OCHA Situation Report No. 119
Liberia
24 - 30 September 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

A. GENERAL SITUATION

Highlights

Tripartite agreements signed

On 27 September, the governments of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote 
d'Ivoire and the UNHCR, signed tripartite repatriation agreements, to set 
up the legal framework for the Liberian repatriation operation due to be 
launched on 1st October.

A Tripartite Agreement was also signed between the Governments of Ghana 
and Liberia and UNHCR in Accra on September 22.  One last Tripartite 
Agreement remains to be signed shortly with Nigeria, where there are some 
6,000 Liberian refugees.  These tripartite agreements spell out, among 
other things, the rights of Liberian refugees to freely choose to 
repatriate and the modalities of the repatriation movement, such as 
immigration procedures.  UNHCR is planning to organize repatriation for 
some 340,000 Liberian refugees over a three-year period, including 28,000 
this year. The first refugees are expected in Liberia from Ghana and 
Sierra Leone on 1st October.  This is the third time UNHCR is organizing 
repatriation to Liberia after the 1991, and 1997 operations.

African Union Ambassadors end West African mission on Refugees situation

During the period, a 4-member high-level African Union mission, on a 
three-day two-nation tour visited the sub-region.  The mission began in 
Cote d'Ivoire on to Sierra Leone where the delegation met Liberian 
refugees in Guiglo, Cote d'Ivoire and Tobanda and Gerihun camps in Sierra 
Leone. The mission was the latest in a series under the AU's "New Visions" 
plan of action launched earlier this year to alleviate the plight of 
Africa's poorest citizens.  The delegation comprised the Mauritanian 
Ambassador to Ethiopia, El Hassan Mohammed Ould Lebatt, the Republic of 
Congo's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Geroges Banthoud, and UNHCR Senior Liaison 
Officer to the AU, Tamba Komba.  While in Sierra Leone the delegation met 
with President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, senior government officials and the 
UNHCR to convey their solidarity with the government of Sierra Leone. 
They also committed themselves to advocating on behalf of refugees with 
donors, particularly when it comes to road improvement, which is the 
lifeline of any country.  The AU delegation stated that it was dedicated 
to working with all of the governments in Africa to ensuring sustainable 
peace to preventing the outbreak of further refugee crises.  Similar 
missions were completed in Angola, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda in an 
attempt to let AU Ambassadors assess refugee situation for themselves.

Amnesty commends Liberia's ratification of Rome Statue

An Amnesty International report of 23 September on Relief Web attached 
significance to the signing of the Rome Statute of the International 
Criminal Court by Chairman Gyude Bryant of the National Transitional 
Government of Liberia.  The report indicated that the signing was a major 
step towards ensuring that there can be no impunity for the gravest 
possible crimes under international law and that the ratification would 
help in determining the commission of such crimes in the future.  Also by 
the ratification, Liberia has committed itself to investigating and 
prosecuting crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 
In the event that Liberia is unwilling to do so, the Court may step in and 
exercise jurisdiction over crimes that are committed in the future. 
Amnesty International suggested that what remains now is for Liberia to 
review and amend its national laws to ensure that these crimes can be 
investigated and prosecuted by national courts and that Liberia can 
cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court.  Further steps need 
to be taken by Liberia to enact implementing legislation defining the 
crimes in the Rome Statute and other crimes under international law and 
providing for effective cooperation with the Court.  During the last 
reporting period, Chairman Gyude Bryant of the NTGL has signed, ratified 
and acceded to 17 protocols and conventions at the "Focus 2004" Treaties 
Event in New York.

WHO donates motorbikes for health surveillance program

The World Health Organization, WHO, on 29 September, presented the last of 
eight of a 15-motorbike package to the Ministry of Health to strengthen 
the health surveillance program in all the 15 counties of the Liberia, 
Previously, seven motorbikes were delivered to the Ministry last weekend. 
The total cost of the motorbikes is US$28,000.  The WHO committed itself 
to continuing efforts to supporting the Ministry of Health in its 
surveillance program.

B. COORDINATION

Emergency Response Fund, ERF, Supports PMU InterLife-Liberia

The Emergency Response Fund, ERF is supporting PMU InterLife-Liberia 
project for an Emergency camp Expansion in Blamasee IDP camp.  The project 
was signed 24 September and will last through March 2005.  Over 20,000 
IDPs constituting some 610 families that are occupying makeshift transit 
shelters in Blamasee IDP camp will be targeted by the project.  The 
overall goal of the project is to relocate the 610 families in makeshift 
structures to shelters.  It will also assist the entire IDP population of 
Blamasee with repairs of some shelters of vulnerable people and take care 
of the overall camp management services.  Under the project, PMU will 
secure round poles, mats and other temporary construction materials to 
recondition huts that have been damaged and take care of camp management 
issues.  Camp management activities involve: continued rehabilitation of 
damaged IDP shelters, coordination of service providers working in the 
camp, advocacy for IDPs for continued humanitarian assistance and 
protection issues, monitoring of water and sanitation services and 
sensitization of IDPs on the RR process.

As a result of recent donor policy to concentrate their funds on return 
and reintegration programs, NGOs working in the area of camp management 
have had little or no source of funding at all.  This gap may cause 
serious problems in the interim, from now to the actual commencement of 
the resettlement program.

The Bong CRAC recommends county declaration as safe for return

During the period, the Bong County Resettlement Assessment Committee, 
CRAC, recommended at an information sharing workshop held at Phebe 
Hospital, that the county be declared safe for IDP return.  The 
participants observed that there was still the need for the provision of 
basic social services including schools and clinics as well as improvement 
on the road condition as key to the process of return.  The final decision 
for declaring Bong safe for return rests with the Security Assessment 
Committee for Resettlement, SACR that is reviewing the recommendation.

NRC deploys supervisors to areas of return

The Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, a UNHCR implementing partner, 
responsible for returnee profiling has made significant strides in the 
deployment of supervisors to areas of return.  Supervisors are tasked to 
monitor return and community assessments.

WVI sensitizes communities about CEP

World Vision International, an INGO, commenced the sensitization of 
communities about the Community Empowerment Projects, CEP.  Efforts have 
intensified to establish local groups such as District Development 
Committees to spearhead community-based programs within the context of the 
National Reintegration Strategy for returnees and their host communities.

WFP and IDP Verification Results

As a result of the hut count exercise conducted in Mount Barclay IDP camp, 
the feeding population in the camp has reduced by 19%, from13,161 
beneficiaries to 10,556 beneficiaries.  The Verification exercise was also 
conducted in Rick's IDP camp- block H and a reduction in beneficiary 
numbers is expected.  WFP has completed distribution of new ration cards 
in all camps replacing the expired ones. There are indications that some 
IDPs have left the camps for their counties of origin based on the fact 
that some households didn't turn up to collect their new rations cards.

HCS/Peace Winds Japan and UNHCR on visits to Public Schools in Lofa

On 29 September, the Humanitarian Coordination Section, together with 
Peace Winds Japan, an INGO and UNHCR visited two public schools in 
Sarkonedu and Lawalazu Towns to monitor progress on the renovation at both 
schools funded by UNHCR.  Both schools were found to be renovated but lack 
furniture and cafeteria.  Peace Winds Japan is liasing with UNHCR and 
UNICEF to consider the possibility of providing furniture and constructing 
kitchen at both locations.

C. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES BY SECTOR

Food Aid

WFP food situation

A total of 1,766 Mt of assorted food commodities arrived at the port 
during the reporting period, including 1200 Mt of Rice, 240 Mt of Veg oil 
(loan from Abidjan) and 326Mt of Pulses. In addition, the Country Office 
received a new contribution of 560 Mt of Maize meal worthy USD $ 381,846 
from Netherlands. The maize meal is expected to arrive in the country in 
December.  The arrival of some of the US-FFP shipments is being 
accelerated in order to avert the pipeline break in October. The Country 
office is expecting some 2,752 Mt of cereals, 1500 Mt of Pulses and 621 Mt 
of CSB during the second week of October. Once these commodities are 
received, WFP will be in position to carry out food distribution in 
October to some of the key activities at reduced rations.  Additional 
resources estimated at US $ 6 Million are still required to avoid a food 
shortfall totaling 9,860 Mt, from October through December.  The current 
shortfall includes 8413 Mt of Cereals, 281 Mt of Pulses, 788 Mt of Oil, 42 
Mt of Salt and 337 Mt of CSB.

General Food Distribution

Food distribution to IDPs, Refugees and Returnees for the month of 
September was completed during the reporting period. To complete the food 
distribution cycle, food deliveries were carried out in 15 camps during 
the week including Civil Compound, Blamasee, Rick's, Mount Barclay, 
Children Home, Sinje 3, Wilson Corner, VOA -1, Soul Clinic, Morris Farm, 
Salala, Tumutu, Buchanan, Sawegbeh and Saclepea.  The exercise was very 
successful in most camps except for VOA -1, Mont Barclay and Sawegbeh 
where distribution was delayed due to concerns of shortages of vegetable 
oil and salt. Stakeholders have since agreed to accept the available food 
commodities.  The distribution has since been completed without the two 
commodities.  Thus, beneficiaries in the three camps as well as those in 
Saclepea received a 12.45kg monthly ration compared to 13.05kg served in 
other camps where distribution was held at the beginning of the month. The 
timely dissemination of information coupled with the involvement of all 
the stakeholders in the process has been key in maintaining a calm 
security situation at the food distribution sites.

Bad road condition inhibits food deliveries

Delays in food supply to Voinjama led to suspension of the DDRR exercise 
in the area for four days. The deteriorating road conditions to Voinjama 
caused delays in delivery food commodities to the DDRR cantonment sites. 
UNMIL decided to take a four days break in order to allow WFP deliver the 
required food commodities.  WFP is exploring other means of transporting 
DDRR food requirements to Voinjama including airlift using UNMIL plane.

Also, the constant breakdown of port handling equipment in Monrovia 
continues to cause delays in transferring food containers from the port to 
WFP warehouses. The Port Authorities lack funds and equipment to carry out 
regular servicing / replacement of the equipment.

Education

IRC certifies 285 teachers

The International Rescue Committee, IRC, certified 285 teachers after 
successfully completing a three-year IRC-sponsored teacher-training 
workshop.  The certification ceremony was held in Bong County.  Training 
of the teachers was conducted in nine camps for internally displaced 
persons in Bong and Margibi counties.  The training is designed to help 
the teachers create effective lesson plans and to implement a curriculum 
according to national guidelines.  The teachers also received sessions on 
gender-based violence and child protection.  Most teacher-training 
programs that were conducted during the war years have been held on a 
short-term basis for quick impact in schools. IRC's three-year program is 
a step further to improving the quality of teachers, most of whom are 
anticipated to return to their areas of origin during the coming months.

Schools in Bong in a state of disrepair

In spite of UNMIL's Quick Impact Project on the rehabilitation of some 
schools in Bong, the Gbarnga sub-office of the HCS has observed that 
majority of schools are in a state of disrepair.  Agencies have been asked 
to intervene especially now that the school year commences in October.

Capacity building on IECD

UNICEF provided financial and facilitation support to a workshop on the 
integrated approach to Early Childhood Development (IECD).  Sixty 
participants from ministries and agencies of government and NGO partners 
participated in the workshop on 24 September.  The workshop discussed a 
draft national policy for Integrated Early Childhood Development.  The 
IECD approach promotes a holistic vision of the child.  It integrates a 
number of core interventions to create a foundation of support for 
children, their caregivers and community.  The policy document will 
establish the framework for IECD implementation at national, county and 
community levels.

Health and Nutrition

Mental Health program for Liberia

A mental health strategy for Liberia is being drafted with funding from 
the DDRR program under a UNDP/WHO agreement.  A WHO consultant that was 
recruited under the agreement conducted an assessment of the Out Patient 
Department (OPD) of the John F. Kennedy Hospital, JFK, to establish its 
potentiality for use as a mental health facility.  Under this agreement, 
beneficiaries also include ex-combatants that were processed in the DDRR 
program. Until a mental health program for Liberia is completed, the Grant 
Mental Hospital, a private mental facility in the Paynesville Red Light 
district, would be used on a short-term lease through a MOU that has been 
initiated between the Ministry of Health and the hospital to treat severe 
cases of mental illness.

Health partners to support Synchronized NID

Negotiations among the WHO, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and NGO-health 
service providers to move logistics into the counties were completed 
during the period.  Under the arrangements, UNMIL will also provide 
helicopters and UNHCR, trucks to transport cold-chain and other logistics 
to the counties and districts for the Synchronized National Immunization 
Days. Other agencies will assist with the deployment of their vehicles to 
immunization sites.

Survey on gender based violence completed

Field activities for the national survey for gender-based violence were 
completed during the period.  Data analysis is in progress and as soon as 
that is completed, the necessary information to determine the magnitude of 
the problem would be provided, the result of which would be the design of 
appropriate interventions to respond to the problem.  The process which is 
being led by a consultant is under the auspices of WHO /Africa Regional 
Office with funding from the Finnish Government.

De-worming school children continues

UNICEF and the School Health Division of the Ministry of Education are 
continuing the de-worming of a target of 5,000 school children ages 2-5 
years in 50 schools in five counties. To date, a total of 1354 children 
have benefited from the intervention in Bong, Bomi, Grand Bassa, Margibi 
and Montserrado counties.

Protection

CAFF Update

The total caseload of demobilized Children Associated with Fighting 
Forces, CAFF, and other separated children, December 2003 inclusive, is: 
7,908 children (6,190 boys, 1,268 girls including 15 pregnant girls and 48 
babies).  Present caseload of children in the interim care centers (ICCs) 
is 837 (652 boys, 185 girls). To date, 7,009 children: (5,481 boys and 
1,528 girls have been reunified with their families. 652 boys and 185 
girls are awaiting reunification.

UNICEF capacity building for LCP

UNICEF is continuing to build the capacity of the Liberian Children's 
Parliament to enhance its ability for children's participation and 
advocacy. On 25 September, thirty representatives of the Liberian 
Children's Parliament participated in a full-day workshop on Child rights 
and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Facilitators for the 
workshop came from UNICEF's Child Protection and Participation Unit.

WATSAN

Following reports of lack of water and sanitation facilities in some of 
the camps in Bong, UNICEF responded by conducting a general watsan 
assessment in all of the camps to determine needs.  At the23 September 
coordination meeting at the Gbarnga sub-office of the HCS, UNICEF 
expressed willingness to provide spare parts to Action Contre La Faim, 
ACF, to rehabilitate some of the broken hand pumps.  There are currently 
ongoing talks between ACF and UNICEF in furtherance of rehabilitating the 
hand pumps.

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