Liberia Humanitarian Situation Update No. 100

11-18 May 2004
A. GENERAL SITUATION

Highlights

Former GoL militias cause havoc in Paynesville

On 17 May, one person was killed when hundreds of former Government of Liberia fighters staged violent protests that brought economic activities to a standstill in the Paynesville Red Light district, about 20 km southeast of Monrovia. The former fighters were protesting over "delays" in the payment of US$75 to them for handing in their guns to UNMIL in December 2003 during the first attempt of the DDRR process. The protesters set up roadblocks, smashed vehicle windows and threatened passers-by with sticks and knives and attempted looting shops before the situation was brought under control by heavily armed UNMIL troops, CIVPOL and the Liberian Police.

Row over the replacement of Finance Minister settled

A row caused last week by a LURD faction's ultimatum to replace current Minister of Finance, Mr. Lusine Kamara, or face a halt in the disarmament of LURD ex-combatants was settled when Joe Wylie, a member of the LURD National Executive Committee, re-affirmed LURD's commitment to the Comprehensive Peace Accord it signed in August 2003. The statement came on the heels of Chairman Bryant's refusal to capitulate to the LURD faction's demand, with support of ECOWAS and other members of the international community.

40% of ex-combatants prefer back to school option

The Joint Implementation Unit (JIU) of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Rehabilitation (NCDDRR) reports that some 40% of demobilized ex-combatants prefer to return to school. The JIU and the Ministry of Education are currently exploring ways to accommodate these potentially wide-scale enrollments.

National women conference concludes in Monrovia

The first National Women's Conference on "Solidifying and Sustaining Peace and Development in Liberia" concluded on 15 May in Monrovia with a wide-reaching resolution on health, education, political reform and economic growth, among others.

Relocation of 3,000 IDPs to Buchanan commences

The IDP Relocation Committee finalized plans on 17 May for a phased relocation of 3, 000 IDPs from West Point and the Old Executive Mansion in Monrovia to transit centers in Buchanan. The Phases include: 1) Sensitization of the IDPs on 18 May with participation of WFP, UNHCR, LRRRC, Concerned Christian Community (CCC) and OCHA; 2) Registration of IDPs on 19 May; and 3) physical returns on 20 May. However, this plan is contingent on the level of progress service providers have made in readying the transit centers to accommodate returnees. CCC reported the completion of 4 transit centers and Concern affirmed that construction of WATSAN facilities was near completion, including 24 latrines and hand pumps.

B. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES BY SECTOR

Food Aid

WFP activity update

During the period 6 - 12 May, WFP distributed over 1, 695 tons of food to 102, 000 people. WFP also provided emergency food assistance to Liberian returnees who are spontaneously returning from Sierra Leone. In order to better assist the spontaneous returnees, WFP is delivering 10 tons of assorted food commodities to be pre-positioned at Bo-waterside.

Protection

CAFF update

Children Associated with the Fighting Forces (CAFF) are demobilizing in smaller numbers than expected, but UNICEF and child protection agencies are working closely with UNMIL to ensure all CAFF benefit from the process. A total of 1,819 CAFF have reportedly disarmed to date, of which 1,514 are boys and 305 are girls.

Health and Nutrition

World Vision Liberia establishes SFC and TFC in Cape Mount County

World Vision Liberia has established three supplementary feeding centers in Cape Mount with funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO). The centers are located at Tienne, Madina and Bo-waterside and have admitted 352 beneficiaries including 239 malnourished children below age five, 59 pregnant women and 54 lactating mothers. A weekly premixed ration of corn soya blend (CSB), oil and sugar is provided along with health education focusing on diarrhea prevention, weaning food, postnatal care.

Four primary health clinics reactivated in Montserrado

In collaboration with World Vision, UNICEF has reactivated four primary health care clinics in Montserrado County. The reactivation package includes repair of facilities, provision of essential drugs, basic equipment, medical and non-medical supplies and in-service training of health workers. Integrated health interventions are benefiting more than 35, 000 IDPs and members of host communities. It is envisaged that UNICEF will reactivate a total of 90 primary health clinics in 2004.

Funding needed to continue measles immunization

The Measles Mortality Reduction Control campaign is ongoing in the Southeastern Region of Liberia. A total number of 1,243,845 children between the ages of six months and 15 years have been immunized since June. Only in Sinoe and Gbarpolu counties has the campaign not yet been undertaken; UNICEF is appealing for the required funding to ensure all the remaining children are immunized.

WATSAN

WATSAN Committee on accreditation of its members

The WATSAN forum has resolved to strengthen its service delivery by ensuring that its members are accredited. The accreditation process will provide the opportunity for assessing the capacity of committee members to facilitate water and sanitation activities in the camps. The need for accreditation comes against the backdrop of reports of serious gaps in the quality of services being provided by actors that lack the requisite capacity to facilitate WATSAN activities.

UNICEF WATSAN updates

UNICEF has funded ACF to construct 10 wells in Perry, Rick's Blamasee and Newland IDP camps, raising access to safe drinking water. In addition, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education are leading a two-week hygiene promotion "training of trainers" workshop from 13-27 May that will train a total of 30 facilitators, who in turn are planned to train some 400 teachers from all counties.