OCHA Situation Report No. 121
Liberia
8-15 October 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

A. General Situation

Highlights

UNMIL facilitates discussions on repatriation of Sierra Leonean 
ex-combatants in Liberia

During the reporting period, a team from UNMIL returned from Sierra Leone 
where they held discussions with the Sierra Leonean Government, UNAMSIL 
and other relevant agencies that included UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, UNDP and 
ICRC. The focus of the meeting was the repatriation of Sierra Leonean 
ex-combatants who had disarmed during the DDRR process in Liberia. During 
the visit, the team met with the Vice President of Sierra Leone who 
designated the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA) to serve as 
focal point on the matter. The Vice President also expressed support for 
negotiations leading to a legal framework with Liberia for the 
repatriation of the said ex-combatants. If successfully concluded, the 
agreement between Sierra Leone and Liberia will be similar to the draft 
Memorandum of Agreement for the repatriation of Liberian ex-combatants who 
have been in internment facilities in Sierra Leone since 2002.

UNDP coordinated and facilitated a UNDP/Mano River Union (MRU) /ECOWAS 
joint mission to Liberia, headed by the Secretary General of the MRU. The 
goal of the mission was aimed at building consensus on the framework for 
planning of a sub-regional youth forum for the MRU countries and Cote 
D'Ivoire.

In partnership with other stakeholders and the Ministry of Youth and 
Sports, a national Youth Conference is being planned. The expected output 
is a framework for the drafting of the National Youth Policy.

UNMIL condemns street violence after Liberia-Senegal soccer match

The UNMIL condemned the street violence that followed the 3-0 defeat of 
Lone Star Cup of Liberia in the Joint African Cup of Nations and World Cup 
qualifying match against Senegal. Mr. Abou Moussa, the Humanitarian 
Coordinator and Officer in charge of the Mission termed the violence as 
unacceptable and unfortunate in the new Liberia. He urged all peace-loving 
Liberians to condemn those that are bent on tarnishing the good image of 
the country that the international community is helping to rebuild after 
many years of civil war. Mr. Moussa assured that UNMIL's civilian police 
in collaboration with the Liberia National Police will take all 
appropriate measures to stop the culture of violence and "to deal firmly 
with lawbreakers".

B. COORDINATION

ERF awards more grants

The Emergency Response Fund awarded Zao Development Council Inc. (ZADC), a 
national NGO based in Nimba County, a grant totaling US$87,378.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed this week between and ZADC 
Inc and the DSRSG Mr. Abou Moussa in his capacity as the Humanitarian 
Coordinator& Resident Coordinator.

The purpose of the grant is to provide acute water and sanitation services 
in six communities in Nimba County. About 28,000 people, made up of host 
community members, IDPs and returnees will benefit from this initiative on 
completion. Nimba County is a region with a fast-increasing population as 
a result of high rates of returnees that continues to place pressure on 
the existing fragile infrastructure.

ZADC will construct sixteen latrines and sixteen wells, fitted with hand 
pumps, in these communities. An assessment mission, made up of ERF 
programme staff and ZADC representatives, traveled to Nimba earlier this 
week to verify the needs on the ground. The mission's recommendations 
include increased NGO intervention to meet basic WATSAN needs in 
communities throughout the region.

The project will last for four months beginning, October 2004 and will run 
through the end of January 2005. This project brings to eleven the total 
number of ERF-supported projects, amounting to US$791,347 out of the US$2 
million provided by OFDA.

UNDP awards equipment

UNDP has handed over audiovisual equipment to the Environment Protection 
Agency of Liberia. A "Resource and Training Center" with 12 PC's for 
training of Liberian journalists and Public Affairs Officers has been 
inaugurated. It is located in the ministry of Information. UNDP is funding 
a trainer in computer skills during the next six months.

Voluntary Repatriation Continues

The facilitated voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees, which 
commenced on 1 October 2004, continued during the reporting period. The 
second organized land convoy movement from Sierra Leone transported 79 
returnees through Bo Waterside to the Sinje Transit Center where they 
spent a night before being transported to drop-off points mainly in Cape 
Mount County. The returnees received medical treatment, hot meals, a 
two-month complementary food ration, non-food items and a secondary 
transportation allowance at the transit center. This brings to a total, 
253 people, the number of voluntary returnees since the operation started. 
Meanwhile, discussions with UNHCR regarding selection of implementing 
partners to distribute food and Non- food items to returning Liberian 
refugees in the repatriation exercise are still ongoing. WFP is also in 
the process of identifying implementing partners for the IDP repatriation 
exercise due to start 1st November. Some 100,000 IDPs are expected to be 
repatriated by end of December.

WFP beneficiary figures will be used as the baseline data for the 
repatriation exercise by all Agencies including the International 
Organization for Migration, IOM.

Return & Reintegration Activities

During the reporting period, UNHCR started pre-assessment monitoring in 
areas of initial return in Grand Cape Mount County. This was aimed at 
acquainting UNHCR with the prevailing situation in the County. UNHCR is 
making returnee monitoring a major activity in areas where return is being 
facilitated. The first cross border meeting took place between staff of 
UNHCR Liberia and their Ivorian counterparts. The meeting was aimed at 
working out durable solutions for the safe return of Liberian refugees. 
UNHCR Field Office in Tabou will proceed with the individual registration 
of Liberian refugees in November. The planning figure of 250 organized 
returns from Cote D'ivoire by the end of December this year remains valid.

UNHCR holds Transit Management workshop in Bong County

A one-day workshop on transit management, medical screening for returnees 
and community service activities was held during the period. Several UNHCR 
implementing partners providing transit services in Gbarnga, Bong County, 
attended the workshop.

Gender Forum

The Ministry of Gender and Development launched on 28 Sept the "Gender 
Forum" with UNDP's assistance. This forum will comprise of task forces for 
the purpose of successful implementation of national plans, programmes and 
policies.

Spontaneous Returnees

UNHCR is working closely with others partners to assist spontaneous 
returnees from the border onward to Harper, Maryland County before further 
proceeding to their areas of return. Two separate groups of people 
totaling 34 spontaneously returned from Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire 
respectively. UNHCR is developing a systematic field approach to deal with 
spontaneous returnees in offering them assistance and protection as in the 
case of those repatriated in an organized manner.

HCS Field mission to Bomi County

HCS field staff visited three livelihoods and school repair projects 
currently being implemented by German Agro-Action in Klay and Dowein 
districts of Bomi County. The projects (donations of seeds and tools, 
agricultural technical training and rice planting, repair of the primary 
school in Behtown, Dowein district) are well advanced and assist the local 
communities where IDPs are returning to re-start their agricultural and 
school activities. Members of the community interviewed expressed their 
belief that their relatives in IDP camps in Montserraddo would return as 
soon as possible once return activities begin in November. There are 
already many IDPs commuting from Seigbeh, Plumkor, Wilson and Blamasee 
camps to the village and waiting only for the 'return package' to settle 
back permanently. The communities are very active in self-help, having 
approached German Agro Action themselves seeking for agricultural inputs. 
This arrangement appears to be working very well and has been appreciated 
by the communities. Observations at the sites and during interviews with 
other people in different communities show that main inputs required for 
the future are zinc sheeting for buildings and individual.

Seeds and tools are other main requirements for the upcoming planting 
season and will help immeasurably to ease returnees back into their 
communities.

A second sensitization campaign was held at Maimu I IDP camp on 15 
October, led by HCS, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and LRRRC. The 
object of the campaign was to inform camp managers and IDP representatives 
about arrangements being made for the return of IDPs due to start on 1 
November and hold a question and answer session to clarify uncertainties 
regarding the return plan. Participants were appreciative of this 
initiative and will disseminate the information to all IDPs in the camps 
under their responsibilities to allow people to gain an understanding 
regarding such issues as the composition of the return 'package', 
transportation and reintegration initiatives.

UNDP in partnership with UNHCR has completed an assessment of Grand Cape 
Mount County to determine geographical areas for priority interventions in 
health, education and water and sanitation. The joint mission identified 
25 micro-projects in all 4 districts to be implemented by local NGOs and 
CBO's as part of UNDP's Community Based Recovery and Reintegration 
Programme. The micro-projects, which are low cost and labor intensive, aim 
to include an element of capacity-building, sustainable livelihoods 
activities and provision of basic social services. UNDP has also completed 
an assessment and identified 18 micro-projects of the same nature in Bong 
County, and will expand the project to other Counties.

Joint Implementation Unit/DDRR

The project at Monrovia Vocational Training Centre (MVTC) was launched 
last week. It targets a total of 500 ex-combatants. The Formal Education 
Program will be launched on Monday, October 25, at the Antoinette Tubman 
Stadium in Monrovia. About 3,000 students have enrolled in this program in 
about 80 schools and will be participating in the program.

HCS & RRR officers visited Cheesemanburg skills training centre for 
ex-combatants. The centre is providing training to an estimated 205 
trainees in carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, welding and 
masonry psycho-social counseling. 10% of the trainees are community 
residents. The training is being provided by local NGOs with assistance 
from UNDP/UN-HABITAT and has been designed to take eight months. It is 
scheduled to end in February 2005.

After graduation, the trainees will be deployed in various areas for at 
least five months apprenticeship training to enable them enhance their 
practical skills. The trainees are not provided with start-up kits to be 
provided by NCDDRR. The trainees are paid US$30 every month as long as 
they register 75% attendance. It was also observed that some of the 
trainees are residing at the Ricks Institute IDP camp. After 
Cheesemanburg, similar sessions will be replicated in other Counties.

Transitional Justice Working Group holds meeting on first national survey

During the period, the Transitional Justice Working Group held the first 
meeting to review the results from the national survey on transitional 
justice. The TJWG is an initiative comprising18 national and international 
NGOs that are active in peace-building activities in Liberia. The survey 
indicated that Liberians generally have an optimistic outlook for the 
peace process and support the reconciliation process. Many of those 
surveyed showed high confidence in UNMIL and the UN Family, and believe 
that the peace process would last.

C. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES BY SECTOR

Food Aid

WFP pipeline situation

A total of 2,039.40 Mt of assorted food commodities was received in 
country on 8th October as part of the expected Food-For-Peace 
contributions.

The latest arrivals include 1,265 Mt of Bulgur wheat, 486 Mt of Peas and 
288 Mt of CSB. With the current available food stocks in country, WFP 
started the October food distribution on 11th October.

The arrival of more food commodities is expected to meet the October 
requirements. The WFP Pipeline break experienced in October led to a 
further reduction in the general food rations to a daily ration of 1,280 
kilo calories; 39% less than the recommended daily ration of 2,100 kilo 
calories. In September, WFP provided 1,350 kilocalories under general food 
distribution.

WFP Liberia still requires additional resources estimated at US$ 1.52 
million to avoid a food shortfall of 2,538 Mt, from October through 
December 2004. The current shortfalls include 1,945 Mt of Cereals, 501 Mt 
of Oil and 92 Mt of CSB.

General food distribution

Distribution of food ration to the second batch of Liberians returnees 
from Sierra Leone who arrived in the country on 8th October through the Bo 
Waterside crossing point took place on 9th October 2004 in Sinje, Grand 
Cape Mount County. A total of 79 returnees comprising 41 male and 38 
female were registered and served with some 3.2 Mt of assorted food 
commodities representing two months take home ration plus one night wet 
feeding ration at the transit points.

General food distribution for the month of October to IDPs commenced on 
11th October. Camps served during the reporting period include Jah Tondo, 
Fendel, Blamasee, Perry Town and Newland located in Montserrado County 
plus Unification Town in Margibi County.

WFP and UNMIL airlift food to Voinjama

During the period, a total of 84 Mt of food was airlifted from Monrovia to 
Voinjama, Lofa County by UNMIL helicopters for the DDRR program. Food 
deliveries by road to Voinjama and Zwedru are becoming very difficult due 
to the bad road conditions. UNMIL agreed to cover the airlift expenses to 
avoid any interruption that food shortages might cause to the disarmament 
and demobilization exercise in Voinjama.

Bad roads impede humanitarian access

Bad and impassable roads are hindering humanitarian activities and the 
DDRR exercise in Grand Gedeh County. The condition of the Toe Town road, 
which is also an entry point for refugees and returnees, is worsening. The 
extent of the problem is that vehicles belonging to both humanitarian 
actors and commercial owners are getting stuck in the mud or have to spend 
nights on the road before arriving in Zwedru. Five WFP trucks that were 
delivering some 90 metric tons of food to the area could not do so as 
sections of the road were impassable. One of the two trucks that UNMIL had 
sent to rescue the food were also stuck in the mud. HCS is following up 
with UNMIL Civil Affairs to find other means to have the food transported 
to the town. The road condition is also hampering the movement of the 
polio team in the County. Officers from HCS and the Civil Affairs are 
assisting the team with transportation.

Agriculture & Food Security

MOA proposes Rapid National Agricultural Assessment

During the 14 October meeting of the Agriculture Coordination Committee, 
the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) presented a proposal to conduct the 
Rapid National Agricultural Assessment for 2004-2005.

To this effect, MOA has decided to set up a technical review committee to 
evaluate the details of this agricultural assessment, particularly on how 
the agricultural sector in Liberia can be restored to improve food 
security.

Agriculture Working Group takes steps to standardize farm inputs

In a move to boost further agricultural production in Grand Gedeh County, 
the Agriculture Working Group in Zwedru will put in place standards for 
good quality of tools and seeds from donors. The AWG was also tasked at 
the HCS coordination meeting to encourage blacksmithing in the County. 
Already, there are indications that GTZ will soon introduce blacksmithing 
in Zwedru and in the surrounding communities.

Education

WFP pipeline break hampers Emergency School Feeding program

Due to pipeline constraints, WFP has been forced to reduce the number of 
schools benefiting from food assistance for the month of October by 75%. 
WFP was feeding some 400,675 school children but the caseload has been 
reduced to 123,890 until the pipeline situation improves. Priority has 
been given to public and community schools. Most of the private schools 
that were part of the ESF have been left out. Further expansion of the 
programme is planned for 2005, with a target to feed some 450,000 children 
every month beginning January 2005, depending on the pipeline situation.

UNICEF completes follow-up assessment to Maryland

UNICEF completed a follow up assessment visit to Maryland County during 
the period. The assessment was to identify partners for the renovation of 
13 schools that are to be used for the implementation of the Accelerated 
Learning Program this academic year. At least 2,600 students in Maryland 
are to benefit from the ALP during the year.

Shortage of teachers hampers learning in Grand Gedeh County

In the HCS coordination meeting in Zwedru, humanitarian actors discussed 
the shortage of teachers in schools, lack of furniture and instructional 
materials as the major problems affecting the school system in the County. 
The issue of schools being empty and students leaving for the D-2 site for 
disarmament package was also raised. The Education Working Group was 
tasked to prepare a project proposal to agencies for school support and to 
UNMIL to encourage the students return to the classroom. Meanwhile, as 
part of its efforts to assist the Government of Liberia in restoring basic 
social services in the rural areas, UNHCR completed arrangement with the 
Ministry of Education to provide four motorbikes to Zwedru for use by 
District Education Officers in the County.

Health and Nutrition

Grand Cape Mount NIDs result

Results from the five districts in Grand Cape Mount County where 
Synchronized National Immunization Days were conducted indicate that the 
overall target of 14,543 children was achieved.

Since the start of the synchronized NIDs on 8-12 October, a total of 
17,516 children were vaccinated in the districts of Garwula, Tewor, 
Popkar, Gola-Konneh and Robertsport. The percentage coverage in the number 
of children targeted is 119.5.

Protection

Child Protection Taskforce and MOH discuss plans for situational analysis 
survey

During the week, the Child Protection Taskforce held a meeting at the 
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to discuss plans for situational 
analysis survey for adolescent children in Liberia that is scheduled to 
start soon. The study funded by UNICEF and coordinated by the children 
protection taskforce will be conducted in 10 Counties. UNICEF has 
recruited a national consultancy firm and an international consultant to 
carry out the study. The taskforce will offer guidance to the consultants 
and continually review the implementation process of the study. The 
situation analysis will also be helpful to WFP in interventions targeting 
vulnerable children.

CAFF update

The total caseload of demobilized Children Associated with Fighting 
Forces, CAFF and other separated children, from December 2003 is 8,853. Of 
this number 6,988 are boys and 1,865 are girls including those that are 
pregnant and 88 babies. The present caseload of children in the Interim 
Care Centers, ICCs is 522, constituting 372 boys and 150 girls. So far, 
8,077 children have been reunified with their families. Some 372 boys and 
150 girls are awaiting reunification

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