Liberia Humanitarian Situation Update No. 95

General Situation
1. Highlights

UN confirms disarmament will restart on 15th April

UNSRSG Jacques Paul Klein confirmed on 10 April the resumption of the DDRR process as of 15 April, in line with NTGL Chairman C. Gyude Bryant announcement earlier this month. The process involves the deployment of 14,000 UNMIL troops in 13 of Liberia's 15 counties, the completion of disarmament and cantonment sites in Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, Buchanan and VOA and the satisfactory dissemination of DDR information and sensitization activities to all stakeholders in the process.

Disarmament activities are scheduled in Gbarnga on 15 April, in Buchanan on 20 April and Tubmanburg and VOA on 25 and 30 April, respectively, notwithstanding the lack of a full list of combatants, their locations and possession of weapons.

US Government announces new programs for ex-combatants and communities

US Ambassador John W. Blaney has announced that the United States will be providing US$50 million for the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants and the revitalization of communities. Through a US-based contractor company, Development Alternatives Inc., thousands of ex-combatants will be offered jobs and training opportunities through the establishment of small business promotion and rehabilitation of critical community infrastructures such as roads and bridges that were damaged during the war. Additionally, the US will work through Civil Society Organizations to address specific needs of women and children that were associated with the fighting forces. The final component of the Community Revitalization and Rehabilitation Program will be geared towards stimulating positive self-help attitudes that will help prepare young Liberians for development programs. The multidimensional program curriculum combines life skills, basic education, self-awareness, anger and conflict management, peace education, good governance, etc. The activities of the programs will be facilitated in collaboration with the NTGL, UNMIL, Civil Society and the National Commission for DDRR.

LURD fighters cause havoc in Gbarnga

Fighting by LURD rebels was reported in Gbarnga, Bong County after a two-hour shooting early 8 April. Several NGOs including MDM were looted. The incident resulted in the evacuation of OCHA staff and staff of several NGOs in the area. The security situation is now reported to be calm after the intervention of IQRF UNMIL troops.

OCHA sanctions assessment mission in Monrovia

A two-member OCHA Field Mission arrived in Liberia on 7 April at the start of weeklong consultative meetings with relevant NTGL line Ministries and Agencies, the United Nations Country Team, UN and donor agencies including the EU/ECHO, USAID and DFID. The outcome of the discussions will feed into the development of a UN sanctions assessment methodology/handbook. The object of the handbook is to assist in assessing the humanitarian implications of UN Sanctions such as the ones current placed on Liberia.

2. IDPs and Refugees

Challenges in managing spontaneous centers

In the 8 April IDP Committee forum acknowledgement was made of frequent change in the situation of spontaneous settlements and the difficulty in gathering of information in the absence of organized activities by lead agencies. So far, the IDP Committee is unclear as to the identities of people in the settlements and whether or not they are IDPs or vulnerable community residents. In light of that WFP planned distribution to identified settlements could serve as a pull factor for community residents. The report of the Vulnerability Assessment Mapping, VAM, conducted by WFP in the settlements and the IRC GIS data on these settlements, in turn, would provide useful information in determining among other things, the actual beneficiaries for food and other assistance to the settlements.

Relocation of IDPs from spontaneous centers continues

Although the West Point community had earlier given some 3,500 IDPs residing in a school compound that is targeted for QIP rehabilitation activity seventy-two-hour eviction notice, a deal involving all stakeholders was struck at a meeting in West Point to work within a two-week timeframe to relocate the IDPs to Buchanan. The Concern Christian Community, which is taking the lead in relocating the IDPs, disclosed that local construction materials were being gathered in Buchanan to construct ten transit centres in preparation to receive the IDPs. In a related development, the IDP Committee also renegotiated a 72-hour eviction notice by the owners of the Baker's Farm housing some 2, 300 IDPs. A two-week grace period was given for their relocation. The Soul Clinic camp in Paynesville was earmarked for the relocation of the IDPs.

Registration at 5 spontaneous settlements completed

Registration of IDPs in five (5) spontaneous settlements of Brown's Town, Catholic Compound, Freeman's Reserve, Horton's Farm and Massaquoi Town has now been completed. Planning is underway to provide food assistance to those verified and registered numbering 13,340 persons. These people will be initially issued tokens to be followed by the distribution of laminated ration cards that are now being produced. Food distribution is slatted to start on Friday, 9 April 2004.

Spontaneous returnees contingency planning

A UNHCR Contingency Plan for returning refugees is still pending to the IDP Committee, an issue of concern since January 2004. The IDP committee is taking up the issue with the Return Working Committee.

In light of refugees showing up in other IDP locations including E.J. Yancy, UNHCR is considering an area between Gbarnga and Totota to receive Liberian refugees using routes in Bong and Lofa counties. Perry and Seigbeh camps in Montserrado have been earmarked to receive returning Liberians from Sierra Leone.

Liberian returnee update

UNHCR has set up a transit site at Bo waterside with two transit centers to host returnees awaiting trucking assistance. So far, the number of persons assisted is 3, 500. The majority of those trucked end up at the Perry Town way station. At present, 3, 200 returnees are based at the way station that has 375 shelters, 40 bathhouses and latrines and 5 hand pumps. Water is still being trucked to the site. 50% of the returnee population has settled in individual shelters. Construction of additional facilities is underway at the way station.

The WFP is assisting Liberian returnees from Sierra Leone that are registered by UNHCR with food commodities. As at April, 1,721 persons were registered and given immediate food assistance that was sufficient for two (2) weeks. Most of the returnees were transported to the Sewegbeh camp where they now reside.

Update Sierra Leone refugee repatriation

Some 329 Sierra Leonean refugees were repatriated by land on 2 April. The number of Sierra Leonean refugees present at the Banjor, Samukai Town and VOA refugee camps is 12, 473. The refugees continue to be availed upon to take advantage of the repatriation assistance given them by the UNHCR.

3. Coordination

At the 2 April forum of the Committee on Food Aid, CFA, members were briefed on the results of the VAM rapid survey of the spontaneous settlements and measures taken to improve the utilization of WFP food commodities, in particular Maize meal. The committee agreed on the following: There should be a follow up to the questions raised in the report as to (i) why, contrary to the normal pattern, the proportion of the female heads of household was 54 % and (ii) why the 38 percent representing displaced persons within their own county did not opt for the return to their villages and localities of origin. WFP will prioritise food distributions to the most vulnerable camp(s) on an emergency basis. Assistance should not be a one-off but a continuous intervention, based on proper registration and issuance of ration cards. Clean water, sanitation and health services were other needs that needed to be addressed along with food assistance.

Members of the CFA were briefed on the arrangements made for training of beneficiaries on different ways of using and cooking maize meal. The training to be implemented by Premiere Urgence on behalf of WFP is slatted to start Friday 9 April 2004. Regarding the sale of food in country and across the border, the CFA agreed that measures aimed at curbing the sale of relief food need to be pursued vigorously and implemented involving LRRRC and UNMIL and the Liberian National Police.

A one-day training workshop was held for WFP Food Aid Monitors and representatives of the implementing partner institutions. The purpose of the workshop was to impart skills that participants would need for gathering data during a planned IDP hut census exercise. It was also meant to provide an opportunity for the parties to form a common strategy for the implementation of the census, slatted to start on 12 April 2004.

Humanitarian activities by sector

4. Food Aid

WFP food distribution for the month

IDPs in camps have begun to receive food rations for the month of April 2004. During the period under review, distributions were completed for three camps: Newland, VOA 1 and Fendell, in Montserrado and Bong Counties. Some 24,024 IDPs and returnees from Sierra Leone were served their full monthly food rations. The total quantity distributed amount to 394 metric tons.

The table below shows the details of food distribution during the period April 1 to 5.

Joint missions of WFP, Ministry of Education and Implementing Partner, ADRA, LIURD, GAA and LWF/WS assessed several schools in Montserrado and Bong Counties. Some 250 schools meet the criteria to be included in the programme and an additional 29,624 (16,656 male and 13,025 female) beneficiaries will be added to the current caseload of 353,298 school children, thus making a total of 382,922 beneficiaries. Food deliveries and distributions of agricultural tools to 3,238 rice farmers in Southern Nimba (Tappita and Saclepea) and 3,237 farmers in Bong County for the Joint FAO/WFP/UNHCR agricultural programme was completed during the period under review. A total of 408 MT of food was distributed. Planning exercises continued with various implementing Partners and a total of 23,000 farmers are being targeted in 6 different counties to receive 1,900 MT of food, under the joint FAO/ WFP / UNHCR agricultural initiative. In preparation for the launch of WFP agricultural support programme in Northern Nimba County, a joint WFP/YMCA team visited project sites and farmers groups. Under this programme, WFP plans to target over 4,000 rice farmers for the provision of agricultural tools, rice seeds and seed protection food assistance in partnership with YMCA and various LNGOs

During the period under review, a total of 2.37 metrics tons of assorted WFP food commodities was delivered to four Interim Care Centers (ICCs) managed by the Save the Children UK, Don Bosco Homes and Samaritan's Purse, for a total of 125 beneficiaries. The rations are sufficient for one month.

WFP prepares to participate in the DDR activities

In preparation for the resumption of the DD (Disarmament and Demobilization) activities on April 15, a WFP mission commenced assessment visits to the different cantonment sites located in Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, VOA and Buchanan, from April 6 to 8, 2004. The missions are intended to monitor and ascertain the readiness of the food in the camps: kitchen, storage, dining room, access and related issues. The process leading to the procurement of 1,500 metrics tons of rice for the DDRR on behalf of UNMIL was started by WFP during the week in review. The rice will be used to feed the disarmed combatants while in the cantonment sites.

5. Protection

ICC preparation for DDRR

UNICEF is working with Child Protection Agencies to ensure that 24 Interim Care Centers (ICC) are ready to receive up to 2,300 children when the DDRR process resumes. Planning is also underway for the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of children, including efforts to standardize approaches to the reintegration of children associated with the fighting forces when they leave the ICCs. UNICEF continues to advocate for support to education programmes through the Community Education Investment Programme and the Accelerated Learning Programme within the UNDP-administered DDRR Trust Fund. UNICEF has already conducted an orientation for 10 Military Observers on child protection issues and the role of peacekeepers and Military Observers in the DDRR process.

6. Health and Nutrition

Measles immunization completed in Grand Bassa

UNICEF has completed its measles immunization campaign in Grand Bassa County. So far 1,200,686 children aged 6 months to less than 15 years have received the vaccination since June 2003. In a related development, the WHO has reported that the Yellow Fever campaign coverage survey has ended in Bong County. Total coverage (card and history) in 6 IDP camps was 92% and for 14 host communities the coverage was 90%. Active case search and surveillance is continuing through support for Ministry of Health and health partners.

7. Education

UNICEF completes RALS in Bong County

UNICEF has continued Back to School campaign activities in Bong County. The Rapid Assessment of Learning Spaces (RALS) that provides status and data on condition and numbers of schools as well as student and teacher information has been completed. Available data will be entered into the RALS database. Based on the assessment, the distribution of school supplies will begin at the end of April in order to reach the more than 2,500 teachers and 90,000 students in Bong County.

During the period UNICEF supported the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy and NGO partners in the completion of 30 latrines and 20 wells in 40 schools, benefiting an estimated 12,000 children in 4 counties.

This first phase of the WES Back to School intervention targets 237 schools; to date 134 latrines and 31 wells have been completed.

8. WATSAN

WATSAN challenges

A review of challenges contributing to gaps in the sector is ongoing. A major issue is lack of decision on the part of intervening NGOs to pay incentive to IDPs for maintaining sanitation facilities in the camps. This has resulted to the refusal of IDPs to continue to man those facilities in the absence of incentives and poor sanitation conditions specifically in the affected camps of Plumkor, Jartondo and Blamasee. The ICRC, LWS and P-Mu Interlife are lead agencies, respectively. In the 5 April forum, the sector indicated plans to hold discussions with UNHCR in light of a decision by the agency for a non-sector member to construct WATSAN facilities in camps. The sector members noted that the implications of such a decision could have grave consequences in the absence of the technical capacity to construct latrines and wells. The WATSAN sector also has plans to identify areas for the construction of WATSAN facilities. This is in light of the voluntary return of thousands of Liberian refugees from Sierra Leone that is already straining existing facilities in camps where the returnees are being accommodated.