Liberia Humanitarian Situation Update No. 108

10 - 16 July 2004
A. GENERAL SITUATION

Highlights

Implementation Agreements for 2nd batch of ERF funded projects signed

Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein, the UN SRSG, on 15 July officially signed projects for the amount of $29,981.00 with Oxfam GB, for the re-establishment of basic living conditions for IDPs or host communities in Montserrado and Bong Counties, and with MERLIN for the amount of $72,755.00 to support an emergency Cholera reduction campaign in Maryland County. The projects are funded from a $2M grant from the Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) that is being administered by the Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) with grants. The ERF funded an Emergency Medical Communication Services project that is being implemented by the International Medical Corps (IMC) to support ambulance services in Monrovia for a total cost of $45,004.00. The ERF was set up to provide local and international NGOs with rapid flexible response mechanism to meet short-term acute, emergency needs of vulnerable communities.

NTGL and UNMIL inaugurate training of new Liberian police

NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant and SRSG Jacques Paul Klein on 12 July inaugurated the training of personnel for the new police service at the Liberia National Police Training Academy in Paynesville, Monrovia. UNMIL Civil Police will collaborate with the NTGL to train a 3,500-strong police force within two years. The initial batch of 150 cadets includes 50 serving members of the Liberian National Police and 100 new candidates that were selected through a massive recruitment campaign and subsequent vetting process. The new recruits represent a geographic balance from 13 of Liberia's 15 counties with representation from 17 ethnic groups. The training staff comprises 44 CIVPOL officers from 17 countries that will collaborate with counterpart Liberian instructors. It is envisaged that 1,900 new officers will be fully operational by the time national elections are held in October 2005. The launch of the training program is a milestone in the development of a new police service for the country and has been described as a wonderful opportunity to take on the values of courage to make good officers and earn the respect of the citizens of Liberia. The United States Government is being lauded for the significant financial support of US$500,000.00 to train the police.

In a related development, SRSG Klein a "face-lift" project at the University of Liberia's Louis Arthur Grimes Law School. The project is an initiative of UNMIL's Legal and Judicial System Support Division and will rehabilitate the dilapidated law faculty building. The rehabilitation of the law school is being facilitated under UNMIL's Quick Impact Projects and voluntary contributions from the peacekeeping mission's staff. The law school was established in 1954 and is considered to be the oldest educational establishment of its kind in the West African sub-region. It currently has 397 registered students and 24 faculty members.

Phase III of DDRR process launched in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County

During the reporting period, the third phase of Liberia's disarmament and demobilization process targeting MODEL combatants in the southeastern part of the country began in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County about 400 kilometers southeast of Monrovia. In a ceremony marking the launch of the program UNMIL Force Commander Lt/Gen. Daniel Opande received weapons from MODEL's Deputy Chairman, Gen. Boi Bleaju Boi who expressed satisfaction that the much anticipated disarmament program had finally started in southeastern Liberia. UNMIL Force Commander acknowledged that there had been challenges in getting the requisite number of troops into position and service providers on the ground to facilitate the needs of demobilized combatants at the cantonment sites. The Force Commander commended the professionalism displayed by the Ethiopian peacekeepers deployed in Zwedru, noting that an additional battalion of Ethiopian troops would soon be deployed. It is envisaged that disarmament and demobilization activities will begin in Ganta, Nimba County and Voinjama, Lofa County within two weeks intervals. As of the launch of the DDRR process last December, 53,717 combatants have been disarmed.

Summary of report of UN Security Council delegation visit to Liberia

Between 20 - 29 June, a UNSC mission visited West Africa specifically in view of the significant investment of the international community and the UN in peacekeeping missions and development assistance to countries in the sub region and the fact that these developments offers an opportunity for the sub region to break out of the cycle of conflict and poverty and to build sustainable peace and development.

The mission was impressed with progress made since the seating of the NTGL and recognized the challenges of reconstruction and peace building and the need for the international community to remain intensively engaged. The mission urged donors to disburse quickly the pledges they made at the international donors conference on Liberia in February 2004 to facilitate the reconstruction and humanitarian needs of the country. The mission identified the establishment of security as a priority need for Liberia and welcomed the fact that UNMIL troops would soon be fully deployed through out Liberia; however it expressed concerns over reports of unauthorized cross-border movements, and recommended that UNMIL devote particular attention to monitoring Liberia's external and porous borders.

With regards to the re-establishment of government authority throughout the country, the mission acknowledged the deployment of UNMIL Civil Affairs Officers in NTGL ministries and parastatals as well as the contributions of the US Government. On the ongoing DDRR process, the mission was made aware of the fact that an effective DDRR was a prerequisite for building stability and for holding elections and was assured that the apparent high ratio of combatants to weapons reflected the fact that combatants shared weapons. The mission also acknowledged the considerable resources that were devoted to the DD as opposed to the RR component of the DDRR process and agreed that adequate, timely funding for reintegration was essential and urged donors to contribute generously including through the UNDP trust fund.

On the importance of holding free, fair and transparent elections by October 2005, the mission acknowledged the reconstitution of the National Elections Commission and its responsibility to organize the elections, the technical assistance coordination role of the UN and the provision of observers by ECOWAS, African and European Unions. The mission encouraged donors to support the work of the Commission with financial and technical contributions; the mission also underscored the importance of helping women prepare to participate in the elections. On the request of NTGL Chairman for the UNSC to lift its sanctions on timber and diamonds, the mission recommended that the NTGL continue its efforts to achieve its goals in its action plan on timber, transparent management of government revenues, and engagement with the Kimberly Process and the Diamond High Council in Belgium for a diamond certification scheme. The mission also urged donors to support the efforts of the NTGL and looked forward to the results of the assessment to be conducted by the expert panel on Liberia sanctions. The mission encouraged the NTGL to continue to take necessary measures to combat corruption and means of attracting private investment.

On the humanitarian front, the mission recognized the challenges of providing humanitarian aid in Liberia and the plans to repatriate 350,000 refugees by October 2004; subsequently it encouraged donors to contribute quickly, particularly to WFP and to the repatriation efforts of UNHCR.

B. COORDINATION

$17M needed if DDRR program will succeed

The UNDP managed DDRR Trust Fund has received approximately $13.5M out of a total of $55M. Of the $13.5M that has been received, 100% has been committed to the DDRR program. This includes 5 projects on RR projects targeting a total of 4,800 ex-combatants and costing $3.4M. Based on an initial projected caseload of 53,000 ex-combatants and taking into consideration parallel RR programs by USAID and EU partners, it is understood that a total of 22,940 ex-combatants will need to be supported from UNDP DDRR Trust Fund. Therefore, there is a major shortfall of $17M for RR funding that requires immediate attention and response by the donor community in order for the DDRR program to succeed.

RFTF funding situation update

The informal tracking sheet of the Results Focused Transitional Framework (RFTF) showed that there is currently $194.5M out of the approximately $487.7M required for the next two years - $243M for 2004 and$224.7 for 2005. Of the $194.5M, approximately $51.3M has been received in contributions, while $133.1 remains in the form of pledges. The Interim RIMCO Support Office, with the support of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP, is liaising with donors to track the totality of the $520M pledged at the Liberia Reconstruction Conference held in February 2004. Letters from SRSG, Ambassador Klein and NTGL Chairman Bryant have been sent to all donors encouraging them to follow up on their pledges based on the priority requirements indicated in the RFTF, and to share information with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs and UNDP for planning and monitoring purposes.

Discussions on a sub regional approach to Lassa fever begins

A Technical Consultative Team comprising experts from WHO headquarters and the Disease Prevention and Control Officer of WHO/Sierra Leone paid a two-day visit to Liberia to establish a mechanism for a sub-regional approach to addressing Lassa fever in the Mano River Union Countries and Cote d'Ivoire. The approach will consider among other things a joint search for cases, investigation and standardization of treatment of Lassa fever. During the visit the team briefed members of the Lassa fever task force on the sub-regional strategy framework for the control and prevention of Lassa fever and mandated WHO/Liberia to support the Ministry of Health in the development of a policy on the control of Lassa fever in Liberia. While in the country, the Technical Consultative Team visited and assessed the capacity of the laboratory and isolation ward in Phebe hospital in Bong County.

Row between IDPs and Smile Africa resolved

In view of ongoing tensions between IDPs at the Mount Barclay Camp and their camp managers (Smile Africa) over payment of casual labor fees, a team comprising staff from the Humanitarian Coordination Section of UNMIL and UNHCR visited the camp on 13 July to assure IDPs that they would be paid for services rendered in constructing 334 vulnerable shelters in the camp. Staff of Smile Africa had been hostage over the weekend by IDPs demanding payment for services already rendered. A deal to release the staff was brokered by LRRRC after the parties agreed on a 14 July deadline to remit funds to the IDPs. UNHCR in collaboration with Smile Africa are working out modalities and mobilizing funds to address the issue. The payment of fees for shelter construction at Mount Barclay was an isolated case because the arrangement targeted construction of shelters for vulnerable people in the camp. The routine norm for the humanitarian community has been limited to provision of transport assistance for the mobilization of local shelter construction materials. The decision to facilitate the construction of vulnerable shelters in the camp was part of a wider effort by humanitarian actors to ensure that IDPs that had continuously remained in the Transit Centers after they were relocated from schools and sports facilities several months ago move in their own shelter.

LRRRC suspends Wilson Camp IDP leadership

The LRRRC has decided to suspend and investigate the IDP leadership in Wilson Camp. In late April, Wilson Camp IDP leadership unilaterally bolted the door of the office of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) that is managing the camp and physically attacked some of its staff. They accused NRC staff of providing information that culminated in the deletion of 500 shelters from WFP feeding Log at the end of a joint NRC/WFP hut census early last week. The 500 shelters were found to be non-existent after the census was conducted. LRRRC has meanwhile urged NRC to resume its activities in the camp. Agencies and NGOs working in the camp were also requested to continue their interventions. The action of the IDP leadership resulted in the suspension of camp management duties by NRC on 11 June. Other agencies and NGOs that continued operating in the camp following the incident had done so sparingly due to security concerns.

Liberian refugees begin returning to Grand Gedeh County from Ivory Coast

The Zwedru office of the Humanitarian Coordination Section reported that there were gradual increases in the rates of return to communities in Grand Gedeh County through various border entry points between Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. UNHCR is facilitating registration activities at five of the crossing points. Although there are speculations that the movements could be influenced by indications of renewed hostilities in the western regions of Cote d'Ivoire, it is was worthwhile noting that increases in the rates return to Liberia are due to improved security as a result of the deployment of UNMIL troops and steps taken by the humanitarian community to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in the affected communities. Meanwhile UNHCR has begun the deployment of border monitors to keep track of spontaneous returns as a strategy of generating vital data on the number of returnees and their areas of return. Returnees monitoring guidelines were distributed to monitors, local government officials and implementing and operational partners.

Bong County IDP camp challenges identified

On 7 & 8 July, Gbarnga-based staff of the Humanitarian Coordination Section/UNMIL and UNHCR undertook a joint mission to all IDP camps in Bong County to identify key humanitarian challenges facing the camps. Ninety percent of the shelters in E.J. Yancy camp were found to be leaking and majority of the latrines in Miamu III were nearly full. IDPs in the Tumutu camp did not have access to a health post and critical cases are carried in wheelbarrows and the backs of relatives to the MSF-F health center some 3 kilometers away. In all of the camps there were protection concerns including reports of increases in teenage pregnancies, commercial sex among teenage girls and rape. Currently there are ongoing discussions among humanitarian actors and the HCS to bridge the gaps in WATSAN, health and protection in the camps. There are also reports that of a number of ex-combatants who have gone through the DDRR process and have now infiltrated into the IDP camps. They are undertaking criminal activities of petty theft and harassment.

C. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES BY SECTOR

Food Aid

WFP activities update

During the reporting period, WFP completed distribution of 666 MTs of assorted food commodities to 53,259 beneficiaries in 11 IDP camps. Program beneficiaries included 283,957 school children in 251 schools and 5,701 ex-combatants. On 11 July a vessel carrying 920 MTs of food for WFP arrived in Monrovia. The shipment included 860,4MTs of CSB and 60 MTs of salt. The consignment will meet 100% of the requirements for XSB and salt for the month of August. Additionally, WFP/Liberia has been allocated 1,120 MTs of food from the Netherlands/Denmark contribution of $1,250,000.00 made toward the WAC PRRO. The shipment is expected in Monrovia in October and will include 330 MTs of pulses, 250 MTs of vegetable oil, 190 MTs of salt and 350 MTs of CSB. Notwithstanding all of the above-mentioned developments, the food pipeline break is still anticipated to start next month. A gap of 622 MTs of pulses and 14 MTs of salt will still exist. Additional pledges are being sought by WFP to avert shortfalls of 14,021 MTs of cereals, 1,797 MTs of pulses, 1,066 MTs vegetable oil, 243 MTs of salt, 2,302 MTs of CSB and 3 MTs of sugar.

WFP and CARITAS assess road conditions in Cape Mount

During the reporting period, WFP and CARITAS undertook a joint field assessment mission to 1) appraise a project proposal for rehabilitation of a 70-kilometer road leading from Madina to Robertsport in Grand Cape Mount County and 2) to assess the general food security situation in the Robertsport area. The mission found that the important stretch of road linking the coastal area of Robertsport to the rest of the County and to Monrovia was in bad condition. Major rehabilitation is required to make it more accessible. Access to the area had been impossible until recently when UNMIL repaired bridges along the way. The authorities in Robertsport reported a daily influx of 15 to 20 returnees and requested WFP's assistance for their resettlement and recovery activities. The mission recommended that WFP engage the returnees to repair the road through the Food Support to Local Initiatives (FSLI).

Agriculture & Food Security

Agriculture Coordination committee to begin post distribution monitoring

The Technical Working Group of the Agriculture Coordination Committee will commence a post distribution monitoring exercise in Montserrado beginning the first week of August 2004. The exercise is intended to determine the coverage of food and farm inputs as well as the level of utilization by the beneficiary farm families. The committee will be monitoring major stakeholders including FAO, Mercy Corps, CARITAS, ICRC, LWF/WS, World Vision, WFP and the YMCA intervening in the sector.

CRS/Liberia continues distribution of farm inputs

During the reporting period, Catholic Relief Services/Liberia distributed over 664 metric tons of seed rice and agricultural tools to 29,000 farm families in support of the restoration of the productive capacities of war-affected farmers in Bong, Nimba, Margibi and Sinoe Counties. CRS/Liberia also conducted an assessment of three districts in Grand Kru County where it was observed that in spite of an acute need for seeds and tools, cassava could be found for consumption. There were no incidences of malnutrition.

WFP and ULICARD enters MoU

The United Liberia Inland Church Agency for Relief and Development (ULICARD) and YMCA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement WFP's Food Support for Local Initiative project that deals with emergency seeds and tools distribution to 525 lowland rice farmers. So far 475 farm families engaged in upland rice farming have benefited so far from the first and second trenches of input distribution in five districts in Nimba County.

World Vision Liberia empowers 15,000 farmers

Fifteen thousand rural farmers in five districts in Grand Cape Mount County have benefited from agricultural implements issued by World Vision Liberia. The implements, which include seed rice and cassava cuttings, are being issued to improve the food security of war-affected families.

Education

USAID assists University of Liberia and Newport High School

The US Government through USAID has provided funding for three grants to facilitate the rehabilitation of Newport High School, costs for equipment, supplies and rehabilitation of the University of Liberia. The total cost of the grants is $170,000.00. The project will benefit 1,200 students of the Newport High School and 12,000 University of Liberia students and teachers. The grant is part of a wider effort by the US government to support the NTGL and Liberia's reconstruction process.

Health

Mother Pattern College begins trauma-counseling workshop for local NGOs

The Mother Pattern College of health Sciences during the period began a training workshop for staff of local NGOs in Monrovia. The training workshop is aimed at providing requisite skills to training participants in trauma counseling and social work to enable them to cope with the enormous psychosocial needs of the country. The training will run in three cycles and will target 20 participants each. Training discussions will center on human development/nature, cultural implications on counseling, legal and ethical issues, substance abuse and self-awareness. It is envisaged that by the end of the training participants would appreciate the theoretical and practical aspects of counseling and the delivery of social services.

Protection

UNICEF and partners on Zwedru CAFFs

During the period UNICEF collaborated with SCF (UK) to process 31 Children Associated with Fighting Forces (CAFF) - 23 boys and 8 girls (one of the girls is pregnant and another has a baby) - that were disarmed during the launch of the DDRR in Zwedru. They have been processed and taken to Interim Care Centers (ICCs). UNICEF has been on the ground for the past week to work with Save the Children UK and a local child protection agency to prepare the ICCs and the drop-in centers. Family tracing and reunification has also started with 10 of the 31 children ready to be reunified with their families.

Child Protection Working Group code of conduct finalized

On 9 July, UNICEF invited members of the Child Protection Working Group to discuss the draft Code of Conduct. Approximately 35 participants reviewed the draft and reached an agreement on a final document to be adopted in the next meeting of the Working Group. Participants also discussed ways of observing the Code of Conduct and put in place a monitoring mechanism. All agencies working with children are expected to sign and disseminate to staff the Code of Conduct that will also form part of the rules and regulations.

WATSAN

UNICEF and its partners with funding from USAID and ECHO are working to provide water and sanitation facilities for approximately 250,00 displaced persons and returnees. During the period, UNICEF signed agreements with 11 local NGOs for participatory, district-based assessment of rural water and sanitation facilities in Gbarpolu, Bomi, Cape Mount, Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Sinoe. The assessment will be conducted over a two-month period. The information will provide baseline data on WES coverage and will be used to formulate programming objectives for the balance of 2004.