SECURITY HIGHLIGHTS
Security calm
The overall security situation around the country remained calm. UNAMSIL reports no confirmed border conflicts over the last two weeks while only minimal and minor localised skirmishes were reported in the northern and eastern districts.
RUF releases more children
The RUF have so far released a total of 932 children to UNAMSIL since May 25, when they entered into new negotiations with the government to end a brutal 10-year war. They have also promised to release a further 147 child-combatants from their base in the eastern diamond-mining town of Tongo Fields. The children have been released over the past three weeks, in the township of Makeni, Port Loko and Kailahun. The children, mostly boys ranging from 8 - 18 years are handed over to child protection agencies, who are helping them reestablish their lives. Although this is a very positive move, a recent report published by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, has expressed concern over the use of child soldiers by the CDF. According to the report, up to 30 percent of CDF combatants in some areas are between seven and fourteen years of age.
Agencies see children through disarmament and demobilisation
Child protection agencies have embarked on a mass tracing exercise of children who were released earlier in the northern parts of the country. Until June 11th UNICEF in collaboration with its partners had demobilised and reunified 153 children, formally associated with the CDF, with their families in various parts of the country. At the release ceremony in Kailahun the RUF claimed to have acknowledged the concern of agencies concerning the low proportion of girls in the previous releases. They have so far released some 50 girls. Following the progress in disarmament, UNICEF is embarking on trainings for military personnel in various regions on matters relating to demobilisation of children. In collaboration with UNAMSIL, they have so far trained 13 military observers from Makeni and Moyamba, equipping them with skills to carry the children through the process.
Fighting factions reiterate support for peace
The reporting period saw the continued support of the fighting factions towards the peace process, notwithstanding the stall in the disarmament process earlier this month, as government authorities struggled to construct new Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) camps, to receive the sudden flood of ex-combatants waiting to hand over their weapons. UNAMSIL is providing security in the camps; they receive and process the ex-combatants and collect and destroy their weapons. They continue to provide managerial support at the demobilisation sites and facilitate talks between the parties, in order to plan and monitor the successive phases of the disarmament process. Through its Trust Fund, UNAMSIL has provided $14,861 for skills training activities for 25 adults, 60 child ex-combatants and 40 women and girl rape victims.
Ongoing disarmament
Since the recommencement of the DDR programme on May 18th a total of 3,855 combatants (until June 13th) have disarmed in Port Loko, Kambia, Wilberforce (Freetown) Daru and Lunsar. NCDDR reports that out of a total of 3,296 that have so far disarmed in Port Loko and Kambia, 3,249 have been demobilised and 2,953 have been discharged from the Port Loko demobilisation centre. Disarmament in Port Loko should be completed by the end of the month.
Lunsar DDR centre
The Lunsar DDR centre was opened on June 12th and so far (June 13th) 123 combatants have disarmed. UNAMSIL estimates that 1,500 fighters are to disarm in the town over the next few weeks. Construction of the DDR centres in Kono and Bonthe is ongoing and should be ready to receive combatants by the start of July. In Kailahun district, 227 pro-government Civil Defence Forces (CDF) militiamen disarmed on June 12th at Sandaru, and were airlifted to a disarmament camp at Daru.
Potential threat to the peace process
In spite of all these positive developments, UNAMSIL reports that incidents such as the arrest of Colonel Gabriel Mani and 38 other soldiers and civilians on June 9th, following the discovery of weapons caches at his residence as well as minor skirmishes in resource sensitive areas indicate that some elements within Sierra Leone still have the potential to delay or disrupt the peace process. The arms that included assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and ammunition were uncovered in a seven-hour cordon-and-search operation by the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) and UNAMSIL in Freetown. Just about a year ago Freetown was declared a weapons free zone.
Bombs defused in the north
On June 7th, the British Army Royal Engineers defused a 112.5 kg bomb in the northwestern town of Kambia. The bomb was reportedly discovered by Sierra Leonean troops after the RUF had evacuated the town, following the agreement reached on May 15th to cease hostilities. The British and Sierra Leone soldiers also defused 13 bombs in the Port Loko district.
POLITICAL/SUB-REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
World Bank asks for $31.5 million for DDR
A two-day donor meeting ended in Paris on June12th, which was aimed at appraising the peace process in Sierra Leone and mobilising funds for further implementation of the country’s DDR programme. An additional $31.5 million has been requested to help fund the programme over the next two years. The meeting drew together representatives from all major donors, the government of Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (NCDDR), the National Commission for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (NCRRR) and a representative of the RUF. The meeting noted the positive impact of the disarmament and demobilisation on the stability of the Mano River Union as well as its contribution in creating a conducive environment for refugee return, IDP resettlement and the restoration of civilian authority in the country. The government projects that if disarmament and demobilisation continues at this pace, the $6 million remaining in the fund will run out by the end of August. Meanwhile the World Bank representative, Mr. Peter Harold who chaired the meeting said that Sierra Leone should qualify for substantial debt relief by the end of the year. The Sierra Leone government had drawn up a three-year economic recovery and poverty reduction programme in consultation with the Bank and the International Monetary Fund
Strengthening peacekeeping operations
The first group of more than 4,000 Pakistani peacekeepers has started arriving in Sierra Leone. An advanced party of 265 men joined UNAMSIL on June 8th; the remaining contingent should have all arrived in the country by August 22nd. Meanwhile, UNAMSIL reports that there have been improved consultations between the Security Council and troop-contributing countries in seeking ways to strengthen peacekeeping efforts in the country. The Security Council working group on Peacekeeping Operations is considering establishing regional peacekeeping training centres to increase international cooperation for peacekeeping. The panel requests the Secretary-General to convene assessment meetings with troop-contributing countries at various stages of an operation. It also says countries providing troops should conduct reconnaissance visits to the mission area, and prepare contingency plans and exit strategies for volatile situations.
Building bridges
The commercial highway linking Freetown and Conakry was finally re-opened on June 3rd at the border town of Pamelap. The road, which has been closed by the RUF for the last three years, was formally opened at a ceremony that brought together the Heads of States of the two countries: Presidents Lansana Conte of Guinea and Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone. The section of road that had been subject to RUF attacks ran from the Guinean border town of Pamelap to Kambia in Sierra Leone. The highway is to be jointly patrolled by Guinean and Sierra Leonean troops, who will also oversee border security.
Security Council calls for more funds
The Security Council has called upon the international community to make more funds available for relief work on behalf of refugees and IDPs in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone. The call came in a press statement after the Council had been briefed on the refugee and IDP crisis in the Mano River Union countries and the situation in Sierra Leone. The Council commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their role in promoting peace in the sub-region and encouraged Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to enter a process of dialogue.
Liberia - youths embark on hunger strike
Youths in Liberia ranging from 11 - 25 years have embarked on a three-day hunger strike, starting on June 12th outside the Guinean embassy in Monrovia. The 50 youths were demanding for an end to fighting on the borders of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The strike was aimed at urging the leaders of the Mano River Union to cease tensions along the border of the sub-region, which has heightened since September 2000, resulting in the displacement of over millions of people.
HUMANITARIAN HIGHLIGHTS
I. REGIONAL UPDATE
Western Area
Sierra Leone Information System
The Sierra Leone Information System (SLIS), a project jointly supported by UNHCR and OCHA, is making significant progress in developing maps on humanitarian activities on "who is doing what and where". Maps of individual International Non Governmental Organisation (INGO) activities as well as a variety of background maps for Sierra Leone are now available in electronic form at the Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC). These electronic maps can be inserted into reports, Word documents and Power Point presentations.
ICRC Clinics capable of fairing on with limited support
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has handed to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) responsibility for two of the clinics its supported in Freetown, Rina and George Brook. The clinics, which are now capable of running on their own, have been receiving drugs and incentives from ICRC for the last two years. To facilitate the transition period ICRC will continue providing medical supplies to the clinics for another two months. Plans are underway for a similar hand over to the Ministry of another two clinics in Freetown, Clay Factory and Kroobay.
Targeting cholera
A cholera committee that was formed last month has identified various depressed communities in the western area where blue flag training is currently ongoing, using the WHO guideline on the treatment of cholera. In a move to stem a potential outbreak, the MOHS and UNICEF are planning to undertake a nationwide sensitisation on the disease.
Nutrition problems in Jui
The International Medical Corps (IMC) has reported an increase in the incidence of anemia in the Jui Transit Centre. Since March they have transfused 16 units of blood to patients, 14 of whom are women. UNICEF and MOHS are determining modalities to introduce routine EPI services in the Jui IDP camp clinic.
Storm damage and health concerns
World Relief (WR) reports that a large number of booths at their Grafton and War Wounded-run camp are either leaking or have been damaged in recent storms. The advent of the rainy season has brought shelter problem and increased health risks in the camp. WR reports that the camp clinic does not have the resources to cope with the increased incidence of communicable diseases in the camp. They have already repaired some of the damaged structures but they lack the resources to reach out to more victims.
Additional Western Area News
- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working with Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Marine Resources (MAFMR) and IDP groups in Grafton on a reforestation project for the Grafton area. To date, the IDP groups have nursed some 100,000 seedlings that are now nearing time for transplantation.
- World Hope International provided 156 sets of school uniforms and assorted school supplies to the Jui non-formal school, at the Jui Barracks in the east of Freetown.
- The European Commission/Sierra Leone Resettlement, Rehabilitation Programme (EC/SLRRP) is constructing a 7,000-litre water reservoir and ten wells with handpumps in the western area.
Eastern Province
Re-building Kailahun
ICRC has begun a project aimed at strengthening basic health-care services and rehabilitating Watsan facilities in the Segbwema environs, Kailahun district. Their initial focus will be on providing closely supervised medical assistance to civilians living in these areas while they consider repairing water wells and latrines. They hope to carry out similar interventions in other areas of the district. The MOHS is now running a Community Health Post, six Peripheral Health Units (PHU) and five Maternal Child Health (MCH) posts in Kailahun district. A mobile clinic is also operational in the area.
Targeting farm families
World vision International (WVI) completed distributing seeds to 2,900 farm families in Nongowa chiefdom, Kenema district. CRS is currently distributing seed rice and tools to 2,000 vulnerable farmers in three chiefdoms in Kenema district, to be soon followed by Food for Agriculture (FFAg). They continue to provide emergency food rations for returnees from Guinea that are transiting through Kenema, on their way to settlement sites in Bo and Pujehun districts. Regular rations to some 30,000 IDPs in five camps in Kenema continue.
Additional Eastern Region News
- The MOHS is carrying out a survey on health facilities in Kono. WVI reports that it has funds to rehabilitate 20 health centres in the district.
- EC/SLRRP are rehabilitating 16 classrooms in Ahmadiya Secondary School in Kenema while construction of 1,000 sets of school furniture for 10 schools continue, benefiting some 2,000 pupils.
- EC/SLRRP is training 180 ex-combatants into various livelihoods in the Kenema District.
Southern Province
Informal education
NRC in collaboration with UNICEF, UNHCR and IRC has trained 32 teachers at the Gerihun camp in Rapid Response Education methodologies, to serve both returnee children and their host community. A similar training was recently completed at the Jembe camp. EC/SLRRP is supporting five vocational training centres in the south and at the end of the exercise some of the trained artisans are provided with tool kits. In the last two years, EC/SLRRP has conducted major rehabilitation and re-equipping of several training institutions through out the country benefiting some 3,500 youths, including 850 ex-combatants.
CRS on standby in Pujehun district
CRS has pre-positioned food rations for returnees at the Bandajuma Sowa camp in the Pujehun district, which is to be managed by an international NGO, Peace Winds Japan. CRS is providing emergency food assistance to over 5,500 returnees from Guinea that have settled in host communities around Potoru in Bari chiefdom. CRS is constructing a health clinic in Bari and providing FFW to support construction of shelters for returnees in the area.
Facelift for Bo Government Hospital
EC/SLRRP is constructing five new permanent structures for the accommodation of 80 patients at the Bo Government Hospital. They are also extending the children ward to accommodate another 50 children and equipping the ward with 50 additional beds and mattresses
Promoting EPI activities
UNICEF supported the training of 30 health staff from PHUs within the Pujehun district on EPI activities. The four-day training, aimed at revising knowledge and skills of vaccinators, involved immunization techniques: planning and management of the cold chain and safe injection. Similar trainings have earlier been conducted in Bonthe, Bo and Kenema districts and will be replicated in all the districts. UNICEF is considering opening a clinic in Kailahun for the provision of basic health services, which will also cover EPI activities.
Health Promotion in the South
UNICEF supported a training of trainers for 35 MCH staff in Bo, under the Anaemia Prevention and Control Project. Upon completion of the training, the staff is expected to identify and train other care- promoters, at community level in the prevention and control of the disease.
In Moyamba, UNICEF in collaboration with the MOHS has trained 20 MCH aides on nutrition surveillance and screening. The training aims to provide health staff with appropriate skills for carrying out regular nutrition screening at the health facility level, contributing to the early detection of malnutrition. MSF/B in collaboration with WVI is planning a nutrition survey in Bonthe.
Water & Sanitation Improvements
In collaboration with WVI, UNICEF is constructing eight new wells in selected schools in Mattru, Bonthe district. In Moyamba district, Terra Tech (a German NGO) is constructing ten wells; eight of which have been completed.
Northern Province
Upgrading agriculture in Port Loko district
WR has distributed 25 Mt of seed rice to 500 farm families, from four sections in Koya chiefdom. They are considering a request from over 3,000 farm families in Koya, Songo and Malambay for seed rice. Under its agricultural recovery project CRS handed out seeds and tools to 3,000 farming families in Masimera and Koya chiefdoms. EC/SLRRP is supporting 184 police wives and widows, ex combatants and resettling farmers with rice and vegetable production. ORIENT, a local NGO, has plans to distribute seed rice to 700 people, and groundnut seeds to 500 people, in Koya.
Increased agricultural support across the North
WFP in collaboration with ICRC is planning an FFAg distribution to 4,250 farm families in Forcad and Babara section, in lower Maforki chiefdom. Children’s Aid Direct (CAD) is currently assisting 1,600 farm families in agriculture in the chiefdom. ICRC/SLRC distributed agricultural inputs and Non Food Items (NFI) to some 4,500, resettling IDP families in the area. EC/SLRRP has provided 450 resettled families in Yoni chiefdom with cassava cuttings and agricultural tools. They hope to supply them with cassava grating machines and gari presses in the near future. In partnership with Caritas, EC/SLRRP will provide a further 500 resettled farm families with 1,000 bushels of seed rice and tools in Yoni. In addition to this Caritas will distribute seeds and tools to a total of 1,700 vulnerable farmers in Masimera chiefdom and Safroko Limba chiefdom with CRS support. In Koinadugu district, CRS has completed distributing seeds and tools to 3,000 vulnerable farming families in Kabala area.
Need for more agriculture, NFI and medical support in north
ICRC carried out an assessment in Tane chiefdom, Tonkolili district and in five chiefdoms - Sanda Tenraran, Gbainti Kamaranka, Sanda Loko, Magbaimba, and Libeisaygahun, in Bombali district. Preliminary findings from the two districts indicate overall shortages of agricultural inputs, NFIs and medical care. They hope to distribute NFIs and agricultural inputs in these areas soon whilst other more detailed assessments and family tracing activities are being planned.
Education in Makeni
UNICEF, Caritas and the Ministry of Youth education and Sports (MYES) undertook a joint mission to Makeni and its environs to assess ongoing educational facilities and identify gaps. The team observed that large numbers of people are now returning to Makeni, particularly from Mile 91 and Freetown. Preliminary findings indicate that 25 formal and ten non-formal schools with untrained and unqualified teachers have now started functioning in the areas visited. The materials recently supplied by UNICEF for non-formal education turned out to be grossly insufficient due to the large turnout of children in schools. They noticed that parents were very pleased to contribute a levy in kind (e.g. cup of rice) as remuneration for non-formal school facilitators rather than pay the fees charged by formal schools. This preference for "fees-in-kind" has doubled enrolment rates of children in non-formal schools compared to that of formal schools.
MSF/H undertakes vaccination campaign in Kambia
MSF/H undertook a health assessment in Mange village and its surroundings in the Kambia district. They report that the health situation is not alarming and is similar to the situation found inMakeni and Magburaka; malaria is prevalent with a few cases of measles. There is a general lack of medicine and no health workers are reported to be in the area. Many buildings have been damaged or destroyed in Kambia town, including the hospital. Fortunately the Under 5’s clinic is intact and MSF hope to start a basic medical service in Kambia in the near future. Mombolo and Rokupr have sustained some damage but on a much more limited scale. MSF/H hopes to start running a mobile clinic in the area soon while a measles vaccination campaign is currently ongoing in Mange and Kambia. Kambia has been without a DMO for the last four years, however the MOHS have recently appointed an acting DMO and they are considering restarting under-five and antenatal clinic in Kambia as soon as possible.
Inter-agency assessment
OCHA, UNHCR and NCRRR are spearheading a multi-sectoral, inter-agency assessment in the Kambia district, from June 13th - 16th. Pre-assessment findings indicate that Gbinleh-Dixon and Samu have sustained the most destruction as a result of hostilities between the Guinean military and RUF forces. In some case villages have been deserted and over 80% of the villages have been destroyed. Water and sanitation facilities are limited and access to fresh water supplies is problematic, the majority of the villages visited depend on streams and swamps as their main source of water. In terms of education there are at most one or two primary schools found in the villages, but hardly any secondary schools. Following the inter-agency assessment plans will be put together for immediate humanitarian interventions and longer term rehabilitation of the region.
Following the recently ended disarmament and demobilization exercise, the Sierra Leone government is exploring possibilities of advancing the restoration of civil authority in the Kambia district. Already the Sierra Leone Police have established a presence in the Kambia district and have a current force of 120 men in the main towns throughout the district.
WR - helping ex-combatants regain lives.
WR is running a vocational skills training programme, including carpentry and masonry for ex-combatants at Lungi. They plan to offer similar opportunities in Port Loko in the near future. Training involves soap and gara making, baking, power saw operation, bicycle repairing, hair dressing, auto-mechanic, masonry, carpentry, tailoring, radio mechanics, auto electrician, and metal work. At the end of the training programme, which last between three to six months, participants will be assisted with tools and materials. Those who wish to be self-employed are provided with necessary logistics to help start up the business while job opportunities are created for those who wish to gain employment. WR reports that one of its major challenges is the irregular attendance of trainees when their allowances are delayed. WR is on standby to absorb more ex-combatants into their programme. Similar opportunities will be offered by NCDDR supported by EC/SLRRP under an agriculture programme targeted at 270 ex-combatants in Port Loko.
Ensuring good health
The Port Loko government hospital, which was rehabilitated by Terra Tech is now operational with in-patient facilities. The government is providing breakfast for the patients whilst humanitarian agencies continue their regular support to the hospital. ACF has handed over the running of the TFC in Port Loko to MSF/H. CRS and partner agencies including CES, MSF/B have undertaken an assessment mission to Koinadugu district, to investigate additional needs in the area. UNICEF supplied nine essential drugs kits, cold chain equipment and syringes to MSF/B for their MCH activities in Kabala. WHI provided drugs for running of a free clinic for the inhabitants of Makeni to the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone during the last week of May. The clinic saw a total of 1,695 patients, the majority of whom (806) were under-fives.
Resettling IDPs
The resettlement of IDPs continued in the Port Loko district where IOM provided transport to some 3,200 IDPs who registered for transport assistance with NRC. The IDPs were transported to 13 different resettlement sites in the Port Loko district. In further support of resettlement EC/SLRRP is currently distributing household resettlement kits to 500 returnee families in Lokomassama chiefdom
Additional Northern Region News
- The ICRC tracing team visited Lower Maforki chiefdom to establish the Red Cross message network and identify possible cases of separated families. ICRC donated 350 pieces of plastic sheeting to NRC for the construction of temporary schools in the Port Loko district. NRC has completed seven of the temporary schools in lower Maforki chiefdom. The schools will help provide accommodation for pupils moving from the IDP camps back to their communities and at the same time serve its education purpose.
- EC/SLRRP is rehabilitating and extending a primary school in Port Loko to benefit some 450 pupils.
- CRS continues to transport food to Kabala, by road through Makeni to assist vulnerable returnees and to support the MSF/B run TFC/SFC. They report that the first amount of food, transported by road in over a year, arrived successfully in Kabala at the end of May.
- UNICEF in collaboration with MSF/B is supporting the rehabilitation of 28 water points in and around Kabala.
II. SECTORAL UPDATE
Child protection
Commemorating the Day of the African Child
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs (MSWGCA) in collaboration with UNICEF will commemorate the Day of the African Child on June 16th with the theme "Basic Quality Education for All" as part of the "Global Movement for Children - Sierra Leone Partnership". The Minister, Ms Shirley Gbujama explained at a press conference that this year’s theme is an appeal to all stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to quality basic education. She underscored government's commitment to advance the education of children at an early age and to speed up the process of setting up the Commission for War Affected Children. UNICEF will also administer Vitamin A capsules on this day, targeting over 1,000,000 children countrywide.
Education
One ex-combatant profits 200 pupils
UNICEF reports that its Community Education Investment Programme (CEIP), which started in May with partners: NRC, COOPI and International Rescue Committee, is making progress. They have supplied educational materials for 56 schools, comprising 177 child ex-combatants, in the eastern and southern provinces. The programme, which is meant to facilitate reintegration for ex-combatants through communities, offers one of three options to schools: learning, teaching or recreational kits. For each enrolled child ex-combatant, 200 other pupils will benefit, directly from the package.
Harnessing the skills of unqualified and untrained teachers
The MYES is exploring possibilities of recruiting practising, experienced, but unqualified teachers for the Comprehensive Rapid Education for Primary School (CREPS) programme. In some areas of the country this programme has been seriously constrained by the shortage of qualified teachers. Under this new initiative after initial training, teachers will begin teaching whilst studying for a special CREPS certificate under the Distance Education Programme. Meanwhile the ministry hopes to secure funding from the EU to enable these teachers to be on regular payroll with effect from next year. They are currently identifying 400 teachers and various locations to start the new programme, which could absorb up to 16,000 children by the next school year in September 2001.
Collaborative Peace Building
CRS is engaged in promoting the Network on Collaborative Peace Building in Sierra Leone, which was established in May 2001, serving as a coordination forum for agencies involved in peace building initiatives within the country. The Network is currently collating a directory of peace building institutions and is assisting in the development of a peace education manual for use in educational institutions.
Health
EC/SLRRP supports garbage clearing
In a bid to minimize the growing health risk associated with neglected piles of rubbish on the streets all over the country, EC/SLRRP have supplied the Bo and Kenema Town Councils 44 pushcarts and associated equipment for the collection of garbage.
Saving eye-sight
Sight Savers continue to support work at eye clinic in Freetown. They saw a total of 1,184 patients in Bo and Kenema during the last month. They have now embarked on a school eye clinic programme and so far have screened eight schools in central Freetown. They plan to conduct a free eye survey in Bo for the south and east and are willing to move directly into Kono if transport is available.
UNICEF supported the activities of WVI in Bonthe and Kono, supplying them with 21 essential drug kits and cold chain equipment (Bonthe - 17 and Kono - 4).
Human rights
Setting the stage for the TRC
UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Forum of Human Rights (a national human rights umbrella organisation) and UNAMSIL, held a three-day technical meeting from June 4th - 6th in Freetown, to examine the participation and protection of children in the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone. A total of 33 national and seven international experts, including anthropologists, child psychologists, child rights lawyers, peace builders, customary law officers, school counsellors, re-integration experts, religious leaders and some children participated in the process. The outcome of the meeting will be presented to the government of Sierra Leone. Along these same lines, the International Human Rights Law Group organised a brainstorming session on "The Role of Women in the TRC and the Special Court". Participants included a representative of the former South African Truth Commission, International Centre for Transitional Justice, representatives of various women groups, local and international agencies.
Watsan
Watsan continues to be a major problem through out the country, with the current rain season worsening the sanitation crisis in various IDP camps as well as in normal communities in the country. Up till now no agency is willing to undertake sanitation in the Gofor camp, though EU has funds for the project.
Refugees & Returnees
Kambia - hotspot
On June 12th, a UNHCR team including the Regional Director for West and Central Africa Mr. Abu Moussa, the Sierra Leone Representative Mr. Arnauld Akodjenou and a NCRRR representative, visited Kambia town. Marking their presence in the war-ravaged zone, they team held discussions at the border town of Pamelap were they were joined by the UNHCR Representative in Guinea, the Prefet of Forecariah, the French Ambassador to Guinea and other Guinean officials. Discussions were geared towards preparedness in receiving spontaneous returnees on either side of the borders including security measures. The mission recognized the importance of having at least, a health, immigration and customs posts at the borders. Kambia has become a very crucial spot, as it is the first district and entry point for Sierra Leonean refugees, returning from Guinea.
UNHCR visits Kailahun, Buedu and Koindu
UNHCR, in collaboration with UNAMSIL, has conducted the first of a series of missions to Kailahun, Buedu and Koindu that will focus on assessing the situation of Sierra Leonean returnees, Liberian refugees and Guinean nationals. The mission, which took place from 7th - 9th June was also aimed at developing strategies of interventions for UNHCR in RUF controlled districts, in the event of a massive return of refugees from neighbouring countries. The mission found that many thousands of Sierra Leonean returnees and Liberian refugees had settled in these areas over the past couple of months, as a result of insecurity in Liberia.
- Critical humanitarian situation - While local communities have been generously hosting the newcomers, the humanitarian situation in these areas remains critical, with almost non-existent medical, educational and Watsan facilities and precarious food security in the region. UNHCR is looking into ways of alleviating the suffering of these communities with other agencies, as it currently cannot extend its operation there due to continued levels of insecurity. UNHCR reports that the RUF have been very cooperative, allowing refugees to leave their controlled areas, making a possible gateway for future similar missions.
- Liberian and Guinean refugees - On June 9th UNHCR evacuated a preliminary group of 130 Liberians and Guineans from Kailahun to Kenema via UNAMSIL helicopter. The group comprised 106 vulnerable and sick Liberian refugees and their families, as well as 23 Guineans. The most critical cases were provided with medical treatment at Kenema hospital, while the remaining refugees were taken to Bandajuma temporary settlement camp for returnees. Last month UNHCR helped some other Guineans return home; they hope to also facilitate the return of this group to Guinea and link them up with their families. The majority of the Liberian refugees are living amidst Sierra Leoneans in various communities. Others are staying in makeshift settlements around Buedu. UNHCR has offered Liberian refugees who wish to be assisted in camps the opportunity to relocate to Bo district, where camp facilities are available.
Resettlement
Building houses for reintegration
NRC is making progress with its housing construction project for amputees at Masiaka and in the Lungi area. IOM has agreed to provide transport for the resettlement of the amputees and war-wounded. CARE has plans to construct 1,000 housing units in Moyamba district while CRS shelter reconstruction project in Koya chiefdom continues. In collaboration with the Saint Joseph Fathers, they have distributed building materials and FFW for 600 houses in six villages in the chiefdom. CRS is now in the process of delivering zinc sheets to homeowners that are ready to roof their houses. Meanwhile the EC/SLRRP has commenced a new programme, disbursing funds for 45 new projects countrywide.
Ongoing support
UNDP continues its support to resettlement and reintegration activities: infrastructure development, agriculture, educational training and peace building/reconciliation, in various parts of the country; Kenema, Bo, Port Loko, Moyamba, Pujehun and Tonkolili district and Western Area.
Are resettlers coming back?
Reports abound that some of the resettled IDPs are returning back to the camps. However upon investigation, OCHA found out that most of those returning are from Mile 38, Masiaka and Songo. They came on regular transport to carry out their business, staying with relatives and friends in the camps. On the other hand one or two cases of return, included reasons associated with parents wanting their kids to complete education in Freetown or shelter reason.
Additional Resettlement Assistance
IOM and food and NFI distribution agencies are offering IDPs in Freetown and the Western Area a second opportunity to benefit from the first phase of resettlement. Transport will be provided to 14 drop-off points where resettlement packages will be received and secondary transport to more rural regions will be provided. Registration will begin in the camps on Sunday 17th June and transport will be provided from 23rd - 30th June.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.