Nutrition Information in Crisis Situations - Benin, Ghana and Togo Region
NICS11, November 2006
A nutrition survey was conducted in Buduburam refugee camp sheltering 39,000
Liberian refugees (NCS/UNHCR, 05/06). The results revealed a poor nutrition
situation. Prevalence of acute malnutrition was 11.3% (9.4-13.6), including 0.7%
(0.3-1.6) severe malnutrition. Mortality rates were below alert thresholds: 0.61
deaths/10,000/day and 0.19/deaths/10,000/day for U5MR and CMR, respectively. The
prevalence of acute malnutrition has increased somewhat compared to the same
time last year when it was 7.7% (6.1-9.6).
About 10,000 refugees, considered the most vulnerable, were entitled to a
food distribution in the camp (UNHCR/WFP, 07/06). These included new arrivals,
malnourished children, chronically ill persons, refugees with disabilities and
elderly above 60 years. Others are thought to be self-sufficient, being able to
find employment in the camp area or in Accra. The food distribution is meant to
be 2,100 Kcal/pers/day. However the ration has not always fulfilled this target
in 2005 and 2006 due to pipeline breaks and insufficient funding. Food
availability in the area was good with a number of markets near the refugee
camps and stable food prices. According to a rapid food security assessment
among a limited number of refugees, the main sources of income were trading,
providing services, labour and borrowing. Agriculture was constrained due to
limited land available. Refugees pay for medical care, although it is subsidised
in the camp. Access to water seemed to be a problem and refugees pay high prices
for safe-drinking water.
The UNHCR/WFP Joint Assessment Mission stated that the current targeting of
food aid may be inadequate and that it might be changed to implement a targeted
approach based on household level food security criteria. They emphasised that a
comprehensive food security assessment should be conducted.
Repatriation was ongoing in the camp but forecasts suggest that a significant
number of refugees will not be repatriated and will need to be integrated
locally.
NICS 8, January 2006
Ghana hosts about 62,000 refugees, mainly from Liberia (39,000) and Togo
(16,000) (UNHCR, 12/05). While Liberian refugees are sheltered in camps,
especially Buduburam camp, Togolese refugees, who fled their countries after the
presidential election at the beginning of 2005, are settled among host
communities in the Volta region.
A random-sampled nutrition survey conducted in Buduburam camp, hosting 42,000
refugees, mostly from Liberia, showed an average nutrition situation (table 5)
(UNHCR/joint, 05/05). The prevalence of wasting among refugees was higher than
among the Ghanaian population in Central region in 2003, when it was 2.8% (DHS,
2003). 86.4% of the households used iodised salt. Mortality rates seemed under
control. Ten thousand people were eligible for a general ration distribution of
2,100 Kcal. These were new arrivals and vulnerable people targeted by social or
medical criteria. Information on food security in the camp seemed scarce.
Table 5 Results of a nutrition survey among refugees in Buduburam camp, Ghana
(UNHCR, 06/05)
RNIS 22, December 1997
It is estimated that up to 300,000 people fled socio-political disturbances
in Togo in 1993 and took refugee in neighbouring Benin and Ghana, where
humanitarian assistance was provided. Between 1994-97, the political situation
in Togo stabilised to the point where refugees began repatriating, both
spontaneously and with assistance form UNHCR [UNHCR 27/11/97].
The repatriation programme is now successfully completed. As part of this
programme, resources were made available to improve existing water and
sanitation facilities, strengthen health care capacity, and implement income
generation projects in areas of return. There remain some 6,000 Togolese
refugees in Benin and Ghana, some of whom may repatriate after elections in Togo
in 1998. An adequate, although initially slow, response to the appeal for this
repatriation programme contributed considerably to the success of the operation.
[UNHCR 27/11/97].
RNIS 21, September 1997
The organised repatriation of Togolese refugees in Benin and Ghana has been
successfully completed. These refugees, who numbered almost three hundred
thousand, originally fled political unrest in Togo in 1993. Once the situation
stabilised in Togo in 1996, repatriation began. A comprehensive review of the
programme will be released in the near future [UNHCR 31/08/97, 23/09/97].
RNIS 20, June 1997
There remain approximately 13,500 assisted Togolese refugees in Benin and
Ghana. These refugees originally fled political unrest in Togo in 1993.
Repatriation began once the political situation allowed, and in 1996, 50,000
people returned to Togo from Ghana and almost 9,000 people from Benin. It is
anticipated that, providing the political situation remains stable, all but a
very few people will have repatriated by the end of 1997. This population is not
considered to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
RNIS 19, March 1997
There remain approximately 13,500 assisted Togolese refugees in Benin and
Ghana. Thee refugees originally fled political unrest in Togo in 1993.
Repatriation began once the political situation allowed, and in 1996, 50,000
people returned to Togo from Ghana and almost 9,000 people from Benin. It is
anticipated that, providing the political situation remains stable, all but a
very few people will have repatriated by the end of 1997 [UNHCR 27/02/97].
This population is not considered to be at heightened nutritional risk
(category IIc in Table 1). Furthermore, current funding is anticipated to be
adequate for the 1997 repatriation programme [UNHCR 27/02/97].
RNIS 18, December 1996
There remain approximately 33,000 refugees in the region. This number is
comprised of 12,000 Togolese refugees in Ghana, 11,000 Togolese refugees in
Benin, and 10,000 refugees from Ghana in Togo. The vast majority of this
population left their country of origin in 1993 because of political
disturbances and sought refuge in Benin and Ghana. A further group of people
fled ethnic fighting in Ghana and took refuge in Togo. The refugee population
affected in the region continues to decline due to repatriation which is being
encouraged by a shift in humanitarian aid policy from relief to rehabilitation
and the reduction in food aid allocations. It is hoped that in Togo the
provision of seeds and also money for small businesses will lead to
self-sufficiency of the entire refugee population [IFRC 14/10/96]. There are no
reports of change to a generally adequate and stable nutritional status of this
population (category IIc in Table 1).
RNIS 17, September 1996
There are no reports of change in the generally adequate and stable
nutritional status of the 106,800 assisted refugees in Benin/Ghana/Togo region,
most of whom are of Togolese origin. The vast majority of this population left
their country of origin in 1993 because of political disturbances and sought
refuge in Benin and Ghana. Subsequent improvements in the political situation
led to the spontaneous repatriation of most of these refugees. Organised
repatriation of the remainder is now planned and it is hoped that this will be
carried out in 1996.
RNIS 16, June 1996
There are currently 106,800 assisted refugees in Benin/Ghana/Togo region,
most of whom are of Togolese origin. The vast majority of this population left
their country of origin in 1993 because of political disturbances and sought
refuge in Benin and Ghana. Subsequent improvements in the political situation
led to the spontaneous repatriation of most of these refugees. Organised
repatriation of the remainder is now planned and it is hoped that this will be
carried out in 1996.
Benin There remain 20,000 Togolese refuges in Benin, most of whom, it
is expected, will opt for voluntary repatriation [UNHCR Apr 96].
Ghana There are approximately 71,000 Togolese refugees in Ghana, of
whom 50,000 are expected to repatriate during 1996.
There are also 15,800 Liberian refugees in Ghana. The nutritional status of
most of this population is reportedly adequate, including the 1,500 new arrivals
who were refused disembarkation in several ports before arriving in Ghana [SCF
20/05/96].
Overall, the 106,800 refugees affected regionally are not currently
considered to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
RNIS 15, April 1996
There are approximately 111,000 refugees in the Benin/Ghana/Togo region, the
majority of whom are Togolese. They fled Togo in January 1993 but as the
political conflict which gave rise to the exodus has largely been resolved,
spontaneous repatriation has been occurring for some time. Plans for an
organised repatriation are currently being prepared with funding being sought
for different programme elements. It is now hoped that the majority of the
refugees in the region will be repatriated by the end of 1996.
Benin There remain approximately 20,000 Togolese refugees in Benin. A
few individuals are spontaneously repatriating, and a more comprehensive
repatriation programme will begin once funding is secured. It is expected that
the repatriation process will continue throughout 1996. Provision of food aid is
planned until the end of the year. There is no reported change to the adequate
nutritional status of these refugees [UNHCR 27/03/96].
Ghana Approximately 71,000 Togolese refugees remain in Ghana. There
are 9,000 refugees who have already expressed their desire to return to Togo and
who are expected to repatriate soon. Food aid provision is scheduled to continue
until June 1996, when it is estimated that almost all the refugees will have
repatriated. There is no reported change in the adequate nutritional status of
this population [UNHCR 27/03/96].
The 14,000 Liberian refugees in Ghana have not yet begun to repatriate due to
continued insecurity in Liberia, However, repatriation plans have been
established for this population (see section #9 for further details). There are
no reports of change to the adequate nutritional status of this refugee
population.
Togo There are approximately 6,000 refugees from Ghana in Togo. There
are no reports of any change to their adequate nutritional status.
Overall, the approximately 111,000 refugees in the region are not
currently considered to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table
1).
RNIS 14, February 1996
There are currently approximately 110,000 refugees in Benin and Ghana. The
majority of this population arrived from Togo in January 1993. As the political
tensions which originally led to this crisis have largely been resolved,
spontaneous repatriation has been occurring.
Benin There are approximately 20,000 Togolese refugees in Benin whose
nutritional status is reported to be adequate. The decrease in number since the
previous RNIS report (28,000) is due to repatriation which is expected to
continue in the coming months and to be largely completed by June 1996. At that
time it is expected that a small number of remaining refugees will continue to
require assistance [UNHCR 26/01/96, WFP 09/02/96].
Ghana Recent estimates are that there remain approximately 71,000
Togolese refugees in Ghana. This decrease in number from the last RNIS report
(82,000) is due to some spontaneous repatriation, and a verification exercise.
It is expected that most of these refugees will repatriate by June 1996, leaving
only a small number of vulnerable refugees in Ghana who will require assistance.
Currently, the nutritional status of this refugee population is reportedly
adequate [UNHCR 26/01/96].
There are approximately 14,000 Liberian refugees in Ghana. Plans for the
voluntary repatriation of these refugees are being finalised, but the current
security situation in Liberia precludes establishing an exact time-frame for
such a programme (see section #9 for further details) [UNHCR 26/01/96].
Togo There are approximately 6,000 refugees from Ghana in Togo whose
nutritional situation is reportedly adequate [WFP 09/02/96].
Overall, the refugee populations in Benin, Ghana, and Togo are not
currently thought to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table
1).
RNIS 13, December 1995
There are currently approximately 124,000 refugees in Benin and Ghana. Most
of this population arrived from Togo in January 1993 and now that the situation
which led to the refugee crisis has apparently stabilised, repatriation has
begun and will continue into 1996.
Benin There is reportedly no change in the adequate nutritional status
of the 28,000 Togolese refugees remaining in Benin. Repatriation of these
refugees has begun [UNHCR-a 17/11/95, WFP 05/12/95].
Ghana There are approximately 82,000 assisted Togolese refugees
remaining in Ghana. The reduction from 98,000 reported in the previous RNIS is
due to some spontaneous repatriation, and a recent verification exercise of
existing ration cards. The nutritional situation of this population is reported
to be adequate and repatriation is also planned during 1996 for these refugees [UNHCR
21/11/95, WFP 05/12/95].
There are 14,000 assisted Liberian refugees in Ghana whose nutritional status
reportedly remains stable. There are currently no plans for repatriation of
these refugees [UNHCR 21/11/95].
Overall, the approximately 124,000 refugees in this region are not
currently considered to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table
1).
RNIS 12, October 1995
Violence in Togo in January 1993 led to the displacement of over 300,000
people into neighbouring Benin and Ghana. There are currently 157,000 refugees
remaining in the two countries of asylum. Now that the political situation in
Togo has stabilised, plans for an organised repatriation are being made.
Benin Approximately 5,000 Togolese refugees have already spontaneously
repatriated to Togo leaving 45,000 refugees in the country. Organised
repatriation is planned for the remainder in the near future [UNHCR 26/09/95,
WFP 12/10/95]. There are no reports of any change in the adequate nutritional
status of this refugee population.
Ghana It is hoped that a successful start to the spontaneous
repatriation of Togolese refugees from Benin will encourage the approximately
98,000 refugees in Ghana to return home [UNHCR 28/09/95]. Their nutritional
situation is not thought to be critical.
The adequate nutritional situation of the 14,000 assisted Liberian refugees
has not seemingly changed since the last RNIS report. These refugees continue to
adopt a "wait and see" attitude towards possible repatriation now that the
situation in Liberia appears to be stabilising [UNHCR 28/09/95].
Overall, the approximately 157,000 refugees in this area are probably
not at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
RNIS 11, July 1995
The eruption of political violence in Togo in January 1993 triggered a
refugee crisis which displaced up to 300,000 people more or less equally into
neighbouring Benin and Ghana. The political situation in Togo has now stabilised
to the extent that UNHCR are currently establishing plans for the voluntary
repatriation of the remaining 161,000 refugees from Benin and Ghana [UNHCR
26/06/95].
Benin The latest indications are that the majority of the
49,000 Togolese refugees in Benin favour voluntary repatriation [UNHCR
26/06/95]. There are no reports of change to the generally adequate nutritional
status of this population.
Ghana There are approximately 112,000 refugees in Ghana. This
number is comprised of 98,000 Togolese refugees and a further 14,000 Liberian
refugees. Although repatriation plans are underway for the Togolese refugees,
there appears to be a more ‘wait and see’ attitude towards repatriation amongst
this refugee population with many reluctant to return immediately. There have
been reported problems with procurement of important drugs not on the
“essential” drug list for refugees in Northern Volta camps while the Ministry of
Health drug supply to the camp clinics in southern Volta are said to be
inadequate [UNHCR-a 14/06/95, UNHCR 26/06/95].
There has been a slight increase in the number of Liberian refugees in Ghana
due to recent displacement from fighting in Sierra Leone [UNHCR-a 14/06/95].
It is reported that most of the approximately 180,000 people in Northern
Ghana, displaced by ethic violence which erupted in February 1994, have returned
home. However, there have recently been some reports of renewed ethnic fighting
although no indication of resulting displacement [UNHCR 26/06/95].
Overall, the 161,000 people affected regionally are probably
not currently at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
RNIS 10, April 1995
The Togolese refugee crisis began over two years ago due to the eruption of
political violence in January 1993. At the peak of the exodus, approximately
300,000 refugees were registered, some 150,000 in each of the two main asylum
countries, Benin and Ghana. A UNHCR/WFP joint assessment mission is planned for
May 1995 [WFP 27/04/95].
Benin There are almost 49,000 assisted refugees in Benin, the
majority of whom are Togolese. There have been some recent breaks in the maize
food pipeline for this population resulting in half ration allocations for many
of these refugees [UNHCR 10/03/95].
Ghana There are currently about 99,000 assisted refugees in
Ghana. This number is comprised of 15,000 Liberian refugees and 84,000 Togolese.
The number of assisted Togolese refugees may change with the results of a
re-registration exercise planned for the end of April or early May [UNHCR
20/03/95].
There have been reports of a sharp rise in the number of health centre
consultations in March at the camp for Liberian refugees. An assessment mission
is planned for April for both Benin and Ghana which will hopefully provide a
clearer appraisal of the nutritional and health situation of refugees in both
countries [UNHCR 20/03/95].
There is no new information on the approximately 180,000 people in Northern
Ghana displaced by ethnic violence which broke out in February 1994. The last
RNIS reported some concern over the lack of agency presence to assist with
rehabilitation programmes for this internally displaced population.
RNIS 9, February 1995
The Togolese refugee crisis began almost two years ago in January 1993. At
the peak of the exodus, approximately 300,000 refugees were registered, some
150,000 in each of the two main asylum countries, Ghana and Benin. As a result
of spontaneous repatriation since then, there are currently only 115,000
refugees in Ghana comprised of 14,000 Liberians and 99,000 Togolese and there
are 50,000 Togolese refugees in Benin [UNHCR 20/11/94, WFP 16/02/95].
Signs that the political situation in Togo is returning to normal are giving
rise to hopes that organised repatriation can begin in earnest soon. For
example, the Togo/Ghana border is open again after being closed for almost one
year. This hope is given added urgency by the fact that the presence of the
refugee population has created serious hardship for the local host populations
and is exerting enormous pressures on already over-burdened social and
administrative infrastructures in both host countries [UNHCR 20/11/94].
There is little information on the nutritional situation of these refugee
populations although there have been reports of severely delayed general radon
distributions, In the Atlantic region of Benin (23,280 refugees), the November
general ration distribution only took place in mid December while in the
departments of Mono and Zou, refugees had reportedly still not received their
October 1994 ration in January 1995 [UNHCR 18/01/95].
There are approximately 180,000 people in Northern Ghana displaced by ethnic
violence which broke out in February 1994. Although WFP and UNHCR are providing
aid to this population, there is currently some concern over the lack of agency
presence to assist with rehabilitation programmes for this internally displaced
population [UNHCR 20/11/94. WFP 16/02/95].
Overall, most recent information is that the nutritional status
of these populations is adequate (category IIc in Table 1) with the exception of
the 23,000 refugees in Benin who are not receiving regular rations. This group
could be considered to be at moderate nutritional risk (category IIb in Table
1).
How could external agencies help? The recent erratic delivery
of general rations to Togolese refugees in Benin suggests a need to evaluate the
constraints which are currently affecting this programme. Furthermore, there is
a need to establish nutritional monitoring of this population in order to
determine whether erratic general ration deliveries are having an adverse
nutritional impact.
In Northern Ghana there is a need for greater agency presence to assist in
the rehabilitation programmes for this internally displaced population.
RNIS 8, December 1994
Ghana There are approximately 14,000 Liberian refugees
in Ghana. This number is slowly increasing with continuing new arrivals from
Cote d'Ivoire [UNHCR 21/11/94].
There are approximately 95,000 assisted Togolese refugees in the Volta region
of Ghana. Food rations in all camps except Klikor (estimated population 14,000)
were recently reduced by 50% [UNHCR 21/11/94].
Benin Current estimates are that there are 50,000
Togolese refugees in Benin. Dialogue between the governments of Benin and Togo
have raised hopes that an agreement will soon be reached on granting general
amnesty to the Togolese refugees. This would be an important step towards an
organized repatriation [UNHCR-a 22/11/94].
Overall, the Togolese refugees in Ghana can be
considered to be at moderate nutritional risk (category IIb in Table 1). The
remaining refugee populations are not currently at risk (category IIc in Table
1).
RNIS 7, October 1994
The political situation in Togo is believed to be stabilizing with some
refugees repatriating spontaneously as a result. The estimated number of
Togolese refugees in Ghana is at 100,000 and it is hoped that large-scale
repatriation can begin early in 1995. There are reports of water problems in
Klikor camp in Volta region where there are approximately 14,000 Togolese
refugees. There were also difficulties in resourcing and purchasing food so that
there was no distribution for the Togolese refugee population in July [UNHCR Jul
94].
There are approximately 15,000 assisted Liberian refugees in Ghana. A small
proportion of these are new arrivals from Cote d'Ivoire [UNHCR Jul 94].
The situation resulting from tribal conflict in the northern region of Ghana
which led to the displacement of approximately 150,000 people is gradually
returning to normal with an undetermined number of people returning to their
devastated villages to farm [UNHCR Jul 94].
There are approximately 73,000 Togolese refugees in Benin whose nutritional
status is believed to be adequate. However, in June this population (estimated
at 42,359 at the time) did not receive maize in their general ration due to a
shortage of stocks. The maize was eventually delivered in mid-July [UNHCR
17/8/94, UNHCR 20/09/94].
RNIS 6, August 1994
It is estimated that there are 100,000 Togolese refugees in the Volta region
of Ghana who are in a stable nutritional and health condition (category IIc in
Table 1). The efforts of agencies working with these refugees is now directed
towards promoting income generating activities to help the refugees attain
self-sufficiency [UNHCR 9/05/94].
There is no reported change in the situation of the approximately 150,000
people internally displaced by tribal warfare in Ghana. Although they are
receiving assistance from UNHCR, WFP and NGOs, increased levels of aid are being
requested by the Ghanaian government indicating some possible nutritional
problems [UNHCR-a 9/05/94]. These displaced people are categorized as at
moderate risk (category IIb in Table 1). An estimated 6.000 of this population
have already crossed over into Togo in order to acquire refugee status. The
Ghanain government and local population have expressed concern at the fact that
these internally displaced have received less resources than the Togolese
refugee population in Ghana.
There are no reports of change in the satisfactory nutritional situation of
the remaining 60,000 Togolese refugees in Benin [WFP 5/08/94].
How could external agencies help? There is apparently a
discrepancy between the levels of assistance provided to the refugees in Ghana
and to the displaced population. Efforts should be made to increase levels of
assistance to the internally displaced population thereby encouraging them to
remain in Ghana.
RNIS 5, June 1994
The 100,000 Togolese refugees in Benin and 100,000 in Ghana are reported to
be in a stable and satisfactory nutritional and health situation (category IIc
in Table 1), although there is currently some discussion about whether the
refugees in Ghana have attained enough self sufficiency to justify an immediate
reduction in general ration provision [UNHCR 11/05/94].
As many as 150,000 additional people have been displaced in Northern Ghana
due to the ethnic violence which broke out in early February 1994 between the
Kokombas on one side and Nanumbas, Dagombas, Gonjas and Mamprusis on the other
side. The number of casualties is thought to run into thousands and many
villages have been razed to the ground. The displaced population has moved to
towns, (e.g. Bimbila), camps, (e.g. Nyohini) and military barracks. Although the
displaced population is thought to be in a stable nutritional and health
condition, the low measles immunisation coverage of 51% is cause for concern [UNHCR
25/02/94].
RNIS 4, April 1994
The 100,000 Togolese refugees in Benin and 135,000 in Ghana continue to be in
a stable nutritional and health situation (category IIc in Table 2) [UNHCR-A
24/03/94].
However, due to ethnic fighting in Ghana, approximately 6,000 people have
recently been reported to be seeking refuge in Togo, while approximately 150,000
people are displaced within Ghana. No further details are available, and their
nutritional situation is unknown [WFP 13/04/94]. An assessment mission is
planned for mid-April to determine the needs of this newly displaced population
[UNICEF 15/03/94].
RNIS 3, February 1994
When fighting broke out last January, approximately 100,000 Togolese fled to
Benin and another 135,000 fled to Ghana. These refugees were accepted by their
host countries and quickly integrated into the community. Renewed fighting in
January caused an new influx of 700 refugees into Ghana before the border was
closed. Approximately 800 refugees fled to Benin. [UNHCR 25/1/94]
This situation appears to have been without any nutritional problems. This
was due to largely to the fact that the refugees were housed by family and
friends in the host countries. The need for immediate food distributions was
not, therefore, essential to the survival and well-being of these refugees. [UNHCR
country files] These refugees are not currently at particular risk (column IIc
in Table 2).
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