A snapshot of the Consolidated Appeal for Sierra Leone for 2000

How much is required?
Total of US$ 70.9 million for:

Agriculture & Food Security: US$ 3.8 million; Child Protection: US$ 2 million; Coordination: US$ 1.4 million; Education: US$ 1.8 million; Food Aid: US$ 34.1 million; Health & Nutrition: US$ 6.7 million; Human Rights: US$ 1.3 million; Logistics & Emergency Support: US$ 5 million; Reintegration of Refugees/Returnees: US$ 12.3 million; Water & Sanitation: US$ 2.1 million

WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?

  • Following the recent Lome peace accord, Sierra Leone witnessed the end of one of the most brutal civil conflicts in this decade. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations and the international community supported the courageous efforts by the Sierra Leonans to begin their quest for peace. Response to the Consolidated Appeal will be one of the most important barometers for measuring the commitment of the international community to provide adequate and timely support to peace consolidation and thus aid Sierra Leonean efforts to reclaim their forgotten generation. Sierra Leone appears to be one of the most deprived countries in the world.
  • Sierra Leone has as neighbours the Republic of Guinea (North), Liberia (Southeast) and the Atlantic Ocean (West).

WHAT IS OUR COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN?

  • To (a) restore or improve basic services including health, nutrition, education and water and sanitation, (b) reintegrate and resettle demobilized combatants, IDPs and returnees; (c) advocate for the respect of human rights including the promotion of local human rights instruments such as the Sierra Leone Human Rights Manifesto.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONSTRAINTS WE FACE?

  • Access: limited by pockets of insecurity, lack of awareness or insufficient human capacity
  • Funding: lack of resources severely limiting the integrated approach adopted.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

  • Provide a safety net in most areas of the country while encouraging economic recovery.
  • Avert further deterioration of the precarious food security situation by providing seeds and tools and/or food aid.
  • Assist in the reestablishment of basic services and rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, including increased access to safe water, education, health care and immunization.
  • Encourage and assist in the return and reintegration of IDPs and refugees into their communities.
  • Promote the protection of the rights of children and women.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DO NOT GET THE RESOURCES?

  • Populations particularly in the interior of the country would be deprived of assistance programmes aimed at improving food security levels and access to basic services such as primary health care, education and safe water.
  • Infant mortality rates, already one of the highest in the world, could deteriorate further.
  • Relief agencies would lack sufficient capacity to respond to needs in newly accessible areas and support the gradual return and reintegration of internally displaced and returnees when conditions for such developments became evident.
  • The ability of the United Nations and the international community to follow an integrated approach promoting the provision of assistance and the observance of basic human rights would be seriously jeopardized.

Please find more information on the Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals for 2000 at http://www.reliefweb.int/appeals