More than 140,000 people have crossed the border from Ivory Coast to eastern Liberia, fleeing the threat of violence following November's disputed election results
Oxfam GB is providing life saving water, sanitation and food services to refugees fleeing the Ivory Coast, and the Liberian communities hosting them in the counties of Grand Gedeh (Zwedru) and Maryland (Harper). 27 April 2011
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Maryland
Oxfam is trucking 65,000L of water daily as well as installing tanks and drilling boreholes, currently benefitting 4,500 people at the Bishop Ferguson Transit site. At the Little Wlebo transit site two hand pumps have been installed and sanitation activities are well underway. Over 130 latrines have been installed, 14 bathing areas and 10 washing areas have also been completed in both the Bishop Ferguson site and the new Little Wlebo permanent camp. Construction is underway for a further 25 latrine blocks and 24 bathing places in this camp.
Grand Gedeh
In the Solo Town transit site the water focus has been on chlorination and testing to ensure water sources and supply are safe.
Construction has been completed on 7 pit latrine blocks and 5 shower blocks. In Dodji, well cleaning and disinfection has been completed for two wells, a submersible pump and piping have been installed to increase water supply, and 9 pit latrines with hand washing facilities have been finished. These two sites are currently servicing 566 refugees.
Emergency Food Security & Livelihoods
Seeds and tools are being procured to give support to refugees and host communities in increasing their limited food supply. Food distributions will also be undertaken in coming weeks. Oxfam will target a total of 10,200 people for food and livelihood activities.