Liberia - DHA-78: 19.Jun-02.Jul.97
Liberia - DHA-78: 19.Jun-02.Jul.97
UN-DHA
LIBERIA HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 19 June - 2 July 1997 - No. 78
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of the
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Liberia
REPORTING PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS
Elections cause security concerns among INGOs: Concern over the peaceful
conduct of campaigns and elections has prompted a number of INGOs to
consider temporary reductions in operations and the relocation of new
vehicles out of the country as a security precaution.
Access to countryside limited by rains: Heavy rains have further
deteriorated access to rural parts of the country. Already, the four
southeastern counties and the Lofa County Vahun area are inaccessible and
will remain so throughout September. Road and bridge efforts are focusing
on keeping the main existing routes open to facilitate current operations.
However, the humanitarian community is expecting the road conditions to
constrain their level of operations.
BRIDGING
Update on UNDHA-HACO activities: Owing to the fact that budgetary
provision for UN-HACO for monitoring of the bridging projects it was
administering was not granted after 30 June, UN-HACO has had to recall
all its field monitors thereby essentially closing all the field sites.
In this regard, it has been agreed between UNOMIL and UNDP-UNOPS that
UNOPS would take up the responsibility of continuing to monitor those
projects. Hence, UN-HACOs responsibilities for the overall Bridging
Programme as well as for monitoring of those yet on-going projects came
to an end on 30 June 1997. It is hoped that UNDP-UNOPS will take full
charge of the projects as soon as possible, thereby limiting any lag in
monitoring.
Several factors outside the control of UN-HACO had mitigated against the
completion of the programme by 30 June. Among these factors are: the
continuous and sporadic disarmament and demobilisation of fighters that
went on until end of April. This in turn delayed the commencement of the
bridging activities by about 40 days. Although every effort was made to
catch up with lost time, it has not been possible to accelerate the
process enough to make for that lost time. Secondly, some donations to
the bridging programme were only made available in May late into the
original planning period when only one month was left in the implementing
period. These factors delayed the implementation of the projects to the
extent that at this time, only 80 percent of each project has been
completed.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Assessments included: an inter-agency mission comprised of WFP, LUSH,
WVI and Liberian Islamic Union for Reconstruction and Development
(LIURD), which estimated that 2,500 Sierra Leonean refugees have fled
into Bo-Waterside and its environs: agencies are now making plans to
serve the new influxes and the food-insecure host population -an
assessment by WFP and LUSH of IDPs located between Kakala and Gbarnga to
assess the eligibility of existing groups for food assistance and to
encourage the formation of womens community groups- a WFP-assessment of
WVI-implemented projects in the Zwedru (Grand Gedeh) area.
Food Distribution
(More detailed information regarding food distributions in Liberia
during the reporting period, can be provided by fax, only upon request
to DHA, IASB-Geneva or CED-New York)
Malnutrition:
>From 9 June to 29 June, ACF - which operates therapeutic and supplemental
feeding centres in Montserrado, Bong, River Cess and Grand Bassa counties
- saw a relatively steady flow of severely malnourished children at its
VOA Monrovia centre, but witnessed a large drop in the number of
moderately malnourished children. Outside of Monrovia, the number of
moderately malnourished children supported increased slightly. In River
Cess County, moderately malnourished children continue to show up at the
feeding centre in small but steady numbers. In Buchanan, Grand Bassa
County, there was a slight increase in the number of severely and
moderately malnourished children. Outside of Buchanan, the number of
moderately malnourished served remained steady. In Bong County, ACF
reported a steady case load of severely malnourished children, but a large
overall increase of moderately malnourished children.
Overall caseloads as of 29 June for the therapeutic and supplemental
feeding centres were as follows: Montserrado, 2,715, Bong, 888, River
Cess, 59, and Grand Bassa, 508.
Other: TEAR fund provided assistance to ACF in the rehabilitation of three
supplemental and therapeutic feeding centres in Buchanan, Grand Bassa
County, a fumigation team, which included WFP staff, traveled to Harper in
southeastern Liberia on 21 June to fumigate 145 MTs of food. WFP has
completed its seed protection programme in which 2,118 MTs of food were
distributed to recipients of a countrywide seed distribution to ensure
that the seeds were planted and not eaten.
AGRICULTURAL
Continuing activities include: Numerous WVI agricultural programmes -
including swamp rice production, seed multiplication and vegetable
harvesting - in Montserrado, Grand Cape, Mount Lofa, Bong and Nimba
counties.
SHELTER AND RESETTLEMENT
Assessments-surveys included: the completion of a LNRC assessment carried
out with Federation support to determine the number of refugees arriving
in border towns along the Mano River in Cape Mount County: about 4,297
refugees and 597 families have been registered and a first-phase response
is being targeted by 2,269 refugees representing 385 families. LNRC
assessments in Bong and Lower Lofa are still ongoing.
Distributions included: the dissemination by LNRC of tarpaulin, used
clothing, soap, blankets and zinc nails to 600 Liberian returnees in Lofa
County, 1,958 returnees and vulnerable people in the Cestos City area of
River Cess County and 3,202 returnees and vulnerable people in Nimba
County.
New activities: A LNRC relief team was dispatched to Logatuo, Nimba County
to establish a transit centre for the reception of Liberian returnees from
Cote d'Ivoire.
HEALTH
New services-programmes include: the finalization of a plan by UNICEF
and the Lofa County Health Team to reactivate 11 health facilities.
Donations-delivery of drug supplies include: the donation by the WHO of
201,600 condoms to the National AIDS Control Programme - the provision by
ICRC with assistance from the Federation of the Red Cross of drugs and
other medical supplies to three health posts and six clinics in Monrovia
and rural Liberia.
Vaccination activities include: the launching by WHO, UNICEF and the
Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation on 26 June of the first
immunization campaign in the southeastern region since 1990, which
included a 28-day refresher course for health workers, the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF and Children Aid Direct (CAD)
for an Expanded Programme of Immunization in Grand Gedeh County, under
which CAD will implement the programme and UNICEF will provide the
vaccines, medical supplies and cold chain equipment.
Health education activities include: the staging of health and sanitation
workshops for ex-combatants, IDPs, returnees and war-affected persons in
Margibi, Bomi and Grand Bassa counties as part of a WHO-UNDHA-HACO
bridging project to strengthen primary health care services in Liberia.
At the start of the workshop, former combatants refused to inter-mingle
with civilians necessitating a short session on stressing reconciliation
themes before the workshop could begin. A follow-up workshop by the
Margibi County Health team on previous WHO and UNICEF-supported sessions
on the training of trainers in disease surveillance, the staging of
WHO-sponsored workshop, facilitated by representatives from the Ministry
of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), for 58 students from
eight Monrovia school, health clubs on HIV-AIDS, family life, first aid
and sanitation - the holding by LNRC of a Training of Trainers workshop in
Bong Mines, Bong County by the Acting Community-Based First Aid Officer.
Continuing activities include: the running by LNRC of an ambulance service
for patients in and around Monrovia, the continuing operation of the LNRC
medical laboratory, the extension of support by UNICEF in the form of
operational costs and supplies to the National Drug Service.
Other supports include: the donation of a building by the authority of
Cape Mounty County to the local LNRC chapter to be used as both an office
and clinic, the provision by UNICEF of a vehicle to the Montserrado County
Health Team to use for the monitoring and supervision of health
facilities, the donation by UNICEF of two motorcycles to the Margibi
County Health Team for monitoring.
Other: UNICEF participated in the review of the National Treatment
Guidelines for health workers.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY
New Initiatives: UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF distributed the first issue of
Ma Mun Dah, which means -women is something-. The newsletter will focus
on networking amongst women with regular columns on family planning and
legal rights.
UNDHA-HACO activities include: the Liberian Humanitarian Community
Newsletter, Issue 25, was prepared, featuring articles on malaria
prevention, the recent commemoration of Africa Refugee Day, the
International Day Against Drug Abuse and an update on activities of the
humanitarian community. Materials are being collected and prepared for
Kukujumuku 8. Kukujumuku for Teenagers, will feature articles on sex
education, drug and substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases.
Assistance was provided to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the
preparation of a press release on CRSs operations and policies. Various
press releases were issued and covered by radio and print media featuring
articles on humanitarian community activities, including the celebration
of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF and the Ministry of Education
(MOE) for the printing of school text books. The Liberian Humanitarian
Community Radio Report continues to be broadcasted twice daily, five days
a week on the national radio, ELBC.
Other: WFP reported that a favorable article about WFP and its Emergency
School Feeding Programme - which described how WFP facilitated the opening
of 855 schools benefitting 227,500 students and 16,000 qualified teachers
and support staff since April - appeared in the local press.
Roads and Bridges
Status of major projects is as follows:
European Commission (EC): Re-deploying resources from Sehnkwehn and Cestos
River sites to build six to seven bridges on the Buchanan -Cestos City
route will be building temporary log bridges to fix two-three damaged
culverts from Ganta-Saniquellie - have begun drainage work on Ganta-Tapita
road, side brushing and clearing culverts-drainage from Tapita to Cestos
River draining major pot holes on Ganta-Tapita road from Zwedru to Cestos
River working on side brushing, clearing culverts and drainage - currently
50 km west of Zwedru - will also be doing road side brushing and pot hole
patching on the main asphalt road between Ganta-Gbarnga-St. Paul Bridge.
Updated the status of the repairs on the Sawmill Jet-Bopolu road to be
completed in 4-6 weeks. Planned projects include a small project with
UNOMIL to repair 10 small bridges on roads radiating from Barclayville,
Grand Kru county.
Save the Children (SCF-UK): In Grand Bassa County will be installing the
bridge removed from Loydsville to a site on the main highway in district
no. 1 - ECOMOG will require notification of road closures, timing should
also be sensitive to election registration slated to close on 8 July.
- SCF has completed repairs to the road surface over the new culvert at
Lloydsville.
- On the Suehn highway in Bomi County work is ongoing at Ngola to set
re-enforced concrete abutments and steel l-beams as well as at bridge site
east of Guie Town. On the Robertsport road, in Grand Cape Mounty County,
in the vicinity of Fali, a panel bridge has been erected while work
continues on the installation of a re-enforced concrete culvert, an
additional 70 ft bridge will be completed in the same location. SCF-UK
reports concern over the heavy erosion at culvert sites brought on by
rising waters in Lake Piso and the surges created by the tides. ECOMOG
has been transporting light and telephone poles to some of the sites for
temporary repairs.
Lutheran World Federation-World Service (LWF-WS): An agreement has been
reached wherein CRS will focus their efforts around Zorzor while LWF-WS
will focus on Salayea district, both in Lofa County. Have been conducting
road assessments in Maryland and Grand Kru Counties, as well as limited
Food-for-Work supported brushing and patching and drainage clearing in the
vicinity of Harper-Fish Town, Harper-Blebo and Karloken-Dorobo-bridge
repairs are awaiting funding. In Bong County, Sinyea-Kpataway side
brushing and patching has been completed. The Gbatala-Fenutoll span and
decking of one of two bridges was completed, brushing and patching
continues. In Totota-Sanoyea, all 12 log bridges have been repaired,
including new decking, side brushing and patching continues. In Margibi
County, the road Weala-Wohn has been assessed and requires significant
erosion repairs, patching and brushing. Assessments are also planned for
Tieni-Kongo road in Grand Cape Mount and Coleman Hill-Sackey town in Bomi
and Bopolu-Fassama in lower Lofa counties.
Concern: Awaiting funding for construction work on the Beajah bridge in
Bomi county.
World Vision International (WVI): has rehabilitated another major bridge
in the Kwendin-Gorkor Town, bringing the total number of repaired bridges
to seven. Has begun assessing roads and bridges in Bomi and Lower Lofa,
vic, Bopulu counties. Will coordinate efforts with CONCERN and LWF-WS.
UN Office of Project Services (UNOPS): CRT work continues in Lofa county
on the road to Voinjama. Agreed to prioritize road work in Grand Bassa
and River Cess counties to support ongoing health, food and agriculture
projects operating-focus will be on repairs to bridges in District no. 2
and no. 3.
World Food Programme (WFP): Is beginning a road assessment project. Is
continuing support for road and bridge work in Maryland county.
Negotiations with Cote d'Ivoire authorities over repair of the Cavalla
river ferry in Maryland have not progressed. However, the soundness of
the ferry structure, piers and cables makes it unusable during the high
water period of the rainy season.
WATER AND SANITATION
Well, pump and latrine activities: In cooperation with the Ministry of
Planning and Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Rural Development, a
number of international and local NGOs continue to build, instal and
chlorin wells and pumps as well as to build and latrines in communities
and internally displaced camps throughout the country. They include:
UNICEF, LWS-LWF, ACF, OXFAM, TEAR Fund, LNRC, Help Our Poeple Exist
(HOPE), Lifewater Liberia, Gbonowolon Water and Sanitation Incorp
(GWSI), Water and Sanitation Incorp (WSI), the Water and Environmental
Sanitation Agency (WESA), Man United Save Humanity (MUSH) and Liberians
United to Save Humanity (LUSH).
New Activities: UNICEF, LWS, LUSH and TEAR Fund are working together to
coordinate WATSAN activities in Zorzor and Salayea districts in Lofa
County.
Garbage collection activities included: The removal of 1,068 cubic yards
of garbage from Monrovia and its environs under the
UNOPS-SCF-UK-MGC-UNICEF Garbage Collection Project.
Educational activities included: the dissemination by Community and Human
Development Agency (COHDA) of sanitation messages to 56 students in IDP
camps and the completion by Pollution Control Association of Liberia
(POCAL) of a 4-day, WHO-supported workshop on the dissemination of health
messages emphasizing personal hygiene in four shelters.
CHILDREN AND EDUCATION
Activities involving ex-combatants and war-affected youth included:
continuing assessments by UNICEF of womens groups in Grand Bassa and
Montserrado Counties for the expansion of the National Womens Commission
of Liberias (NAWOCOL) Abused Women and Girls project.
- A UNICEF assessment of the condition of a group of children living at
the St. John Ministry Orphanage along the Roberta Field Highway, after
which it was decided that SCF-UK should screen the children to determine
those which might be reunited with their families, the graduation of 19
trainees at the Gbarnga-based branch of UNICEFs War-Affected Yough Support
(WAYS) Project, which is being implemented by Sustainable Development
Promoters (SDP): the students will now join cooperatives in agriculture,
tailoring, graphic arts and furniture.
Teacher training activities included: a UNICEF-supported workshop for
teachers in Lofa County on school administration, management and conflict
resolution.
Distribution of school supplies included: the dissemination by UNICEF of
Educational Kits in Gbarnga, Bong County and the delivery of the second of
three consignments of educational materials and supplies for schools to
(CREDO), PMU Inter Life and LWF-WS for distribution in Montserrrado, Grand
Bassa, Lofa, Bong and Nimba counties and the donation of a consignment of
instructional supplies to the MOE for distribution to elementary school
students.
Rehabilitation of schools included: the start by TEAR Fund of repairs on
three school structures in the Salayea district of Lofa County.
Other: the first juvenile judge of the Republic of Liberia was inducted
into office while the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), in
collaboration with UNICEF, conducted training sessions for law enforcement
officers working with juveniles and awareness workshop for communities on
childfights. LWF-WS organised a special programme for the Day of the
African Child for eight IDP shelter schools. LWS-WF, with UNICEFs
support, donated one bale each of blankets and clothing to the St. John
Ministry Orphanage.
SECURITY
Harassment by ECOMOG: UNOPS reported increased harassment of their staff
by Guinean ECOMOG personnel in Kolahun and Voinjama, Lofa County. The
UNOMIL Chief Military Observer has met with the Force Commander to
address the issue. If harassment continues, UNOPS will consider a
temporary withdrawal from the area.
INGO eviction by ECOMOG settled: LWF-WS reported that their staff at the
Lutheran Training Institute were evicted by ECOMOG. A meeting with the
ECOMOG has resulted in a message to the Battalion Commander to take other
accommodations as previously offered by the LWF-WS Staff.
Field radio service to continued: UNOMIL termination of UN-HACO radio
operators at 10 field stations raised concerns over whether UNOMIL would
continue the radio tracking of vehicles in the area as well as providing a
base for relay of messages. Following a meeting with UNOMIL Chief
Military Observer, a letter has been sent to all UNOMIL Field Stations
instructing them to continue the services previously provided by UN-HACO
personnel.
UN Agencies, INGOs and Donors held a meeting on 3 July with ECOMOG
regarding security issues and discussed the following:
Elections security: ECOMOG has been preoccupied with elections, conducting
verification of polling centre populations and access thereto. A detailed
report will appear in next weeks situation report.
General security issues: There is general concern about the use of tinted
glass in vehicles as well as the convoy procedures used by the political
parties. In particular, it was noted that these tactics were used
successfully by the factions to move significant amounts of arms and
ammunition into Monrovia before April 1996. ECOMOGs actions to date have
been a rotating personal visit to each party every two weeks, warning them
of their conduct and advising them against inflammatory political
statements. ECOMOG noted that it would be difficult to search these
vehicles while in convoy, however, they will step up the searches of
offices and residences. ECOMOG will also double efforts to search
vehicles moving in all areas.
Roads and bridge closures: Regarding road and bridge work clsoure
notification, the ECOMOG Chief of Staff fully supported the efforts as
well as the voluntary load restrictions of 10 tons per vehicle. The Chief
of Staff also volunteered to provide troops for detour traffic control
and, for key sites, provide troops to enforce load limits in order to
preserve the bridge.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Mr. Tesema Negash
UN Humanitarian Coordinator - Monrovia
Tel.: (231) 226 041-042 - Fax: (874) 175 46 27 (sat.)
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
Complex Emergencies Division (CED) New York
Mr. Peter Due
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1731 - Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: due@un.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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