Sierra Leone - DHA: 14-28.Oct.97

SIERRA LEONE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: 14-28 October 1997

This report has been prepared by the office of the United Nations
Humanitarian Coordinator for Sierra Leone in Conakry, Guinea 


SECURITY:

1. During the period from 14 October until the cease-fire declaration on
22 October the security situation in Freetown and Kenema deteriorated due
to heavy fighting between the AFRC and ECOMOG. ECOMOG warplanes continued
to fly regular sorties over Freetown and succeeded in damaging
communications facilities at Signal Hill and Leicester Peak. Some civilian
casualties were sustained during these air strikes. Shelling in the
Wellington and Kossoh town areas in the East of Freetown continued and MSF
reported receiving 15 dead and 43 wounded in Connaught hospital due to
these exchanges. There was a particularly violent clash at Charlotte
village resulting in casualties on both sides. 

2. Since the start of air strikes ICRC has reported that thousands of
civilians have been leaving Freetown. UNICEF estimates that 15 percent of
Freetown's population has left since the intensification of the
bombardment of the city. Many have been obliged to use the
poorly-maintained peninsular road due to insecurity on the main highway
from Freetown. In one incident 60-70 people were injured and some killed
when a truck had an accident on this road. Civilians opting to remain in
the Western area have moved from the Eastern suburbs into the centre of
Freetown. The final destination of those fleeing Freetown is unknown. At
the time of writing the road from Waterloo into Freetown is still closed. 

3. Since the cease-fire declaration the curfew in Freetown has been lifted
although looting has continued. On 25 October ten soldiers were executed
after being convicted of murder in a one day trial. The head of military
police said that the executions were intended to send a signal to unruly
soldiers and to reassure the civilian population in the wake of the peace
agreement. 

4. Fighting between the AFRC and ECOMOG also intensified during the week
preceding the cessation of hostilities. Total casualties are unknown
although ICRC reported receiving 16 wounded in Kenema hospital. Three airs
strikes were conducted by ECOMOG warplanes during this period. Nigerian
troops withdrew from the area on 23 October. 


POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

5. The latest talks between the ECOWAS Committee of Five Foreign Ministers
and the representatives of Major Koroma, which took place in Conakry on
22-23 October, resulted in the adoption of an ECOWAS Peace Plan and a
timetable for its implementation over six months period. The Peace plan
comprises six components. 

a) Immediate cessation of hostilities throughout Sierra Leone The
cease-fire will be monitored and verified by ECOMOG until the termination
of the peace plan on 22 April 1998. The participation of UN military
observers is also envisaged subject to the agreement of the UN Security
Council. To date, the cease-fire has been respected by all parties. b)
Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of combatants All combatants
including military, RUF and kamajors will be disarmed and demobilised from
1-31 December 1997 under the supervision of ECOMOG. c) Humanitarian
assistance Given that UN sanctions and the ECOWAS embargo remain intact
during the course of the Peace Plan, it is envisaged that the flow of
humanitarian assistance into Sierra Leone will begin on 14 November. This
sanction seems to disregard the fact that limited humanitarian assistance
has continued in Sierra Leone since the date of the coup. d) Refugees
UNHCR assistance is requested from 1 December 1997, for Sierra Leonean
refugees wishing to repatriate voluntarily. e) Restoration of
constitutional Government and broadening of power base It is envisaged
that President Kabbah's government is restored to power on 22 April, 1998
but that the new government will be as all-inclusive as possible. In
particular, Foday Sankoh is expected to return to Sierra Leone to make his
contribution to the peace process. f) Immunities and guarantees
Unconditional immunities and guarantees from prosecution are offered to
all involved in the events of 25 May, 1997 with effect from 22 April,
1998. 

6. At a British-sponsored conference on 20 October President Kabbah
unveiled a 90-day programme to be implemented when he has been restored to
power. President Kabbah appealed for a massive injection of funds to
rebuild Sierra Leone. He said that his first priority would be to ensure
lasting peace and security and to install a functioning government. In a
speech delivered prior to the release of the Conakry Peace Plan to British
Foreign Office Minister said that the AFRC had no support from the
international community and urged the AFRC to relinquish power. 


HUMANITARIAN DEVELOPMENTS:

7. On 10 October ECHO organised a consultation meeting in Brussels on the
provision of humanitarian aid to Sierra Leone in the light of the changed
environment since the military coup on 25 May. The first part of the
meeting was restricted to EU member states and included representatives
from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany,
Sweden and ECHO Discussions among EU Member States revealed that there was
broad consensus that the political agenda should not interfere with
humanitarian needs and that UN sanctions and the ECOWAS embargo made clear
provision for humanitarian exemptions. While all delegations agreed that
humanitarian assistance should continue in Sierra Leone, it was recognised
that assistance could be abused by parties to the conflict and that a
-minimalist approach- should be adopted to reduce the effect of potential
misappropriation of resources. This minimalist approach implies: a)
Accurate needs assessments at field level to avoid over-commitment by
donors b) Precise targeting of aid and constant field monitoring of
delivery and distribution to avoid manipulation. c) Pooling of assets such
as vehicles and equipment between agencies to reduce exposure to looting.
d) Strict adherence to the protocols and code of conduct in dealing with
the parties to the conflict. e) Information sharing and close coordination
between humanitarian agencies-donors. 

EU Member states and ECHO agreed that practical application of points a)
and b) above meant that only humanitarian agencies with sufficient numbers
of expatriates in Sierra Leone should be supported by donors. 

8. The second part of the meeting included representatives from the United
States, UN Agencies and NGOs in addition to EU Member Sates and ECHO.
Humanitarian agencies briefed participants on their respective
interventions in the different sectors and the various coordination -
information sharing mechanisms which had been established. Donors praised
humanitarian agencies for their responsible attitude and the -model- level
of coordination between the different actors. ECHO announced that it would
renew most of its programmes in the health-nutritional sector valued at
approximately 1.8 million ECU. 

9. The ECOWAS Secretary and the ECOMOG Force Commander, who have been
tasked by ECOWAS with the creation of a technical committee to deal with
matters relating to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Sierra
Leone, have indicated to UN and diplomatic officials that they attach high
priority to the issue. However, the humanitarian community is concerned
that this committee has not yet been established as there is currently no
ECOWAS point of contact for humanitarian issues in Conakry. Conakry is the
focal point for the provision of cross border humanitarian assistance into
Sierra Leone. 10. The September report analysing the results of the
emergency monitoring system in Sierra Leone is included as an attachment
to this sitrep. It should be emphasised that the process of collecting and
analysing the data was an interagency effort involving a wide cross
section of the humanitarian community. The Humanitarian indicator report
will be distributed on a monthly basis if it is acknowledged to be a
useful tool. 


FOOD AID:

11. ICRC reported and influx of 8,000 displaced into the Daru and Segbwama
areas due to ongoing insecurity in Zimmi and Kenema. The final destination
of these displaced is not yet know. In Freetown ICRC reported a caseload
of 5,000-6,000 for the November distribution of its institutional feeding
programme. The food is provided by WFP. The Freetown-based heads of ICRC,
ACF and MSF who were recently in Conakry indicated at the most recent CFA
meeting that traditional distinctions between the displaced and civilian
populations in Freetown for the purpose of determining eligibility for
food aid programmes had become blurred. All vulnerable populations were
experiencing the same difficulties and were using similar coping
mechanisms to survive. In particular, the circumstances of 1,500 long-term
displaced at the Clay Factory camp in Freetown were received to be no
worse than long-term residents of the capital. 

12. The presence of ICRC, MSF and ACF at the CFA meeting in Conakry was
most beneficial in terms of developing mechanisms for improving
communication between the Food Aid technical committees in Sierra Leone
and the CFA in Conakry. The Freetown-based agencies also confirmed that
while food availability in Sierra Leone was good, access to food was still
a problem for many vulnerable populations and that the current focus on
targeted feeding programmes was still an appropriate food aid strategy. 


AGRICULTURE:

13 a). During August and September 1997 ICRC conducted an agricultural
survey in selected chiefdoms in Kailahun, Kenema, Moyamba, Bobali,
Tonkolili and Port Loko districts. The report concludes that in general
terms food production was better than last year in the areas surveyed. The
major problem facing farmers is the poor marketability of cash crops as
potential buyers are reluctant to purchase a crop which they may not be
able to export due to the embargo. 

13 b). The report states that an average of 1-7 bushels of upland rice and
0,5-4 bushels swamp rice have been planted for family sizes ranging form
5-15 people. The successful implementation of donor agencies seeds and
tools programmes are credited with ensuring sufficient quantities of
available seed. On average, one bushel of upland rice yields 12.5 bushels
and one bushel of swamp rice yields 22.5 bushels. 

13 c). In addition to NGO-implemented agricultural programmes, ICRC
believes that several other factors have had a positive impact on crop
production. First, the influx of RUF from rural areas into urban centres
since the May coup has given villagers the opportunity to farm land in
relative peace and security. Second, villagers have been living in the
bush near to their farms (as opposed to in their villages) making it more
difficult for armed groups to loot crops. Third, insecurity in Freetown
since 25 May has resulted in the forced resettlement of many farmers to
their home areas. 

13 d). Nevertheless, there are still areas where harvests have been
disrupted due to displacement caused by ongoing insecurity. Makpele, Soro
Gberma and Tunkia chiefdoms, adjacent to the Liberian border, have been
adversely affected by ongoing fighting in the Zimmi area. Many inhabitants
of Ribbi, Bumpe and Kongbora chiefdoms, former RUF held areas in Moyamba
district, missed the planting season as they did not return to their home
areas until after the coup. Inhabitants of Lokosama chiefdom in the Lungi
area have moved to surround areas due to recent clashes between the AFRC
and ECOMOG. Thus, targeted interventions are still needed in some areas in
Sierra Leone. 


HEALTH:

14. Health agencies have reviewed their respective drug pipelines for
Sierra Leone to determine whether there is sufficient supply to meet the
needs of existing programmes. It has been discovered that there are
sufficient drugs (with the exception of anti-malarial drugs) to cover
current programmes for 3-6 months. Concern Universal is supplying 12
clinics, MSF (B) is supplying 19 clinics in Bo, Pujehun districts and
Freetown. MSF (H) has 61 basic kits and cholera drugs and IV fluids.
Africare needs drugs for its two clinics in Kenema town which will be
provided by UNICEF. African Muslim Agency has a one month supply for the
hospital in Makeni. UNICEF has sufficient availability of vaccines and gas
for refrigeration in Conakry and Freetown. UNICEF also has a consignment
of 50 health kits earmarked for the Northern province, an additional 300
kits (which include an anti-malarial component) will arrive next year.
However, it should be noted that health agencies are only supporting
approximately one quarter of the peripheral health units in Sierra Leone
(ie. Roughly 120-150 out of 600). Consequently, a robust drug pipeline is
still required. Health agencies continue to transport medical supplies
from Conakry cross border into Sierra Leone without any problems. 


CHILD PROTECTION: 

15. There have been reports from Freetown that some members of the Youth
Gangs have been armed due to the recent escalation in hostilities and
despatched to the front line. The Kambia and Port Loko Catholic missions
have been informed by the RUF that they will only release children when
authorised to do so by Foday Sankoh. Consequently, UN-HACU has been tasked
by the Child Protection committee to facilitate the preparation of public
awareness and educational materials relating to child protection issues. 


REFUGEES:

16. The Liberian government has closed its countrys borders with Sierra
Leone to prevent the conflict spilling over into its territory. Liberia
has also requested aid agencies to relocate refugees in camps in Grand
Cape Mount and Lofa counties to areas further away from the border for
security reasons. 


HUMANITARIAN INDICATORS SIERRA LEONE EMERGENCY,
SEPTEMBER 1997
INTRODUCTION

Following the May 25 coup the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone has
deteriorated due to insecurity, sanctions and the cessation of some
humanitarian activity. In an attempt to gain a more comprehensive picture
of humanitarian needs in Sierra Leone relief agencies has decided to
implement an inter-agency emergency monitoring system through the
systematic collection of concrete dates throughout the country. In
addition to serving as a useful tool for relief agencies operational in
Sierra Leone this mechanism will also assist external decision makers such
as agency headquarters and the donor community. 

Six key indicators have been identified that will be used as a basis of
the monitoring system. Three indicators have been chosen for the
surveillance of the current health status of Sierra Leone: mortality,
malnutrition and morbidity. Three indicators have been used to depict the
food security situation: population movements, food market prices and
harvest data. Collection of the data is an inter-agency effort: the Health
Committee in Conakry is responsible for the collection and analysis of the
data relating from the health indicators and the Committee on Food Aid is
the focal point for the receipt and analysis of data relating to food
security. 

This report is written for the non-expert. The following sections explain
why these particular six indicators are the most appropriate for the
purposes of this exercise and the methodology used to collect the data. It
must be emphasised that the graph and the statistics in this report are
based on incomplete data as many areas are inaccessible for security
reasons. However, it was felt that it would be preferable to begin
reporting on the data that is available, and expand the scope of the
report in subsequent months. 


DEFINITION OF INDICATORS-METHODOLOGY USED

Mortality rates

Definition: Mortality rates are among the best indicators for determining
the seriousness of an emergency situation. There are two mortality rates
commonly used: the Under Five Mortality Rate (U5 MR) and the Crude
Mortality Rate (CMR). These rates are calculated on a daily basis and
expressed by number of deaths per 10,000 per day. It is recognised that an
Under Five Mortality Rate above 2-10,000 per day and a Crude Mortality
Rate above 0,5-10,000-days are signs of an acute humanitarian crisis. The
requirement for population estimates as the denominator for determining
mortality rates means that the CMR is only used in townships and displaced
camps where a census is possible. The under five population is estimated
at 17 percent of the total estimated population. Methodology: Mortality
data collection is based on a daily review of death registers for each
location and a daily counting of new graves in the designated cemeteries.
This exercise is performed by designated enumerators (one or two per
cemetery) under the supervision of the Community Health Officer -District
Medical Officer. Morbidity-Malnutrition Definition: Morbidity patterns
illustrate the relative frequency of different diseases in different
health clinics throughout the country. The weight-height methodology is
the internationally accepted standard for the detection of acute
malnutrition. Global Acute Malnutrition is defined by weight-height below
80 percent. Severe Acute malnutrition is defined by weight-height below 70
percent and-or presence of the oedema. Methodology: An average of 10
health units per district, evenly distributed, have been selected for the
collection of morbidity-malnutrition data. Particular attention is paid to
malaria, acute respiratory infections (ARI), measles, malnutrition and
diarrhoeal diseases. Data is collected on a weekly basis by health workers
at the identified health units. Nutritional surveillance is based on the
systematic checking of weight-height of all under fives attending the
clinics. 


Internal Population Movements

Methodology: Counting new influxes of internally displaced in urban areas
is an effective way of determining population movements. Displaced
population figures represent those people registered and verified by
inter-agency teams in the main urban areas. These teams are usually
organised through the regional food aid technical committees established
in Sierra Leone prior to the coup. 


Market Prices

Methodology: Data is collected from humanitarian agencies and NGOs
operational in a particular area. 


Harvest data

Methodology: Harvest yields will be submitted for each district by
agricultural agencies operational in those areas. 



This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int

Complex Emergency Division (CED) New York
Mr. Stephen Johnson
Tel.: (1 212) 963.3044 - Fax: (1 212) 963.3630
E-Mail: johnsons@un.org

Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Ms. Shahwar Pataudi
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1403 - 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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