Liberia - DHA-90: 13.Nov-01.Dec.97
Liberia - DHA-90: 13.Nov-01.Dec.97
Liberia Humanitarian Situation Report
DHAGVA-97/039
13 November - 01 December 1997 - No. 90
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of the
United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Liberia
HIGHLIGHTS
The Inter-agency Consolidated Appeal to cover relief operations for 1998
has been completed and sent to Geneva for its launch. The duration of the
Appeal is for one year.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the World Food Programme (WFP)
participated in a seven-day joint assessment survey of 35 Internally
Displaced Person (IDP) shelters in Monrovia and its environs to determine
the point of origin of shelter residents, in preparation for the
anticipated closing of IDP shelters in Liberia by early next year.
Information gathered during the survey will help CRS, WFP, the Liberia
Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) and other
organisations plan for the voluntary repatriation of IDPs when shelters
are eventually closed.
Refugees
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has continued providing
assistance to Sierra Leonean refugees in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County,
for the construction of shelter units. Facilities already constructed by
the refugees with the LNRCS' assistance include 60 huts, 9 latrines, 1
hand pump, 6 transit tents and 5 garbage pits. A total of 76,201 building
sticks have been provided for the refugees.
Repatriation and Resettlement
CRS, through the Liberia Technical Committee on Food Aid, is actively
involved in planning logistical and operational aspects of food
programming for the voluntary return of refugees and IDPs in 1998. This
activity is expected to involve the movement of 300,000 to 600,000 persons
over an 18-month period. The organisation's Commodity Programme Unit
continued work on its 1998 food distribution activities with a focus on
providing support for repatriation and educational activities.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Nutrition Assessment
WFP food aid monitors, in collaboration with LRRRC and implementing
partners CRS, World Vision International (WVI), Concerned Christian
Community (CCC), Liberians United to Save Humanity (LUSH), Liberia Islamic
Union for Reconstruction and Development (LIURD), Special Emergency Life
Food (SELF), and LNRCS, completed a census of 33 IDP shelters in the
Monrovia area on 17 November. The census covered all persons registered on
WFP feeding logs as of October 1997, and recorded any specific indicators
of vulnerability such as pregnancy, lactation, under age five, disabled,
etc. It also recorded place of origin, resettlement destination; present
and past occupation; planned future occupation after resettlement; and,
skills.
Enhanced Food Security
Two food security advisers have joined the Save the Children Fund (SCF-UK)
team in Liberia. One will be seconded to WFP to act as a focal point for
all food security matters in Liberia as they relate to WFP programmes,
including policy formulation, strategic planning, technical advice and the
compilation/dissemination of data.
Staff of CRS's Commodity Programming Unit (CPU) continued the monitoring
of Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programmes to ensure and improve
counterpart compliance with programme regulations, and to provide for the
efficient and timely delivery of food to beneficiaries. As part of this
monitoring, the staff conducted a three day workshop in Suchanan to
enlighten counterparts about programme regulations, ways to improve the
handling and storage of food commodities, as well as training counterparts
in record keeping practices. CRS staff also continued to conduct market
survey activities designed to provide the unit with information on market
prices and quantities of food commodities in the market place. This
information enables the CPU to monitor market conditions as part of its
ongoing food security programming activities and provides a means of
identifying food commodities which may be diverted into the market place
by programme counterparts.
New Projects
An agro-database programme has been set up in the office of the Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO), using a computer system purchased with
funds provided by UNDP and technical support from UN-HACO. A Statistician
of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) attached to the project, is receiving
technical training under the programme in which the MOA is a collaborating
partner of FAO.
WFP has committed 24,656 MTS of assorted commodities to SELF to assist 691
Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) workers as they work to restore
electricity capacity in Liberia. LEC plans to repair electrical lines,
generator, sub-stations, plant poles and replace spoiled transformers.
PMU Interlife has imported 25 completed sets of carpentry tools as an
initial package to help Liberians in the reconstruction process. Eight of
the sets have already been distributed to 8 persons in Monrovia who passed
the test and interview. The remaining 17 sets of tools will be distributed
to qualified carpenters now being screened in the districts of Voinjama
and Kolahun in Lofa County.
Verification Survey
WFP and WVI, in collaboration with various other international and
national NGOs, conducted a verification exercise at IDP shelters in
Monrovia.
Food Assessments
The relief department of the LNRCS has completed the enumeration of IDPs
in rural Montserrado County. Results of the exercise, which began on 17
November, have since been submitted to WFP for compilation by its
implementing partners.
Food Distributions:
WFP food distributions form 12-15 November, included:
a. Food for Work/FFT/FFL 250.67 MTS for 2,984 beneficiaries
b. IDPs/Refugees 34.94 MTS for 5,175 beneficiaries
c. Vulnerable Group Feeding 2.675 MTS for 784 beneficiaries
CRS food distributions from 15-30 November, included:
a. Food for Work 24 MTS for 818 beneficiaries
b. Vulnerable Group Feeding 134 MTS for 10,694 beneficiaries
c. IDPs 76 MTS for 5,711 beneficiaries
d. Community Rehabilitation 57 MTS for 1,670 beneficiaries
WVI food distributions from 13-26 November, includes:
a. School feeding 69.009 MTS
b. Food for Work 11.655 MTS
c. Supplementary Feeding 1.064 MTS
d. Sinje Asylum Seekers 1.263 MTS
Stock Balances
The WFP stock balance as of 25 November, is 6,969 MTS of assorted food
commodities. The CRS stock balance as of 26 November, is 15,163.3 MTS of
assorted food commodities.
AGRICULTURE
Assessments
International consultants and their national counterparts involved with
the Sweden-funded FAO project for the emergency supply of inputs to
vulnerable farmers, have continued their assessment tour with field visits
to Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Cape Mount and Margibi Counties. The visits are
intended to review programmes of implementing partners and to verify that
the proposed locations and activities met the established criteria.
On 13 November, a representative from the relief department of the LNRCS,
and a delegate from the water and sanitation department of the
International Federation of the Red Cross, visited the on-going fish pond
project being constructed by the Montserrado Chapter of the LNRCS at Upper
Caidwell, to assess progress of the project.
CRS is now checking the yield of the 1997 seed distribution. Raw data has
been collected and is being processed by field staff. Planting materials
are being distributed to returnees in Lofa and the border line areas of
Bong and Nimba Counties.
Workshops
A Training of Trainers' workshop for working master blacksmiths has begun
in Kendi Town along the Monrovia-Shiefflin Highway as part of the
FAO/UN-HACO project for the "Emergency Rehabilitation and Apprenticeship
Training of Rural Blacksmiths in Liberia". The master blacksmiths taking
part in the workshop are expected to train other blacksmiths in rural
Liberia, following completion of their training. Another training
programme in blacksmithing is being arranged for blacksmiths collaborating
with various humanitarian and development agencies.
Seeds and Tools
The Seeds and Tools Committee is presently holding discussions with UNHCR
for the collaboration of agricultural input distribution to returning
refugees to avoid duplication of efforts. NGOs continue to submit data on
needs assessments conducted to determine input requirements for 1998. The
data will be analysed and submitted to UN-HACO for risk mapping and
vulnerability scoring.
Procurement
CRS has purchased 60 pigs and 87 goats from neighbouring Ivory Coast as a
part of the CARITAS Agricultural and Livestock Rehabilitation Programme.
The animals will be kept under quarantine with the assistance of a
livestock technician seconded to CRS by the MOA. Distribution to
counterpart multiplication centres will follow the quarantine, which is
expected to last until the late December.
Continuing Activities
CRS has disbursed funds to its counterparts for the rehabilitation of
their existing pig structures in preparation for receiving pigs for their
centres. Funds have also been disbursed to counterparts for the
construction of shelters for rice mills.
HEALTH
Health Programmes
Ten revitalised Ministry of Health clinics in Grand Bassa County with
support from UNICEF, treated 5,326 patients during the reporting period.
The leading cause of illness was reported to be malaria. A total of 4,674
consultations were reported by WVI clinics around the country. These
included 497 pre-natal cases and 32 deliveries at health facilities in
Bomi, Cape Mount, Nimba and grand Gedah Counties.
Ten bicycles were provided by UNICEF to health workers in Bomi, Lower Lofa
and Cape Mount Counties to support outreach health activities. The Mobile
Unit of the LNRCS continues to provide an uninterrupted 24 hour ambulance
service to the public, successfully transferring a total of 167 patients
during the reporting period.
Workshops
The Margibi County Health Team, with support from UNICEF, conducted a
workshop on cold chain management and refrigeration maintenance for 30
health workers from the 15 clinics in Margibi county. The workshop
provided health workers with the knowledge and skills that will enable
them to operate a viable EPI programme.
Health Education
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) conducted a two-day workshop on
AIDS awareness and information distribution for 26 health workers form 15
clinics in Monrovia. Participants will now establish HIV/AIDS
Distribution Committees at their respective health centres. A second
workshop is planned for teachers and principals of elementary and
secondary schools.
A WHO-sponsored workshop on Reproductive Health was held on 19 November in
Montserrado County. The workshop was held in collaboration with the
Liberia National Girl Guides Association of Liberia and brought together
50 women between the ages of 15 to 50. The focus of the discussion was
sex and STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
Another WHO-sponsored workshop on Micro-nutrients, was held from 19-21
November on the campus of the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts
(TNIMA) in Monrovia. The workshop was held in collaboration with the
Family Health Division of the Ministry of Health and brought together 23
health workers and community animators. The workshop will set into motion
a 3-month WHO-sponsored nutrition surveillance pilot programme in Monrovia
to combat anaemia as well as deficiencies in vitamin A, iodine and iron.
Targets for the survey include children under five and women childbearing
age, with special attention focused on pregnant women.
Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI)
SCF-UK's health team, in collaboration with the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) and Oxfam, undertook an assessment mission to
Faspama, Lower Lofa county, where a measles outbreak had been reported.
In the first two days of the assessment, 353 patients were screened. To
date, 1,077 children have been vaccinated against measles in 3 out of the
17 towns in Belle District, Lower Lofa county. According to the latest
figures, 6.9 percent of the children examined had measles and 9.9 percent
of them had measles complications. As a result of assessments carried out
in the area there are now plans to conduct future vaccination work in the
remaining towns in Belle District.
Revitalised government clinics in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County,
administered the following doses of antigens: BCG, 737; Polio, 1,674; DPT,
1,625; Measles, 526; and Tetanus, 1,471.
Regular EPI activities were carried out by WVI at Medina and Bendu in
Grand Cape Mount county and in parts of Grand Gedeh county. The
beneficiaries were as follows: BCG,789; Polio, 768; Tt, 810; DPT, 509; and
measles, 535.
Revitalisation of Health Clinics
UNICEF has provided a vehicle to the Lofa County Health Team to support
the revitalisation of health services and facilitate the delivery of
supplies and equipment. In addition, 10 Lofa health clinics received
Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) kits. Another 20 TBA kits were
provided to the Nimba County Health Team to be used in the 10 revitalised
clinics in the area.
WVI recently opened 4 new clinics at Tienne, Bendu, Bo-Waterside and
Fahnjah, Grand Cape Mount County in an attempt to improve the
accessibility of the rural populations to health care.
Public Affairs and Advocacy
UN-HACO initiatives included the publication and wide distribution of The
Liberian Humanitarian Community Newsletters. The last four issues of The
Newsletter are being published on a weekly basis prior to the final
departure of UN-HACO from Liberia. They include:
a. Issue 35, featuring articles on breastfeeding, family planning, safe
motherhood, child development, violence against women, and, methods of
contraception.
b. Issue 36, featuring articles on: conflict resolution; AIDS awareness
for World AIDS Day; the Trickle-Up programme; and, measles prevention,
symptoms and vaccination;
c. Issue 37, featuring articles on: reducing the risk of malaria; the
importance of personal hygiene; the top ten Facts of Life; and,
cholera/severe diarrhoea prevention and treatment and,
d. Issue 38, featuring articles on: refugee repatriation; symptoms and
preventive measures against meningitis; vaccination schedules; and, how to
make water safe for drinking.
The UN-HACO produced civic education booklets, Kukujumuku 10: Refugee
Repatriation! And Kukujumuku 11: AIDS Kills! were also published and
widely distributed in Liberia and the surrounding region, mainly through
UNHCR and WHO/UNFPA and their counterparts. Work is near completion on
Kukujumuku 12: Rappin' with Teenagers which will be distributed in the
next few days. Kukujumuku 13: Good Health Matters! Is being finalised and
Kukujumuku 14: Refugee Repatriation will be reprint of an earlier issue on
the same subject. These will all be printed prior to the cessation of
operations for UN-HACO. 15,000 copies of each Kukujumuku are distributed
in Monrovia via The Inquirer newspaper and also distributed throughout the
country through the most appropriate humanitarian organisations.
The Liberian Humanitarian Community Radio Report continues to be broadcast
twice daily by UN-HACO by shortwave on national radio ELBC featuring
updates on humanitarian activities and discussions of various humanitarian
issues. Except from the Radio Report are also broadcast on Star Radio 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.
Star Radio, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced a series of public
service messages for World AIDS Day, while production of Child Rights
messages for the upcoming International Children's Day of Broadcasting in
December, has begun. A group of dancers performed at the
Conflict-Affected Youth Support (WAYS) project in Monrovia to the "SO WHY"
songs for peace album launched and sponsored by the ICRC. The album, with
its strong peace messages, was produced to promote peace in conflict-torn
African countries. The performance was well-received by the audience of
more than 500 students, and the group plans to tour all WAYS Project sites
in Liberia.
SCF-UK's family radio contact programme is to be broadcast on Kiss FM.
twice weekly. The programme is currently heard on Radio Veritas and Star
Radio. To date, 3 children have been reunited with their families as a
direct result of the programme. 29 other children have been identified by
the programme listeners and are currently awaiting reunification. A
further 21 families have come forward to ask SCF-UK to search for their
children.
Roads and Bridges
The general condition of the main roads in Bong, Nimba and Lofa Counties
has improved considerably with the advent of the dry season, making many
places passable by other vehicles that are not 4-wheel drive.
The Kakata-Whom Road and Kakata/Nyaforia/Gbamga Road projects being
supported by CRS, are nearing completion. However, both need a one month
extension to enable the workers to finalise the road rehabilitation. The
Monrovia-Robertsport International Airport Road rehabilitation project,
also supported by CRS, is proceeding as planned. 200 men are
side-brushing and removing debris from the road.
Joint Projects
UNICEF and SCF-UK discussed strategies on how best to utilise the physical
rehabilitation workshop under construction in Ganta, Nimba County. SCF-UK
will implement community-based rehabilitation in Nimba County, while the
Christian Health Association of Liberia (CHAL) will carry out
rehabilitation in other parts of Liberia. The workshop will provide
artificial limbs for physically-handicapped children.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of the Salayea Public School by Tear Fund is in progress
while work on the Zorzor Central High School has commenced and is expected
to be completed in three weeks. Work on the Yewalla Public School will
commence as soon as the road condition improves.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
Wells, Pumps and Latrines
In cooperation with the Ministries of Planning and Economic Affairs, Rural
Development and 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 dislodge latrines in communities and IDP centres
throughout the country. They include: UNICEF, LWF/WS, ACF, Oxfam, Tear
Fund, LNRCS, Concern, Help Our People Exist (HOPE), Lifewater Liberia,
Gbonowolon Water and Sanitation Inc. (GWS), 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 UNICEF/SCF UK Emergency Garbage Collection and Disposal Project
in Monrovia, a total of 2,032 cubic yards of waste were removed during the
past two weeks.
Children and Education
As part of UNICEF's support to the education system, the distribution of
school supplies to primary schools continued to Montserrado County and
will expand next week to Bong and Nimba Counties.
Activities Involving Conflict-Affected Youths
PMU Interlife continues to provide counselling services in Lofa County to
help bridge the gap between tribal groups. Various forms of counselling
were used during this period in Voinjama, Kolahun and Foya districts in
Lofa county. PMU Interlife also carried out counselling activities at
three orphanage homes as well as the Monrovia Central Prison.
Please Note
This will be the last Humanitarian Situation Report produced by UN-HACO.
We would like to thank all members of the Liberian Humanitarian Community
who have contributed to its success over the past 90 issues. Future
Situation Reports will be produced by a Coordination Unit under the
Resident Coordinator.
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
Fax: (231) 226 042
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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