Aid scaling up in Liberia

(New York: 28 August): The general atmosphere around Monrovia remains stable with a few reported incidents. The civilian population has been urged to be vigilant and to report cases of intimidation or harassment. ECOMIL troops continue to provide security support for humanitarian operations. They recently established permanent observation points and initiated patrols between IDP camps in greater Monrovia.
The humanitarian community through OCHA is conducting daily missions, including to areas outside Monrovia such as Bong County, Tubmanburg and Buchanan. OCHA, in conjunction with UNICEF, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), World Vision and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), yesterday assessed Kakata (Margibi County) to ascertain the impact that rumours of an impending LURD attack were having on population movement. The mission found that the high tensions had influenced people to relocate but that they were now returning to their homes, as no attack had been forthcoming. The mission continued to Salala to assess the camps in the region to see how they have been affected. Like Kakata, there has been no large-scale population displacement. The mission also visited the IDP camp Sendel, about 50 kilometers from Monrovia. Twelve thousand IDPs are seeking refugee at the site, but they are an old caseload and not the result of the recent population displacement. The NGO Merlin is providing assistance at the site, and WFP have been informed of the need to commence food distribution. The mission had taken some 200 cartons of high protein biscuits for distribution by LWF, on behalf of WFP, to IDPs both on the move and in camps. UNHCR also visited eight camps for displaced people around Monrovia to assess their immediate needs. While security in the camps is of utmost concern, the regular camps were generally intact and in good condition. Today, inter agency missions will tour other shelters in Monrovia. Meanwhile, the Protection team visited Harbel and Cotton Tree where they observed massive IDP movement. Houses and settlements were deserted except for the militia who demand payments for crossing the bridges. The civilians are in dire need of food, shelter and medicine.

Immunization against measles (for children aged 6 months to 15 years) will begin this week in Tubmanburg, for 1 week through a joint effort of UNICEF and WHO. WHO and UNFPA are revamping one wing of the Tubmanburg government hospital to serve as a referral for the area. WHO is also distributing the 25 trauma kits they received to NGOs and hospitals.

The water-sanitation (WATSAN) committee has stated that the sewage system in Monrovia is dysfunctional and many latrines are clogged. Central garbage collection is not operational. The committee 's current priority is White Plains pumping station, which is now partly operational, providing 1.2 million gallons of water per day, still below the requirement for Monrovia.

UNHCR are mapping out needs for shelter and non-food items to match the available stocks. These items will be distributed to vulnerable groups in clinics and other makeshift shelters in Monrovia. The distributions of non-food items will also be matched with food distributions as the civilians are being encouraged to return to regular IDP camps and vacate the present temporary shelters that include schools in Monrovia so that education can resume.

Since 15 August 2003, due to the scarcity of fuel, the United Nations Joint Logistic Center has coordinated the distribution of fuel to the Liberia Electric corporation, Roberts International Airport emergency services, the radio stations, international organizations and NGOs. UNJLC is also undertaking negotiations for cross border operations.

For further information, please contact :

Mr. Muktar Ali Farah, Head of OCHA Liberia (in Monrovia).
Phone: Cell phone + (377) 47 550 571/47 518 490
E-mail: farah.muktar@undp.org / muktarfarah@yahoo.com

Rosemary Musumba, Reports/Public information Officer, OCHA Liberia.
Phone: Cellphone + (377 47) 53 00 48
Email: r.musumba@ocha.ci / rosemary.musumba@undp.org

Stephanie Bunker, OCHA NY. Phone 917 367 5126.