Liberia - [DHA-88: 15-29.Oct.97]
Liberia - [DHA-88: 15-29.Oct.97]
Liberia
Humanitarian Situation Report
No. 88
15-29 October 1997
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of the
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Liberia
HIGHLIGHTS
The Donors' Committee on Food Aid (DCFA) convened on 17 October. Members
agreed that the World Food Programme (WFP) is the most appropriate agency to
take over responsibility for the vulnerability mapping database after UN-HACO
ceases its operations in December. The DCFA and the Technical Committee on
Food Aid (TCFA) have agreed that the risk mapping project, a joint
undertaking by various humanitarian agencies, is extremely useful and should
be continued. WFP will draw on its headquarters vulnerability mapping
exercise to complement and improve upon the existing system.
REFUGEE REPATRIATION AND RESETTLEMENT
The number of Sierra Leonean asylum-seekers located at Sinje has increased. A
recent UNHCR verification confirmed that 4,498 persons now reside at the
Sinje Shelter. UNHCR is actively preparing for the large-scale, voluntary
repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Liberian refugees from neighboring
countries. This follows a recent regional decision which established that
security and political conditions in Liberia were favorable for the promotion
of voluntary refugee repatriation. Preparations for repatriation include the
establishment of UNHCR offices in counties where Liberian refugees are
expected to settle. By mid-November, UNHCR will have offices in Voinjama and
Gbarnga, followed by offices in Harper, Zwedru and Vahun. The offices will
monitor the repatriation and reintegration of returning refugees and the
implementation of refugee assistance projects (health, education, water,
etc.), directed at their communities. Key constraints to repatriation and
resettlement are the continued inaccessibility of most parts of Liberia due
to severely deteriorated roads, and the lack of timely donor funding for NGOs
to facilitate their expansion up-country.
In accordance with article eight of the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child, a Save the Children Fund (SCF-UK) pilot project is underway in Danane,
Ivory Coast, to encourage Liberian refugees who have had children while in
their country of asylum, to register the birth of those children with the
appropriate Ivorian authorities. Using community monitors and church leaders,
the importance of birth certificates is explained to the refugee parents,
many of whom have not been registered themselves in the past. Negotiations
have also taken place with the appropriate authorities to establish a "grace
period" during which time the children of any age can be registered for a
small, set fee.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Food Distributions
WFP food distributions in various counties of Liberia from 15-28 October
included:
a. Emergency School Feeding: 234.8 MTs for 27,529 beneficiaries.
b. Food for Work/FFT/FFL: 92.4 MTs for 3,199 beneficiaries.
c. IDPs/Refugees: 1426.9 MTs for 211,237 beneficiaries.
d. Vulnerable Group Feeding: 16.4 MTs for 2,250 beneficiaries.
e. Emergency ration for returnees: 13.5 MTs for 980 beneficiaries.
Emergency School Feeding
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) commenced distribution for
the Emergency School Feeding Service (ESFS) for the 30th distribution cycle
on 4 October. A total of 12,000 MTs was distributed to 115,900 students and
7,963 teachers/support staff in four counties - Montserrado, Margibi, Grand
Bassa and Bong. ADRA expects to complete this distribution by mid-November.
ADRA will begin an ESFS in Lofa County by end November, when road conditions
will allow for vehicle movement. ADRA has developed a training manual to be
used in the ESFS for monitors, school administrators and head cooks. The
training manual is based on the food management and handling manual, and was
tested and perfected with a group of 18 monitors from ADRA and the Ministry
of Education. Training for school principals and staff will begin by
mid-November in Lofa County. Administrators in another four counties will be
trained shortly thereafter. Manuals will be provided to each participating
school. WVI assessed 18 schools with 2,920 beneficiaries in Bomi County for
inclusion in the school feeding programme.
Stock Balance
The WFP stock balance as of 28 October is: 8,629.6 MTs of assorted food
commodities.
AGRICULTURE
Assessments
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Office for Africa, based
in Accra, Ghana, has fielded a two-man reconnaissance mission to Liberia. The
mission will meet with the senior officials of the government and visit UN
and donor agencies, as well as NGOs.
Programmes
FAO's emergency project assistance to vulnerable farmers through CRS, WVI,
ACF, Africare and Lutheran World Federation/World Service (LWF/WS) continues,
as do Africare's agricultural programmes - including breadfruit 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. ADRA completed the first phase of a
community-based agriculture project funded by UN-HACO. The project provides
land and training for local residents to grow their own crops for home
consumption and for the market. ADRA agriculturists also trained 25 farmers
in new farming techniques and methods of wet season cultivation. Seeds and
tools have been provided for the participating farmers and a nursery is being
maintained to replace damaged seedlings and to use the site to develop an
agricultural training school for farmers in the area.
Workshops
Preparations continue to conduct a series of Training of Trainers workshops
in rural Liberia, under the FAO/DHA Project, "Emergency Assistance to
Artisanal Fisheries."
Seeds and Tools
Africare constructed four platform vegetable nurseries in each of their
working zones. Seedlings will be raised and distributed to farmers shortly.
Procurement
The first consignment of internationally procured farm tools has been cleared
from the Freeport of Monrovia. Preparation of the distribution plan is in
progress. Another 89 MTs of seed rice also procured under the project, is
expected in Monrovia by mid-November. Local procurement of a sizable quantity
of assorted tools under the same project has also been affected with the
first consignment expected to arrive early next week.
Continuing Activities
The last of the two international consultants fielded under the
Swedish-funded FAO Project "Emergency Supply of Essential Inputs to
Vulnerable Farmers" has arrived. Both consultants will provide technical
backstopping for the project. The international consultant fielded under
FAO/DHA Project "Emergency Apprenticeship Training of Rural Blacksmiths,"
arrives in Monrovia in early November. The consultant is expected to provide
technical support, including training to over 60 blacksmiths.
HEALTH
Health Programs
World Vision International (WVI) reported 113 pre-natal cases at nine health
facilities and a total of 1,777 cases at various health facilities in Bomi,
Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh and Lower Nimba Counties. Malaria, acute respiratory
infection and diarrhoea continue to be the three most prevalent diseases. The
Nimba County Health Services has reported that during the month of September,
its UNICEF-sponsored clinics screened 8,683 patients, with evidence of an
increase in the number of malnutrition cases. The Liberia National Red Cross
Society (LNRCS) clinics and health posts treated a total of 14,747 patients
in various parts of the country. A measles outbreak was reported by the LNRCS
clinic in Saclepea, Nimba County.
Growth monitoring of children less than five years of age has begun at the
SCF-UK supported health clinic in Gbarnga, Bong County. The total number of
children screened to date at this clinic is 500. An average of 40 children a
day attends the clinic and of these, 45 children per week are vaccinated. An
average of 15 malnourished children a week are also referred to feeding
programmes run by other organisations in the area. Training in growth
monitoring is also currently underway for staff at the SCF-UK supported
health clinic in Totota, Bong County.
Workshops
The Bomi County health team, in collaboration with the National Aids Control
Programme (NACP)and UNICEF, conducted an in-service training for 10 health
workers from 10 HIV/AIDS clinics. The NACP conducted a 3-day workshop for 22
technicians of facilities preforming surgical procedures and blood
transfusions sponsored by a UNDP/UNFPA project, executed by the World Health
Organisation. A 3-day, SCF-UK workshop for 47 traditional birth attendants
(TBAs) took place in Sanoyea, Bong County. Each participant received a TBA
kit upon completion.
Health Education
PMU-Interlife trauma counseling for students and individuals with special
cases, continues in Lofa County, benefitting 123 orphans in group counseling,
54 orphans in individual counseling, while four others special counseling.
UNICEF, in collaboration with the national NGO, Community Human Development
(COHDA), conducted educational sessions on the importance of breast feeding
and environmental sanitation in 18 IDP camps around Monrovia.
Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI)
WVI carried out regular EPI activities at the Madina and Government Farm
Clinics for BCG, OPV, TT, DPT and measles. In Nimba County, UNICEF fully
immunised 41 children and Oxfam participated in a measles vaccination
campaign in Grand Cape Mount County with the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Following the completion of an one week EPI workshop held in Zwedru from 26
September - 1 October, CAD's vaccination programme started on 18 October, a
total of 786 children and women in 20 villages in Upper Grand Gedeh County
were vaccinated from 18 - 31 October.
Medical Distributions
In a bid to strengthen the MOH capacity to deliver health services at all
levels of Liberia's health delivery system, over USD 100,000 worth of
essential drugs, medical equipment, and supplies were donated to the MOH by
WHO.
Revitalisation of Health Clinics
Oxfam revitalisation work on the Clara Town/MOH clinic has been completed,
and revitalisation work continues at 10 Medical Emergency Relief Cooperative
International (MERCI) clinics in Montserrado. Oxfam will soon begin to
revitalise six clinics in Grand Cape Mount County.
Mobile Clinics
Children's Aid Direct (CAD) continues its provision of basic health services
through a mobile clinic, at six health clinic sites in Upper Grand Gedeh
County, reporting malaria, diarrhoea and STDs as the three most common
diseases. The LNRCS continued its ambulance service transferring 144
patients.
Health Conference
The MOH will host a National Health Planning Conference from 3-7 November in
Monrovia. The theme of the Conference will be: "Post War Health Sector
Rehabilitation - Challenges and Opportunities," with an aim to: identify
priority health problems and programs; rationalise and strengthen Liberia's
health delivery organisation and management services; and, identify
complementary sources for health sector financing in Liberia.
Public Affairs and Advocacy
UN-HACO initiatives included: in commemoration of United Nations Day, 24
October, UN-HACO published and widely distributed the 32nd issue of The
Liberian Humanitarian Community Newsletter, featuring: current UN Agency
humanitarian activities in Liberia; a United Nations Day quiz; the purposes
and principles of the UN; International Day for the Eradication of Poverty;
and, World Food Day. 2,000 poster-size copies of The Newsletter were
distributed throughout Monrovia via The Inquirer newspaper as well as
distributed to all national media and all members of the Humanitarian
Community on UN Day. The UN-HACO produced civic education booklet, Kukujumuku
9: Talking' United Nations in Liberia, was also published and widely
distributed in the same manner to commemorate UN Day. This issue featured the
work of the 14 UN organisations currently operating in Liberia.
The Liberian Humanitarian Community Radio Report continues to be broadcast
twice daily by UN-HACO on national radio ELBC featuring updates on
humanitarian activities and discussions of various humanitarian issues, as
well as features on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty,
World Food Day and UN Day. UN organisations also conducted a UN Day Radio
Quiz Contest, with questions broadcast on the Radio Report, generating over
660 contest entries, from which three prizes were awarded. Excerpts from the
Radio Report are also broadcast on Star Radio (broadcasting on shortwave) and
Radio Veritas. 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.
FAO, WFP and their partners participated in the commemoration of the 17th
World Food Day, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture. The
Day included an Agricultural Fair with more than 100 exhibition booths by
farmer's groups and fishermen. The observance of the International Day for
Rural Women was also held in conjunction with World Food Day.
UNDP, UN-HACO and other UN organisations participated in the commemoration of
the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Activities included a
Poverty Eradication workshop featuring UN, government and civil society
representatives, cultural troupe performances, media releases and other
initiatives. The 5th issue of MaMunDeh, the monthly women's newsletter, was
published focusing on the environment, breast feeding, female genital
mutilation and prenatal care. It was distributed to womens' groups in IDP
shelters, health clinics and literacy groups.
Roads and Bridges
The main priority now is rehabilitation of major roads, which include:
Gbarnga-Voinjama-Foya; Voinjama-Vahun; Ganta-Tappita; Zwedru-Harper;
Kanweahkhen-Barclayville-Sasstown; and, Zwedru-Greenville. It was agreed that
the Tappita-Zwedru road required significant realignment to avoid being
closed again during the next rainy season. It was noted that ongoing repairs
of the Buchanan-Cestos City road and the completion of the Cestos and
Sehnkwehn river bridges would open up a significantly more durable road which
would permit access throughout the next rainy season. Based on this, and with
a priority of maintaining year-round access to the Southeast, it was decided
that the main efforts are along the Buchanan-Greenville road and that limited
work would be performed on the Tappita-Zwedru road to improve trafficability.
Regarding secondary roads, it was decided that the priority for the coming
year would be to support repatriation and resettlement activities, so that
priority would go to areas where this is expected to be most intense. UN-HACO
produced a map showing these areas by district as the suggested three
priority areas.
JOINT PROJECTS
Risk Mapping
The first draft set of vulnerability maps have been made available.
Currently, the maps plot risk data for the entire country on the probability
of communal friction, percentage of locations accessible by road, per capita
kilograms of food distributed in 1997, per capita distribution of tools in
1997, returning population ratios, relative risk by district without food,
and distribution factors. On 30 October the UN Department of Development
Support and Management Services (UN-DDSMS) will present humanitarian agencies
representatives with its developing Geographical Information System (GIS). It
is expected that the GIS will assist agencies in designing and targeting a
wide range of specific interventions. The GIS does not, however, replace the
vulnerability mapping project.
Rehabilitation
Tear Fund's rehabilitation of the Killiwu Public School has been completed
and work on the Salayea Public School has been delayed due to a lack of local
materials from the community, but is expected to finally commence on 5
November. ADRA conducted two major school assessment missions in three of
Lofa County: Voinjama, Kolahun and Foya, for school feeding and school
rehabilitation. Of the 20 schools assessed for damage, ADRA expects to
rehabilitate 10 schools in the three districts. ADRA conducted a similar
assessment in Nimba County for school rehabilitation assessing 22 schools for
damage, taking detailed measurements of each structure and gathered
information on the presence or absence of facilities such as water, kitchens,
storerooms, toilets, chairs, desks, benches and blackboards. ADRA has
completed planning for a project to assist returnees to resettle in Lofa
County. The project is community-based and will concentrate on rehabilitating
public infrastructure such as schools, clinics and water and sanitation
facilities.
Policy Management Group
The Policy Management Group, formerly the Programme Compliance and Violation
Committee, is developing strategies to respond to increased efforts at
revenue collection and other restrictive regulatory actions by various
government ministries. Based on earlier recommendations, USAID has provided
the services of their Legal Advisor in this regard. Along with the UN-HACO
lawyer, they will review extant Liberian law with a view to determine the
extent to which INGOs are granted immunity or relief from certain regulatory
actions. The end result is to propose a framework via a Memorandum of
Understanding or a Protocol under which INGOs will have a clearly defined
relationship with the government.
Non Food Relief
PMU Interlife distributed non-food relief assistance of pots, buckets, water
barrels, plastic cups/plates, cooking/eating spoons, silver drinking cans,
coal pots, and plastic tubs to 845 elderly Sierra Leonean refugees and IDPs
at the Sinje Refugee Camp in Grand Cape Mount; laundry soap, and other items
to 365 elderly persons in the Po River region, Montserrado County; and
slippers, laundry soap and used clothing for patients at the Swedrelief
Hospital. UNICEF also supplied 10 revitalised health clinics in Nimba County
with 40 chairs, 20 desks and 30 benches. On 26 October, CAD started
distribution of children's and adult's clothing, shoes and blankets in Grand
Gedeh County, for 1,167 beneficiaries.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL 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: UNICEF;
LWF/LWS; ACF; Oxfam; 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).
Garbage Collection
Under the SCF-UK/UNICEF Emergency Garbage Collection and Disposal in
Monrovia, a total of 1,902 cubic yards of waste were cleared in Monrovia and
its environments. The garbage collection programme in Monrovia will continue
until December 1997 when further funding will be required to continue
operations.
Children and Education
ADRA plans to start four free primary education schools in cooperation with
All God's Children (AGC). The schools will be for children from K1 to grade
two and will be located in Montserrado and Lofa Counties.
Activities Involving War Affected Youths
A one week workshop in Advanced Training for Counselors is scheduled to begin
for 30 War Affected Youth Support (WAYS) programme counselors and social
workers in leadership and technical skills with the objective of transferring
these skills to children schools. A number of students from the WAYS
programme and the Child Assistance Programme (CAP) in Buchanan, Grand Bassa
County have graduated in the areas of agriculture, black smithing,
arts/crafts and soap making. COHDA, another WAYS partner, conducted a 4-day
workshop with the theme "Towards Achieving Project Objectives." The
International Labor Organisation (ILO) completed its first round of training
in employable skills for 1,215 IDPs, disabled persons, returnees and other
war-affected persons. A second round of training has begun to benefit and
estimated 2,400 war-affected persons in Lofa, Nimba, Bong, Bomi, Grand Cape
Mount, Rivercess, Grand Bassa, Montserrado and Margibi Counties.
Ministry of Education
The revised national curriculum, printed with support from UNICEF, was
formally delivered to the Ministry of Education for distribution in primary
and secondary schools throughout the country.
Security
The deadline provided by the government for marketers in Monrovia, mainly in
the Duala, Waterside and Red Light markets, to clear their stalls from the
roadsides and come to an agreement over days of operation, will come to pass
in early November. Marketers have made it clear that they are not yet ready
to relocate, and it is anticipated that should the deadline pass without any
resolution of the current problem, there exists the possibility of friction
should the government and the Monrovia City Council move against the
marketers. It is noted that many of the marketers are former combatants now
engaged in petty trading.
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
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