OCHA Situation Report No. 9
Liberia: OCHA
19 June 2003


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

1. Military/Political Developments

Current - Fighting between the Government forces and the LURD rebels was
reported yesterday around the towns of Klay and Sasstown, some 30 km
northwest of Monrovia. Recently residents of Brewersville saw large number
of troops heading towards the frontline. On 16 June, a government
spokesperson in Monrovia confirmed the fighting, saying that government
forces was taking what he referred to as "aggressive defence position".
Monrovia city remained calm yesterday and today. Resident of the city
jubilated over the signing of ceasefire agreement yesterday between the
Government of Liberia, LURD and MODEL in the Ghanian capital Accra.

Following the signing of the ceasefire agreement yesterday, ECOWAS Joint
Verification Team (JVT), namely Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria have
assembled in Accra, Ghana today. Members from Togo, Benin, the UN and the
US are still expected. It is currently engaged in consultations with the
view to assuming its assignment in Liberia within the next 72 hrs.
Meanwhile the Peace talks moved on the political phase this afternoon with
the Mediator meeting with the various parties and other civic and interest
groups.

The Secretary General of the United Nations has welcomed the signing of
the ceasefire agreement by the Government of Liberia, the LURD and MODEL.
The Secretary General commended the Liberian parties for their sense of
compromise in the national interest of peace in their country and urged
them to scrupulously adhere to the terms of the agreement. He called on
the parties to the agreement to build on the momentum created by the
cessation of the hostilities to create propitious security conditions on
the ground to permit the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to
civilians in need throughout the country. He appealed to the international
community to respond generously to the request for emergency relief
assistance for Liberia.

In spite of numerous calls by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to
owners of businesses in Monrovia to resume normal businesses to the
public, major stores and other businesses, especially in central Monrovia
continue to remain closed. The ministry issued a press released since last
Friday, expressing regret over the closure of business and urging owners
to reopen. But up to day, only few Fullah and Liberian businesses have
opened to the public. Major industries, supermarkets and stores mainly
owned by the Lebanese community remained closed. Prices of most of
consumer goods went up by 60%.

2. Humanitarian Update

The Red Cross began the distribution of food rations to some 14,000 IDPs
at the Sport stadium in Paynesville today. The food commodities provided
by WFP included Bulgur wheat, pulses, vegetable oil and salt which covers
for a fifteen day period.

Aid agencies continue to respond to the needs of the IDPs and Refugees in
the city. Attached find a matrix of Who is doing What Where? Few agencies
have started resuming their activities in the former camps of Montserrado.
Humanitarian activities also continue in the camps of Totota in Bong
county, Kakata in Marghibi and Buchanan in Grand Bassa.

Merlin and EU are working on plans to begin mapping IDP camps in Monrovia.
According to Merlin Country Director, a Geographical Information System
(GIS) officer has been engaged to carry out the exercise. The details of
the map, when completed will include IDP camps locations, Which agency is
doing What activities in which camp. Merlin said the exercise would be
carried out in close collaboration with OCHA.

For further information, please contact:

Muktar Farah, Head of Office, OCHA Liberia (currently in Abidjan): Tel:
(OCHA Abidjan) +225-22405174 / cell: +225-07-443392 / farah.muktar@undp.org
/ muktarfarah@yahoo.com


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