Liberia - UN-01: 01-31.Jan.98
Liberia - UN-01: 01-31.Jan.98
LIBERIA
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT
Period covered: January 1998 No. 01
The information contained in this report was provided by the Office of
the
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia
OVERVIEW
The month of January marks the transfer of responsibility for
humanitarian coordination to the UN Resident Coordinator following the
departure of UN HACO. Mechanisms for coordination established by UN HACO
have been maintained such as the bi-monthly NGO/UN/Donor meeting, the
Policy Management Group and other sectoral meetings. In addition,
efforts are underway to enhance coordination among the NGOs and UN
Agencies in the rural areas. An information gathering format has been
created to facilitate the flow of information and develop a basic
tracking system to assist the humanitarian community in planning and
tracking activities. This initiative will complement the humanitarian
data base established by UN HACO and now being maintained by UN DDSMS
within the Ministry of Planning.
The INGOs, the designate of the UN Resident Coordinator and the Ministry
of Planning and Economic Affairs came together in a workshop to review
policies as they pertain to the operations of the humanitarian
community. The main emphasis was on the Government providing an
"enabling environment" for NGOs, both local and international, to carry
out their activities within the context of Government's plans for the
Reconstruction Programme. The document emerging from this workshop is
currently being finalized by the Ministry of Planning and is expected to
be endorsed and approved by the Minister very shortly.
Internally displaced people and refugees are returning to their
homesteads, anxious to be ensconced in time for the planting season. All
efforts are being made to be prepared for a timely distribution of seeds
and tools. In addition, WFP and CRS are prepositioning food to
facilitate a ration for those refugees with registration forms and
internally displaced registered by LRRRC. There remains a problem in
reaching those who have returned spontaneously and therefore have no
registration cards. It is hoped, that they will be accommodated within
the various micro-projects which are aimed at serving all the community.
Ethnic tensions are reported in Upper Lofa between the Mandingo
returnees and the Lorma people. This is a historic rift, perpetuated by
the returning Mandingos. Efforts to reconcile the two groups are
ongoing. A 17 man delegation from the National Reconciliation
Commission, headed by the Action Director, has traveled to the area for
mediation discussions with the chiefs and elders of both groups.
The Inter-agency Consolidated Appeal was finalized and published by DHA
in Geneva. Copies have informally been distributed to the donors. A
tentative date for the official launching is set for the 3rd of March.
REPATRIATION
As of the 31 January, a total of 3,234 refugees have been assisted in
returning home by UNHCR. They have returned from Cote d'Ivoire and
Ghana. A transit point has been established in Monrovia. WFP is
providing a wet ration for all those arriving at the transit centre.
Those returning also receive a resettlement package and will be eligible
for a food ration from WFP, and seeds and tools, through the National
Seeds and Tools Campaign.
UNHCR held a workshop on protection of refugees during the repatriation
exercise. Participants included NGOs, UN Agencies and government
officials including police and immigration officials. Many
recommendations evolved from the discussion sessions including the need
for training of customs and immigration officers at border points, the
need to coordinate better with the different parties involved in the
repatriation process and the need to establish closer links with human
rights organisations.
The Plan of Action for the resettlement of internally displaced people
was approved at the level of the Cabinet. LRRRC has been mandated to
ensure that all IDP shelters are closed by the need of February. The EU
is assisting with the transportation of IDPs to their home areas. The
last food ration to take place within the shelters was in January. The
second and final distribution will take place in February at the
destination points. Only those remaining in Monsterrado county will
receive the February allocation within the shelter. WFP has produced the
results of a census carried out in the shelters. From an original
caseload of 171, 464, the verified number at the end of January stands
at 152, 777. Of this amount 23, 648 express an intention to return to
Cape Mount, 7301 to Bomi and 26,312 to within Monsterrado county. Very
few of the IDPs are from the South East. Preliminary results therefore
indicate that 88 per cent of IDPs in the 33 shelters within Monrovia are
from Bomi Cape Mount and Montserrado counties. In addition, 99.1 per
cent wish to return to their counties of origin. The survey also shows
that 50.85 per cent of the IDPs are women.
RESETTLEMENT
A total of 3, 263 pieces of reconstruction tools representing 108 tool
kits were distributed to 44 towns and villages by CRS. This distribution
is targeted to assist over 91, 440 returning refugees and IDPs to
facilitate the construction of shelter and repair to homes in the areas
of resettlement. The tools include wheelbarrows, hammers, buckets, hand
drills and other items which can be used in shelter construction. The
distribution breaks down as follows:
Salayea Zorzor Total
Number of towns served 16 28 44
Population in Communities served 35,743 55,67 91,440
Number of tool kits distributed 43 65 108
Number of tool items distribution 1,252 2,011 3,28
The Catholic Church with the support of Caritas Sweden and Germany
distributed food and non food items to over 2,000 returning IDPs in Cape
Mount County to assist them in resettlement.
UNOPS have completed Phase 1 of the implementation project to support
resettlement and reintegration. That phase included the implementation
of 31 new micro projects and 16 ongoing projects from a previous
programme, 72 projects under preparation and the continuation and
completion of 42 HACO projects. Programme Operational Centres have been
established in Buchanan, Gbarnga, Voinjama and Tubmanburg. Four more
POCs will be established during February. UNOPs and UNICEF have also
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the renovation of
90 schools, 40 clinics, 5 health centres and the provision of Afridev
handpumps for water supply. UNOPS as part of its Phase 2 plan will aim
to complete 439 projects in 1998, covering all sectors particularly
revitalization of health and educational facilities. All projects are
being implemented by local NGOs, Community Based Organisation and
International NGOs.
FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
WFP distributed a total of 1,838 MTs, during the reporting period. The
breakdown of distribution is as follows:
Type of Programme No. of beneficiaries Total MTs allocated
School Feeding 176,649 1,185
Vu lnerable Group Feeding 7,235 86,8
IDPs 22,599 152,7
Returnees 2,000 8,6
Food for Work 6,684 199
Food for Training 78 1,3
WFP food stock for January as at the 27 January is: 9, 144 MTs of bulbar
wheat, 2,098 MTs Maizemeal, 1,724 MTs CSB 814 MTs pulses, 188,5 MTs
oils, 07 MTs Of wheat flour, 22,2 MTs biscuits and 1,6 MTs of compact
food.
CRS distributed a total of 1509 MTs of food during January. The
breakdown of that distribution is as follows:
Type of Programme Beneficiaries Total MTs allocated
Vulnerable Group Feeding 15,44 854
IDPs 9,499 130
Food for Work 1,899 525
CRS food stock at mid January was: 6,970 MTs of bulbar wheat, 223 MTs
beans, 1,439 MTs Lentils. 4, 5811 MTs CSB, 1,915 MTs, oil, making a
total of 15,128 MTs
AGRICULTURE
Distribution plans for seeds and tools are being submitted through the
seeds and tools committee to the EU and USAID/OFDA. CRS has procured 235
metric tons of seed rice in Guinea which they will transport to Liberia
as part of the National seeds and tool distribution
A donation of 25,000 bags of seed rice from the Government of Taiwan is
being channeled through the Ministry of Agriculture. The contribution
may be used for a seed rice exchange programme. The Ministry of
Agriculture and the Seeds and Tools Committee are in discussion to
devise a strategy on how best to ensure that this donation addresses
vulnerable groups and complements the seeds and tool campaign.
FAO distributed 890 MTs, of assorted vegetable seeds and a limited
quantity of tools to 29,844 farming families through its implementing
partners. The Governments of Sweden and UNDP provided funding for the
procurement of 89 MTs Of seed rice which FAO will distribute in time for
the planting season. All distribution are coordinated with the seeds and
tools committee of which FAO is a member along with specialist NGOs,
donors and UN Agencies.
The FAO blacksmith project has produced 10,000 local scratching hoes
with another 10,000 pending.
FAO conducted a training of trainers workshop for 68 artisinal fishermen
and former combatants from 8 counties in Liberia. Each participant
received a package of fishing gear to facilitate their training of other
fishermen in their home counties.
Through the EU micro projects in the South East a rice harvest of 3.5
per hectare in January was yielded. This will enable the projects to
extend the rise swamps to more areas in Nimba County and throughout the
South East. Tree and Vegetable nurseries have also started in Nimba and
Sinoe Counties.
HEALTH
Revitalization of Primary Health Care
The INGO, MERLIN continues to support 9 primary health clinics in Nimba
county and 12 in Upper Lofa with the assistance of the European Union.
In addition, support to the in-patient department of Kolahoun Hospital
in Lofa commenced in January. A cost sharing project by OXFAM with EU
support has been approved for four clinics in Cape Mount County.
Children's Aid Direct with EU funding are implementing a two year
primary health care system in Grand Gedeh and Sinoe. This is a two year
programme. Funding again from the EU has been approved for the
rehabilitation of Phebe Hospital in Bong County. The rehabilitation will
be carried out by LWF/LWS over a six month period. Concern Worldwide
commenced the rehabilitation of the Catholic Secretariat Health Clinic
in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. In Lofa GTZ have completed the renovation of
three clinics in Borkaza.
Immunization Activities
SCF (UK), ICRC and the Ministry of Health undertook a vaccination
campaign in Fassama and Belia in Upper Lofa as a follow up to the first
round in November. Meanwhile, a WHO mission in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health, carried out an EPI needs assessment through the
county in order to identify support needed for the establishment of a
viable National EPI Programme. The process was facilitated by two
WHO/AFRO consultants. In addition, WHO is providing technical assistance
to the Ministry of Health to prepare a plan of action for the
implementation National Immunization Days with the goal of eradicating
polio by the year 2000.
Training/Workshops
WHO conducted a series of refresher courses, and workshops in the health
sector. They included a refresher course for port health workers and
environmental inspectors. Participants also included members of the
Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and representatives of several ports
of entry in Liberia. Topics included pump and latrine technology,
quarantinable disease surveillance, land, air and sea inspection
monitoring, and water quality monitoring
A workshop was also held by WHO and the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare on National IEC Policy and Guidelines. The workshop brought
together participants from all relevant sectoral Ministries.
Health Education and Primary health care training continues with WHO
providing technical assistance in the form of tutorials.
Evaluation
During the month of January. UNICEF carried out and evaluation of their
activities in 1997 in order to develop 1998 programme plans. Notable
achievements in 1997 include the training of 128 health workers on EPI,
200 mid-level health workers on the rational use of drugs and 300
traditional birth attendants to clean and safe delivery practices. They
were also issued with TBA kits. The Ministry of Health County Health
Teams were strengthened to enable them to manage the delivery of health
services at 75 facilities throughout the country. To date, nine County
Health Teams were given logistical support including vehicles and
equipment. At reactivate clinics, a fee for service system was
introduced in line with the Bamako initiative. Nutritional programmes
were implemented through NGOs meeting the needs of 2,500 malnourished
children and 1,000 pregnant and lactating women. Antenatal facilities
were enhanced with vitamin supplements. Health education initiatives
were introduced to enlighten women on the preparation of locally
available weaning food and breast feeding.
ROADS AND BRIDGES
The INGO Concern completed the rehabilitation of five bridges in Bomi
County. WFP will rehabilitate the road from Gbarnga to Zorzor. Meanwhile
GTZ continues to repair the portion from Zorzor to Voinjama. ANAPAEST
have completed renovation of an airstrip 6 kms South of Voinjama which
will enable short take off and landing planes access to the area.
REHABILITATION
The European Commission began a 12 month project to rehabilitate cargo
handling and marine craft in the port. They will also remove a ship
wreck within the Port which obstructs full access at present
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
The INGO, CONCERN Worldwide rehabilitated 20 wells and installed10
handpumps in Bomi County. An assessment mission is planned to
investigate the status of wells in Upper Lofa. It is reported that many
of these wells are dry causing hardship to the local community and an
increase in the incidence of diarrhoeal disease.
UNICEF, in evaluating its Watsan sector, reports that in 1997 they
managed to carry out activities in nine counties for the first time in
seven years. Two thousand one hundred and seventy wells were chlorinated
benefitting a population of 217,000 people. During the coming year
UNICEF Watsan programme will mount an extensive rehabilitation project
in nine counties.
EDUCATION
During the reporting period Tear Fund completed the rehabilitation of
the Zorzor Central High School and the Yaealla Public Schools in Upper
Lofa. These projects were funded through ANAPAEST. Tear Fund will
continue school rehabilitation in other towns and villages of Upper Lofa
again through the support of ANAPAEST. GTZ has completed the
rehabilitation of a school in Borkazza to help absorb the large number
of returnees in the area.
CHILDREN IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
SCF (UK), which funding from the EU, have commenced the establishment of
a monitoring network comprising of social workers to identify and
support children in difficult circumstances. This project extend to the
13 counties of Liberia and will cover an 18 month period.
ASSESSMENT MISSIONS
An assessment mission to Vahun District in Lofa County was undertaken
between the 6-12 January. This is an area where there are some 33,000
refugees residing making a total population of 56,154 people in the area
and where there has been recent reports of food shortages. These people
have not received assistance from UNHCR since the closure of the office
in Vahun in 1993. The area is virtually inaccessible during the rainy
season. The INGO, Merlin provides primary health care while World Vision
has carried out a seeds and tool distribution. Given the instability of
the situation in Sierra Leone a new influx of refugees continues to be
anticipated. To investigate the reports of food shortages in the area
WFP, SCF (UK) and UNHCR carried out an assessment. The team did not
conclude that their was an acute need for food but noted that any new
influx of refugees could result in shortage. In addition, it was
recommended that the problems of dry wells be addressed as a matter of
urgency. Latrines are also required in the area.
It is expected by UNHCR that some 67,000 returnees intend to resettle in
Nimba County. A joint GTZ/UNHCR assessment mission was undertake to
ascertain the needs in this county. They noted the need for repair work
on the roads between Loguato and Ganta, and Ganta to Tappita. Attention
also needed on the secondary roads to allow people access to health
facilities and markets. Despite efforts of various organisations in the
watsan sector, the need for increased access to potable water was cited
as a major priority.
This report is available on the internet through RELIEFWEB:
http://www.reliefweb.int
Mr. Pascal Karorero
Deputy Resident Representative UNDP
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel.: (231) 226 194
Fax: (231) 226 210
Inter-Agency Support Branch (IASB) Geneva
Mr. David Bassiouni - Chief
Mr. Arjun Katoch
Tel.: (41 22) 788.1401
Fax: (41 22) 788.6386
Registry E-Mail: Abu.Conteh@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 (OCHA-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