OCHA Situation Report No. 54
Liberia
6 October 2003


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

General Situation

The situation in Monrovia continues to improve, following the 1 October
clashes between LURD fighters and government militias prior to an aborted
"confidence building" visit made by the chairman of LURD group, Sekou
Damante Conneh to Liberia's interim President Moses Z. Blah.  Reports
subsequently indicated looting of the commercial district of Paynesville
area and civil unrest.  An emergency meeting of the Joint Monitoring
Committee (with representatives of all key parties in Liberia) is expected
on Monday, 6 October.

There is persistent insecurity in many parts of the country as reported.  
A recent Inter-Agency assessment mission to Phebe and Gbarnga (30
September), recorded a large presence of LURD fighters in the area amongst
whom tensions between the leadership were evident.  Civilians reported
beating, torture and rape as well as systematic looting and burning of
villages by LURD fighters who have restricted freedom of civilian
movement.

Merlin, an international NGO has just completed a mission to Zwedrou and
are hopeful that they will be able to start operations next week.  Abou
Moussa led an inter-agency mission to Firestone, which included the camps
in Fendell and Harbel where he assured the IDPs that they would not be
forced to leave, though they were encouraged to relocate to permanent
camps.  He also visited the SKD stadium where conditions remaining
appalling and an outbreak of chicken pox is currently being treated.

Agencies have been advised to remain cautious in undertaking missions.  
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Services have requested
that all NGOs working in the health sector attend a regular Friday meeting
(to be chaired by the Minister of Health) to enable closer collaboration
with the government in undertaking humanitarian missions.

Humanitarian Activities by Sector

1. Food aid

An Inter-Agency Assessment Mission to Gbarnga and Phebe comprising WFP,
UNICEF, WHO, UNHCR, and OCHA is recommending the provision of urgent
humanitarian assistance to IDPs and local population at both locations
noting however, security concerns due to the presence of LURD and the
tense atmosphere in the area.  The main sources of food are cassava
vegetables, wild fruits and food scavenged from the bush.

2. Health and Nutrition

Beginning 6-11 October UNICEF has planned a 6-day training on improved
practices on Nutritional Status Assessment, Organization and Management of
Feeding Programs in Emergencies for 30 people from Ministry of Health
(MOH) and NGO staff.

As a consequence of looting and severe damage of Phebe hospital by LURD
fighters, the central health facility has been incapacitated.  An
Inter-Agency Assessment Mission to Phebe reported there were no health
facilities available except for a small clinic in Gbarnga reportedly set
up by LURD with support from Medécins du Monde an international NGO. The
clinic was reportedly overcrowded with an estimated 80-100 outpatients per
day to one local doctor.  The main diseases are skin, malaria, respiratory
and intestinal infections.

3. Internally Displaced Persons

Following the survey of the irregular shelters in Monrovia, OCHA reported
an interim figure of 149,000 IDPs.

4. Education

Following the finalization of the "Rapid Educational Response Teacher's
Guide" for primary school teachers, briefing of educational specialists on
teachers training and recruitment of Teacher Trainers is on going.

The International Rescue Committee this week completed school assessments
in IDP camps in Montserrado, including Jartondo, Rick's, Plumkor, Perry
Town, Wilson Corner, Blamasee and Siegbeh.

Training of one hundred and twenty (120) Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
members, Peer Educators and Recreational Assistants in five IDP camps in
and around Monrovia (Botswain), schools in Paynesville, the Salvation Army
building and the SKD Stadium was completed.  Tutorial classes in
preparation for the start of school on 20 October are on going in the VOA,
Banjor and Samukai Refugee camps where school supplies were distributed to
administrators and teachers.  The international NGO, IRC plans to restart
educational activities in IDP camps in addition to 10 community schools in
Montserrado and Bong.

Common Services

5. United Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC)

Bulletin # 7 with information on air operations, border crossing and
customs, transport infrastructure and Logistics coordination is now
available on the JLC website: www.unjlc.org/home

6. Humanitarian Information Centre

The HIC is working to support CAP preparations, including the preparation
of maps, including Planning, population displacement, humanitarian hubs
and other critical facilities.


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