Liberia: Appeal No. 01.04/2001 Programme Update No. 1

Appeal Target 4,531,044: A budget revision is in process and will be issued shortly.
Period covered: January - June 2001

Operational Developments:

The marked increase and intensification of conflicts between the Liberian Government and the dissident forces in Lofa County in northern Liberia sharply increased the humanitarian crisis for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The government reported in March that some 30,000 persons had been newly displaced. According to a mission (23-25 April) of the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to Liberia, an estimated 60,000 IDPs were displaced due to the current crisis in Lofa County. Only 18,567 IDPs (please refer to the table below for detailed figures) however have thus far registered in safe areas at Gbalatuah, Belefanai and at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) IDP centre in Bong County.

Since 21 April, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working with the Bong Chapter of the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), has been working in the IDP camps, carrying out activities related to the registration of the displaced population and the distribution of food provided by WFP. Regarding coordination with other actors, the ICRC and the LNRCS work in close consultation with local authorities and the Liberian Relief, Relocation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), in assigning temporary shelter to the most vulnerable population and providing first aid, preventive health care and hygiene education. The Bong Chapter is fully involved in implementing assistance and tracing activities in Gbanga camps. The LNRCS’s Tubmanberg and Gbarma chapters are partly involved in carrying out assistance and tracing activities for Bopulu and Jene Manah camps.

Red Cross Managed IDP Centres

After a lengthy period of instability in the governance and management of the organization (which had contributed to a crisis in donor confidence in the National Society leading to a reduction of financial support from January 2001) the LNRCS elected a new president and an executive administration in April.

Following the election of the key governance positions, the LNRCS has been working on restructuring its secretariat in line with its existing capacity to support its core activities and running costs. A similar exercise will follow at the chapter level. At the request of the LNRCS, the Federation also took this opportunity to review its assistance to the national society. It was clear that due to the low donor response to the 2001 Appeal, the Federation-supported LNRCS programmes, activities and budgets needed revision.

The review determined that due to the depth of the constraints and changes facing the National Society, the Federation delegation was not providing any added value; and thus, it recommended that the Federation reduce its delegation and open a dialogue with the National Society to work out a new strategy for cooperation. As of the end of June, the Federation country delegation was suspended and the regional delegation in Côte d’Ivoire was mandated with monitoring and liaising with the National Society directly. Should the LNRCS wish future in-country support from the Federation, a representative will be sent for a three-month period to work out a framework for cooperation.

As the situation continued to deteriorate with the conflict affecting various regions of the country, the ICRC stepped up its presence and action in Liberia, and is working closely with the LNRCS with joint action in several branches, and maintaining regular contact with the Federation.

Disaster Response

Objective 1: To resettle Internally Displaced Persons who volunteer to return to their pre-war homesteads and provide them with emergency shelter kits to facilitate in their reintegration in the community.

During the reporting period a LNRCS and Federation team (the Red Cross) was involved in the following relief activities and non-food distributions to the vulnerable population.

Liberian returnees from Guinea. On 19 January, the last phase of the sea repatriation of Liberians from Guinea was carried out under the coordination of the Liberian Ministry of Health (MoH). The Red Cross provided first aid assistance during the voyage to 425 returnees, which was the largest number of returnees since the operation commenced last year. At the Freeport of Monrovia, the Red Cross assisted the government in the coordination of disembarkation, identifying the most vulnerable and ensuring that essential support services existed at the port and transit centre. First aid volunteers manned the ambulance and transported those returnees in most need of medical attention to Redemption Hospital (government hospital). Also, the Red Cross assisted the government with the distribution of the returnees’ luggage and played the lead role in the distribution of non-food items, which included mats, blankets, laundry soap, mosquito nets and used clothing. Each family received a family kit as indicated in the table below.

Distribution Non-Food Items to Returnees

Liberian returnees and Guinean refugees in Nimba County. In the wake of new reports that an influx of returnees and Guinean refugees were in Yekapa and other towns of Nimba bordering Guinea, the Red Cross conducted a verification and rapid assessment of the vulnerable population during the months of February-April. On 28 February, the Red Cross distributed non-food items to 365 returnee families and 21 Guinean and Sierra Leonean refugee families who fled the fighting in Guinea and took refuge in Yekepa and Saniquielle. The emergency package consisted of a cooking pot, footwear, clothing, soap and blankets.

During the second assessment mission in March, an additional 337 returnee families were assisted with an emergency package plus two community shelter kits. In April, the assessment team verified that 2,294 persons (376 families) who had returned to the town of Yekepa, suffered from food insecurity, lack of basic clothing, utensils and tools for farming. Based on a detailed assessment which was carried out by the Nimba Chapter in collaboration with the district office of the LRRRC, 7,785 returnees from Guinea were interviewed and registered who had settled in several towns along the border.

Based on these findings, Red Cross volunteers distributed family kits (consisting of clothing, shoes, blankets, soap, a cooking pot set and a bucket) to 759 vulnerable families in the town of Yekepa and surrounding villages. They also distributed 140 bales of clothing, 30 pairs of shoes, 80 bales of blankets, 19 cartons of soap and 56 buckets to 4,290 beneficiaries. The returnees were former refugees in the Republic of Guinea, who fled fighting in the country.

Social Welfare Assistance to the Vulnerable Living in Institutions. From 2-3 February, the Montserrado and Bomi chapters conducted a joint needs assessment in the communities to which the returnees were coming to determine who were the most vulnerable in the host communities. As a result, some 10,956 non-food parcels, consisting of clothing and footwear, were distributed to 2,270 social cases in orphanages, senior citizen and welfare homes in Montserrado and Bomi counties.

Distribution from December 2000-January 2001

Objective 2: To strengthen local coping capacities of return communities in two counties of western and southern Liberia by providing technical and material assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of these communities.

In early February, the construction of two elementary schools resumed in two rural communities (Blah and Gohnjeh) in Montserrado and Bomi counties, respectively. They still have not been finished, however. The major constraint in implementing this project has been the inability to mobilize community volunteers and to identify skilled labourers. Also, the inability of the Federation and the LNRCS to raise funds has caused delays in purchasing local supplies. WFP offered to provide the Red Cross food-for-work assistance to attract community volunteers. During the reporting period, WFP provided 1.9 metric tons of food for the workers.

Disaster Preparedness

Objective 1: To facilitate the development of a contingency guide for common disasters in Liberia (violence, floods and storms).

The LNRCS is a part of a technical group organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to conduct a multisector VCA in Liberia. The LNRCS is developing a strategy to build its DPP capacity in the field which includes the strengthening and positioning of emergency first aid committees and the completion of zonal warehouses for pre-stocking emergency relief items.

Objective 2: To decentralize the LNRCS Disaster Preparedness programme activities to the chapter and branch levels and strengthen the capacities of risk communities by providing these communities technical and material assistance.

The LNRCS chapters in Bong and Lofa counties and Tubmanberg and Gbarma are presently engaged in emergency relief programmes with ICRC assisting an estimated 18,000 IDPs from Lofa County. The Bong Chapter was successful in the mobilization of its volunteers and coordinated the emergency services in an effective and timely manner to the beneficiaries. However, further strengthening is required between the chapters and headquarters. Nevertheless, the LNRCS headquarters has provided technical support to the Chapter, and the Federation equipped the Chapter with a motor bike (provided during the joint intervention for the IDP programme in Bong county in an effort to build up the chapter’s capacity in responding to the logistic/transportation needs) and to assist in the logistics of the operation. Administrative supplies were also provided.

Humanitarian Values

Objective 1: To train Information Dissemination Officers and Youth Clubs from the LNRCS to deliver in an effective manner humanitarian ideals and to publicize the activities of the Red Cross in the country.

With the support of the ICRC (under its regular cooperation program), four dissemination workshops for 511 participants in four schools in Monrovia, were organized for Red Cross volunteers, students, teachers and first aiders. In the training sessions, the history of the Movement, the fundamental principles, values of the Movement, the use of the emblem and the Seville Agreement were among the topics discussed. One purpose of the programme is to attract young people as community service volunteers and increase the understanding and respect for the rights of the most vulnerable.

Objective 2: Conduct vigorous public awareness campaigns to promote image of the LNRCS and the Red Cross Movement and seek public and government support.

The work plan for the Dissemination Department outlines activities integral to turning the LNRCS’ public profile positive, such as seeking local media coverage to raise awareness of LNRCS activities within the local communities, with key government ministries and the international community. Whereas the production and circulation of the National Society newsletter will be used in educating volunteers and the public on the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the newsletter is intended as a mechanism to motivate and recognize active members and volunteers, chapters and headquarters staff, as well as to be an external networking tool. Several volunteers participating in chapter activities and workshops were featured in news articles recognizing the importance of volunteer support. In addition, the focusing on chapter activities will further strengthen the image and the visibility of the chapters and its services to the community. Unfortunately, at this time, the Dissemination Department remains under-utilized by the National Society.

Health and Care

Objective 1: To operate seven clinics (in western, central and south-eastern regions) and one health centre in the central-western region targeting an estimated 50,000 persons with a special emphasis on services to women, children and elderly living in remote villages and poor urban areas.

Despite having no new supply of drugs and medical supplies for the clinics, chapters continued to undertake a variety of health services (on a reduced basis) for the vulnerable communities. Only the LNRCS headquarters clinic was continually operational this reporting period. As indicated in the chart below, the clinic staff carried out an average of 820 consultations per month (the ICRC supports two LNRCS clinics: 1 in Dolo’s Town and 1 in Gbatala, as well as a health post in the T.V. Tower IDP camp in Gbarnga.

HQ clinic health statistics from January - March 2001

Objective 2: To further develop, strengthen and upgrade the existing community-based integrated health care facilities.

Given the low support for the National Society’s health programme outlined in the 2001 Appeal, it has not been possible to initiate community-based training of health workers, public health education and disease prevention programmes in the rural and remote areas of the country. At the headquarters clinic, however, the following health education campaigns were conducted on common diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea; weekly one-hour health messages were disseminated on breast feeding, hygiene and sanitation. Clinic-based counselling for mothers and families was made available.

HQ clinic health services from January - April 2001

Objective 3: In 2001, to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable communities by promoting CBFA in four priority counties in the south-east and Grand Bassa county; to further develop and strengthen the existing CBFA programme and First Aid response capacity of six chapters through the LNRCS integrated training programme.

In February, the CBFA Training Officer conducted an assessment at two chapters (Grand Gedeh and Maryland) in the south-east. As a source of income generation for the National Society, first aid training courses continued; and in February, thirty-three YMCA volunteers were trained in Standard First Aid and Management.

Objective 4: Promotion of public information and health education on disease prevention focusing on STD/HIV/AIDS transmission.

HIV/AIDS has reached an alarming level in several counties; statistics from the MoH indicate that the number of HIV/AIDS have increased from 1.2 to 8.2 percent. There are 951 people officially registered as HIV positive as of April 2001. However, experts estimate the real number of people carrying the virus to be 10-12 times higher than officially registered. The greatest number (4.5 percent) of HIV patients live in Bassa County. In response to the increased number of cases, the LNRCS conducted a five-day workshop at three schools in Monrovia to 400 youth.

The LNRCS Health Team, supported by the Federation, participated in a five-day multi-antigen catch-up vaccination campaign (MACUC) in Montserrado County and a total 23,985 children, pregnant women and women of childbearing age were vaccinated. On a monthly basis, an average of 50 mothers were attended at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinic and received health education on the preventive measures of disease.

Objective 5: To provide and seek affordable and sustainable methods of supplying clean water to rural areas, and to promote good hygiene and sanitation practices.

A total of 40 patients received health information on sanitation and hygiene practices in both Manolu and Kakata clinics. The restructuring of Wat/San teams in Grand Gedeh, Sinoe and Bong counties was carried out and training was conducted at Lofa, Bong, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe and Rivercess chapters with two technicians participating from five chapters. The workshop was conducted in collaboration with ICRC. Also, in February, a total of 114 wells were chlorinated in Yekepa, Nimba County to cater to returnees from Guinea.

Objective 6: To provide and seek affordable and sustainable method of supplying clean water to areas, and to promote good hygiene and sanitation practices.

The Federation worked with the ICRC and the LNRCS in a workshop (ICRC-organized) in Gbarnga, Bong County. Participants to the workshop came from Grand Gedeh, Rivercess, Sinoe, Lofa and Bong Chapters of the LNRC. The ICRC continues to carry out watsan activities (wells and latrines construction) in the above mentioned areas with the assistance of the LNRCS volunteers (trained by the ICRC) within the watsan program. In Bong, Sinoe and Grand Gedeh Counties, the ICRC completed the constructions of wells and latrines at sites which had been initiated by the Federation and the LNRCS.

Institutional and Resource Development

Objectives 1: To reinforce the management capacities of the LNRCS at headquarters level and support decentralization process by building managerial and implementation capacity in the chapters.

Instability and lack of credible leadership within the headquarters of the LNRCS created a major impediment to the implementation of LNRCS activities and negatively impacted on relations between the LNRCS and the Federation delegation as well as resulted in the negative response by donors to support the 2001 Liberia Appeal. In order to be viable and secure donor funding, the National Society needs to commit itself to reviewing its existing structure and staff and cut down on overhead costs.

Objective 2: To reinforce the financial management and reporting capacities of the National Society.

To strengthen the LNRCS’ capacities in financial management, considerable work was carried out between the LNRCS and the Federation to produce a first set of reporting and accounting documents to monitor and control the movement of goods and assets. The forms (purchase order, delivery note and asset registers) were printed and circulated for use by the chapters.

The Federation continued to support the LNRCS headquarters core costs (salaries, logistics and administration costs) through March when the assistance was suspended due to no funding. Similarly, the financial support to thirteen chapters was suspended in January which has resulted in reduced reporting and communications from the chapters to headquarters.

Objective 3: To support governance of the National Society in carrying out its mandate.

In preparation for the upcoming general assembly, the Chairman of the Joint ICRC and Federation Commission for National Societies Statutes and the Regional and Country delegations reviewed the LNRCS Statutes and revised Constitution in light of its adherence to the principles of the Red Cross/Crescent movement and found it mostly in line with the recent Movement standards as set out in the Federation document Guidance for National Society Statutes. Nevertheless, some recommendations were made and accepted by the National Society.

On 18-19 April, the LNRCS, with support from the Federation delegation and ICRC, held its 43rd General Assembly, where it reconstituted its top leadership in line with its recently revised and approved Statutes. Elections were held to replace the displaced Executive Administration with the election of a new president, three vice-presidents and a treasurer. During the Assembly, a new executive committee was elected. Also, the new Statutes and a revised Constitution were adopted. Based on past experience of LNRCS Secretary Generals mishandling the financial affairs of the National Society, the financial authority of future Secretary Generals was limited only to the approval of payments.

At the first National Executive Board meeting on 20 April, the posts of Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General were declared vacant effective 2 May 2001. The Executive Committee set up a screening committee to recruit a new Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General. A five-member management team was charged with the responsibility to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the National Society’s secretariat pending the appointment of a new Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General. Members of the team include the 1st Vice-president as the Head of the Management Team, the 2nd Vice-president, the Treasurer and the Secretary to the Board, as well as the Resource Officer.

Objective 4: To further develop and to continue to implement a Resource Development Plan linked to local mobilization of resources, promotion of networking and to support small-scale chapter-level income generating and fund-raising activities.

A cassava processing machine was donated to Cape Mount and Grand Bassa chapters to assist with income generation. The funds generated will be used to cover some of the chapters’ core costs.

Income generation projects in Bong Chapter (guest house and conference facility), Nimba (guest house), Maryland (guest house and cafeteria service) and Grand Gedeh (guest house) provide services such as conference space, meals and lodging accommodation to representatives of international and local NGOs on mission in the areas and to the local community. The funds generated cover a portion of the chapters’ core costs (i.e., fuel for the generator service, security, personnel and administrative supplies). However, there is a need to improve the accounting and reporting of income and expenditure, plus provide regular feedback on project activities.

Objective 5: To support LNRCS Youth development.

The LNRCS Youth and Health departments conducted HIV/AIDS and STD sensitization and two awareness sessions targeting 300 youth in 2 schools (RC Lawson and the SOS Children Village) in Monrovia (see Health and Care). The two-day work session covered HIV/AIDs and participants raised issues in regard to causes of the disease and preventive measures to be adopted. The department raised 200 USD through a sporting event and proceeds from the sale of soft drinks at headquarters to support its activities. The Red Cross Youth have also provided first aid services for community events such as football games, concerts, parades planned by NGOs and governmental and community-based organizations.

The reintegration programme for War Affected Youth continues in the villages of Bong, Mines and Zoe-Geh by the Bong and Nimba chapters where youth produce and market school uniforms, pastries, furniture and agricultural crops for local markets.

The Youth Coordinator is active in the humanitarian sector, participating in partner workshops and coordination meetings - a YMCA Youth Assembly, a National Information Education and Communication Strategy and Development workshop for all agencies to enhance reproductive health activities in the country, and a Micro-credit for Sustainable Livelihood workshop organized and by UNDP/UNOPS.

Objective 6: To support Women and Development initiatives and support programmes targeting disadvantaged females and women empowerment.

Women groups composed of 30 female heads of household based at the Montserrado Chapter continue to payback micro-credit loans received under the psycho-social project for women sponsored by the Spanish Red Cross. Most activities have not been implemented and thus the project is being revised.

Coordination and Management

Objective 1: To support and accelerate management capacity building of the LNRCS and its chapters to effectively deliver humanitarian assistance and to achieve increased fina ncial credibility and transparency.

The primary focus of Federation support was to support the return of a stable and effective governance, and to assist in the revision and modification of LNRCS Statutes and Constitution. As a result of the 43rd General Assembly, the LNRCS now has a constitutionally elected leadership and Executive Committee with a mandate to begin the process of becoming a well functioning Board and a well functioning National Society.

Objective 2: To direct and coordinate the development of core programmes and budgets.

Following a review in June of the National Society’s programmes and staff, the Federation found that despite its delegation’s best efforts, the National Society still needs to work on a comprehensive approach to building staff and volunteers to deliver core programme objectives according to Strategy 2010. With a clear mapping of objectives, capacities and vulnerabilities, the LNRCS will better be able to secure appropriate support from the Federation and other National Societies.

Outstanding needs

As a result of the programme and security constraints encountered during the course of 2001, the Federation has temporarily suspended its operation in Liberia. Donor support is required to cover the costs already incurred in the implementation of the appeal, in addition to maintaining the Federation’s office with local staff. Support for any future LNRCS appeal, based upon a Federation-supported development strategy, will be critical if the LNRCS is to develop into a well functioning national society capable of helping the most vulnerable of Liberia.

For further details please contact: Anne Kirsti Vartdal, Phone: 41 22 730 4485; Fax: 41 22 733 0395; e-mail: vartdal@ifrc.org.

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org.

Bekele Geleta
Head
Africa Department

Peter Rees-Gildea
Head a.i.
Relationship Management Department