paralysed and unable to speak, but that his
condition remained stable, receiving treatment and added that he is not at
death's door. Harding acknowledged that Sankoh would be unable to get the
medical attention he needed in Sierra Leone, and that there were already
plans to take him to an undisclosed third country for an assessment of his
mental capabilities.


Norman on hunger strike

Former Internal Affairs Minister Sam Hinga Norman, who has been indicted
for war crimes allegedly committed by his Kamajor militia during Sierra
Leone's civil war, is reported to be on hunger strike in his efforts to
draw local and international attention to his plight. His relatives and
supporters have accused the court of holding him in conditions so poor as
to violate his human rights. The court however, denies the charges.
Harding said Norman was drinking fruit juice and water, and that despite
the hunger strike he was still in good health. He also denied allegations
that the former minister was being kept in a mosquito-infested cell
disclosing that the cells are sprayed regularly.

Liberia finally hands over the remains of Ex-rebel leader Sam Bockarie to
Sierra Leone Government

The remains of former field commander Sam Bockarie commonly known as
Maskita, arrived at the Lungi International Airport in Freetown on Sunday
1 June, nearly a month after his violent death, and hours after the
government in Monrovia handed his corpse over to Sierra Leone's Ambassador
to Liberia, Sierra News reports. The Sierra Leonean authorities in turn
have handed the body over to Sierra Leone's Special Court, where
prosecutors want to perform forensic tests to make sure that the remains
are actually those of the former rebel warlord.

The Liberian government handed over the body of the former rebel commando
after persistent pressure on them, from the Prosecutor of Sierra Leone's
Special Court, and the Sierra Leone government, that Liberia delivers the
body for proper identification and proof. The Sierra Leone's Ambassador to
Liberia had also written to Liberia's Foreign Ministry asking the
authorities to confirm or deny the deaths of members of Bockarie's family,
who were also claimed to be killed by the Liberian government in order to
prevent a possible DNA test for proper identification of Bockarie's
corpse.

On 6 May, the Liberia Government reported that ex-rebel leader Sam
Bockarie was killed on Monday 5 May at the Liberia- Ivory Coast border
town of Bin-Houye during an apparent attempt by Liberian authorities to
arrest him. The body was conveyed to a Liberian mortuary where the Sierra
Leone ambassador to Liberia Mr Patrick Fohya officially identified the
corpse.

There court holds that Mr Bockarie was killed to prevent him giving
damning evidence about regional figures and the role of the Liberian
President Charles Taylor in the regional conflict at the tribunal. In
another development the LURD Rebels of Liberia also claim to have killed
Bockarie during a battle encounter.

Meanwhile the Special Court prosecutor demands that Charles Taylor arrests
and hand over former AFRC junta leader Johnny Paul Koroma, whom the allege
is commanding a contingent of Taylors security forces in the Liberian town
of Foya Kamala. The Liberian Government denies that Koroma is in Liberia.


Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

TRC holds thematic hearings

Sierra Leone's Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Commission held "thematic
hearings" in Freetown on the abuses suffered by women and girls during
Sierra Leone's civil war. Kenyan lawyer Binaifer Nowrojee, flew in from
the U.S. city of Boston on behalf of a consortium of human rights groups
known as the Coalition for Women's Human Rights in Conflict Situations, to
give testimonies, according to Sierra News.  After her testimony, Nowrojee
told the BBC that violence against women was not just incidental to the
conflict, but was routinely used as a tool of war. "Sexual violence was
used in a widespread and systematic way as a weapon of conflict in the
Sierra Leonean war, and women were raped in extraordinarily brutal ways,"
she said.

The TRC also officially held thematic hearings in Kailahun, Kabala and
Makeni.


SUBREGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

LIBERIA

LURD rebels in Sierra Leone on peace talks in Liberia

The ECOWAS-appointed mediator, former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar
held peace talks aimed at ending Liberia's civil war, with the Liberians
United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), one of the country's two
rebel movements, in Sierra Leone on Monday 26 May. However, the second
rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), which has
seized much of eastern Liberia in recent weeks, failed to show up.

According to ReliefWeb, the retired army general said his talks with LURD
went well in the sense that they gave him their demands on what they think
is wrong with Liberia and what the government should do to allow peace.
Abubakar stressed on the need for a ceasefire to ensue a peace talk
between the factions. LURD had requested that an international
stabilisation force be sent to Liberia to ensure that any truce agreed was
not violated. Direct talks between the rebels and the government are
expected to take place June 4 in Accra, Ghana and the other rebel group,
MODEL are expected to be present.


UN renews sanctions on Liberia

The United Nations Security Council on May 6th renewed sanctions against
Liberia, extending the measures to include a ban on timber exports in
addition to existing arms and diamond embargoes. The ban is extended
against the background that Liberia government continues to give active
support to rebel groups that are having a destabilizing effect on West
Africa.

Existing sanctions consist of a weapons embargo, measures against the
export of its rough diamonds and travel restrictions on senior government
members, according to resolution 1343 (2001).  The Council stressed its
readiness, however, to grant exemptions from travel restrictions in cases
of travel that would assist in the peaceful resolution of the conflict in
the sub-region.

The Council also decided that the measures it took would be terminated
immediately if the Council based on information received from various
sources, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),
determined Liberia's Government had complied with its demands.


Ruud Lubbers UNHCR High Commissioner calls for peace plan for Liberia

Ruud Lubbers, the head of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, after his visit to
Liberia called on the international community to come up with an effective
peace plan for Liberia in the light of a civil war that has dogged the
country ever since Taylor launched a rebellion in 1989 that eventually
brought him to power. He strongly urged all the warring parties to stop
fighting before the humanitarian situation got "out of hand."

Marc Destinne de Bernis, the UN resident coordinator in Liberia, said
recently that following advances by two rebel movements fighting Taylor's
government, relief agencies were no longer able to operate in more than 70
percent of the country.


GUINEA

According to OCHA Guinea, the security situation remains tense in and
around Nzérékoré and humanitarian workers are advised to stay indoors from
23:00 to 06:00.

In Conakry, the erratic and limited provision of water and electricity
continues, further affecting the safety and security of residents.
Electricity and water have mostly been delivered to the centre of the city
while most people live in areas away from town where such basic services
have been interrupted for up to 20 days.


IVORY COAST

West African leaders call for peace in Cote d'ivoire and Liberia

West African leaders on 29 Tuesday April, urged the Security Council to
help ensure peace in Cote d'voire when the UN Security Council met with
high-level delegate from West Africa. The UN Sec Gen also appealed to the
Council for financial and logistical support needed for the West African
Peace keeping force to continue its role in Cote d'voire. The West African
delegates also called for attention for a solution to the Liberian crisis.


DONOR UPDATES

The World Bank approves thirty million dollars credit for Sierra Leone's
poverty reduction strategy

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors on 20 May approved a $30
million IDA credit to support the Government of Sierra Leone's poverty
reduction through improved governance and economic growth, according to
ReliefWeb.

This credit referred to as the third Economic Rehabilitation and Recovery
Credit (ERRC III), complements support by the African Development Bank,
Department for International Development, European Union, and the
International Monetary Fund. The fund is meant to help consolidate
progress made in governance, improved management of public resources,
further decentralization of the government empowering local agencies to
manage the delivery of basic services throughout the country, support the
Government's institutional and policy reform agenda to stimulate economic
growth by establishing an enabling environment for private sector-led
investment and maintaining fiscal discipline. ERRC III will also allow the
import of essential commodities, including food products, petroleum
products, the raw materials and intermediate goods required for economic
reconstruction and rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure
throughout the country.


The 4R review

A senior team composed of UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO and the World Bank
visited Sierra Leone on the 22 to 27 May to review the 4R (repatriation,
rehabilitation, reintegration and reconstruction) process. The review
looked at the 4R within the broader transition and recovery context taking
into account the tools used in Sierra Leone, including the National
Recovery Strategy, the UN Recovery and Peace Building Strategy, the Inter
Agency Appeal for Peace, Relief and Recovery and the UNDAF. The team held
series of meetings with government officials, the NCDDR, UN Country Team
(UNCT) and visited Kono, Kailahun and Kambia districts to review
integrated responses at different stages of the recovery.

The 4R process is a tool to develop better models of transition from
relief to recovery, with a specific focus on return and sustainable
reintegration of refugees and other displaced populations. Sierra Leone
was one of the four countries selected to pilot the 4Rs approach.


USA aid to SLP

The United States made the commitment to provide more than $40,000 to
improve the capacity of Sierra Leone's police force, in an agreement
signed by U.S. Ambassador Peter Chaveas and police Inspector-General Keith
Biddle on Monday 5 May. In this agreement the two countries agreed to set
up and support a joint project aimed at strengthening the police force's
ability to manage crises and provide security protection. In addition,
Sierra Leonean law officers will receive training and instruction from
U.S. government technical advisors through scholarships, fellowships and
participant training.


British Government aids RSLAF

The British Government donated 1.9 million pound to the Sierra Leone
Government as a contribution towards implementing a housing programme for
the RSLAF.


SECTORAL HIGHLIGHTS

AGRICULTURE

FAO/MAFFS hold symposium on operationalizng the right to food in Sierra
Leone

The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation and the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Food Security on 19-21 May held a three-day symposium on
Operationalizing the "Right to Food" in Sierra Leone.

The FAO is working towards embedding the concept of the "Right to Food" in
Sierra Leone. Both FAO and GOSL had undertaken studies aimed at developing
a better understanding of the nature, incidence and underlying causes of
hunger and malnutrition, as well as existing coping strategies and their
effectiveness in the country. The symposium aims to draft appropriate
legislation, linking the right to food approach into national poverty
reduction strategies and the design of supporting programmes.

His Excellency President Kabba including the Minister of AFFS, senior
members of the ministry, representatives of FAO, WFP, OCHA, WORLD BANK,
and various INGOs and NGOs in related agricultural sectors opened the
symposium. The reports of the symposium would be released later.


CRS farmer support to Agricultural

Selection of farmers for support from CRS in 2003 has been completed. In
total 4,972 farm families have been provided support for rice
interventions and 500 women for groundnut farming.

The CRS agriculture team is also currently conducting seeds and tools
fairs: 14 fairs covering four chiefdoms in Kailahun district and 17 fairs
covering six chiefdoms in Koinadugu district.  Four staff from CRS and its
partner CES are participating in a farmers field school training session
to acquire skills for extension services delivery.

Presentation of the FAO/MAFFS 2002 chiefdom vulnerability assessment and
crop survey report

The report of the FAO/MAFFS 2002 vulnerability assessment and crop survey
was officially presented at the Bintumani Hotel on 6 May. The main aim of
the survey was to identify vulnerable farm families for targeting of
agricultural relief programmes and to also identify pockets at risk of
malnutrition for targeting of integrated nutrition programmes.

The report now released to the public is meant to give donors, government
and development agencies a guide to realistic policies, projects and
programmes for agricultural interventions in the country.


FAO distributes seeds to farmers in the refugee camps

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) completed the distribution of
groundnut and upland rice seeds in all eight camps. The FAO project
coordinator and the UNHCR Protection Officer met with approximately 200
refugees to organize a plan to distribute surplus upland seeds and to
prepare for possible distributions of vegetable and swamp rice seeds.


CARE donates seeds to farmers in Jembe camp

CARE has donated groundnut and seed rice to farmers in Jembe (Camp and
Host communities). In Gerihun, CARE met with Executive, Camp Management
Agriculture Committee on the 15 May 2003 and sensitised refugee farm
farmers on the standard package designed by FAO.


Concern Worldwide gives seeds to farmers in Mabang Chiefdom

Concern Worldwide distributed rice seed and groundnut to needy farmers in
Kholifa Mabang Chiefdom.  They intend to do a detailed assessment in June
to identify the most marginalized farm families in an effort to target
this group.


EDUCATION

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) supports education in Kailahun

NRC distributed plastic sandals and used clothing to primary school
children in Kailahun as a move to encourage them improve on school
attendance. They also held a one-day workshop for CREP teachers in Kono,
Kambia and Kambia on basis teaching knowledge to up grade the standard of
the untrained teachers.


UNHCR holds Regional Education workshop

UNHCR together with International Rescue Committee organised a four-day
(27-30 May) regional workshop on regional educational needs.
Representatives from UNICEF, World Bank, Norwagian Refugee Council (NRC)
and, Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEST) attended the
workshop. The objective of the workshop was to identify and analyse
priority issues on education that are common to the. The workshop provided
an opportunity to share lessons learned and good practices on education
programme management and to formulate concrete action plans to improve
education plans in the region from 2003-2005. It also identified ways to
improve the competence and skills of staff that are involved in the
planning, implementation and monitoring of education activities and to
strengthen teamwork and networking in the region.


CRS assesses schools for rehabilitation in the Western Area

In conjunction with ADDO, four schools in the Western Area were assessed
for rehabilitation under the Rehabilitation of Basic Education Project
(REBEP).  The CRS team also met with service providers for clarifications
on the teacher-training component of the REBEP.


Concern Worldwide completes school construction in Yoni

Concern Worldwide completed the construction of one primary school in Yoni
Chiefdom (Mathibo) and will hand it over to the community in June. The
constructions of three primary schools in Kholifa Rowalla Chiefdom are to
commence in June.


HEALTH

SARS emergency unit in Lungi Airport

Sierra Leone joins the world in the prevention of the spread of the
recently discovered dreadful disease, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) by holding an education meeting with the Sierra Leone National
Airline staff and establishing an emergency unit at Lungi.


UNHCR tests anti-malaria sheeting in refugee camps

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing
insecticide-treated plastic sheeting to two refugee camps in southern
Sierra Leone in a bid to fight malaria among refugees. More than 16,000
refugees in Largo and Tobanda camps are using the new sheeting designed to
provide shelter as well as protection from malaria and other vector-borne
diseases. Participating families are given six pieces of plastic sheeting
each, which they put up inside their shelters. Families in one section of
the camps receive insecticide-treated sheeting, while others receive
normal ones. Over the next six to 12 months, all participating refugees
will be examined regularly for signs of malaria or other diseases, and
given treatment where necessary.


Lassa fever

UNHCR reported that the Lassa fever outbreak in the refugee camps has
reduced in intensity and is not as alarming as initially indicated by the
WHO report.  For the registration exercise all participants were
sensitised on the disease and necessary precautions.


Concern Worldwide provides health support

Concern Worldwide has completed a new clinic in Mabang village.  The
Health Post at Kumrabai Mamilla has been refurbished, staffed and open for
business.  The mobile clinic continues in the Chiefdom.  Training and
refresher training has taken place for BFVs and TBAs in the chiefdom.
Concern also continues to support the Health post in Mabella, East
Freetown with drugs and training.


The deaf and dumb call for welfare assistant

The parent and teachers of the school for the deaf and dumb school at
Wilkinson road in Freetown called on the president to express their
dissatisfaction over the neglect and discrimination by the public of the
deaf and dumb particularly those attending school. They were dissatisfied
with discriminated on public transport while commuting to public schools,
and denied access to public schools. Other constraint noted were poor
bordering facilities, lack of transport and training facilities for the
teachers particularly in the area of signs. The President in reply
expressed his dismay over the discriminations of these people emphasising
that they too like any other Sierra Leonean, had their rights.


SHELTER

Norwegian Refugee Council support housing for Amputee/war wounded

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) completed the construction of seven
houses in the Wara-Wara Yagala Chiefdom and three houses in Fadugu in the
Kassunko Chiefdom in Kabala. Koinadugu district for the resettlement of
the amputees and war wounded.


CRS shelter support

In Koinadugu, CRS housing reconstruction projects are ongoing in all
target communities (Kondenbaia, Fadugu, Mongo Bendugu, Lengekoro and
Kafogo) with 250 out of 400 houses roofed.  In Kailahun housing
reconstruction activities are nearing completion with 470 houses
completed.  Construction of community structures in Nyaniahun Buyama,
Bombohun, Jokibu and Siama is in progress, as it is in Foredugu, Rogbere
and Makiteh.  In Grafton construction activities are ongoing with 8 houses
already roofed and 20 homeowners ready to receive roofing materials by the
end of the month.In Largo Camp, according to UNHCR, the camp management
constructed nine new community transit booths and a total of 180 refugees
were relocated from the reception centre to these communal booths.


REFUFEES

Refugee health in camps

In Gerihun, 867 (13%) refugees out of a camp population of 6,831 reported
at the clinic for medical attention. Malaria was the most common health
problem reported by refugees. One suspected Lassa fever case was
identified in Jimmi Bagbo camp. In Tobanda Camp, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) representative attended the weekly co-ordination
meeting. His mission was to acquaint himself with partners in the camp and
to have first hand information on the Primary Health Services provided in
the camp.


Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to reduce housing congestion in Jembe Camp

NRC has currently embarked on a housing renovation project in Jembe Camp,
repairing and replacing aging and congested housing stock and, ensuring
the 16 houses per community standard is maintained in the camp.


UNHCR/GOSL undertakes refugee census

The UNHCR and the Government of Sierra Leone (NaCSA) undertook a refugee
census on 19 -21 May 2003. The census covered all eight refugee camps in
the country and the urban refugee populations in Kenema, Bo and Freetown.
The exercise saw the mobilization of about 800 people, including UNHCR
staff from Freetown and various field offices, partner agencies, UNAMSIL
and MILOBS. In phases 1 and 2, the overall refugee population per location
was counted and categorised by family, uniform food/NFI ration cards with
UNHCR/WFP logos were issued to deserving beneficiaries in the camps. The
registration will ensure better protection and assistance to refugees.

The Phase 3 has commenced in the Kenema, Bo townships and Largo and
Gondama camps. This phase aims at collecting more detailed and accurate
data on each refugee family


Statistics and Update on Refugees prior to verification

|--------------+------------|
| Camp         | Population |
|--------------+------------|
| Bandajuma    |      6,074 |
|--------------+------------|
| Gerehun      |      6,831 |
|--------------+------------|
| Gondama      |      9,061 |
|--------------+------------|
| Jembe        |      6,954 |
|--------------+------------|
| Jimmy Gbagbo |      6,515 |
|--------------+------------|
| Largo        |      7,031 |
|--------------+------------|
| Taiima       |      7,540 |
|--------------+------------|
| Tobanda      |      4,471 |
|--------------+------------|
| Total        |     54,741 |
|--------------+------------|


REPATRIATION

Repatriation of returnees

According to UNHCR, four convoys arrived through Belu in the reporting
period repatriating altogether 1,058 individuals. UNHCR assisted a number
of returnees to reach five drop?off points along the Daru?Kenema?Bo axis.
A few very vulnerable returnees including pregnant women, physically
disabled and unaccompanied elders were provided ad hoc transportation from
the way station up to their final destinations.

So far, a total of 9,574 individuals have been repatriated to Sierra Leone
through Belu since the causeway was inaugurated on 4 April. The
construction of booths in the way station's extension continues.


Shipping operations from Liberia

Shipping operations from Liberia to Sierra Leone started 10 May with
repatriation twice a week with 250 returnees/ship.


Air repatriation from Monrovia

The costly air repatriation from Monrovia has been suspended after more
than 900 Sierra Leoneans were air lifted back home. This measure was
adapted as an emergency rescue when fighting raged around the Liberian
Capital in February.


FOOD AID

CRS support for food security

CRS carried out VGF to assist people affected by fires in two villages in
Pujehun District. In Tongo, CRS is responding to a request for FFW
assistance to assist ex-combatants evicted from dwellings.  They have
received plastic sheets from LWF to rehabilitate derelict structures or
construct new ones.  CRS will also provide VGF to TB patients in Panguma
Hospital.


WFP/UNHCR/ NaCSA sensitised camps on change of food ration.

WFP Sub offices in collaboration with camp managements, GoSL (NaCSA) and
UNHCR undertook a sensitization exercise in all refugee camps regarding
the change in the May cereal ration from bulgur wheat to maize meal.


WFP in refugee camp census

WFP participated in the May 19 -21 refugee camp census in Kenema, Bo and
Moyamba districts by having food aid monitors and supervisors on the
ground in all camps. It is anticipated that the over all case load could
be reduced.


WFP gives food aid to Liberian Refugees at the Bo hospital

Due to an on-going strike action by staff in the Bo Government hospital
early May, a ten-day ration was issued to SL Red Cross Society and to
UNHCR to effect cooking for Liberian refugees admitted to the hospital.  
A total of .33 MT was issued for 50 beneficiaries.


Wet feeding for returnees

For the repatriation convoy movement via the Kambia/Port Loko axis for
those Sierra Leoneans returning to Kono and other locations other than
Kailahun, WFP provided wet feeding at the Port Loko way station for
approximately 3000 people.


WFP support countrywide

Countrywide, WFP supported a total of 160,386 beneficiaries (78,605
female) with 1302 MT of food this month, distribution as follows:

   Vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programmes (refugees, resettlement,
   returnees and institutions) supported 34,264 beneficiaries (17,833
   female) with 919 MT of food,

   The Therapeutic Feeding Centres, Supplementary Feeding and, Mother and
   Child Health Programmes (TFC/SFP/MCH) provided 71 MT of food to 9,880
   beneficiaries comprising under-fives, pregnant women, lactating mothers
   and TFC caretakers

   The Emergency School Feeding (ESF) Programme supported 109,505 school
   children with 245 MT of food,

   Food for training supported 4,018 beneficiaries with 27 MT of food,

   Safety net institutional feeding provided 37 MT of food to 2.719
   beneficiaries ((1,418 female).



HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS report for Sierra Leone

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) released the final report on HIV/AIDS
Seroprevalence and Behavorial Risk Factors in Sierra Leone. The results of
report indicated a difference in the HIV seroprevalence rate for persons
12-49 years, from the results of the previous survey. It is therefore
proposed that a new survey be conducted.


US embassy donates condoms

The American embassy donated $75,000 worth of condoms in support of a
programme to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone. The money will
be channelled through the US Agency for International Development, and the
programme will be administered by the aid agency CARE. CARE is to start
the programme on 1 June by retailing the condoms at low cost, target
persons of reproductive age (15-49 years old) in the Western Area and
later reaching out to the provinces.


CARE on HIV/AIDS sensitisation

CARE held a sensitisation meeting with CCSL and Council of Imams on
preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. They are also to start a radio
discussion programme with Talking Drum on Radio UNAMSIL on a weekly basis.


National strategic planning for HIV

International and local consultants have been identified for the
development of a national strategic plan for HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone.  
The development of a national policy guideline for HIV programme
implementation and voluntary confidential test programmes are also
underway.


UNICEF trains religious leaders on HIV/AIDS education

UNICEF in collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat completed the
training and development of training material with religious leaders in
Freetown.


SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE

CCSEA working group conducts sexual exploitation prevention workshop

The coordination committee for the prevention of sexual exploitation and
abuse (CCSEA) working group conducted two Centralized Sexual Exploitation
Prevention workshops in Freetown.  A total of 27 individuals from 14
different organizations, including two donor organizations, were involved.
The responses to the workshops were very positive.


Procedural working group

The draft of HR Manual II has been circulated to the wider CCSEA body and
is waiting for comments prior to finalization and distribution to all
I/NGOs, UN Agencies, Donors and Line Ministries.


Community Working Group

Two UNICEF consultants came to Sierra Leone to present two manuals on a
reporting mechanism for the above to relevant stakeholders for approval.
Although several concerns were raised, including the absence of
comprehensive references or tools for humanitarian aid worker abuses, the
stakeholders accepted the documents.  The consultants agreed to refine the
documents to have a clearer reflection of the realities of Sierra Leone
and incorporate the historical initiatives of the CCSEA in the
implementation manuals. They will return in August to conduct training on
this system.


Protection of Civilians Workshop in Accra, Ghana

OCHA NY, in collaboration with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in
Pretoria and the African Security Dialogue and Research (ASDR), organized
a workshop in Accra, Ghana on 19-21 May 2003, on the protection of
civilians in conflict situations.  Participants were from 13 West African
countries including representatives of the regional organizations of
ECOWAS, PCASED, AU and ECOMOG.

The objectives of the workshop were: to familiarize participants with
humanitarian challenges that arise during armed conflicts, to provide an
opportunity for participants to work through a crisis scenario exercise
and apply potential protection measures, to identify strategies for
mainstreaming acquired knowledge within national and regional
decision-making structures, to set priorities for follow-up action, and
develop regional recommendations to feed into the Secretary-General's next
report to the Security Council on the Protection of Civilians in Armed
Conflict (June 2004).

It was emphasized through the workshop that individual States had the
ultimate responsibility in the protection of civilians, ensuring that
particularly military forces followed Human Rights Instruments.
Additionally, it was stressed that the instability in the region due to
one country's support of another country's rebel faction increased the
risk to civilians. The representative from OCHA Sierra Leone presented a
paper on sexual exploitation and abuse.


UN Gender Focal Points

Initial meetings were held with several of the UN Gender Focal Points to
ensure that Sexual Exploitation and Abuse prevention are included in the
Gender action plan.


Camp management toolkit

The first draft of the Gender / SGBV chapter of the Camp Management tool
kit has been completed and distributed for comment.  UNHCR, OXFAM, WFP,
IRC, Bo Pujehun Development Association, and NRC assisted in the drafting
of the chapter.


WFP conducts SGBV sensitization

A gender/SGBV sensitization activity was conducted by WFP in Jimmy Bagbo
and Bandajuma refugee camps in the southern district of Bo.


HUMAN RIGHTS

Amnesty International commends Sierra Leone Human Rights situation

The latest report of Amnesty International states that Sierra Leone's
human rights situation improved significantly during 2003. The report
cited the end of a decade of civil war and progress made towards
addressing abuses inflicted by both sides in the conflict. However, the
report also highlighted the need for progress in strengthening the justice
system and the promotion and protection of human rights. The report also
noted that the court proceedings last year against Foday Sankoh and some
100 other persons on murder and related offences "were repeatedly
postponed and international standards of fair trial were not met." In
addition, 20 other members of the former armed opposition were held
without charge or trial.


INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

OCHA Sierra Leone encyclopaedia

The CD-ROM Encyclopaedia of Sierra Leone 2002/3 containing information and
data on Sierra Leone that was completed in April was officially launched
at OCHA on the 8 May. Heads of various agencies, organisation and
government ministries attended the launching where the essence of the
encyclopaedia for all in information sharing and promotion of development
work in the various sectors was elaborated on. Over 350 of the disks have
been released and more are to be produced for a wider circulation.


Second NRS monitoring forms distributed

OCHA in preparing for the second data collection exercise of the NRC
distributed fifteen monitoring forms covering the various sectors to each
DRC to be completed. The completed forms would be used by SLIS to update
the data pack for the various sectors in each district.

In another development a planning session was held on DRC data collection
exercise with all UNAMSIL civil affairs and OCHA field staffs on the 30th
May. The session was meant to strengthen participants in supporting the
DRC in their monitoring capacities.


SLIS and UNAMSIL MILOBS on health care data collection

SLIS and the UNAMSIL Military Observers (MILOBS) are collaborating on data
collection in health care analysis. The observers are now collecting GPS
coordinates for all the health facilities in the country to help SLIS in
their health analysis.


The 3W Initiative

SLIS and key NGO partners tested the WHO, WHERE, WHAT (3W) database on 30
May. The final data will be sent out to all UN agencies, donors and GOSL
to identify projects and village interventions.


Development partners meeting

The second development partners' meeting was held at Mamba Point in
Freetown on May 20th. Key issues discussed included the exit strategy of
the DDR, progress in the development of the PRSP, Multi donor framework,
mining and infrastructure sector.


REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

SOUTHERN REGION

Security

The southern region remained calm during the month. However, the period
witnessed the scaling down of UMAMSIL troops and the deployment of
additional SLP personnel.


Recruitment of RSLAF

Preparations for the recruitment of candidates into the RSLAF from the
southern region were also effected with the assistance of the traditional
rulers, the District Administration, IMATT and RSLAF. Screening of
candidates commenced on the 7 May and interviews were conducted on 12 May
at the Bo Town Council and Coronation grounds respectively.


Deployment of SLP in the camps

The deployment of SLP in all refugee camps has been carried out after the
completion and equipping of the Police Posts supported by UNDP. UNHCR also
provided logistics support to enhance the functions of the SLP within the
camps and various Police Stations in the region.


Humanitarian

District Recovery Committee (DRC), Inter Agency Forum (IAF), Community
Recovery Committee, and Civil Affairs meetings

Facilitated by OCHA, the Bonthe and Moyamba DRC's were reactivated. New
dates were set for meetings to cover plans for greater support to the
chiefdoms, sensitization on the National Recovery Strategy, the
identification and prioritization of their felt needs, their role in the
preparation of the District Recovery Report and, the joint session of the
NRC/DRC. Also of importance was the formation of respective committees for
the preparation and submission of DRC budget.

OCHA also provided logistics support to the DRC meetings in Bo, Moyamba
and Bonthe and participated in the IAF and Civil Affairs meetings in Bo
and Moyamba.  The IAF notably recognised the scale down by NGOs who are
now heading for the eastern province considered a virgin area for their
interventions.


NRC meeting in Pujehun

The National Recovery Committee (NRC), hosted by the Pujehun DRC met in
Pujehun on the 27 May. The meeting chaired by the Vice President was well
attended by NRC and DRC members, traditional rulers, members of
parliament, representatives of the UN Agencies INGOs and the donor
communities of World Bank, DFID, EU, and civil society.

During the meeting above three million leones was pledged for health,
education, agriculture, roads, and energy and power interventions in the
district over the next four years. Prior to the meeting the delegates were
invited to view a wide range of sites in need of repair, rehabilitation or
reconstruction in the district such as the hospital, water and electricity
plant, waterfall, market centres, roads and demolished houses.


SGBV sensitisation in four refugee camps

In addition Network Movement for Justice and Development have commenced
operations in four refugee camps on Sexual and Gender Based Violence with
the view to sensitize and educate refugees on the hazards of Gender Based
Violence and its implication on the victim and society at large.


Aid for fire victims

In response to the humanitarian call for assistance to areas affected by
the March/April fire disaster in the region, some areas have been serviced
with food, used clothing and building materials by some NGO's.


WATSAN

WATSAN facilities improved in camps

WATSAN facilities have improved significantly in all camps.  Reports of
Lassa fever cases drastically reduced through the interventions of UNWHO
and MERLIN


NORTHERN REGION

Security

Low crime rate

Police sources in the various districts in the region disclosed that
security continued to be stable, with crime rates dropping considerably.
However, amid this welcoming security scenario, Police had cause to attack
suspected 'potes' for marijuana trafficking in the Port Loko Township. In
the recent past, there had been incidences of rape and various criminal
acts alleged to be perpetrated by suspected drug pushers for which the IAF
has been exerting pressure on the Police to address.


False NGO agent arrested in Bombali

In another development an impostor claiming to be a field agent for a
fictitious organisation was arrested and charged to court for false
pretence. The impostor who posed to be on beneficiary assessment, had
swindled some Le4, 075,000 from community people in Bombali district on
the pretext that his organization was going to provide shelter support for
them. He is in police custody and awaits trial.


Political highlights

Strike Action in Teachers College

The nation-wide lecturers strike in all teachers Colleges in the country,
has adversely affected students, especially those who would be taking
their final examinations, coming July. Concerns have been raised in the
region that the situation would create possibilities for bad results that
further weakens the educational standards. The Ministry of Education
Science and Technology is yet to intervene in time to avert the ongoing
disruption of tertiary education.


Arms-Free Certificate to Kolifa Rowala Chiefdom

With UNDP funding, the small arms collection exercise, which started in
March 2003 in the Kolifa Rowala Chiefdom, Tonkolili district was
successfully concluded this month. As a token of recognition of the
efforts of the chiefdom in the exercise, UNDP further granted the chiefdom
people $20,000 to be utilized for development activities.


TRC thematic hearings in the Region

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission conducted hearing sessions in
Kabala and Makeni. The climax of the two hearings was the testimonies from
amputees, especially women. Harrowing tales of man's cruelty despite pleas
for clemency were recounted. It was sad though that no victim could
remember any perpetrators or explain why their limbs were severed.


Magistrate Courts Rehabilitation

In furtherance of restoring full state authority, two Magistrate Courts
are undergoing rehabilitation in the Port Loko District, one in the Port
Loko Township and one in Lunsar.


Mange and Rogbere police posts construction completed

With DFID funding, Police Posts undergoing construction at Mange and
Rogbere in the Port Loko district have been completed will be officially
handed over in June. The Rogbere Police Post is strategically located, and
it could control much of the traffic going in and out of the region.


Agriculture

WFP initiates "food for rice"

In order to boost rice production in the region, WFP initiated the concept
of 'food for rice", which would provide support to farmers so that they
could grow more rice.  In that connection, the following support would be
given to farmers in Dibia, Massira, Buya Romende and Maranpa chiefdoms,
for the next three months: (1) cereals -30 Kg, (2) Pulses - 9 Kg,
Vegetable Oil- 3.75 Kg. The four chiefdoms in the Port Loko district were
selected for the package, conforming to FAO vulnerability survey, which
highlighted these chiefdoms as vulnerable.


Education

UNICEF grants one Toyota hilux to Kambia distric inspector

In order to build the capacity of the Kambia District Inspectorate, to be
able to effectively monitor the ongoing teacher development initiative,
UNICEF granted the inspectorate one TOYOTA Hilux van.


Health

BANBATT 7 supports youth centres in Kabala Town

Before the departure of BANBATT 7 from the Koinadugu District, they had
supported the construction of a symbolic structure to serve as Youth
Centre for youths in the Kabala Township. Mr. Alan Doss (DSRSG) and Dr.
Dennis Bright (Minister of Youth and Sports) graced the inauguration of
the Centre.


CCF and DFID completes health posts in Port Loko district

Christian Children's Fund (CCF) and DFID have completed ten (10) Health
Posts and five (5) Health Centres respectively in the Port Loko district.


IMC to pull out of Kambia

International Medical Corps will withdraw from Kambia in June this year
while Medicins San Frontiere - Holland (MSF-H) continue their work in
collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.


Humanitarian

Koinadugu and Bombali DRC Draft Reports

With technical support from UNAMSIL Civil Affairs, NaCSA and UNOCHA, the
Koinadugu DRC draft report was completed. In preparation for the NRC
meeting in June, the Bombali DRC report is also being prepared and should
be finalized by mid-June.


Federating Youth Groups for Leadership

The DRCs of Kambia and Bombali are actively working toward organizing
youth in order to create quality and representational leadership with the
view of bringing a youth leader on board the DRC that would effectively
participate in decision-making and development efforts in the districts.
They are using a federation strategy to pull together groups of youth
leaders from various youth groups so that a representative leadership
structure would emerge from the federation.


Chiefdom sensitisation by DRCs in the region

All DRCs in the region have been sensitising chiefdom authorities on the
recovery process, vis-ŕ-vis, and their participation in the recovery
process. With the recent financial support to the DRCs in the regions,
plans are underway to intensify training of DRC members and chiefdom
authorities on the recovery dispensation.


District Directory

OCHA continued work on the district directory. The Bombali, Tonkolili,
Port Loko and Kambia districts have been accomplished. The directory will
be analysed to show who is working where and what has been done.


Engaging Civil Society/Youth Groups in human rights efforts

OCHA held bi-lateral dialogue with several civil society groups to
initiate actions to form linkages, institute plan of action on fundamental
human rights issues and undertake common projects. Some progress was made
and sensitisation on the rights of the girl-child to go to school took
place in the Sella Limba Chiefdom, Bombali district.


SGBV

Failure to Report Rape Cases

UNAMSIL in Kambia investigated why rape cases were no longer reported.
After preliminary discussions with victims and their families, it was
disclosed to them that rape cases reported to Police required medical
reports, contingent on payment of medical fees, which many victims could
not afford. They found out that until this issue was resolved many rape
cases might not be reported. It was observed that branches of support
units in Freetown be established at district level to extend support to
vulnerable groups.


EASTERN REGION

Security

The overall security situation in the region remains calm. However, drug
abuse is rampant in Kono, which most people attribute to the inability of
the youths to secure jobs and the prolonged hold of the RUF on the
district. In light of the above, the BOB MARLEY NIGHT, usually celebrated
on the 10th May, saw a profuse use of drugs by youths that led to the
arrest of some 16 youths by the SLP for drug abuse. Prior to that the
police reportedly apprehended 10-15kg of cannabis. The RSLAF have
persistently reported that drugs of all varieties are entering Sierra
Leone through the porous border with Guinea.

In Kenema, the RSLAF has significantly increased their presence in
Manduvulahun, as a reaction to a possible impending attack by LURD,
according to reports from UN MILOBS.


Political

Restoration of civil authorities in Kono

On the 7 May, personnel from the Civil Affairs, UNDP and the DSRSG's
Offices visited Kono to review the present rehabilitation in the district.
It was noted that there are only a few line ministries operating in Kono
district namely education, mines and social welfare.  The other line
ministries are not yet on a permanent basis due to limited office space,
personnel quarters and office equipment.


Paramount Chief elected in Dodo chiefdom, Kenema District

Mr. Foday Steven Fabah was elected as the Paramount Chief in Dodo
Chiefdom, Kenema district. There is concern over the acceptance of the
election by the loosing team. The new PC would be crowned on the 29th May.


UNHCR support community empowerment in Kono

On the 9th May UNHCR organised a workshop on community empowerment
programme in Kono.  The essence was to assess the extent to which the
implementing partners IRC, WVI and GTZ have sensitised their various
communities in respect of decision-making, the extent of their
preparedness to implement such a new programme, and their ability to
monitor and evaluate the C.E.P.


Education

UNHCR holds workshop on educational needs in Kenema

UNHCR in partnership with International Rescue Committee held a 4-day
regional workshop from 27 to 30 May to look into educational needs.
Representatives from UNICEF, World Bank, National Rescue Committee (NRC)
and, Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEST) also attended the
meeting. The main objectives were to identify and analyze priority issues
and resources on education within the framework of UNHCR's policy
priorities and education field guidelines in the Region.


Humanitarian

DRC meeting in Kono

OCHA facilitated and participated in the DRC meeting in Kono held on the
29th May. The meeting agreed on a fortnightly schedule for meetings. They
also deliberated on the method of information collection for the CDCs and
agreed that the DRCs monitor the CDCs rotationally. They recognised the
need to train the CDCs in problem identification and priority setting.


NaCSA holds workshop on direct community financing in Kono

NaCSA Kono on the 21st May, organised a one-day workshop for all Paramount
Chiefs, NGOs and other stakeholders, to explain their new approach, which
is the Direct Community Financing (DCF) programme.  Emphasis was placed on
the role of the community, government agencies, service provider, private
sectors, District and Chiefdom Communities in the DCF programme.

The DCF programme is a way of enabling communities to handle their funds,
monitor and evaluate their projects, instead of the previous method of
contracting credible implementing partners.  The problem to be envisaged
is how equipped are the communities to undertake and account for purchases
they will be making.


United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kono

During the High Commissioner for Refugees, Ludd Rubbers visit to Kono on
15 May, he visited the amputee/war-wounded settlement at Motema where
UNHCR is sponsoring water project for the amputees, implemented by WVSL
and Peace Winds Japan.


UNDP/UNHCR joint Mission to Kono

Personnel from UNDP/New York/UNHCR - HQ and Freetown visited Kono on the
May 21st, to get an understanding of the practical situation of the
District Recovery Strategy and reintegration efforts jointly undertaken by
Sierra Leone Government, UN, and NGOs on the ground.


UNOCHA on data collection in Kono

OCHA in collaboration with Civil Affairs and the DRC Chairman are
presently colleting information for the compilation of the document to be
presented to the joint NRC/DRC launched on the 9th September 2003.


Amputee welfare in Kenema

The Civil Affairs and the Inter-Agency Committee for Amputees and
War-Wounded met with the Director of Cause Canada to assess the status of
assistance programs to war victims and to discuss the possibility of
conducting a nationwide registration in collaboration with government
institutions, The nationwide registration survey will be submitted to
UNAMSIL and UNICEF for funding, with the twofold purpose of rendering
assistance to victims who have not been identified yet, and to enhance
national reconciliation.


Youth Groups relocated in Kenema

The former RUF soldiers occupying houses in Lower Bambara Chiefdom vacated
the properties after being provided with sheetings by NGOs.  The land
promised to the Youth group by the Chiefdom has not yet been provided.

For more information please contact hic@sierratel.sl, or visit
Http://ochadata.un.org/slis www.reliefweb.net

Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed in this documents are not necessarily
shared by UN OCHA.



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