Sierra Leone - DHA-04: 18.Mar-14.Apr.97
Sierra Leone - DHA-04: 18.Mar-14.Apr.97
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
SIERRA LEONE BI-MONTHLY INFORMATION REPORT
Period covered: 18 March - 14 April 1997 - No. 04-97
This report has been prepared by the office of the United Nations
Humanitarian Coordinator in Sierra Leone
UN APPEALS FOR USD 68.2 MILLION TO MEET HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN SIERRA
LEONE
The Consolidated Inter-Agency Humanitarian Appeal for Sierra Leone was
launched in New York, Geneva and Freetown. Following the end of five
years of hostilities by the 30 November Abidjan Peace Accord, about one
third of the 1.6 million persons displaced by the war have returned to
places of origin. The Appeal spanning the period between March 1997 to
February 1998 is designed to promote the consolidation of peace and asset
the affected population to attain self-sufficiency. Thus food aid will be
provided to sustain people displaced or impoverished by the war, to
facilitate their return to their communities and to support them while
they strive to produce their own sustenance. Similarly, direct benefits
such as nutritional supplements, vaccines and educational services for
displaced children will be combined with measures to build up the local
capacity for the delivery of these services.
The Appeal covers programmes of the World Food Programme (WFP), the
United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations
Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), United Nations
Volunteers (UNV), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the Department
of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA). The Appeal also contains annexes
reflecting the activities and requirements in 1997 of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (USD 16.4 million) and of the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (USD 1.9 million).
The humanitarian activities in the Appeal will provide a basic foundation
for the National Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Programme (NRRRP) launched by the Government of Sierra Leone at a Round
Table Conference in Geneva in September 1996. The Appeal is designed to
provide a basic safety-net for the war-affected and returnees, while the
NRRRP establishes conditions for their resumption of a productive life.
SECURITY
Clashes between the Military and kamajohs in the diamond- rich Tonga
Fields area near Gandorhun resulted in 18 fatalities and numerous
casualties. As the wounded filled the hospital in Kenema tensions between
the two groups mounted, erupting into violence in the streets of town. A
midnight to dawn curfew has been imposed since 24 March. Hassan Conteh
and Dep. Minister of Defense Chief Norman Hinga flew to Kenema on
separate occasions to attempt to quell the hostilities. As of 31 March
the situation has calmed however the curfew remains in effect. GoSL
Soldiers in Tonga were withdrawn to Kono. Combined military and Kamajoh
offensives against RUF bases in Kangari Hills and the Moyamba area
continued to have a negative impact on road security. On 20 March, five
civilians were killed in an ambush along the Kono-Matatoka road, when the
vehicle they were travelling in was fired upon.
Recruitment and mobilisation of kamajohs has been stepped up in Kenema to
support their efforts in Kailahn. Pendembu was reportedly attacked by RUF
forces on 6 April resulting in numerous casualties. At the time of this
report the town remains under the control of GoSL Soldiers and kamajohs,
however there are reports of continued skirmishes and insecurity in the
area.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
The 15 March Press Release issued in the name of the RUF High Command
deposing Corp. Foday Sankoh as the RUF Leader, (see Humanitarian sitrep
of 1-17 March) was welcomed by various sources. President Kabbah issued a
statement, dated 15 March in which he expressed the GoSLs willingness to
give the new leadership the support and cooperation necessary to achieve
Peace in Sierra Leone.
ON 25 March, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Ambassador B.
Dinka reported a positive attitude among both the GoSL and the -new- RUF
Leadership towards implementation of the stalled Peace Agreement. The
Ambassador cited the refusal of Corp. Sankoh to endorse the proposed DPKO
Mission as the critical incident leading to his expulsion. The Envoy also
expressed confidence that the time frames for implementation of the
articles of the Peace Agreement would not be subject to renegotiation due
to the change of leadership.
>From 25 March, the RUF High Command and War Council held a meeting in
Nongowa, a village on the Sierra Leone-Guinea border to review the issue
of leadership of the RUF. The meeting was reportedly called by the RUF
external delegation in Abidjan pursuant to the 15 March press release
signed by Capt. Philip Palmer, declaring the termination of RUF Leader,
Corp. Foday Sankoh. A delegation including two of the RUF appointees to
the Committee for the Consolidation of Peace (CCP) and the Sierra Leonean
Ambassador to Guinea, Major Diaby, among others, traveled to the meeting
via Conakry. The CCP members had declared support for appointing new
leadership and it was apparently with this intent that they attended the
meeting.
After arriving in Nongowa, some of the delegation were asked to proceed
on to Kailahn town where they were subsequently arrested and detained by
RUF Field Commander Bockarie. At the time of this report there is no
clear indication of terms or conditions for the release of the
delegation. It is rumored that the release of Ambassador Diaby is
contingent upon the return of Corp. Sankoh to Sierra Leone and that the
RUF-appointed CCP members are held, and would be tried, for treason.
Radio communications between Freetown and the RUF base where the
detainees are held indicate that the delegation is in fair condition.
Desmond Luke, Chairperson of the CCP reports that despite extensive
discussions with RUF Field Commander Bockarie there are indeed no clear
conditions for the release of the detainees. Major Bockarie has mentioned
in their conversations that he would like the GoSL to facilitate the
return of the RUF leader, Corporal Foday Sankoh for Nigeria.
Negotiations have taken place with leaders of the neighboring countries
and ECOWAS member states for intervention in the stalemate over the
detainees and to prevent Sankoh from receiving sanctuary elsewhere if he
is able to leave Nigeria.
During the reporting period, rumors in the local media flourished
concerning the status of the contested RUF Leader, Cor. Foday Sankoh.
Various sources described him as either under arrest, as detained without
access to communications equipment, or as a guest of the Nigerian
Government with full privileges. At the same time Corp. Sankoh has not
been criminally charged and he appears to travel freely within Nigeria. A
high level Sierra Leonean delegation including Vice President Demby
reportedly visited Nigeria and may have discussed the stalemate among
other issues with General Abacha.
Corp. Foday Sankoh was interviewed on BBC -Focus on Africa- and stated
that the hostages held in Kailahun were being detained -because of their
attitude towards the leadership of the RUF and they went there to incite
combatants... they are no longer members of the RUF-. He went on to
criticize President Kabbah for trying to interfere in the internal
affairs of the RUF by influencing his appointees to the CCP.
At the World Bank Consultative Group meeting in Paris on 21 March, donors
made pledges to Sierra Leone for over USD 640 million, including USD 274
million in grants and USD 23 million in debt relief, the remaining USD
342 million being in loans on concessional terms.
In Freetown three journalists were arrested and charged with spying and
possession of military secrets in connection with articles published in a
local newspaper, the Expo Times. The case went from Magistrate to the
High Court where the three were released on bail of 10 million Leones
each.
DEMOBILISATION
While the political stalemate continues, provision of the Peace Agreement
including those pertaining to formal disarmament and demobilisation,
cannot be implemented. Consequently, no progress has been made towards
the establishment of DDR sites as described in the text of the Agreement.
In the most significant step towards demobilisation to date, between 10
to 14 April, 41 persons claiming to be either RUF combatants or
affiliates came out of the bush in the Magburaka-Kangari Hills area. The
41 are all males between the ages of approx. 15 to 50 years of age.
Initial contact was made with tribal leaders in Magburaka, 30 miles
southeast of Makeni, on 10 April, where there are now 16 ex-RUF. This
group, which had been roughed up by Kamajohs on the way in, has received
medical and nutritional assistance and is described as psychologically
sound. Despite preliminary screening procedures, it is unclear at the
time of this report as to whether the ex-RUF were indeed bonafide
combatants. On 13 April, Kamajohs reported they were guarding 4 RUF in
Masingbi and another 21 near Mayawpaw, Kangari Hills area. Efforts are
underway to consolidate all the former RUF in a reception centre being
established at the Islamic College outside Magburaka. The MNRRR-DDR, the
Brigade Commander, Regional authorities, HACU, WFP and NGOs, Concern
Universal, SLRC, CRS, and Caritas Makeni, have coordinated efforts to
ensure the safety and well- being of the ex-RUF. The ex-RUF were
well-received by the civilian population in Magburaka.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
A GoSL-appointed Panel of Inquiry looking into allegations concerning
management and relief distributions at the Clay Factory IDPs camp in
Freetown has produced its final report. The Panel has satisfactorily
established that the irregularities occurred due to technical oversights
and not with the intent to deprive the IDPs of food. Moreover, there is
no sign of malnutrition resultant from the above mentioned
irregularities. The Panel has also recommended that the GoSL, through
MNRRR should facilitate and lead the movement of displaced people, whose
places of origin remain insecure, from the multiple camps in Freetown
into a single camp.
The displaced camps in the Western Area have received a final food
distribution in line with the ongoing MNRRR repatriation programme
initiative. District leaders and the respective camp management have
collaborated to finalize lists for repatriation. Displaced from areas
that are deemed to be unsafe will be housed in the existing Grafton or
Waterloo Camps after additional water, sanitation and other service
facilities have been added. MNRRR, plans to discuss with the Education
Ministry to allow for students sitting for national examinations to stay
in these camps until academic term ends. Humanitarian agencies are
concerned that the current health status of these camps will deteriorate
greatly with the onset of the rainy season.
A further evaluation of the overall situation of the Freetown displaced
camps undertaken by MNRRR and HACU recommends closure of three camps
Foray Bay, Ross Road and Clay Factory prior to the rainy season. The
inhabitants from safe areas are encouraged to return to places of origin.
The Freetown camp downsizing is expected to start after mid-April, going
on for one month or more.
RESETTLEMENT
At present 671,000 individuals have received resettlement rations at
places of origin. Simultaneously Food for Work and Food for Agriculture
Schemes are being designed or implemented in resettled communities that
will benefit approximately 500,000 persons. All upcountry camps have been
seriously downsized as part of the resettlement initiative, except those
housing persons from the twelve unsafe Chiefdoms.
However, the NGO community is about expanding resettlement schemes due to
the political stalemate, the lack of demobilisation and the uncertain
security situation. In light of the recent road insecurity that is
apparently related to the delays in the demobilisation process the
prepositioning of food stocks upcountry is advisable.
EMERGENCY AGRICULTURE
FAO in collaboration with implementing partner Childrens Aid Direct
provided 213 resettled farmers in Lunsar District with start up seed and
tool packages that are now producing a harvest. The partners are
targeting another 200 families in the port Loko District with similar
packages. A timely contribution to FAO from the Swedish Government will
facilitate the distribution of seeds, tools, fertilizer and crop
protectants to 17,000 conflict-affected families who have returned to
rural areas throughout the country. Most of the inputs are in place and
modes of distribution are in the final planning stages.
CEDC
Meetings are continuing in the CEDC sector to ensure that the guidelines
developed with Ministry of Social Welfare, UNICEF, HACU and child focused
NGOs is in line with the Bill of Rights for the Child being drafted by
the Ministry of Gender and Childrens Affairs. In addition, a survey is
being planned to examine the impact of training for care givers and a
general situation analysis of children exposed to violence in Sierra
Leones six years of civil war.
FOOD AID
Food agencies distributed 671,000 resettlement rations last month as the
final consignment of the three month package. Vulnerable group feeding
(VGF) continues for displaced who are unable to return to unsafe
chiefdoms and to families who qualify following the household assessment.
Efforts are underway to implement VGF programmes in rural areas using
village committees to help identify priority families. Institutional
feeding is growing in all districts. There are over 500,000 people
benefiting from food for work schemes and agricultural support
programmes. This will expand with the expected increase in agricultural
activities in May.
REFUGEES
A UNHCR team in Liberia is screening and registering Sierra Leone
refugees for a massive repatriation exercised slated to begin at the end
of April. Some 5,000 Sierra Leones are expected to return by seas at the
rate of 600 individuals per voyage.
UNHCR is holding a workshop in April. The Workshop will draw participants
from the governments of Sierra a Voluntary Repatriation Training Workshop
in Freetown from 13 to 16 Leone, Guinea, and Liberia together with UNHCR
and NGO staff members operating in the three countries. The aim is to
train participants in planning and or implementing voluntary repatriation
activities in countries of asylum and or return.
HEALTH
UNICEF reports that the outbreak of measles is now under control as they
have assisted MSF-Holland and the Ministry of Health to provide
vaccination coverage in six Chiefdoms in Kambia District. Port Loko
District was previously covered and campaigns in Kabala and Koinadugu are
ongoing.
MSF-France will undertake preventative vaccinations against measles and
other diseases in Kono District, however, campaigns in the Kailahun
District remain on standby for security reasons. A memorandum of
understanding between UNICEF and ICRC is under formulation in which
UNICEF will supply ICRC to cover Pujehun District and part of Kailahun
District as well.
According to WHO and the NGO MERLIN, Lassa Fever continues to spread in
the worst-ever documented outbreak of the disease (see Humanitarian
Sit-rep of 1-17 March). However, the outbreak appears limited to in and
around Segbwema, Kailahun District, along with Tongo and Pangamu, Kenema
District. Available supplies of Ribavarin which is no longer manufactured
in the USA, continue to dwindle. Moreover, a shift to utilizing a Chinese
source of the vaccine is complicated by the lack of field tests.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Ms. Elisabeth Lwanga
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator - Freetown,
Sierra Leone
Tel: (232 22) 22 53 46 - 22 53 11
Fax: (232 22) 22 32 50 - (871) 151 31 21
United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (HACU)
Information Office - Mr. Robert Painter - Mr. David Carden
Tel: (232 22) 22 77 59 (Direct) or (232 22) 22 97 67
(Switchboard)
Complex Emergency Division (CED) - New York
Ms. Kaoruko Seki
Tel: (1 212) 963.9072
Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: seki@un.org
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Chris Kaye
Tel: (41 22) 788.6385
Fax: (41 22) 788.6389
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Press to contact (DHA-Geneva)
Ms. Madeleine Moulin-Acevedo
Tel: (41 22) 917.2856
Fax: (41 22) 917.0023
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
E-Mail: Moulin-Acevedo@dha.unicc.org
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