Liberia - DHA-85: 4-17.Sep.97
Liberia - DHA-85: 4-17.Sep.97
UN-DHA
LIBERIA HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 4-17 September 1997 - No. 85
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of
the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Liberia
Refugees:
Grand Cape Mount: In Bo, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) continues to assist Sierra Leoneans seeking asylum. They are
referred to Sinje where food and non-food assistance is directed. By 21
July, UNHCR had registered 940 new arrivals. By 18 September, the total
number of refugees issued UNHCR pre-registration cards had increased to
3,100 persons. Two missions to Porkpa District (where 3,000 asylum
seekers settled in July), observed that part of the old case-load, as
well as some of the new arrivals, were relocating to Sinje. Others are
remaining in Porkpah district for various reasons. Between 20-40
refugees from Porkpah district are now being received daily in Sinje. Of
the 236 huts under construction in Sinje, 132 have already been
completed. The Sinje Clinic is operated by UNHCR implementing partner
Medical Emergency Relief Cooperative International ( MERCI) which
organises screening and ensures that referral activities are
implemented. About 90-100 patients are screened daily, both refugees and
local population. Oxfam is also providing assistance to the clinic. In
Porkpah district direct assistance is provided by the Liberian National
Red Cross through its clinic in Dambala and by Oxfam-Medecins du Monde
(MDM) with a mobile clinic in Jenewonde and a clinic in Tieni.
Classification of the new arrivals as asylum seekers has led to a number
of misunderstandings. UNHCR protection services are meeting with the
Government to bring about a regularization of their status - the
Government must declare these new arrivals as refugees. Meanwhile WFP is
providing assistance to the Sierra Leoneans as a vulnerable group.
Lofa County: On 16 September a joint mission flew to Vahun and environs
in Lofa County to assess reports of -yellow eyes- as a potential yellow
fever outbreak. Vahun district has been cut off from vehicular access
since May 1997 due to impassable road conditions. MSF and MERLIN
chartered a helicopter for the Mission which also included ACF, ADRA,
LNRC, SCF, Tear Fund and WHO, found no evidence of a humanitarian
disaster occurring in Vahun. The Mission found that food security,
shelter and water and sanitation were adequate. However the crude
mortality rate of 1-10,000-day was considered to be too high -
attributed to the near complete lack of primary health care, drugs and
medical supplies. Suspected cases of yellow fever and Lassa fever were
identified and blood samples were taken to be analyzed in Ivory Coast.
Population movements into the Vahun area are being absorbed by both the
Liberian and refugee populations residing in the county. The estimated
current population for Vahun district was 68,121 of which 49,851 (73
percent) are refugees and some 5,535 (8 percent) are newly returned or
internally displaced Liberians. Those interviewed indicated that some
11,000 refugees arrived in 1997, most of whom arrived between January
and June, with the heaviest influx of 100-200-day occurring before and
after 25 May 1997. Immediate actions to be taken include: MERLINs
placement of a senior medical staff member in Vahun to conduct training
of clinic and EPI staff, strengthening of surveillance systems and
collection of data and blood samples of suspected cases of yellow
fever-lassa fever, drugs and medical supplies will be delivered to the
MOH clinics in Vahun and Yandehun and Lukaso, organising the expansion
of yellow fever vaccination when the roads open. Overall, the mission
found no emergency, however they recommended close monitoring of the
situation. Of particular concern was the expectation of new influxes of
refugees with the potential to overwhelm local coping capacities.
Montserrado County: On 6 September, UNHCR and the World Food Programme
(WFP), conducted a joint verification of refugee and displaced
populations at the Samukai and the Ministry of Health (MOH) centres,
which indicated a total reduction of 345 and 38 family heads among
refugees, and a reduction of 173 and 30 family heads among IDPs at the
two shelters. Verification of refugees at the satellite shelters of
Moulton Corner, Seigbeh, Brewerville Town, Passamol town and Kemor show
that out of the population of 7,318, only 1,347 refugees were being fed
under IDP programmes. The refugees will be relocated to VOA-1. MERCI
continues medical services at 3 clinics in MOH, VOA-1, and Samukai Town
and bi-weekly mobile clinic services are provided in Zuannah town and
Banjor where permanent health posts are to be opened soon.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Food-For-Work (FFW) and Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF): As FFW, WFP
distributed: 13 MTs of food to international NGO, GTZ, for distribution
to 300 participants in a road repair project - the total food allocation
is 42 MTs for the 90 day project. WFP delivered: 2.65 MTs of food in
Montserrado, Bong and Margibi Counties through Medecins Sans Frontieres
(MSF), for 1,061 beneficiaries, 2 MTs of food in Bong County through
Save the Children Fund (SCF-UK), for 100 beneficiaries, and, 26 MTs of
food to PMU-Interlife for 1,491 beneficiaries in Bomi County. The
Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) continues to distribute food
to 56,000 IDPs in its IDP centres in rural Montserrado.
Emergency School Feeding (ESF): WFP supplied: 84 MTs of food to WVI for
distribution to 8,560 students, teachers and support staff, in Grand
Cape Mount, 27 MTs of food to WVI for distribution to 11 schools (2,768
beneficiaries) in Nimba County, and, 161 MTs of food to the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for distribution to 57 schools
(15,969 beneficiaries) in Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties.
An ESF workshop was conducted by WFP, Concerned Christian Community
(CCC) and WVI, in Bomi and Lofa Counties for 86 participants from 19
schools. The workshop prepares participants in the handling of food
commodities for the ESF programme.
Malnutrition: Action Contre la Faim (ACF) continues to operate
therapeutic and supplementary feeding centres in four counties. Overall
caseloads for these centres were Montserrado Country: 2,109, Rivercess
County: 56, Grand Bassa County: 496, and, Bong County: 990. PMU
Interlife continues its supplementary feeding programme in Tubmanburg,
Bomi County benefitting 96 malnourished children. SCF-UK, ACF and MSF
conducted a nutritional assessment of Bong County - an assessment report
is forthcoming.
Food Security: WFP Food Aid Monitors completed post-distribution
monitoring of 14,000 farming families in Lofa County, and in
collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), conducted assessments
of Bong County warehouses for the prepositioning of food to farmers
engaged in WFPs seed protection programme. The LNRCS, the Liberia
Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), National Food
Assistance Agency (NFAA) and WFP conducted a night-time head count and
verification exercise at all LNRCS IDP centres to update IDP logs in the
centres following reports of IDPs voluntary repatriation.
Stock Position: The WFP stock position as of 16 September is: 11,940 MTs
of assorted food commodities.
AGRICULTURE
Assessments: A 3-person Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) team has
completed its assessment of the inland fishery sector in 9 counties of
rural Liberia - an assessment report is being prepared. FAO fielded a
mission to assess rural blacksmith workshops in 7 counties and to
recruit 60 blacksmith apprentices, including ex-combatants, for training
programmes. Procurement of workshop tools and materials for the project
has commenced.
JOINT PROJECTS
Community Workshop: The UN-HACO facilitated Community Workshop Planning
group has progress to developing course methodology and content for
three training modules. The Ministries of Internal Affairs and Rural
Development are now solid participants in and supporters of the project.
The objectives of the workshop, to be piloted in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount
and Lower Lofa Counties, are to train community workshop animators to
introduce the concepts of communications, participation and crisis
coping mechanisms as a means to introducing participatory development
and channels for reconciliation.
Risk Mapping and Base Line Surveys: UN Agencies, NGOs and the EU have
agreed to develop criteria, objectives and methodology for risk mapping
as well as to explore the possibility of conducting baseline surveys in
the counties and districts. HACO will also display products from its
expanded database and mapping capacities.
HEALTH
Assessments: WVIs health team and Bomi and Cape Mount County health
officers conducted an assessment visit to Jondu, Tieni and Tahn to
explore expansion of health programmes. Acute respiratory infection,
malaria and diarrhoea remain the three most prevalent disease conditions
according to LNRCS and WVI.
New Activities: SCF-UK established an essential drug storage site at
Phebe, Bong County, which will stock one months supply of essential
drugs to improve the flow of drugs to the 6 SCF-UK clinics in Bong
County. A SCF-UK supported health clinic in Beh Town, Bomi County, is
now open, serving a population of 5,000. Clinic staff saw 100 patients
on the first day. 2 other clinics in Lower Lofa and Bomi Counties have
been identified as suitable sites for future clinics, however further
assessments are being conducted.
Medical Distributions: UNICEF has provided a four wheel drive vehicle to
the Grand Bassa County health team to ease the movement of drugs,
vaccines and medical supplies to clinics. The vehicle will also be used
for supervisory and monitoring purposes.
Health Programmes: During the last week of August, 7 WVI-operated health
facilities in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties
reported 612 consultations, including 57 prenatal cases. 50-100 children
and adults per week are treated at SCF-UKs 5 oral rehydration points in
Margibi and Bong Counties, some of whom suffer from moderate and severe
dehydration. Referrals are made to nearby Kakata, Totota, Zeansue
clinics if patients are thought to have an underlying pathology,
evidenced by the passing of blood or diarrhoea.
Vaccination Activities: A joint World Health Organisation (WHO), Merlin,
UNICEF and Ministry of Health (MOH) measles and yellow fever
immunization campaign continues in Lofa County. From 27 August - 5
September, 26,901 persons were vaccinated for yellow fever and 3,000 for
measles. WHO support to the campaign includes training of health
workers, provision of Yellow Fever vaccines, needles, syringes and
incentives for health workers. Expanded Programmes of Immunization (EPI)
activities and vaccination community awareness campaigns were conducted
by WVI in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Health Education: The MOH, Ministry of Planning, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP,
National Aids Control Programme, National Drug Service, JFK Hospital,
Redemption Hospital and the Family Planning Association participated in
the UNFPA-sponsored workshop on the revitalization of reproductive
health services. A 2-year project to strengthen reproductive health
services was reviewed for implementation by the MOH. LNRCS Community
Based First Aid unit conducted a 5-day workshop in Bong County for 20
volunteers. Topics included traditional birth attendant skills and
village health care. WVIs community awareness campaign on the importance
of STDs and AIDS control continue at the Government Farm Clinic.
Revitalization of Health Clinics: WHO and the MOH held consultations for
the preparation of the 1998 WHO programme of technical assistance in
Liberia. The consultation provided a review of WHO technical support to
Liberia over the past 7 years for 32 MOH senior staff and WHO
participants.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY
UN-HACO initiatives include the publication and wide distribution of the
29th issue of The Liberian Humanitarian Community Newsletter, featuring:
a profile on Merlin, the importance of immunization, an update on
current humanitarian activities, and, the importance of literacy and
Humanitarian Community efforts to this end, marking the International
Day for Literacy. 2,000 poster-size copies of The Newsletter were
distributed throughout Monrovia via The Inquirer newspaper as well as
being distributed to all national media and the Humanitarian Community.
UN-HACO also published the 8th issue of the civic education booklet:
Kukujumuku: The Best of Kukujumuku . . . So Far! This issue features the
best practical information from the first seven issues of Kukujumuku,
including: reconciliation tips for ex-fighters and community members,
cholera prevention, dealing with stress, safe motherhood tips,
information on sexually transmitted diseases, childrens rights and
responsibilities, a simple oral rehydration recipe, local foods to
balance ones diet, etc.
The Liberian Humanitarian Community Radio Report continues to be
broadcast daily by UN-HACO on national radio ELBC featuring updates on
humanitarian activities and discussions of various humanitarian issues.
Excerpts of The Radio Report are now also being broadcast on Star Radio,
which is in the process of commencing transmissions throughout Liberia,
Guinea, Cote dIvoire and Sierre Leone via shortwave. Star Radio will
also broadcast UNICEF spots as well as excerpts from the
UNDP-UNICEF-UNFPA newsletter, MaMunDeh. UN-HACO continues to issue press
releases updating humanitarian activities on behalf of the Humanitarian
Community, which are published and broadcast in various Liberian radio
and print media.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
Prioritization should take place for major routes followed by secondary
roads into priority areas based on projected patterns of returning
refugees and IDPs. Organisations involved will attempt to cost factor
the projects based on assessed surface and bridge repair requirements.
SCF-UKs repair activities at the 2 bridge sites along the Suehn highway
continue to be hampered by poor roads and heavy rain. The bridges
programme will cease to operate once the bridges are positioned. Concern
continues construction work on the Beajah Bridge, Bomi County.
Construction of the foundations for one of two bridges at Weajor, Bomi
County is now complete. The ramps up to the bridge will be constructed
during the coming week.
WATER AND SANITATION
Wells, Pumps and Latrines: In cooperation with the Ministry of Planning
and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry
of Lands, Mines and Energy, a number of international and local NGOs
continue to build, install and chlorinate wells and pumps as well as to
build and desludge latrines in communities and IDP centres throughout
the country. They include: Christian Health Association of Liberia
(CHAL), LWF-LWS, ACF, Oxfam, UNICEF, Tear Fund, LNRCS, Concern, Help Our
People Exist (HOPE), Lifewater Liberia, Gbonowolon Water and Sanitation,
Inc. (GWSI), Water and Sanitation, Inc. (WSI), the Water and
Environmental Sanitation Agency (WESA), Men United to Save Humanity
(MUSH), and Liberians United to Save Humanity (LUSH).
NON-FOOD RELIEF
During the reporting period, the LNRCS carried out a number of non-food
relief interventions in Lower Lofa and Bomi Counties, including the
distribution to elementary schools, orphanages and indigent homes of
tarpaulins, blankets, clothes and soaps. PMU Interlife also conducted a
number of distributions of non-food relief including the delivery of
charcoal, firewood and soap. Beneficiaries included inmates, orphans,
schoolchildren, the elderly and blind persons. PMU Interlife War Trauma
Counsellors continue their counselling services in Lofa County, at the
Monrovia Central Prison, with high school students and orphans in
Monrovia, and with elderly persons in Margibi County. Following
assessments carried out by SCF-UK in Grand Cape Mount County, a one-off
distribution of used clothing was made to 130 Sierra Leonean asylum
seekers in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County.
CHILDREN AND EDUCATION
Unaccompanied Children: SCF-UK reports that in August: 306 new cases of
unaccompanied children were documented, 29 children were reunified with
their families by its tracing team, 6 children were reunited as a result
of the SCF-UK family tracing radio programme, and, 35 tracing requests
have been processed. SCF-UK, with UNICEF and UNHCR, continue to develop
an emergency family tracing package which will identify standard family
tracing procedures for all agencies involved in tracing activities in
Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia. The working group on
unaccompanied children, comprising SCF-UK, ICRC, UNICEF and UNHCR, have
agreed to conduct a joint assessment on the living conditions of a group
of unaccompanied Sierra Leonean children living in Bopulu, Bomi County
since October 1996.
Activities Involving War-Affected Youth: 19 students graduated from a
3-month training course in soap-making at the Support to War Affected
Youth (SWAY) Vocational Training site in Kakata, Margibi County.
SECURITY
Fire in Tubmanburg: The LNRC clinic in Tubmanburg was severely damaged
in a fire on 12 September 1997. The fire, which also damaged the main
chapter office and the medical supply stores, was believed to be arson.
As the main primary health clinic in Tubmanburg, it represents a serious
setback for the community. Local authorities and ECOMOG have arrested
suspects in the incident and are investigating. The LNRC reported that
the community was very upset about the incident and are pressing for
justice in the case.
Status of Weapons: The status of the arms and ammunition collected
during the Disarmament effort is still under discussion. President
Taylor has made clear statements that these weapons belong to the
Government of Liberia. Currently, both UNOMIL and ECOMOG have joint
custody of the weapons. With the departure of the UNOMIL Military
Observers on 30 September, the UNOMIL keys will be transferred for
holding to the residual UNOMIL office until further decisions are made
on the status of the weapons.
Kamajor Operations in Western Liberia: Kamajor operations continue to
maintain a base in western Grand Cape Mount County. Kamajor elements
have moved quite freely between Konjo and Bo waterside. Kamajor
recruiters have also been met Sinje. The joint mission to Vahun reported
that Kamajors and their families have been crossing in small numbers
into the area. Previously the ECOMOG contingent controlled their
movement as well as receiving smaller numbers of AFRC combatants.
However, the team reported that ECOMOG had withdrawn from Vahun on 15
September, leaving the civilian population with serious concerns about
their safety.
National Police: The return of Joe Tate as Director of the National
Police has prompted the US Department of Justices International Criminal
Training Assistance Programme (ICITAP) to withdraw its support for the
training and assistance to the National Police. As the major supporter
of the reorganisation and training of the National Police, the ICITAP
withdrawal raise serious concerns over the implementation of the last
stages of the peace process, which provided for the restructuring and
training of the police to provide necessary internal security
guarantees.
Ethnic Friction: Reports from Lofa County indicate an increase in ethnic
friction between returning Mandingos and the other groups in the county.
Reported incidents include the eviction and expulsion from communities
of Mandingoes to denial by current occupants to return dwellings to the
returning Mandingo owners.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Mr. Peter Tingwa Officer in Charge
Office of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Monrovia, Liberia
Tel.: (231) 226 041-042 - Fax: (874) 175 46 27 (sat.)
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Shahwar Pataudi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1403 - Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Rosemary.Addo-Yirenkyi@dha.unicc.org
Complex Emergencies Division (CED) New York
Ms. Agnes Asekenye-Oonyu
Tel.: (1 212) 963.1773 - Fax: (1 212) 963.1388
E-Mail: asekenye-oonyu@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
distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
Disaster Information Center lists: listproc@vita.org
sitreps nat-dsr
appeal fireline
web: www.vita.org rwanda dprk
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@vita.org