Sierra Leone - DHA: 1-7.Jul.97
Sierra Leone - DHA: 1-7.Jul.97
SIERRA LEONE
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 1-7 July 1997
This report has been prepared by the office of the United Nations
Humanitarian Coordinator for Sierra Leone in Conakry, Guinea
SECURITY
1. The security situation in Freetown has improved during the last week
with fewer armed robberies and less harassment of civilians on the street.
Freetown sources believe that this improvement is attributable to efforts
currently being made by the AFRC to ensure that the city appears
relatively normal in anticipation of a possible visit by the four person
Committee of ECOWAS Foreign Ministers. The general strike continues
despite threats of sacking being broadcasted over national radio in an
attempt to persuade the population to return to work.
2. RUF troop re-enforcements have allegedly been arriving in Freetown
during the past week and there are currently believed to be approximately
6,000 in the capital. Accommodation for the increasing numbers of RUF is
short which has caused the RUF to evict people living in the Eastern part
of Freetown and occupy their homes. In Kailahun district, it has been
reported that some RUF who had remained the district have returned to
their villages and have appealed to local authorities to accept them back
into their communities.
3. Four Guinean tanks and Nigerian troops have been active in the vicinity
of Mile 47, near Masiaka on the Freetown - Makeni highway during the past
week. The Guinean tanks were originally based in Port Loko. Observers
have noted the transfer of heavy weapons into Kono district during the
past few days.
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
4. The Committee of the four ECOWAS Foreign Ministers established in
accordance with the ECOWAS communique (see point 5, sitrep dated 24-30th
June) met the Chairman of ECOWAS, General Abacha, on 6th July and have
returned to their respective capitals. On 9th July, they will travel to
New York to have discussions with the UN Secretary-General and the UN
Security Council. The UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sierra
Leone will be debriefed by the Guinean Foreign Minister on the outcome of
the meeting with General Abacha on 8th July.
5. The United States Department of State issued the following statement on
Sierra Leone on 30th June:
- The United States wants to see early restoration of order and democracy
in Sierra Leone where soldiers and RUF rebels overthrew the elected
government of President Kabbah. We believe that the concerted efforts by
Africa to find a negotiated solution offering the best hope for returning
the legitimate government and advancing stability in Sierra Leone. Thus,
we applaud the efforts of ECOWAS toward a peaceful solution to the crisis
in Sierra Leone. We welcome ECOWAS June 27 Communique from Conakry
calling for the return of peace and security and the resolution of the
issues of refugees and displaced persons. The United States hopes ECOWAS
will take immediate steps to move the process forward. We are prepared to
work with Sierra Leones neighbors in helping to reach a peaceful
settlement.
6. Efforts are being made by the Kabbah government to increase its public
information campaign. The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service, a FM radio
station is being established at Lungi Airport or on a boat offshore. The
radio station will transmit messages from President Kabbah and provide
information on the activities of the government in exile. A pro-SLPP
newsletter entitled Salone News has also been established in Guinea. The
first edition issued for June 1997 stated that President Kabbah would
return to Sierra Leone soon. In an interview with Salone News, Kabbah
refuted AFRC claims that the military was not well-treated under his rule
stating that his government spent 2.5 billion leones per month on the
army, excluding money spent on arms and ammunition.
7. On 2nd July, James Jonah, Sierra Leones Permanent Representative to the
United Nations, held a press conference in New York to share his findings
from his recent visit to Conakry. He emphasized that the AFRCs only
option was to give up power and that they would be removed if they
declined to step down voluntarily. He did acknowledge that forcible
removal of the AFRC could result in loss of life. They will be removed, I
can assure you, unfortunately, it might be a very bloody one.
8. Major Koroma announced over national radio during the weekend of 5-6th
July that the AFRC intended to hold a National Consultative conference on
15th July which would be similar to the two conferences held at the
Binlumani hotel before the elections in April/May 1996.
9. Solomon Musa, former Deputy Chairman of the NPRC who has been studying
in the UK during the past year, is in Freetown at the time of writing. He
has a ruthless reputation as a strongman deeply opposed to corruption and
has widespread support among the lower ranks of the military.
HUMANITARIAN DEVELOPMENTS
10. President Kabbahs Government in exile has established an Economic,
Finance and Humanitarian Committee in Conakry which includes
representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and
Economic Development, the Ministry of Reconstruction, Resettlement and
Rehabilitation and the Ministry of Mineral Resources. This Committee had
its first meeting with heads of UN Agencies on 1st July and a follow-up
meeting on 3rd July with the wider relief community to discuss the
elements of the ECOWAS communique relating to the possible imposition of
sanctions on the AFRC.
11. The Economic, Finance and Humanitarian Committee indicated that it
interpreted the embargo as being comprehensive and that it applied to
provincial areas as well as to Freetown. However, the Committee did state
that it believed that the provision of food and medicine to targeted
beneficiaries such as vulnerable groups, displaced and refugees did not
fall within the remit of the embargo. The Committee also expressed
confidence in the ability of the relief community to exercise discretion
in determining implementation of programmes such as the distribution of
seeds and tools. While acknowledging the neutrality of relief agencies,
the Committee did emphasize that it wanted to avoid giving the new regime
political credit for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
12. Several points were made at the meeting by representatives of the
relief community. First, the existence of significant quantities of
relief supplies in Sierra Leone, including 18, 000 MTs of food, and the
importance of distributing these supplies to the vulnerable before they
are looted. Second, the fact that relief programmes were ongoing and that
most existing supplies of seed rice had already been distributed. Third,
the main constraint to successful implementation of programmes was poor
security and not political considerations. Fourth, the potential security
risks for local staff members working in Sierra Leone, if the neutrality
of an agency was questioned. Fifth, the experience and expertise of
technical committees in Bo, Kenema and Makeni in ensuring their relief
assistance is accurately targeted.
13. At the weekly UN/NGO inter-agency meeting on 7th July, chaired by
UN-HACU, it was decided that a sub-committee for Child Protection should
be established in Conakry and that UNICEF should report its findings to
the parent body as is already the case with the Committee on Food Aid and
the Health Committee. It was also recommended that the inter-agency Forum
should act as the overall focal point for proposed assessment missions
into Sierra Leone.
FOOD AID
14. The one-off emergency food distribution in Makeni (see point 15,
Sitrep dated 24-30 June), was completed between 28th June and 1st July
through Caritas Makeni. 28,000 displaced from Freetown and 8,000 IDPs
from surrounding villages in Tonkolili district were targeted. The AFRC
announced over local radio that they were responsible for ensuring the
distribution of the food. Action Aid also distributed an emergency ration
provided by WFP to 4,000 IDPs in Port Loko town during the last two weeks
of June.
15. At the meeting of the Committee on Food Aid (CFA) on 4th July in
Conakry, it was decided that food being stored in warehouses in Freetown
should be transferred to more secure locations in different parts of
Sierra Leone as a precautionary measure. Efforts are currently being made
to determine the feasibility of this proposal. It was also confirmed that
the food aid pipeline remained intact and that food destined for Freetown
might be diverted to Conakry or San Pedro subject to the status of the
embargo at the time of its arrival in the region. The CFA welcomed the
recent ICRC assessment of the Northern Province and urged ICRC to
integrate any proposed food aid intervention with the Makeni food aid
technical committee. Agencies represented on the Makeni technical
committee have extensive experience in food distributions in the area and
have had significant success in formulating a coordinated approach to food
aid strategy.
16. In addition to the estimated 18,000 MTs of food still in Sierra Leone,
Kamtech, a commercial rice importer, has reported that there is
approximately 4,000 MTs of commercial rice in Freetown. The Committee on
Food Aid has requested the regional food aid technical committees to give
an update of remaining stocks in their respective areas of operations.
17. On 5th July, ACF flew 1.5 MTs of therapeutic milk, drugs and oral
rehydration salts to Bo from Monrovia. MSF transported 1.5 MTs of drugs
to Bo from Monrovia on the same day. ACF has indicated that Conakry will
be the supply point for future delivery of humanitarian supplies.
AGRICULTURE
18. Agricultural NGOs have continued to distribute seeds and tools
(security permitting) so that farmers can take advantage of the planting
season.
NGO seeds and tools distribution
ACF:
Completed its agricultural input distribution to 13,300 farm families in
Bo and Pujehun on the day before the coup.
Action Aid:
Seeds and tools distribution to 4,900 families in Port Loko interrupted by
disturbances. Inputs received from CRS in Kamakwis are reported to be
intact and available for distribution.
Concern Universal:
Has already targeted 10,000 families in the North and the East through the
Diocesan Development Offices of the Catholic Church. A caseload of 5,000
farm families, primarily in the East, are still to be served.
World Vision:
Already distributed seeds and tools to 15,000 families. 1,500 farmers in
Kono and 1,500 in Bonthe have yet to receive distributions.
HEALTH
19. MSF has reported 116 admissions at Connaught Hospital in Freetown from
the date of the coup on 25th May until 30th June. Of those, 104 patients
suffered from war-related injuries. MSF continues to distribute drugs to
7 clinics in Bo district, 4 in Pujehun district (including the hospital)
and 2 clinics in Bonthe district. MSF reports that there is traffic on
the road between Bo, Potoru and Pujehun. Pujehun town is quiet as the
kamajors have a good relationship with the military in the area.
20. An ICRC assessment of parts of the Northern province during the last
week of June has provided more information on the health situation in the
region. Salient elements of the report are summarized in points 20, 21,
22 and 23 below. Out of all the hospitals visited in Kambia, Port Loko,
Makeni and Magburaka, the hospital in Port Loko is worst and contains
neither patients nor staff. A visual assessment by the Christian
Childrens Fund indicates that cases of malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition
are increasing. The hospitals in Kambia and Magburaka also do not have
patients.
21. Preparations are underway in Kambia to combat a potential outbreak of
cholera. In Magburaka hospital, there is a severe shortage of medical
equipment and fuel although the hospital does have a capacity of 90 beds
and 30 nurses. Lunsar hospital is in good condition, where 41 casualties
of pre-coup attacks have been treated, many of which were amputations.
Medical supplies are generally sufficient although there is a shortage of
IV fluids and therapeutic milk. Makeni hospital is functioning although
at present, there are few patients for security reasons. Makeni hospital
has a capacity for surgery, and between 29 May and 14 June, the local
surgeon has treated 24 persons wounded in war. Sierra Leone Red Cross is
running an efficient clinic in Makeni town. Action Aid deployed a staff
member to Kamakwia during June and will provide information on the
humanitarian situation in the area shortly.
22. The ICRC report confirmed previous concerns over the poor water and
sanitation facilities in the region. The hospitals in Port Loko, Makeni
and Magburaka have neither latrines nor running water. The well
chlorination programme by UNICEF, MSF and SLRC in Kambia district has been
well-documented in previous UN-HACU reports. Plans to implement a similar
approach are underway in Port Loko. Further assessment of humanitarian
conditions in more rural parts of Port Loko and Tonkilili districts is
urgently needed as health conditions in many of these areas, notably
Gbinti, are believed to be poor.
23. According to ICRC, Magbenteh camp in Makeni received an influx of
2,806 displaced since the coup giving a total population of 4,428. The
majority of the children in the camp showed signs of malnutrition although
no comprehensive nutritional survey has been undertaken. Water facilities
are perceived to be inadequate but camp managers are reluctant to remedy
the situation for fear of encouraging permanence. Pit latrines are,
however under construction. SLRC continues to run an efficient clinic in
the camp.
Child Soldiers
24. The programme manager of the Department, Demobilisation and
Re-integration Unit established under the Kabbah Government has chaired
several meetings in Freetown on the demobilisation of child soldiers since
the coup on 25th May. These meetings have been attended by
representatives from the Ministry of Social Welfare. UNICEF, Children
Associated War (CAW) and ADRA. The DDR Unit has reported that there are
5,700 child soldiers in Sierra Leone, 700 of whom are in Freetown.
Although these figures have not yet been verified, it is clear that the
issue of child combatants remains an area of concern which must be
addressed in earnest when the security situation stabilizes.
25. Existing child soldier programmes continue in a limited fashion and
with mixed results. UNICEF has reported that 8 of the demobilised child
soldiers at Grafton have re-enlisted leaving a total of 16 remaining at
the camp. In Makeni, the Catholic Church has been running a
rehabilitation programme for 250 RUF children for the past two weeks;
although those child combatants are being fed and given counseling
sessions, it is believed that they remain armed. Children associated with
the War continues to offer food, medicine and psychosocial care to 50
ex-combatants in Bo and 50 in Freetown.
Unaccompanied Child Refugees
26. The number of unaccompanied Sierra Leonean child refugees in Guinea is
not yet an area of serious concern. The largest influx of Sierra Leonean
refugees into Guinea during the past two months has been into Forecariah
(approximately 20,000), most of whom originate from Kambia district. If
one considers that this move into Guinea was largely pre-emptive, one
would not expect there to be many children who have become separated from
their usual carers. SCF (UK) estimates that there are about 20
unaccompanied children from the recent influx into the Forecariah area and
a total of 200-250 from the entire refugee caseload in Guinea.
27. There could, however, be a large increase in the numbers of
unaccompanied children in the event of a rapid deterioration in security
in Sierra Leone. Consequently, mechanisms are underway in Guinea to
establish an emergency identification, registration, documentation and
tracing (IRDT) programme as a contingency measure. At the first tracing
sub-committee meeting on 4th July, it was decided that UNHCR, in
collaboration with the Ministere des Affaires Sociales in Guinea and
with technical assistance from SCF (UK), should be the lead agency for the
proposed family tracing programme for refugees in Guinea. It is intended
that the Guinean operation will link up with existing networks in Liberia
(lead agency SCF-UK) and Sierra Leone (lead agency UNICEF) to ensure that
a regional approach is adopted. SECADOS, a Guinean NGO, has been
identified as UNHCRs implementing partner in Forecariah and plans are
underway to conduct a comprehensive training programme for local staff.
Adult Refugees
28. 140,000 Liberian refugees who recently left the Gueckedou region to
register for the elections have been unable to return to Guinea as the
Guinean authorities have closed the border in the Eastern part of the
country. Figures from the recent nationwide UNHCR registration exercise
have not yet been publicly released.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Complex Emergency Division (CED) New York
Mr. Peter Due
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1731
Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: due@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
distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Disaster Information Center lists: listproc@vita.org
sitreps nat-dsr
appeal fireline
web: www.vita.org rwanda
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@vita.org