Liberia - DHA: 18-30.Sep.97
Liberia - DHA: 18-30.Sep.97
DHAGVA - 97/0366
LIBERIA HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 18-30 September 1997 - No. 86
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of
the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Liberia
HIGHLIGHTS
Recommendations of a nutritional survey of Monrovia communities and
displaced shelters, conducted from 18-25 August by Action Contre la Faim
(ACF), Concern, Lutheran World Federation-World Service (LWF-WS),
Medecins du Monde (MDM), Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), Oxfam and Save
the Children-UK (SCF-UK), in consultation with the Ministry of Health
(MOH) included, continue to treat malnutrition in Monrovia feeding
centres, improve outreach coverage and training of outreach workers,
conduct food security assessments, investigate food economy studies of
shelter populations, increase measles vaccination coverage, and,
continue to monitor the nutritional situation with another survey in 6
months. The survey reported: global malnutrition (community, 10.3
percent, displaced shelters, 12.9 percent), severe malnutrition
(community, 1.3 percent, displaced shelters, 2.8 percent), and, measles
vaccination coverage: children ages 9-59 months (community, 37.6
percent, displaced shelters, 32.7 percent).
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Food Distributions
WFP delivered: 1,787 MTs of food to 207,973 IDPs and refugees in
Monrovia shelters, 116 MTs of food to Liberians United to Serve Humanity
(LUSH) for 13,629 IDPs in shelters in Margibi and Bong Counties, 44 MTs
of food to World Vision International (WVI) for 3,100 Sierra Leonean
refugees at Sinje, Grand Cape Mount, 4 MTs of food to the Liberian
Opportunities and Industrialization Centre programme to feed 500
trainees in bong County, and, a total of 185 MTs food to Liberia Islamic
Union for Reconstruction and Development and refugees in Montserrado,
Catholic Relief Service (CRS) distributed: 50 MTs of food to 3,835 IDPs
at displaced shelters in Kakata, Margibi and 5,648 IDPs in Buchanan,
Grand Bassa County. CRS, in collaboration with WFP, is conducting a
targeted food distribution in Lofa County for Liberian returnees from
Guinea.
Food-for-Work (FFW)
WFP provided FFW for: CRS swamp development projects in bong, Lofa and
Nimba counties and road drainage and drainage rehabilitation projects in
Montserrado Margibi, Bong, Bassa and Nimba Counties, health workers at
various VGF centres in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County: staff working with
hospitals, orphanages and leprosy colonies in Bong and Nimba counties
through LWF-WS, sanitation workers in a UNICEF hygiene and water
sanitation maintenance project implemented by COHDA in Montserrado,
clean-up project workers in Grand Cape Mount, and, WVI received 16 MTs
of food for various Lofa County FFW projects. CRS distributed: 14 MTs
of food to 470 community rehabilitation workers in Montserrado, 3 MTs of
food to SCF-UK for 100 beneficiaries of a Margibi County reunification
programme, 4 MTs of food for 85 health workers in Kakata, and, 73 MTs of
food for 2,516 health workers at various CRS centres.
Emergency School Feeding (ESF)
WFP provided a total of 280 MTs of ESF food for 29,858 beneficiaries
throughout Liberia. An ESF training workshop was conducted by WVI in
Tappita, Nimba County from 10-13 September in conjunction with the
Ministry of Education (MOE) for 96 participants. WVI received: 24 MTs
of food for ESF in Bomi, 45 MTs of food for ESF in Grand Cape Mount,
and, 17 MTs of food for ESF in Lower Nimba.
Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF)
CRS distributed: 180 MTs of food to 10,875 VGF beneficiaries in
Montserrado, 19 MTs of food for 1,251 beneficiaries in Brand Bassa, and,
3 MTs of food for 85 VGF beneficiaries in Margibi. Food was also
provided to CRS counterparts operating VGF programmes in Sinoe,
Montserrado, Rivercess, and Bong counties. WFP allocated: 54 MTs of
food to LWF-WS for 6,239 VGF beneficiaries in Bong and 15 MTs to 1,315
VGF beneficiaries in Nimba, 0.426 MTs of food to SCF-UK for distribution
to 100 VGF beneficiaries in Lofa County, 24 MTs of food to Liberia
National Red cross (LNRC), LIURD, CCC and Special Emergency Life Food
(SELF) for VGF shelter beneficiaries in their respective shelters, 2 MTs
of food to LWF-WS for distribution to 1,435 VGF beneficiaries in Bong
and Nimba, 2.5 MTs of food to PMU-Interlife for 322 supplementary
feeding beneficiaries in Tubmanburg, Bomi-County and 1.6 MTs of food for
110 PMU-Interlife beneficiaries in Montserrado.
Verification Survey
A shelter verification exercise carried out in early September in
Montserrado IDP shelters confirmed a significant drop in WFPs previous
working figures. The previous comprehensive verification exercise,
conducted in March, had established the number of Monrovia shelter
residents at over 199,000. The drop of approximately 16,000 persons to
163,000 represents IDPs and refugees who have voluntarily left the
shelters.
Stock Balance
As of 30 September, the WFP stock balance is 10,456 MTs of food. The
CRS stock balance is 16,434 MTs of food.
AGRICULTURE
Assessments
Under the FAO-UN-HACO fisheries project, FAOs 3-man inland fisheries
assessment mission has concluded visiting 83 villages in 9 counties.
The mission report has been sent to interested partners in the donor
community. On 29-30 September, WFP and CRS visited selected seed
protection projects in Lofa County to monitor distributions to 14,000
families participating in seed protection, seed multiplication and
planting rehabilitation projects in bong and Nimba counties. The
mission concluded that: distributions were in accordance with the
agreed-upon ration scale of 25 kg-farmer, demand to participate in seed
protection projects and eligibility had greatly exceeded quantities of
seed rice available, and, that even farmers who had received food aid
were still having to borrow food to survive. These factors, and
evidence of food scarcity in areas visited in Nimba, led the mission to
recommend that further food assistance be extended.
Workshops
On 19 September, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) held a
one-day national consultative workshop on prospects and strategies for
agricultural marketing with participation of government officials,
co-operative and business community representatives, and NGOs. A
one-day Training of Trainers workshop on Rice Seed Storage and
Information Dissemination was held on 26 September for technicians from
the Seeds and Tools Committee, including FAO, NGOs and MOA
representatives. The workshop reports were given to a sub-committee to
extract basic features relevant to communities-farmers to implement the
programme. The sub-committees work has now been completed and a final
report will be submitted on 2 October. Preparations are underway for a
workshop to train Seeds and Tools warehouse managers in warehouse
management.
Seeds and Tools
Final work on the Terms of Reference of the Seeds and Tools Committee
has been completed and will be presented at the next Humanitarian
Coordination meeting. Samples of tools, shovels, cutlasses axes, files
and buckets have been selected from the EU for the 1998 Seeds and Tools
programme.
New Projects
In order to supplement two UN-HACO funded projects on fisheries and
blacksmiths, FAO has approved two emergency projects from its Technical
Cooperation Programme. The project agreements were signed by the
Government of Liberia and FAO on 24 September and CRS Agriculture
Programme staff met to discuss 1998 programme and resources required to
implement the programmes, worth USD 2.5 Million Those tentatively
agreed upon include: seed multiplication, rice mills, seed banks and
seeds and tools for vulnerable farmers. Plans have also been conducted
for the purchase of livestock in Cote dIvoire for the livestock
multiplication project, which commences on 20 October.
Continuing Activities
FAO Rome is expected to field 3 international consultants to Liberia.
These will include 1 agronomist and 1 UNV who will provide technical
supervision for the FAO project -Emergency Supply of Essential Inputs to
Vulnerable Farmers-, funded by the Government of Sweden. 1 blacksmith
consultant will give technical support to the FAO-UN-HACO project,
-Training of Rural Blacksmiths in Liberia-. In an effort to help build
the capacity of local NGOs, FAO has embarked on the refurbishing of the
PARCEL and Skills International blacksmith workshops in Monrovia. These
local NGOs serve as implementing partners for the blacksmith project.
An Africare-supported farming project harvested 6.5 MTs of cassava- the
proceeds will be invested into black smithing. Swamp development
projects in Bong, Lofa, Nimba and Montserrado counties continue under
CRS and UNOPS collaboration, FAOs emergency project assistance to
vulnerable farmers through CRS, WVI, ACF, Africare and Lutheran World
Federation-World Service continues, as do Africares agricultural
programmes - including bread fruit and plantain sucker distributions -
in Margibi and Grand Bassa County. WVI continues programmes of seed
multiplication, crop transplantation, swamp rice production and
vegetable harvesting in Montserrado, Bong, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape
Mount, Lofa and Nimba Counties. CRS continues programmes of swamp rice
development, seed bank construction projects, resource distribution
monitoring and farm registration for tree crop rehabilitation in Lofa
County.
Procurement
The procurement of 2-3,000 kgs of fishing materials, including nets,
hooks, etc., under the FAO-UN-HACO fishery Project is underway.
Additionally, delivery of 70 MTs of rice, 14 MTs of peanut seeds and a
sizeable quantity of vegetable seeds under the FAO Project, -Emergency
Supply of Essential Inputs-, is expected in early October.
HEALTH
Assessments
Malaria, acute respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, anaemia and worm
infections are reported as the most prevalent diseases in Liberia. On
29 September, Merlin reached Vahun, Lofa County by road to continue
monitoring a possible yellow fever outbreak in the area and to train
vaccination teams. Merlin is liaising with MOH, WHO, and UNICEF to
conduct yellow fever and measles vaccination campaigns in Vahun and
Yandahun districts during the first half of October.
Vaccination Activities
Following the confirmation of 1 fatal case of yellow fever, Merlin is
working with the MOH, UNICEF and WHO to re-establish the cold chain in
Upper Lofa and to conduct an emergency vaccination campaign. Merlin
conducted 2 workshops in advance of the campaign to train health workers
in cold chain management and case definition. WHOs support to the
campaign includes: the training of health workers, provision of the
yellow fever vaccines, needles and syringes, the production of
vaccination for the certification of immunized persons and the provision
of remuneration to participating health workers. WHO also conducted EPI
activities at the Government and Medina Clinics - in Bomi and Grand Cape
Mount - for BCG, DPT, Polio, TT and measles.
Medical Distributions
UNICEF provided 5 basic health kits to the Margibi County Health Officer
for the revitalization of 5 additional health facilities in the county.
UNICEF also loaned 1 vehicle to the Chief Medical Officer of Liberia for
the supervision of health services in Liberia.
Health Education
During this reporting period, PMU-Interlife concluded a 2-day Trauma
Healing and Reconciliation Workshop for social workers in Kolba, Lofa
County for 90 participants including teachers, returnees, women and
church leaders, and NGO representatives. A WHO-funded workshop was held
for health educators on 23-26 September for 27 participants from the
MOH, the Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL), the LNRC, the
Family Planning Association of Liberia (FPAL), SCF-UK and Oxfam. WHO
distributed a health education package which included materials on
HIV-AIDS-STDs, Yellow Fever, Tuberculosis and general information on
smoking. Health education on the prevention and control of prevalent
diseases, breast-feeding and the proper handling of food were carried
out at various health facilities. UNICEF and implementing partner,
COHDA, continue to intensify health education at various displaced
shelters on the importance of breast feeding, home hygiene and community
sanitation.
Revitalization of Health Clinics
The Owens Grove Clinic Rehabilitation Project, implemented by the
Friends of Liberia through CRS is in progress. UNICEF met with the Bomi
County Health Officer to develop strategies for the revitalization of
health services in Cape Mount, Bomi and Lower Lofa Counties. Strategies
include the launching of vaccination campaigns and phasing-in activities
of static health facilities.
Mobile Clinics
MDM will cease its mobile health clinics at the end of September,
reporting that since the start of mobile operations in December 1996,
75,000 patients have benefitted from the service. MDM plans now to
rehabilitate and revitalize health posts and clinics in 7 counties.
Public affairs and advocacy
UN-HACO initiatives include the publication and wide distribution of the
30th issue of the bi-weekly Liberian Humanitarian Community Newsletter,
featuring articles on: preventive measures against yellow fever, a
profile of Star Radio, the International Day of Peace, a profile on
Concerned Christian Community, and, an update on current Humanitarian
Community activities. 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 members of the Humanitarian
Community. The Agriculture Newsletter, published under FAO auspices,
published and distributed its Th issue to facilitate information-sharing
within the agriculture community.
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 transmits via shortwave throughout Liberia and into Guinea, Cote
dIvoire and Sierra Leone. Star Radio also broadcasts UNICEF spots as
well as excerpts from the Kukujumuku booklets and 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
The abutments for the Beajah Bridge, Bomi County were completed by
Concern. The foundations for 1 of 2 bridges at Weajor are complete, but
further progress on the bridges is delayed as steel beams have not been
delivered to the site. Concern plans to commence construction on 2 more
bridges in October and 1 more in November. CRS reports that the HEWATs
1,697-foot-long drainage rehabilitation project in Clara Town,
Montserrado is progressing, the SHDRA Monrovia-Kakata highway side
brushing project is almost completed, the Dolos Town drainage
rehabilitation project is being phased out at the end of the month, and,
the CRS-Phebe Access Road and Bridge Project is progressing with two
bridges completed.
JOINT PROJECTS
Vulnerability Maps
WFP, UNDP, UNHCR, SCF-UK and ACF continue to develop a vulnerability
mapping system for Liberia. The maps take into account a number of
criteria identified by the National Technical Committee on Food Aid, and
will serve as the basis for the prioritization and adaptation of
resettlement and rehabilitation programmes in Liberia.
Repatriation and Resettlement
The Liberia Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC)
held a workshop to formulate an IDP Resettlement Plan to facilitate IDP
integration into the rural community. The Plan endorses the
concentration of support at end destinations in rural areas at the
community level. The Plan has a time frame of 6 months, tentatively
commencing on 15 October and targets regular shelter IDPs, squatters,
community-based IDPs, and returnees. Merlin is closely monitoring the
situation in Upper Lofa relating to the movement of refugees and
returnees.
Rehabilitation
Tear Funds rehabilitation of the Telemu Public School, Lofa County was
completed on 30 September and work on the Gbanway Public School is
expected to be complete on 7 October. Work on the Sucromu Public School
has also been completed and work on the Tinsue Public School started on
26 September and is expected to be completed by 9 October. Extension
visits to Bong County were made by WVI technicians to three schools in
an effort to establish the feasibility of school farms and gardens.
Non-Food Relief
During the reporting period, the LNRC 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 in 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
Counselors continue their counseling services, in Lofa County, at the
Monrovia Central Prison, with high school students and orphans in
Monrovia, and, with elderly persons in Margibi County.
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 county. 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), Man United to Save Humanity (MUSH) and, LUSH.
Sanitation-Garbage Disposal
Under the UNICEF-SCF-UK Emergency Garbage Collection and Disposal
Project in Monrovia, a total of 966 cubic yards of waste were cleared
from Monrovia and its environs.
CHILDREN AND EDUCATION
Assessments
PMU-Interlife conducted an 11-day assessment mission of functional
schools and their enrolments in Lofa County, reporting 32,643 students
and 913 teachers in 156 rehabilitated schools. All schools are in
desperate need of educational materials.
Activities involving War-Affected Youth
The Children Assistance Programme (CAP), an implementing partner of the
War-Affected Youth Support (WAYS) Project, graduated 201 trainees in
carpentry, ceramics, auto mechanics, tailoring, masonry, general
agriculture, furniture-making, home economics and quilting on 17
September. To date, a total of 1,091 trainees have graduated from 9
WAYS sites in 6 counties.
Training
The Abused Women and Girls (AWAG) project conducted a week-long workshop
on micro-credit for 22 participants from AWAG, the Adventist Development
and Relief Agency (ADRA), The Association of Evangelicals (AEL), the
Liberia Credit Union National Association, and the National Women
Commission of Liberia (NAWOCOL).
Capacity Building
To enhance the capacity of local partners implementing the WAYS Project,
UNICEF presented 3 Toyota pick-ups to CAP, COHDA and Sustainable
Development Promoters.
Security
The CRS warehouse in Buchanan was broken into on 22 September with 1
solar panel, 50 kg of lentils and 25 kg of CSB stolen. A suspect was
apprehended and local police are investigating. The Catholic Mission
clinic had two microscopes to the Catholic Hospital in Monrovia. The UN
Security Officer visited Buchanan on 23 September and met with UNOPS,
CRS, ACF, and LOIC staff to discuss security policies. Common radio
frequency programming for UNOPS and INGOs in Buchanan will be provided.
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-Yirenkyiatdha.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-oonyuatun.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-Acevedoatdha.unicc.org
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