United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

Nutrition Information in Crisis Situations - Liberia
 

NICS 17, June 2008

Although there has been improvement since the cessation of hostilities and the election of the current president at the end of 2005, many people are still vulnerable and suffering humanitarian needs, including the lack of basic services (OCHA, 2008). Liberia is now started a process of development but resource mobilisation is subject to delay, while humanitarian aid is gradually being withdrawn. However, an appeal has been launched to cover the critical humanitarian gaps during this transition period.

According to a nutrition survey conducted in Greater Monrovia in December 2007, the nutrition situation was critical and under-five mortality rate was above alert threshold (table 4) (ACF-F, 02/08). When compared to a nutrition survey conducted in Greater Monrovia in December 2006 (WFP, 07/07), prevalence of acute malnutrition seems to have almost doubled. This could be partly attributed to the rise in food prices as inhabitants of Monrovia are mostly dependent on purchase of food, which represents 52% of household expenditure (ACF-F, 06/08). Food prices have increased by 25% between May 2007 and January 2008. Moreover, the increase in the price of oil could also have had a significant effect as transportation is the second main expenditure of people. With the hunger-gap season, the situation can only further worsen. To mitigate it several actions have been proposed by the government, such as removal of tariffs on rice imports, and direct assistance to most vulnerable households. The World Bank will contribute to this programme (WB, 29/05/08).

Table 4 Results of a nutrition and mortality survey, Greater Monrovia, Liberia, February 2008 (ACF-F, 02/08)

NICS 10, August 2006

A country-wide nutrition and food security survey was conducted in rural and semi-rural population groups in Liberia (representing about 65% of the total population) between February and June 2006 (GoL/joint, 09/06). The survey design was such that representative data at county and national levels were obtained. At national level, only 14% of the households surveyed had never been displaced. Among the others, 7% were still displaced people or refugees, 57% had returned to their home before 2005 and 20% had returned afterwards.

The prevalence of wasting (oedema not reported) was average at national level, and varied from acceptable in Gbarpolu to precarious in Grand Bassa, Gran Gedeh and River Cess (figure 5). Country-wide prevalence of stunting was 39.2%. Compared to the MICS survey conducted in 1999/2000, rates of wasting and stunting are within the same range. Grand Cape Mount, Lofa and Margibi counties reported CMR and U5 MR above 1/10,000/day.

Figure 5 Prevalence of wasting, Liberia (GoL/joint, 09/06)

Based on food consumption and food access, 11% of the households were considered food insecure and 40% highly vulnerable to food insecurity. They were mostly concentrated in Lofa, Gran Kru, River Gee, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba and Sinoe counties, but pockets of food insecurity may also exist in other counties. Only 9% were considered food secure, and 41% to have moderate risk of food insecurity.

Limitations to achieving food security were considered to be low agricultural production capacity due to lack of seeds and tools and knowledge on adequate processing techniques, and limited income-generation opportunities which hampered access to food. The most food insecure families were those who relied mostly on palm oil production, hunting and contract work, especially if they did not engage in crop production, while cash and food crop farmers were less likely to be affected by food insecurity. Employees and petty traders were also part of the better-off and charcoal producers, rubber tapers, palm oil and food crop producers, households depending on fishing and skilled labourers formed the medium group. People who recently returned were more vulnerable to food insecurity.

Child feeding practices and the public health environment were also far from acceptable. Overall, only 32% of the families had access to a protected source of water, with less than 20% in Gran Bassa, Gran Kru, Sinoe, River Gee and Gbarpolu, and only a quarter had access to latrines. About 90% of households had to walk on average nearly 3 hours to reach a health facility. Most of them (65%) were managed by humanitarian agencies, while the government only manages 14%. Vitamin A distribution coverage was 71%. Only 20% of the children were exclusively breast fed at the age of 4-6 months. The mean of breast feeding stoppage was 15 months.

Recommendations

From the Government of Liberia/joint food security and nutrition survey:

• Augment food availability through measurable increase in sustainable production and productivity of major food crops, fisheries, short-cycle livestock, improved crop diversity, improved storage and conservation, and improved marketing and acquisition of food and inputs for agricultural production.
• Increase people’s economic access to food through income-diversification in the agriculture and non-agricultural sector.
• Improve biological utilization by improving access to basic health care services, and access to clean water and sanitation combined with awareness campaigns on infant and young child feeding practices, food preparation, dietary diversity, micronutrients and HIV/AIDS.
• In the short-term, improve people’s access to food through food-for-work activities, supporting mother-and-child health through supplementary feeding programmes; and supporting education through food-for-education activities.
• Enhance the institutional capacity to manage national and local development interventions and resources devoted to the improvement of food security and nutrition – including the development of an institutional policy framework and food security monitoring system.

NICS 9

The return of 314,000 displaced people was completed by UNHCR at the end of April. Of the 22 camps and 13 spontaneous settlements, 22 have been closed (UNHCR, 21/04/06). More than 60,000 refugees have also returned. The majority of the returns took place in Lofa, Bomi, Bong, Capemount and Gbarplou counties. Reconstruction continues but needs, in terms of shelter, the availability of water and sanitation, health facilities, schools and food security, are still not covered (ACF-F, 12/05; ICRC, 04/06).

NICS 8, January 2006

The new president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, winner of the 8 November election, was sworn in on 16 January 2006 (Reuters, 16/01/06). She will face many challenges to the reconstruction of a country devastated by a 14-year civil war.

Returns of IDPs and refugees are on-going with 272,160 IDPs having received their return assistance package and meant to have returned to their places of origin, and about 43,100 refugees repatriated, mainly from Guinea and Ivory Coast (UNHCR, 17/11/05; UNHCR, 03/01/06; UNMIL,27/12/05). However, returnees still face difficult conditions. In Voinjama, Kolahun and Foya districts in Lofa county, one of the hardest hit by the war, the main problems faced by the returned households were cash, food, shelter, water and sanitation (ACF-F, 07/05). Moreover basic health services are still poor throughout Liberia (WHO-HAC, 22/01/06). Outbreaks of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea were reported in Tubnamburg and Zwedru (UNMIL, 01/12/05).

NICS 7, August 2005

Repatriation of refugees and displaced people is under way with about 209,100 displaced people and 38,380 refugees repatriated as of end August 2005 (UNMIL, 31/08/05; UNHCR, 30/08/05). The poor road conditions, especially at the onset of the rainy season, makes repatriation and delivery of assistance difficult (ACF-F, 06/05; UNMIL, 08/05). There seems to be funding shortfalls to repatriate 64,000 displaced people gathered in spontaneous settlements (IRIN, 31/08/05). Some malfunction of the process has been reported. For example, there is a lack of a coherent strategy for displaced people unwilling to return home, which leaves these people without proper shelter and assistance (RI, 18/07/05). In some districts, such as Kolahun district, Lofa county, there is no transit centre to host the returnees before they reach their own houses (ACF-F, 06/05). Returnees also face many problems when at home, such as the lack of materials to repair their houses (ACF-F, 06/05). The situation is not optimal for the more than 100,000 IDPs who have not been repatriated yet and are still in camps. The basic infrastructure in the camps are poor and the monthly food ration distribution is insufficient. Most NGOs have scaled down their activities in the camps (ACF-F, 06/05).

NICS 6, May 2005

The security situation has remained stable in Liberia. All the counties are now declared safe for return of IDPs and refugees. Lofa was the last county to be declared safe in February 2005 (IOM, 19/04/05). However, the problem of ex-fighters is not totally solved. About 100,000 former fighters were registered for disarmament, more than twice as what was expected. This has resulted in a lack of funds and only one of eight former fighters has been enrolled in a social rehabilitation programme (IRIN, 19/04/05). This is a cause of concern as it might trigger the fragile peace.

Repatriation of displaced and refugee populations

As of mid-April 2005 and since the start of the repatriation and resettlement process, about 12,000 refugees and 102,000 IDPs have been resettled (WFP, 15/04/05). They have received a four-month food distribution as part of the resettlement package. About 100,000 refugees should have returned by themselves. In the mean time, lack of funding has led to a reduction of the food ration distributed in Guinea and Sierra Leone refugee camps over the last months (AFP, 24/04/05; OCHA, 28/02/05). Assessments conducted in IDP camps in Montserrado, Margibi and Bong counties showed that the food security situation is relatively favourable but can be improved (ACF-F, 02/05). In addition, access to safe drinking water and sanitation is limited in some of the camps. ACF-F recommends that particular attention is paid to the future living conditions of the IDPs and that assistance does not scale down until all the IDPs are repatriated.

There are concerns that the return process of IDPs and refugees is neither safe nor sustainable (IDP project, 15/04/05) with areas of return lacking sufficient security guaranties, shelter and infrastructure. It is also argued that political considerations in the run-up to the October 2005 elections are given precedence at the expense of humanitarian principles (IDP project, 15/04/05). In addition, there is fear that long-term engagement to tackle the roots of the instability will continue to be insufficient.

Acceptable nutrition situation but unstable food security in Lofa county

Lofa county is thought to have suffered the worst impact of the civil war and at least three quarters of its population has sought refuge in IDP camps or nearby countries. As of February 2005, less than half of the inhabitants had returned. Some families have split, some members having returned to Lofa while the others have remained to the refugee or IDP camps. Before the war, Lofa was one of the leading agricultural and cash crop producers. Despite the disruption of agricultural activities during the war, land remains the most important source of food and income. Hunting, fishing and oil-pressed palm nuts are also major sources of food and income. People have mainly access to markets in Sierra Leone and Guinea. All the schools and health facilities were destroyed during the conflict as well as a significant number of shelters. They are gradually being rehabilitated.

A random-sampled nutrition survey and a food security survey were conducted in February 2005, excluding Vahun district because of inaccessibility and uncertain security situation (WFP, 02/05). About 75% of families interviewed were returnees while 20% had never moved and 5% were still displaced.

The nutrition situation was acceptable (table 8) but mortality rates were above alert thresholds.

Table 8 Results of nutrition and mortality surveys in Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties, Liberia, February-March 2005 (WFP, 02/05; WFP, 03/05)

Depending on the district, households' expenditure for food accounted for 52% to 61% of the total expenditure and between 15% and 70% of households had fairly good to good food consumption. The best food consumption pattern was observed in Voinjama and Zorzor districts and the worst in Foya district. Child feeding practices were average (table 9).

Table 9 Child feeding practices, Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties, Liberia (WFP, 02/05; WFP, 03/05)

Half of the population does not have the mean to adequately absorb the negative impacts of shocks. According to the community, the most pressing needs were the construction of shelters, the construction of health facilities and provision of health services, the rehabilitation of educational facilities and the development of skills training, the improvement of the quality of drinking water and agricultural rehabilitation.

It is worth noticing that the survey was done when less than half of the population had returned. The situation should be followed closely in the coming months as a significant number of people are expected to re-settle.

Nutrition situation under control in Grand Gedeh county

Before the war, the economy of Grand Gedeh county depended essentially on timber production and to a lesser extent on gold mining, cash crops and agricultural production. All these activities suffered significant setbacks during the war. In March 2005, the main source of income was hunting, collection of wild palm nuts and gold mining. Less than half of the population had moved during the war and it is thought that among them about half has already returned. Damage to infrastructure and shelter was lower than in Lofa county.

A random-sampled nutrition survey and a food security survey were conducted in March 2005 (WFP, 02/05). About 48% of families interviewed were returnees who came back in 2000 while 44% had never moved and 8% were still displaced.

The nutrition situation was under control but mortality rates were of concern (table 8). 21%, 39% and 63% of the households interviewed had a good to fairly good food consumption in Konobo, Gbarzon and Tchien districts, respectively. Child feeding practices were not optimum (table 9).

According to the population, priorities were to improve access to health services, safe drinking water and sanitation and to rehabilitate education infrastructure, agricultural means of production, and shelters.

Recommendations

From WFP surveys in Grand Gedeh and Lofa counties:

• Support agriculture through seeds and tools
• Enhance access to income-generating opportunities
• Improve access to education
• Construct/open health facilities, especially in remote parts of the counties
• Ensure adequate supply of drugs and other medical supplies
• Improve access to basic treatment
• Conduct a causal analysis of the high under-five mortality rate
• Improve access to safe drinking water
• Help with the reconstruction of shelters

NICS 5, February 2005

The situation has remained calm, although some sporadic riots have been reported, such as in Harper and Gbarnga (IRIN, 27/01/04; WFP, 28/01/05).

Since the beginning of the IDP repatriation exercise, 26,380 displaced people have been repatriated, as well as 4,879 former Liberian refugees (WFP, 28/01/04). They have received a repatriation package. In addition, an estimated 100,000 refugees have made their own way to Liberia (UNHCR, 12/01/05). Inaccessible roads in parts of Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties render return to these areas difficult (OCHA, 20/12/04).

The food distribution to IDPs has been halved since June 2004 as a result of resource constraints (OCHA, 20/12/04).

Ivorian refugees at risk

About 6,000 Ivorian refugees have remained in Butuo area, Nimba county (see NICS 4). The majority have been sheltered by Liberian households. As of end December 2004, it seemed that food aid had not yet been distributed (RI, 20/12/04), although an assessment carried out in mid-November recommended air-lifting food in the first place and then repairing damaged bridges in order to transport food by road (Inter-Agencies, 11/04). The mission also recommended increasing capacity of health care, improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation and providing non-food items. Transfer of refugees from the insecure border further inland was also advocated (Inter-Agencies, 11/04).

Reconstruction and livelihood support crucially needed

An assessment in Vahun district, Lofa county observed that more than half of the inhabitants were newly returned (ICRC, 11/04). Therefore, agriculture activity was reduced as many people came back too late for the planting season. About 70% of the houses and shelters were damaged and 10% were abandoned. There were no medical services in the entire district, the government clinic having been destroyed. People in search of health care were travelling to Sierra Leone. Accessibility was very poor with poor roads and damaged bridges.

An assessment conducted in the three eastern counties of River Gee, Grand Kru and Maryland showed that the majority of the houses were occupied (ICRC, 08/04). Most people had started to cultivate and were expecting a small but good harvest. However, there was a big need for tools. In a more recent assessment of the same area, the lack of support in terms of assistance to these counties was deplored (HAC, 11/04).

Nutrition situation not critical in Bomi county

A random-sampled nutrition survey together with a food-security assessment were carried out in Bomi county in December 2004 (WFP/joint, 12/04). The nutrition situation was not critical and mortality rates were average (table 13). The prevalence of acute malnutrition was within the same range as shown by a nutrition survey done in Bomi and Grand Cape Mont counties in March 2004 (see NICS 2). The mortality rates were lower than in March 2004. The survey was done at the time of the year when fishing and palm oil production were largely available. The food security situation did not appear stable; the population under-going transition with minimal agricultural activity (box 2). Tubnamburg city was more vulnerable than the other districts (figure 3). According to the communities, health service provision was ranked as the first problem followed by inadequate educational facilities and training opportunities, inadequate food, and low agricultural production due to low accessibility to farm tools and seeds. Only 35-40% of the population seemed to have returned and 40% of the households have split families: it seems that some members of the households have remained in IDP camps, while others returned home.

Table 13 Results of a nutrition and mortality survey in Bomi county, Liberia, December 2004 (WFP/joint, 12/04)

* According to cards and mothers' statements

Box 2 Food security assessment in Bomi county, Liberia, Dec 2004 (WFP/joint, 12/04)

Figure 3 Vulnerability to food insecurity in Bomi county (WFP/joint, 12/04)

Overall

The situation has stabilized in Liberia but there are great challenges in terms of reconstruction, such as housing, roads and infrastructure. Re-integration of the IDPs and refugees will also be a major task.

Recommendations

From the survey in Bomi county:

• Support rehabilitation of agricultural land and basic infrastructures
• Improve access to basic treatment
• Integrate the supplementary programme with basic health care activities
• Provide communities with seeds and tools in time for the next planting season
• Improve access to clean water and sanitary facilities
• Strengthen health, hygiene and nutrition education
• Continue providing safety net supplementary food

NICS 4, November 2004

The situation has remained calm, except in Monrovia where a riot over a land dispute left hundreds injured and led to the destruction or looting of Mosques, Churches, public building and private houses at the end of October 2004 (OCHA, 07/11/04).

Liberia's three warring factions (MODEL, LURD and the ex-government of Liberia) publicly announced the disbanding of their factions on the 3rd November (OCHA, 07/11/04). The disarmament and demilitarisation process officially ended at the end of October, but will be pursued at the border with Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone (OCHA, 17/11/04). Depending on the source, between 50,000 to 100,000 ex-combatants would have been disarmed (USAID, 31/10/04).

Refugee and IDP returns

About 70,000 Liberian refugees are estimated to have returned spontaneously in the past months, owing to an improvement of the security situation and the deployment of UNMIL forces (UNHCR, 08/11/04). In the meantime, UNHCR has launched a voluntary repatriation programme of Liberian refugees from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria (UNHCR, 08/11/04). Repatriation of IDPs has also begun. Both IDPs and refugees will receive a resettlement package including food and non-food items (UNHCR, 29/10/04; UNHCR, 08/11/04). Most of the returns occurred in Lofa, Bomi and Montserrado counties.

Life has been restarting in counties which have been deserted for years. According to various assessments conducted in the south-east and north-west of the country, the food security situation is still precarious and people lack access to basic necessities such as clothes, construction equipment, tools and seeds (ACF-F, 08-09/04; ACF-F, 09/04; ICRC, 06/04).

Arrival of refugees from Ivory Coast

A wave of more than 13,000 refugees arrived in Liberia in the first two weeks of November, particularly in Botua, Nimba county and in Bimplay (UNHCR, 16/11/04; UNHCR, 17/11/04). They have settled in public buildings or with residents. Food, water and sanitation are crucially needed. However, the remoteness of the area, with many roads impassable by car, renders the delivery of assistance difficult. Emergency relief items have been airlifted by UNMIL helicopters.

NICS 3, August 2004

The security situation has improved in most of the country owing to the deployment of the UNMIL forces, but some pockets of insecurity remain, especially along the border areas (AAH, 16/08/04).

The Disarmament and Demobilisation process has continued smoothly over the last months. Some 60,000 ex-combatants have been disarmed since December 2003 (OCHA, 30/07/04).

Little of the US$ 540 million which was pledged at a donor conference in February 2004 has been released so far (OCHA, 01/07/04). As of August 2004, WFP was facing acute food shortages: no pulses were available and therefore the distributed food ration was cut from the full 2,100 Kcal/pers/day to 1,531 Kcal/pers/day. Beneficiaries from WFP programmes include 317,000 IDPs, 72,300 school children, 19,900 vulnerable people and some 60,000 ex-combatants (OCHA, 06/08/04). It is also feared that there will be a major break in cereal stocks from September 2004, unless new contributions are made (OCHA, 13/08/04). On the other hand, Liberia got US$ 24.3 million from the global fund for programmes on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (UNDP, 17/06/04).

There has been concern about trading of food rations between refugees in Guinea and Liberia (IRIN, 22/07/04). On the other hand, some people thought that this trading may help Liberians in districts near the border, who are especially vulnerable, to access food. It also seems that some refugees criss-cross the border with Liberia. The situation is tense in Guinea camps, with riots against attempts to update refugee figures.

According to a vulnerability analysis carried out in Totota, Salala and Kakata towns and in three IDP camps (Maimu 1, Salala and Conneh) in Bong and Margibi counties, it seems that the nutrition situation was under control with a prevalence of acute malnutrition at 3.3% (2.0-6.7) (WFP/VAM, 05/04). However, people were vulnerable to food insecurity. About 20% were thought to be very vulnerable in both towns and camps: they had no assets and no access to land; they had, at best, one source of income; they spent more than 70% of their income on food and had only one inadequately balanced meal a day. About 60% and 68% of the households were potentially vulnerable in towns and camps, respectively. They had few assets and a small garden; they had below 3-4 sources of income; they spent between 65-70% of their income on food and they had 1-2 meals a day with a minimal diet.

NICS 2, May 2004

The security situation has improved in Liberia and humanitarian organisations have had access to a wider part of the country (WFP, 20/05/04). However, security is still perilous, with outbreaks of violence and abuses of civilians, even in the areas controlled by UNMIL (GW, 24/05/04). As of May 2004, UNMIL was at full strength with 15,000 troops deployed throughout the country (UNICEF, 24/05/04).

The Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) process resumed on 15 April 2004, in Gbarnga, Buchanan, Tubnamburg and outside Monrovia (UNICEF, 24/05/04). So far, 26,000 fighters from LURD, MODEL and former-government forces have been disarmed and have received the US$300 resettlement grant (IRIN, 12/05/04); it is however suggested that non-combatants may have also taken part in the process. Cash-payment to demobilised children and adolescents has also raised concerns, as it is thought that the grant will probably not be used for productive investments (RI, 21/04/04).

A national measles vaccination and vitamin A distribution campaign is under-way (UNICEF, 24/05/04).

Refugees and returnees

An estimated 10,000 Liberian refugees were still in camps as of May 2004. UNHCR intended to stop aid to Sierra Leonean refugees at the end of June and encouraged them to repatriate (UNHCR, 17/05/04).

About 17,000 Liberian refugees have spontaneously returned from neighbouring countries. About 7,000 are settled in two returnee camps in Montserrado county. After registration, they will receive a re-integration package (UNHCR, 18/05/04).

Internally Displaced Persons

A census, carried out in April 2004 in the 20 official displaced persons camps concluded that there were about 261,900 IDPs in these camps, of whom the majority were in Montserrado county (table 16) (OCHA/UNHCR, 05/04). The report acknowledged that it was

difficult to know the exact number of people as there was a lot of movement between the surrounding communities and the camps. The majority of IDPs plan to return to Bong, Lofa and Bomi counties.

Table 16 Number of IDPs in official IDP camps in Montserrado, Bong and Margibi counties, April 2004, Liberia (OCHA/UNHCR, 05/04)

IDP camps in Montserrado county

The nutrition situation was good to average among the IDPs settled in six camps in Montserrado county, according to random-sampled nutrition surveys carried out in November 2003 (table 17) (SC/ACF, 11/03).

Table 17 Prevalence of acute malnutrition in seven IDP camps in Montserrado county, Liberia, November 2003 (SC/ACF, 11/03)

Greater Monrovia

A random-sampled nutrition survey conducted in Greater Monrovia in November 2003 showed average prevalence of malnutrition (category II) and mortality rates (table 18) (WFP/joint, 11/03). A similar malnutrition rate was shown in a survey carried out in six districts of Monrovia and two IDP camps on the outskirts of Monrovia (VAM, 11/03). The assessment also showed that the food security situation was of concern: on average, households were spending 70% of their income in food, this reached 95% for the IDPs. 40% of the households had no assets, whilst 26% had domestic assets and only 3% had productive assets. The majority of the families (60%) had poor dwelling conditions. Households were relying mainly on petty trading and wage labour and coping mechanisms seemed limited. Morbidity was very high: 75% of the children had been ill within the two weeks prior to the survey.

Table 18 Results of nutrition and mortality surveys, Greater Monrovia, Bomi and Grand Cape Mont counties, Liberia (WFP, 11/03; WV, 03/04)

* According to cards and mothers' statements

Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties

The nutrition situation in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties appeared acceptable (category III), according to a random-sampled nutrition survey conducted in March 2004 (table 18) (WV, 03/04). Measles vaccination and vitamin A distribution coverage (77.1%) were satisfactory.

On the other hand, mortality rates within the six months prior to the survey were very high.

The main causes of death among those over five year old were war related injury (21%), diarrhoea (20%) and fever (18%), whilst they were diarrhoea (30%), fever (25%) and malnutrition (26%) among the under fives.

About 74% of the families interviewed were resident, 23% were returnees and 3% were displaced.

Food security and public health seemed precarious (box 5).

Box 5 Food security and public health in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties, Liberia (WV, 03/04)

NICS 1, February 2004

The peace process, signed in August 2003, is on-going but is not running very smoothly. The armed factions have succeeded in their demand for more ministerial positions, to the detriment of unarmed political parties and civil society groups (IRIN, 07/01/04). The disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration process has been postponed, after several thousand soldiers rioted at the occasion of the opening of the disarmament campaign in mid-December 2003 (AFP, 15/12/03).

Sporadic fighting has occurred, especially in Nimba, Gran Bassa and Bong counties, particularly before the UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) deployed (AFP, 18/11/03) in Tubmanburg, Garnga, Buchanan, Zwedru and Tapeta (IRIN, 04/02/04). Moreover, harassment of civilians by fighters is widespread in areas not controlled by the UNMIL (HRW, 21/01/04; IRIN, 30/01/04). As of late January 2004, the UNMIL only had about half of the 15,000 peacekeepers authorised by the United Nations.

Donors pledged around US$ 500 million for the reconstruction of the country at a conference held in New York at the beginning of February (RI, 06/02/04). However, Refugee International notes that the Consolidated Appeal (CAP) 2004, to respond to the immediate humanitarian needs, has received very little support so far (RI, 06/02/04). The disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration project is also under-funded.

Location of known IDP concentration (HAC, 03/12/04)

Humanitarian situation

Reports of refugee returns from Guinea and Sierra Leone are increasing; UNHCR estimated that over 10,000 refugees returned, as of end January (UNHCR, 13/01/04; IRIN, 29/01/04).
Most of the IDPs who had sought refuge in public buildings in Monrovia during Summer 2003 have spontaneously returned or have been resettled in camps outside Monrovia, in Montserrado county, which account for about 164,300 IDPs (OCHA, 05/02/04). An additional 200,000 IDPs are registered in formal IDP camps throughout the country (see map) (OCHA, 05/02/04).
An assessment done by Refugee International in Montserrado IDP camps reported that, although the situation has improved compared to November 2003, the camps were overcrowded and assistance was provided ad hoc, with huge disparities between camps (RI, 29/01/04).
Preliminary results of a nutrition survey carried out in seven IDP camps in Montserrado county suggest that the nutrition situation is under control to average (OCHA, 10/01/04).
Distribution of rice seeds and of tools before the next planting season in April 2004 will be crucial for the future food security of the Liberians (FAO, 22/12/03; ICRC, 22/01/04).

Overall

The situation continues to be critical in Liberia, deployment of UNIMIL and disarmament of soldiers will be crucial for short-term improvement of the situation.

RNIS 43, November 2003

Heavy fighting between the government army and armed opposition factions, the Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia), in the first semester of 2003, ended with the departure of the former president, Charles Taylor, on 11 August 2003. He has been replaced by the former vice-president, Moses Blah, and peacekeepers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deployed in Monrovia in early August (see RNIS 42). The armed opposition factions control a large part of the country; LURD controls the north and the centre of the country, whilst MODEL controls the south and east.

A peace agreement between the Government of Liberia, the LURD, the MODEL and the political parties was signed in Accra on 17 August 2003 (GOL/LURD/MODEL/PP, 18/08/03). The peace accord includes a total and permanent cessation of hostilities and cease-fire monitoring by a Joint Monitoring Committee; the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force; the disbanding of irregular forces, reforming and restructuring of the Liberian armed forces; security guarantees for safe and unhindered access by all humanitarian agencies throughout the country; organisation of elections not later than October 2005 and establishment of a transitional government and of a National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA). The transitional government was established on 14 October 2003; it is composed of five ministers each from LURD, MODEL and the GOL and six ministers from unarmed political parties (USAID, 15/10/03). The members of NTLA have also been nominated.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to establish the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), a 15,000-strong stabilisation force (UNSC, 19/09/03); the ECOWAS was transferred to the authority of the UNMIL on first October 2003. The UNMIL is expected to reach 15,000 troops by the end of the year. Monrovia has been declared a weapons-free zone (USAID, 15/10/03).

Humanitarian situation

Despite the implementation of the peace process, the security situation has been volatile, with fighting between the armed parties and harassment of civilian populations, especially in Lofa, Bong and Nimba counties. Totota, Kakata, Salala, Gbarnga and Sanoyea have been especially affected (OCHA, 23/09/03; UNHCR, 24/09/03;WV, 08/09/03). This has led to the displacement of more than 50,000 people inside Liberia, of whom some were already displaced people living in camps, and more than 10,000 persons fled into Guinea (see Guinea). Camps have been looted and civilians harassed. It seems that deployment of ECOMIL forces in Kakata, Salala and Totota has calmed the situation (OCHA, 11/09/03). Camp conditions in Salala and Totota were reported to be inadequate, with overcrowding and insufficient sanitation facilities (OCHA, 21/10/03).

The more than 250,000 displaced people, who were settled in camps near Monrovia, and had sought refuge in public buildings in the town in June 2003, have begun to be transferred back to camps outside Monrovia (USAID, 08/10/03). An outbreak of violence in Monrovia at the beginning of October, also touched some of the camps in Monserrado counties, which were looted, and the civilian population harassed (USAID, 08/10/03).

Assessment missions which were carried out in Zwedru (Gran Gedeh county) Voinjama, (Lofa county) and Tubnamburg (Bomi county), revealed dire situations. At the end of September 2003, Zwedru was inhabited by about half of the pre-war population. People barely managed to have one meal per day, harvesting cassava and looking for wild food. Food prices were reported to be extremely high and the purchasing power of the population very low (OCHA, 30/09/03). The town of Voinjama has been completely destroyed; people were mostly relying on wild food (OCHA, 20/10/03).

An outbreak of cholera has occurred in Monrovia since June 2003. A total of 17,561 cases have been reported. The case fatality rate was below 1%. Cholera treatment centres, rehydration corners and chlorination of wells have been implemented. The caseload seems to have begun to decline in Monrovia, but an increase in cholera cases has also occurred in Buchanan (WHO, 30/09/03). A measles vaccination and vitamin A distribution campaign has been carried out in Monrovia, Buchanan, Tubnamburg and Totota (OCHA, 21/10/03). As of mid-October, food had been distributed to about 250,000 IDPs in Monserrado, Totota, Kakata, Salala, Harbel, Buchanan and Bensonville (WFP, 10/10/03).

A rapid nutrition screening (not using a random sampling methodology), carried out in Tubnamburg, Bomi county, in September 2003, showed a high level of malnutrition (WV/ MOH/ UNICEF, 09/03). Among 503 children measured, 22 had oedema (4.1%), 11 (6.5%) had weight for height Z-score below -3, and a total of 83 (16.5%) were acutely malnourished.

Overall

Despite the implementation of a peace agreement, the security situation has remained volatile. Access to the population has, however, increased and some assessments have shown that many civilians are facing hard living conditions (category I).

Recommendations:

From the assessment in Tubnamburg:

• Implement general food distribution to the vulnerable families, depending on the continued improvement of the security situation
• Set up a therapeutic feeding centre and provide supplementary feeding

RNIS 42, August 2003

As of mid-July 2003, about four-fifths of the country were controlled by opposition armed factions: the Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia), whilst the rest was still controlled by the government army. Fighting reached Monrovia, the capital of the country, in early June, and the LURD has taken control of parts of the capital. The one million population of the capital and an estimated 250,000 displaced people, who had sought refuge in Monrovia, have been trapped for weeks. Following a UN resolution, peacekeepers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) began to deploy in Monrovia in early August (AFP, 02/08/03). Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, who has been indicted by the Sierra Leone war crimes court, resigned and quit the country to Nigeria on 11 August 2003 (Alernet, 11/08/03). He handed over power to the vice-president, Mr Blah (Alertnet, 11/08/03). The political future of Liberia is, however, very uncertain, because rebels have claimed power (Le Monde, 13/08/03).

Since the deployment of the ECOWAS peace-keepers, calm has returned to Monrovia, but there were still reports of insecurity and targeting of civilians, including rape and looting (DEC, 12/08/03).

Renewed fighting has been reported near the port of Buchanan, between the MODEL and government forces (AFP, 12/08/03).

Humanitarian access has slightly improved in Monrovia since the deployment of peace-keeping forces, but about 70% of the country is still inaccessible to humanitarian aid (Le Monde, 12/08/03).

Population movement

There have been major waves of displacements during the last months. First of all, it is estimated that about 250,000 people, who were settled in displacement camps near Monrovia, have sought refuge in the town, when fighting intensified in the area (OCHA, 06/06/03). About 40,000 people have also fled from eastern Liberia to Ivory Coast (UNHCR, 31/07/03). The movement into Guinea seemed less, with about 120 Liberians per week seeking refuge in Guinea (UNHCR, 31/07/03).

Monrovia

The town has been besieged for two months by the LURD. Moreover, an estimated 250,000 people, who were settled in displacement camps near Monrovia have sought refuge in the capital, where they were living in makeshift facilities in stadium or public buildings. Resident and displaced populations have further moved around, by fighting. Populations in Monrovia have had little access to basic necessities, such as food, water and medical care. Shops and banks were closed. Insecurity renders humanitarian aid delivery uncertain (DEC, 12/08/03). Moreover, fighting intensified in the last two weeks of July and the port, which was the main point for humanitarian aid shipment, has been inaccessible due to insecurity. The LURD has engaged to hand the control of the port to the ECOWAS peacekeepers as per 14 of August 2003 (le Monde, 13/08/03). This may help to deliver adequate humanitarian assistance.

Prices of all commodities have risen sharply (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Rice prices have risen by 700% between May and the end of July and rice was less and less available in the market. Some food distribution for the IDP population took place in June and early July, but was then after halted by the deteriorating security conditions. Moreover, the distributions did not reach all the IDPs because of uncertain security conditions. It has been estimated that in June and July, 140,000 people received food, but they only received a two week ration (ACF-F, 05/08/03). IDPs have had few coping mechanisms available, the main one was petty trade. Some wild food was also collected in swamps, but availability of wild food in town is limited. Resident populations were able to rely on their belongings and savings, even if they were also affected, especially by the decrease of employment opportunities. Residents who possessed a garden were more able to cope (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Screenings carried out in accessible districts and IDP camps showed a poor nutrition situation. Among 6536 under-five-year olds screened between 10 June and 31 July 2003, 1965 (30%) were acutely malnourished, including 308 (4.7%) who were severely malnourished (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Two TFCs, which were opened in June and July were quartering 300 children, and 1,500 children were admitted to SFCs, as of mid-August.

A cholera outbreak has also been reported (MSF, 31/07/03).

Overall

After two months of blockade, the situation is dramatic in Monrovia (category I), and especially for the IDPs. All basic needs have to be met as soon as possible. It is hoped that the deployment of the ECOWAS peacekeepers and the departure of Charles Taylor will ease the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, the fate of thousands of people in inaccessible areas of Liberia is unknown.

RNIS 41, April 2003

Fighting in Liberia has intensified again over the past few months and has spread more widely in northern, eastern and western Liberia. The Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) troops advanced to within 12 km of Monrovia in February 2003 but were pushed back by the Liberian army (Reuters, 18/02/03). The counties particulary affected are Lofa, Bong, Gran Gedeh, Cape Mount, Bomi, Monserado and Nimba. Fighting has taken place in areas hosting many IDPs, returnees, and refugees, and has led to further displacements of these populations . Degradation of the security situation has caused many people to be cut off from all assistance.

Donors' response to the Liberian crisis has been very low so far. WFP experienced food pipeline breaks, and reduced cereal and pulse rations by 25% and the oil ration by 20% in February and March 2003 (OCHA, 31/03/03). Notably, the UN inter-agency Consolidated Appeal for 2003 has only been 2% funded to date (OCHA, 25/03/03).

Population movements

As a result of the civil war which erupted in September 2002 in Ivory Coast, a large number of people from there have sought refuge in Liberia. Latest available figures estimate that 45,000 Liberians have returned and 40,000 Ivorians have entered Liberia (UNHCR, 07/03/02). Liberians have gone back to their homes or have settled in the already existing IDP camps. Many of the Ivorians have remained settled in host communities near the border. There have been few assessments in the area because of the poor security situation.

In addition, it is estimated that 12,000 nationals of third countries, especially nationals of Burkina Faso have entered the country. They have been trapped in Liberia on their way to their own country. UNHCR has no mandate to care for these people, although they are providing food and shelters. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which has the mandate to assist these people, has issued an appeal for US$ 1.5 m for them (OCHA, 13/03/03).

Population movements in response to fighting are difficult to follow precisely and to quantify because people spread out and seek refuge in different areas. Many people are also probably trapped within the conflict areas.

The attacks in Zwedru and Toe town in Gran Gedeh county, which occurred at the end of March 2003, led to the displacement of an estimated 45,000 people (Ivorian refugees, Liberian returnees from Ivory Coast and third country nationals) who were settled in the area (UNHCR, 04/04/03). Some of them have fled to the southern counties; about 5,000 have arrived in a camp situated in Harper, Maryland county, and some have settled in Sinoe county (UNHCR, 04/04/03).

Fighting in Gbanga and Ganta, Bong county, in early April 2003, also led to the displacement of an estimated 45,000 people (OCHA, 09/04/03). About 16,000 have crossed the border into Guinea, where they are settled in a transit camp and further relocated to Laine Camp (OCHA, 11/04/03). This camp however was originally designed for only 6,000 people and is already hosting 12,000 persons (OCHA, 02/04/03).

In addition, returns of Ivorians, Liberians and third country nationals to western Ivory Coast have been reported although not quantified (UNHCR, 10/04/03) and a new wave of Liberian refugees has also been reported to have entered Sierra Leone.

Three IDP camps situated in Monserado county, near Monrovia, were also attacked at the end of March/beginning of April and more than 40,000 IDPs were obliged to move yet again (OCHA, 11/04/03).

Living conditions in insecure areas

According to a study carried out by ACH-S between July and September 2002 based on interviews of Liberian refugees in Guinea, the living conditions of populations living in insecure areas are very worrying (ACH-S, 10/02). Before reaching Guinea, people were living in the bush, often for several months or years, due to constant attacks on their villages. They were either constantly moving or settling in semi-permanent settings. Before July 2002, people were able to cultivate in the bush or in the nearby farms and to carry out some petty trade activities. However, gathering was the main source of food and bush foods became scarce. With the increased insecurity, agricultural and petty trade activities became less and less easy to undertake, and harassment of the civilian population increased. Before entering Guinea, some people reported eating only three or four meals a week. Nutrition screening of Liberian children entering Guinea showed that they were in a poor condition.

Forced conscription, forced labour, increasing harassment, and payments to be allowed to escape were common. Whilst some people have been able to enter Guinea, it is anticipated that movement restrictions on the civilian population have increased over the past months and that thousands of people in very poor condition may be trapped.

Overall

All the populations, i.e. residents, displaced, returnees, refugees and third-country nationals, settled in the areas affected by fighting are considered at high risk (category II). The humanitarian community and donors should ensure that funding is made available and that adequate humanitarian assistance is provided, as far as security conditions allow.

Liberia

Les combats se sont intensifiés au Libéria entre l'armée gouvernementale et l'opposition armée. Les zones abritant les populations ayant fui les combats en Côte d'Ivoire ont été particulièrement touchées, entraînant de nouveaux déplacements. D'autre part, des camps de déplacés ont aussi été attaqués. De nombreuses personnes se sont déplacées vers le sud du pays qui reste plus calme. D'autres ont fui vers la Sierra Leone ou la Guinée.

En raison de l'insécurité, de nombreuses personnes sont coupées de toute aide humanitaire. Une étude réalisée en Guinée, auprès de réfugiés en provenance du Liberia, a montré que les conditions de vie des populations piégées par les combats sont très précaires.

RNIS 40, Dec 2002

Fighting between the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) troops and the government forces continues in northern Liberia (OCHA, 30/11/02). The number of Liberians, who have crossed the border into Sierra Leone, has decreased over the last months; no entry was recorded at the end of December.

Following an upsurge in violence in western Ivory Coast, many Liberian refugees and Ivorians sought refuge in Liberia. Between mid-November 2002 and mid-January 2003, UNHCR recorded 62,000 new arrivals in Liberia from Ivory Coast, of whom 38,000 were Liberians, 21,000 Ivorians and 3,000 were from other West African countries. Liberian returnees were transported back to their areas of origin as far as possible; people originating from areas where the security situation did not allow resettlement were directed to Totota IDP camp in Bong county. The majority of Ivorians were settled in villages near the border; the others were gathered in transit centres. UNHCR was discussing with the Liberian authorities the possibility of establishing new camps for Ivorians (UNHCR, 14/01/03).

Internally Displaced Persons

IRC conducted an assessment in five camps in Montserrado county and six camps in Bong county in July 2002 (IRC, 07/02). MUAC was used to assess the nutrition situation; oedema were not recorded, which might have led to an underestimation of the nutritional problems. The nutrition situation seemed average, but requires attention, especially in Montserrado county (see table). Mortality rates were very high in both locations, and especially in Montserrado county, where they were twice as high as the emergency threshold.

Survey results, IDP camps, Liberia, July 2002 (GOAL, 07/02)

Poor sanitation services, as the rainy season started, may have played a major role in the high mortality rates; cholera cases were diagnosed at the same time the survey was done. Curative primary health services were considered adequate, but gaps at the community health level have been identified. Major food aid distribution problems identified were delays in the monthly food distribution, fraud, and difficulties in accessing food aid: newly arrived IDPs had to wait until the forthcoming distribution and IDPs in temporary shelters had no access to food. These issues seemed to have been raised by WFP. Shelter building was also identified as an issue of concern: IDPs faced difficulties to access land and building materials.

Overall - The situation of IDPs, returnees and newly-created refugees in Liberia is of concern (category II). The large new influx of vulnerable people, adding further to the already high number of IDPs and refugees, will be a difficult challenge for humanitarian agencies to respond to.

Recommendations and priorities

From the IRC survey in IDP camps:

• Increase the number of latrines and improve their maintenance
• Increase safe drinking water availability and regularly monitor water quality at all sources
• Conduct anthropometric and food basket surveys
• Implement a measles vaccination campaign
• Strengthen the standardization of health information
• Strengthen the night health referral system

Libéria

L'insécurité prévaut toujours dans le nord du Libéria. De plus, à la suite de la guerre civile en Côte d'Ivoire, environ 62 000 personnes ont trouvé refuge au Libéria, dont 38 000 Libériens réfugiés en Côte d'Ivoire, 21 000 Ivoiriens et 3 000 personnes originaires d'autres pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Les Libériens sont, si possible, rapatriés dans leurs régions d'origine ou s'installent dans des camps de déplacés déjà existants. Les réfugiés ivoiriens se sont pour la plupart installés dans des villages frontaliers avec la Côte d'Ivoire. D'autres vivent pour le moment dans des camps de transit. Une évaluation nutritionnelle conduite en juillet 2002 dans les camps de déplacés, avant le nouvel afflux de population, avait montré une situation nutritionnelle moyenne (voir tableau), mais un taux de mortalité élevé. La situation des populations déplacées et réfugiées depuis plusieurs mois, ainsi que des populations nouvellement arrivées, est considérée comme à risque (catégorie).

RNIS 39, October 2002

The onset of fighting between the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the army, since the beginning of the year, has seen an increasing number of people fleeing insecurity, especially in May and June 2002. Since then, the influx has decreased. The Northern area has been the most affected by conflict. In mid September the Liberian president Charles Taylor lifted the state of emergency he had imposed in February because of reduced danger from rebels (BBCNews, 14/09/02). He also stated that he is categorically against foreign peacekeeping forces in Liberia (OCHA, 17/09/02).

Internally displaced people

It is estimated that there are about 196,000 IDPs. More than 50% are located in six camps in Montserrado county, in Monrovia suburb, the others being located in Bong county (Cari 1 and 2, Totota), Margibi county (Kakata), Nimba county (Ganta) and Gran Bassa county (Buchanan) (WHO, 31/08/02).

In addition to people in camps, some have sought refuge in towns, particularly in Monrovia where they are living with relatives or in abandoned buildings. Nevertheless, they are increasingly going to live in the camps where they receive some help (OCHA, 13/09/02).

A MOH/WHO joint assessment mission in IDP camps in Montserrado county carried out at the end of August 2002 reported insufficient chlorination of water and poor health care with lack of 24 hour health services, poor nutrition, no epidemiological surveillance and uncoordinated routine immunization services (WHO, 31/08/02). ACF reported a large increase in admissions to TFCs and SFCs in Montserrado county, particularly in the months of May and June.

An outbreak of cholera has been reported, with 661 cases in Montserado county (WHO, 13/09/02).

Due to delay in food arrivals, less than the full food ration has been delivered for some time to IDPs and refugees. The delivery of a full ration resumed in September. WFP is distributing food to 126,500 displaced persons and refugees (OCHA, 05/09/02).

Northern area

A mission was conducted in early September in Tubnamburg; nearly all the population had fled from here following attacks. Tubnamburg was recently retaken by the government. About 6,000 people came back to the town after living in the bush. They are able to get food from abandoned farms. However, the situation still needs to be closely monitored (WFP, 13/09/02).

Bong county

A survey of the new arrivals from Lofa county was conducted in July in Cari 1 and 2 transit shelter by ACF (ACF, 07/02). Those questioned reported they had survived on wild food in the bush near their villages for up to four months. As the insecurity and the harassment increased, they decided to flee. They arrived without any food items or belongings because of insecurity on the road. It seems that the new IDPs have not been registered to receive WFP ration yet.

During the hunger gap, from May to August, host populations as well as previously displaced persons and new IDPs are using the same coping mechanisms: consuming wild food and cassava. The burden of new IDPs is increasing further and putting additional pressure on food supply. In addition, food availability in the markets was very poor and prices were extremely high.

There were very few sources of income. The only day jobs available were weeding on resident farms. An IDP could only get a contract for two days a week and the salary was very low; only one third of normal rates.

A nutritional assessment using MUAC measurement showed that of 579 children measured (both new and old IDPs), 2.2% presented a MUAC of less than 11 cm, 7.8 % presented a MUAC between 11 cm and 12 cm, and a further 7.6 % presented a MUAC between 12 cm and 12.5 cm. This indicates an average situation.

Water supply was reported to be adequate, however, sanitation was insufficient. The situation of the IDPs will probably not improve rapidly as farming activities have been disrupted by insecurity in Bong county with the crop calendar delayed for one month, planting surface reduced and farms abandoned for a while.

Refugees

No new information has been obtained regarding the refugee situation. However, the refugee population, which was further displaced as a result of insecurity, is considered to experience the same poor living conditions as the displaced.

Overall The situation of displaced, refugee and resident population in affected areas is of concern (category II).

Recommendations and priorities

• Improve the conditions of the camps receiving new arrivals
• Monitor the situation of the resident population in affected areas

RNIS 38, July 2002

The humanitarian situation in Liberia continues to be extremely serious. The country is still suffering the effects of a crippling ten-year civil war, which ended in 1997. The war left the country in ruins and it remains one of the most impoverished countries in the world. There is very little access to any form of basic health care and it is estimated that 85 % of Liberians are unemployed due to the collapse of the economy and, as a result, 76 % of the entire population live below the poverty line and live on one dollar a day. A further 52 % of that group are categorised as living in absolute poverty, surviving on less than 50 cents a day. The poor economic outlook has also resulted in a general increase in the price of essential goods and increased the vulnerability of large sections of the population. The economic outlook has been further affected by the imposition of UN sanctions because of the government’s support of rebel groups in neighbouring countries.

The deplorable state of the country’s infrastructure and the lack of economic opportunities have created enormous vulnerabilities for much of the population. These have been exacerbated over the course of 2002 as a result of conflict between government forces and those of the rebel opposition group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). The fighting has been centred around the northern areas of the country, particularly in Lofa and Grand Cape mount counties, and has moved even closer to the capital Monrovia, prompting the announcement of a state of national emergency in February 2002. The fighting has continued to escalate over the reporting period and has resulted in mass displacements, with people fleeing both within the country and across the borders, in large numbers to Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The current situation

The humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate dramatically as a result of an escalation of fighting during the month of May 2002. The fighting, which had been concentrated in Lofa county, spread to Bong and Bomi counties causing massive population movement to Ganta, Bomi, Grand Bassa and Margibi counties (UNICEF29/05/02). Fighting in and around the city of Gbarnga in Bong County resulted in the displacement of up to 70,000 people, including 30,000 IDPs from pre-existing camps, and up to 40,000 of the local population (UNOCHA 16/05/02). Humanitarian agencies estimate that there are now over 110,000 registered IDPs in the country with more continuing to be displaced. (UNOCHA 31/05/02).

An area of great concern has been the Sinje IDP and refugee camps in the north west of the country, close to the Sierra Leonean border. Sinje has been host to approximately 24,000 people, including 11,000 Sierra Leonean refugees, and the area has been the scene of frequent insecurity for some months. As a result of the insecurity, the camps have been cut off from humanitarian access for over a month and concern has been building over the fate of the camp inhabitants. The camp itself was attacked on 20 June 2002 and, although some of the affected population have arrived in camps in Monrovia, the fate of many is not known. The area has been suffering heavy rain and the condition of those who have fled to the bush is almost certainly deteriorating (UNHCR 12/07/02). There have also been increasing reports of large numbers of Liberians leaving the country to Sierra Leone and Guinea and this trend is continuing. It is estimated that over 30,000 have fled the country this year alone.

The fighting has had a huge and negative impact on the economy of the country and has driven up the prices of essential basic commodities, further deteriorating people’s ability to access food sources. Humanitarian sources have also expressed concern that the current insecurity could impact negatively on the mid term food security of the country because the current planting season is being severely disrupted (UNOCHA 06/06/02). The fighting has left many increasingly unable to cope with the deteriorating situation and there is a great need for external assistance to ensure that the basic needs of the population are met. Given the increasing needs within the country, it is alarming to note that the UN Consolidated Interagency Appeal is only 22 % funded and requires further donor commitment.

Bong County

ACF conducted a food security assessment in May 2002 in the town of Tota in Salala district. The town has remained free of security incidents but has been hosting a large IDP population from surrounding areas and, in particular, from the attacks on Gbarnga. The assessment indicated that farming activities are ongoing but are seriously curtailed by the ongoing insecurity. The availability of food in the markets is good but it is not available to IDPs and to the majority of the local population. Since most of western Liberia has been effected by insecurity, which has traditionally supplied the capital with much of its food requirements, the central regions are under increased pressure to supply food. As a result, available food sources are bought by traders from Monrovia and shipped straight to the capital.

The major constraint faced by IDPs is the lack of cash with which they can purchase food. One of the main sources of cash is through casual work but this is becoming increasingly scarce due to the large number of people available. Wild food sources are increasingly limited and the increasing number of IDPs means that residents are increasingly unable to support them. Many of the IDPs interviewed indicated that they had already resorted to erosive coping strategies such as the selling of personal items and key assets and more than half indicated that begging had been their main source of food the previous day (ACF 05/02). The main concerns from the assessment were that both food availability and accessibility were extremely poor and that there were indications of more desperate coping strategies employed by IDPs. The assessment also indicated that there was increasing evidence of poor nutritional status although no data exists. The IDPs must be considered to be extremely vulnerable and further deteriorations in their situation can be expected unless the overall security situation improves dramatically in the near future.

Overall

Liberia is suffering from a dramatic deterioration in the humanitarian situation as a result of ongoing fighting between the government and rebel troops. The fighting comes on top of years of past conflict that have left the country in ruins and the population at large hugely impoverished. Assessments of the current food security situation indicate that it is extremely poor and that people are turning to increasingly unsustainable strategies to meet their basic subsistence needs. IDPs and refugees in the country should be assumed to be extremely vulnerable (category II).

Recommendations

From the RNIS

• Support the Interagency appeal.
• Negotiate access to areas.

From the ACF food security assessment in Bong county, May 2002

• Establish facilities for the treatment of malnutrition.
• Consider important security implications of assistance, as it appears to be drawing people in large numbers to specific locations.
• Implement regular and adequate food distributions.

RNIS 36/37, April 2002

The humanitarian situation in Liberia remains extremely volatile. The country suffered the effects of devastating civil war between 1989 and 1997, which resulted in the collapse of the economy and the wide scale destruction of infrastructure. As a result, there is rampant inflation and basic goods and services are either lacking or not accessible to the vast majority of the population. It is estimated that 85% of Liberians are unemployed due to the economic collapse and the absence of a viable employment sector. 76% of the entire population live below the world poverty level of one dollar a day, and 52% of that group live in a state of absolute poverty, surviving on less than 50 cents a day. Access to basic health services, clean water and sanitation are similarly poor (UN 2002). Liberia is currently ranked 174^th out of 175 countries in the human development index. The political and economic situation has been further aggravated by the imposition of UN sanctions put in place because of the government s support of rebel groups in neighbouring countries and the continued exploitation of illegal diamond and mineral resources. The full affects of the sanctions on the population are unknown but it is suspected that they are having a detrimental impact on an already desperate situation.

These factors have greatly increased vulnerabilities and served to constrain livelihood options for much of the population. However, the situation has been further exacerbated by the continued insecurity between Liberian government forces and the opposition rebel group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), who remain violently opposed to the government of Charles Taylor. During the reporting period there has been an escalation of violence between the groups, which has moved gradually closer to the capital city, Monrovia. This has moved the conflict out of the north western Lofa County, where it has traditionally been based, and has caused great alarm. In response, a state of national emergency was declared in February (WFP 15/02/02). There is great fear that the continuing violence could spread to neighbouring countries because rebel groups are often involved in all countries of the Mano River Union (MRU). The escalation of regional violence would spell disaster to a region already crippled by wars, particularly at a time when prospects for peace are potentially high. Despite mutual suspicions, the leaders of the MRU met together in February 2002 to discuss ways of easing regional tensions and this has born some fruit with the deployment of joint border security and confidence building units (UN OCHA 08/04/02). Internally there have also been moves towards peace and reconciliation between the government and opposition groups. However, the talks, which were held in Abuja, did not include the LURD rebels and so the likelihood of them establishing any form of usable consensus required for a peace process is extremely unlikely (IRIN 15/03/02).

The current situation

The reporting period has seen the escalation of conflict and continued, large-scale displacement of populations. The situation remains extremely fluid and it is very difficult to keep track of the changing numbers of affected people. However, there was an attack on the Sawmill camp in Lofa County, which is normally home to 20,000 people. The attack resulted in the flight of the camp s residents and those of the nearby town of Tubmanburg, which is the largest in Western Liberia. A number of the displaced fled to the town of Klay, some 47 Km north of the capital Monrovia. Unfortunately, the displaced were initially prevented for several days from fleeing, despite the sound of closing conflict. When the conflict eventually arrived at the town, the population was forced to leave in total panic, resulting in the separation of families. There are currently 9,000 IDPs in Klay but the whereabouts of the remaining displaced population is not known. The emergency nature of the flight also meant that people were unable to take anything with them in the way of food or supplies. For many of the IDPs displaced from Sawmill, their displacement is for the third or fourth time from camps in Bopolu, Jenemana and Gbarma. This repeated displacement has significantly increased the vulnerability of affected populations (ACF 31/01/02).

Access to the affected populations is extremely difficult as a result of the insecurity and the government s refusal to allow aid workers to work beyond the Klay Junction. Insecurity moved closer to Klay in February 2002 and the 10,000 IDPs there were forced to flee once again. The LURD attacks have continued and the town of Bong, which has traditionally been a safe haven for IDPs, was attacked later in February causing the displacement of an estimated 20,000 people. Bong is also only 80 Km from the capital city. The movement of the conflict towards the capital city is of grave concern and many Liberians are now trying to flee the area in search of safer zones. The city has also seen an increase in the number of IDPs seeking refuge in established camps around the city area. The numbers are fluctuating but it is estimated that there are about 5-6,000 IDPs in addition to the 8,700 refugees who were already there (UNHCR 18/02/02).

The effects of the conflict have been far reaching. It is estimated that there are over 50,000 IDPs in the country and 70,000 refugees. Many of the refugees are originally from Sierra Leone and large numbers have chosen to return directly as a consequence of the conflict. The farming season in the affected western areas normally starts in January and has been hugely disrupted this year, meaning that there will be food deficits at the next harvest. Consequently, there are huge humanitarian needs in the country as populations are simply not able to cope with the shock of displacement due to their basic level of impoverishment. Many of the most vulnerable groups, including IDPs and refugees, routinely have to spend up to 90 % of any earnings on food, leaving them with almost nothing to meet other essential needs such as health care. Humanitarian assistance has been constrained by a lack of access to affected populations due to poor security and government travel restrictions. Another huge constraint is the poor level of funding response to the UN Consolidated Appeal. OCHA reports that as of 6 April 2002, the health sector had been pledged 0.87 % of its total funding requirements.

Overall

The situation in Liberia is extremely poor for both the displaced and refugees. The country is in economic collapse and the upsurge in violence is further eroding people s capacity to cope with the already poor humanitarian situation. As a result, both IDPs and refugees should be considered to be highly vulnerable (category II).

Recommendations

• Support the Inter-agency appeal.
• Advocate for increased access to affected populations.
•  Support the regional peace initiatives.

RNIS 35, October 2001

The humanitarian situation in Liberia continues to deteriorate as a result of fighting between government troops and dissident groups in the north of the country, particularly Lofa County. The country was crippled during the civil war between 1989 and 1996, which destroyed the economy, infrastructure and social fabric of the country. Today, Liberia is classified as one of the least developed countries in the world and its Human Development Index (HDI) places it 174^th out of 175 countries (UNSC 05/10/01). Mortality rates and life expectancy are believed to have remained little changed in the last twenty years, largely as a result of the collapsed economy and lack of even basic medical care. It is estimated that 80% of the population live in poverty, on less than one US dollar a day, and half of these live in absolute poverty, classified as those surviving on less than half a US dollar a day (UNSC 05/10/01).

The governments of Sierra Leone and Guinea have been accusing the Liberian authorities of supporting anti government forces within their countries, particularly the RUF forces in Sierra Leone. This has led to very tense relations between the Mano River Union (MRU) countries and also led to the imposition of sanctions on the Liberian regime by the UN in May 2001. The sanctions were targeted at the Liberian authorities and particularly at the sale and supply of arms to the regime and the trade in diamonds. A recent report by the Secretary-General of the UN highlighted the fact that the continuation of sanctions was likely to have adverse and unintended affects on the general population and the report suggested the establishment of a committee to monitor these affects (UNSC 05/10/01). These potential affects are particularly concerning because they are likely to further reduce people’s ability to cope with the already poor humanitarian situation.

Despite traditionally poor relations between Liberia and the neighbouring MRU countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone, the past few months appear to have seen a thawing in diplomatic relations with meetings between security ministers from the three countries. The meetings are an important step towards a regional security process and will hopefully lead to a full MRU summit at the beginning of 2002 (IRIN 28/09/01). In a further show of improved relations with the other MRU countries, Liberia also announced the dropping of restrictions on diplomats within Liberia and the future opening of the border with Sierra Leone and Guinea, which were shut in March (AFP 01/10/01).

The past few months have seen the continuation of fighting in Lofa County and more recently in Gbarpalu, closer to the capital Monrovia. There are estimated to have been 40,000 people displaced, mostly from Lofa County in the north of the country. The majority of the displaced have fled southwards to Bong, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties where they are in a variety of different camps. MSF reports that the displaced are arriving in the camps in an extremely weak condition because they have been forced to walk extremely long distances without access to food and through extremely insecure zones. Indeed, it appears that families have been forcibly separated, with men forced to remain behind in Lofa, presumably as a way of preventing opposition groups from moving into other areas. There is also a great problem of access to the areas most severely affected. MSF also report that they have been able to make very few assessments in Lofa but those that have been made have shown wide scale destruction of property and crops. MSF have also been forced to evacuate their expatriate staff from Jenna Mana camp in Cape Mount County (MSF 17/10/01). The lack of access and the high dependence of IDPs on food aid is particularly concerning. It is important to note that there has been a lack of donor interest in the country and the programs remain under funded, resulting in concerns that there could be possible pipeline breaks. The RNIS has not received any new nutrition information from Liberia but the situation is assumed to be extremely poor.

Overall

The situation for both displaced and nondisplaced populations continues to deteriorate in Liberia. The displaced remain particularly vulnerable and their dependence on humanitarian relief is extremely high (category II).

Recommendations

• Support the Inter-Agency appeal for Liberia
• Improve access to displaced populations in order to ensure that relief reaches those in need of assistance
• Conduct nutrition and food security assessments of the displaced to determine and prioritise needs

RNIS 34, July 2001

The humanitarian situation in Liberia has deteriorated further during the reporting period as a result of continued fighting between government troops and rebels in Lofa county in the north of country. Fighting continues amidst claims and counter claims that Liberia and Guinea are trying to destabilise each others countries through the support of rebel factions. The fighting has resulted in a huge displacement of population from the Lofa region.

The UN estimates that at the end of May there were 40,000 people in IDP camps, the numbers having risen from 15,000 in April (IRIN 14/06/01; UN 2001). The main thrust of displacement has been south to Bong, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties, where they are spread between about five of six different camps. Conditions in the camps are extremely poor as many of the displaced were forced from their villages some time ago and have been living in the forest. For many the journey from Lofa has been extremely arduous and there are wide spread reports of harassment by Liberian military along the way. ACF recently reported that many have been unable to access their land and harvest crops as a result of the fighting, leaving them critically short of food stocks (ACF 25/07/01). Furthermore, access to these populations has been severely impeded by the insecurity and by government imposed bans on the movement of humanitarian agencies. This has restricted the supply of humanitarian assistance to the affected populations and there are now reports of great needs for food and medical aid. MSF report that families have used up their food stocks and are suffering high rates of respiratory infection, malaria and some cases of bloody diarrhoea (MSF 03/07/01).

WFP has been conducting food distributions to IDPs in the camps but has also suffered from the restricted access. On June 30^th WFP completed a round of distribution to IDPs in Gbalatuah and Bellefanai towns in Bong county. The distribution was only possible after the government lifted a travel ban, and was the first distribution in a month and a half (WFP 06/07/01). The restricted access is particularly concerning given the poor acute needs of many of the IDPs. On July 4^th distributions also started to IDPs in the TV tower and CARI camps in Bong county, and to Jenemana and Bopolu in Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties. The distributions will bring some relief to the displaced but concern remains for those still in Lofa county, many of whom are currently in hiding. The total population of Lofa is estimated to be about 60,000 people and if and when the remainder of these people reach Bong County their nutrition and health situation is expected to be very poor. It has also been noted that many villages in Bong county have started to prepare to evacuate in the eventuality that fighting spreads from Lofa. This highlights the prospect of considerable further displacements (UN 2001). The RNIS has received no nutritional surveys on the displaced population and it is believed that this is largely a result of the lack of access and insecurity in the areas concerned.

The plight of the displaced is heightened by the extreme poverty of the country as a whole. It is estimated that two thirds of the Liberian population are living below the international poverty line of less than one dollar a day. The unemployment level is estimated to be 85% and access to basic amenities such as water, health and education services varies between 11 and 26% (UN 2001). This means that many of the displaced will be chronically impoverished with little or no means of accessing food other than from humanitarian assistance. It is also important to note that it is currently the rainy season which will last until September or October. This is traditionally the hunger season when food availability is at its low-est and morbidities such as malaria and diarrhoea increase. It is expected that the needs of the displaced population will remain extremely high and that they will be at elevated risk of malnutrition.

Refugees

The last RNIS reported an estimated 80,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in the country but continued insecurity has led to an increased number leaving for Guinea and returning to Sierra Leone. It is very difficult to estimate how many have returned, but UNHCR reports that in April 2001 there were 69,762 refugees in Liberia. This means that at least 10,000 have returned to Sierra Leone and the figures have probably increased since then (UNHCR 18/07/01). The RNIS has no recent information on the nutritional situation of refugees within Liberia.

Overall

The insecurity in the north of the country has led to considerable displacement of population within Guinea. Although no nutritional information is available, reports indicate that the IDPs are in extremely poor condition having travelled for some time without much in the way of food or medical care to reach camps. Those that have reached camps are suffering from exhaustion, lack of food and high rates of morbidity. The poor condition of the displaced coupled with the rains and the hunger season make this population very vulnerable (category II). Furthermore, an unknown number are still inaccessible to humanitarian workers and their condition is currently unknown (category V) but can be considered to be poor.

Recommendations

• Advocate for improved access to displaced populations.
• Support efforts to provide emergency food and non food relief to IDPs.
• Conduct nutrition surveys to assess the nutritional status of the displaced populations.

RNIS 32/33, April 2001

The spread of the sub regional violence to Guinea, from both Liberia and Sierra Leone, has forced the repatriation of Liberian refugees and it is feared that the further mass return of refugees would generate huge problems in a country already stretched to capacity. There are currently estimated to be a combined total of some 460,000 Sierra Leonean refugees (80,000) and Liberian returnees (360,000) in the country with many being in the volatile Lofa county. The intensification of fighting in the area has rendered it largely inaccessible to relief agencies. This makes the precise determination of numbers returning from the recently war torn south eastern zone of Guinea, extremely difficult (UNHCR 2001).

The UN is planning to implement sanctions against Liberia in response to the regime's continued funding of rebel insurgency movements in Sierra Leone and the illegal profits taken from illict diamond and timber extraction. Sanctions will be imposed on May 7^th unless the Liberian government meets certain prerequisites and can prove that it has ceased illegal activities. The prerequisites include the expulsion of foreign rebel movements in the country and a cessation of funding and military support to rebel groups and the illicit trade in rough diamonds and illegal timber. With the absence of definitive proof that these criteria have been met, it would seem likely that the sanctions will be implemented. The effects of the sanctions on the populous and particularly the refugees and newly returned is difficult to predict (PANA 22/04/01).

Situation of returnees

Current estimates indicate up to 30,000 returnees over the past year. The majority of the country is safe but the area of Lofa county on the border with Sierra Leone remains extremely insecure and the scene of frequent fighting. The deteriorating situation in Guinea has also prompted the return of many but numbers remain extremely difficult to estimate. To date the RNIS has not received any new nutritional or food security data on the conditions of returnees in the country (UN 2001).

Refugees in Liberia

There are an estimated 80,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia and according to the government 5,000 have returned to Sierra Leone over the last year. About 35,000 remain in camps in Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties and another 45,000 are scattered throughout Lofa county with little or no access to humanitarian assistance. The political instability in Sierra Leone makes the prospect of return unlikely in the foreseeable future. The RNIS has received no new information on the nutritional and food security status of the refugees (UNHCR 2001).

Overall

There is no new information on the nutritional status of either refugees or newly returned. It is assumed that the situation remains uncritical for those currently in non insecure areas of the country. However those in the highly insecure areas of Lofa county, particularly those forced to flee insecurity in Guinea, should be assumed to have an elevated risk of malnutrition (category III).

Recommendations

• Advocate for increased humanitarian access to the insecure regions of Lofa county.
• Continue to monitor the situation of refugees and the newly returned particularly those in Lofa county.

RNIS 31, July 2000

The humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone has severely deteriorated following the resumption of hostilities between the rebels and pro-government forces. Large numbers of people have been newly displaced and access to the rebel-held areas is non-existent. No significant changes in the humanitarian situation in Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire or Guinea-Conakry have been reported. The table below shows the numbers of affected people requiring assistance in these countries

Estimated numbers of refugees, IDPs and returnees In the Liberia/Sierra Leone Region

	June-1998	Mar-1999	June-1999	Sep-1999	Dec-1999	Mar-2000	Jul-2000
Liberia	209,000	495,000	505,000	505,000	510,000	96,000	87,000
Sierra-L.	300,000	400,000	708,000	758,000	758,000	757,000	1,156,000
Cote d'Iv.	140,000	101,500	103,000	108,500	101,500	101,500	88,000
Guinea-C.	614,000	470,000	400,000	488,000	488,000	489,000	450,000
Total	1,263,000	1,466,500	1,716,000	1,859,500	1,857,500	1,443,500	1,781,000

Note that the numbers, given for Liberia are refugees only (returnees no longer Included In this table). Numbers, for Sierra Leone are based on estimates of IDPs and refugees.

Liberia's seven-year civil war ended in July 1997. Since this time the international relief community in Liberia has focused its efforts on the resettlement and reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs. Some 150,000 Liberian refugees have been assisted by UNHCR to return home and at least 200,000 people have spontaneously repatriated. since the start of the repatriation programme in May 1997. Following the regional review of the progress made on the repatriation operation in February 2000, it has been decided to continue the assisted returns from Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea until the end of 2000 (UNHCR - 12/12/99, 27/03/00, 20/07/00; WFP - 17/12/99).

Despite the relatively calm security situation, Liberia's economy is very poor. The country's infrastructure and provision of basic services including health care are well below pre-war levels. Unemployment remains high, and the literacy rate is only about 20%. It has been suggested that donor reluctance to provide assistance to Liberia is associated with Charles Taylor's links with the rebels in Sierra Leone (IRIN-WA - 17/07/00,18/07/00).

Situation of returnees

An estimated 75% of IDPs have returned to their places of origin and it is probable that the remaining 25% may settle permanently where they are. The Government of Liberia and WFP no longer consider these people to be displaced. WFP, however, continues to provide assistance to some 420,000 people (many of them returnees) in Liberia under a variety of programmes including food-for-work projects, vulnerable-group feeding and also school feeding (WFP - 17/12/99).

A nutritional survey by ACF in Grand Bassa County (estimated population 60-80,000) estimated the prevalence of acute malnutrition at 6.7%, including 1.0% severe acute malnutrition (see annex). The level of malnutrition in this community, which is home to many returnees, seems to have stabilised (see graph). CMR was estimated at 0.49/10,000/day and under-five mortality at 0.79/10,000/ day. Measles vaccination coverage, verified by a card, was estimated at 36.5% (ACF-F - 03/00).

The prevalence of malnutrition (defined using z scores and/or oedema) in Grand Bassa County

Refugees In Liberia

There are an estimated 87,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia. Over 33,000 refugees assisted by UNHCR are now concentrated in camps in Montserrado and Sinje in Grand Cape Mount County. UNHCR estimates that there are a further 54,000 non-assisted refugees living in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Bong, Margibi and Lofa Counties (UNHCR - 20/07/00).

Dissidents have attacked locations in Upper Lofa in August 1999 and again in June/July 2000. In August 1999 most of the refugees in Kolahun were forced to flee the area. Government troops are currently fighting the dissidents, who are believed to have come from Guinea, in Voinjama (the county capital). MSF has suspended its operations in the area (IRIN-WA - 11/07/00, 12/07/00). Due to the fighting, UNHCR has also had to temporarily suspend the organised repatriation of Liberian refugees from Guinea (UNHCR-20/07/00).

UNHCR is consulting with the Liberian government on the latter's unilateral decision to relocate Sierra Leonean refugees from the Sinje camp to a new camp. At the same time they are developing contingency plans with various partners should the refugees choose to return to Sierra Leone rather than be relocated (OCHA - 11/07/00; UNHCR - 20/07/00). The most recent nutritional survey in Sinje camp found relatively low levels of acute malnutrition among the refugees, although their food-security situation was poor (see RNIS 30). If the refugees are relocated again it is likely that their food security will deteriorate further, at least in the short term.

Overall, there is no new nutritional information on the refugees in Liberia. It is assumed that the nutritional situation of the refugees in Vahun remains non-critical (category IV). However, those in Sinje are considered at heightened risk because of the insecurity and the possibility of relocation (category III).

Recommendations and priorities:

• Monitor the situation of refugees in Sinje given the heightened insecurity.
• Support UNHCR in consultations with the Liberian government to stop the forcible relocation of refugees.

RNIS 30, March 2000

The nutritional situation for much of this region is stable or improving. Following the Peace Accord, much larger areas of Sierra Leone have become accessible to humanitarian agencies, although there is little information available about the nutritional situation. No significant changes in the humanitarian situation in Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire or Guinea-Conakry have been reported. The table below shows the numbers of affected people requiring assistance in these countries.

Estimated numbers of refugees, IDPs and returnees in the Liberia/Sierra Leone Region

	Mar-1998	June-1998	Mar-1999	June-1999	Sep-1999	Dec-1999	Mar-2000
Liberia	726,000	209,000	495,000	505,000	505,000	510,000	96,000
Sierra-L.	200,000	300,000	400,000	708,000	758,000	758,000	757,000
Cote d’Iv.	210,000	140,000	101,500	103,000	108,500	101,500	101,500
Guinea-C.	405,000	614,000	470,000	400,000	488,000	488,000	489,000
Total	1,541,000	1,263,000	1,466,500	1,716,000	1,859,500	1,857,500	1,443,500

Note that the numbers, given for Liberia are refugees only (returnees no longer included in this table). Numbers, for Sierra Leone are based on estimates of IDPs and refugees.

Liberia’s seven-year civil war ended in July 1997. Since this time the international relief community in Liberia has focused its efforts on the resettlement and reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs. Over 130,000 Liberian refugees have been assisted by UNHCR to return home and at least an estimated 200,000 people have spontaneously repatriated since the start of the repatriation programme in May 1997. Following the regional review of the progress made on the repatriation operation in February 2000, it has been decided to continue the assisted returns mainly from Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea until the end of 2000 (UNHCR - 12/12/99, UNHCR - 27/03/00; WFP -17/12/00).

An estimated 75% of IDPs have returned to their places of origin and it is probable that the remaining 25% may settle permanently where they are. The Government of Liberia and WFP no longer consider these people as IDPs and the RNIS will no longer include them in its reports. WFP, however, continues to provide assistance to some 420,000 people (many of them returnees) in Liberia under a variety of programmes including food-for-work projects, vulnerable-group feeding and also school feeding (WFP -17/12/00).

Refugees in Liberia

There are an estimated 96,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia. Some 38,000 refugees assisted by UNHCR are now concentrated in camps in Montserrado and Sinje camp in Grand Cape Mount County. It is believed that some 58,000 non UNHCR-assisted refugees reside in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Bong, Margibi and Lofa Counties. Should the security situation in Sierra Leone considerably improve, UNHCR will start to facilitate the return of Sierra Leonean refugees during the course of 2000 (UNHCR-27/03/00).

Sinje camps

Due to insecurity in Upper Lofa in August 1999 most of the 17,000 refugees in Kolahun were forced to flee to Tarvey in Lowa Lofa as a result of considerable harassment from soldiers. More recently, UNHCR relocated these refugees (some 11,500) to a new camp in Sinje in Cape Mount County where they joined an existing caseload of refugees who had arrived in 1998.

ACF-F undertook anthropometric surveys of both the old and relocated refugees in the Sinje camps in December 1999 (see annex). WFP provides a ration of 1100 Kcal/person/day to the more established refugees in camp I, and a ration of 1700 Kcal/person/day to the relocated refugees in camp II. The rationale behind these rations is that the more long-term refugees have obtained access to land and have had time to establish means to obtain income, hence they require less support. In contrast the relocated refugees have no access to land yet and very limited means to acquire food and other basic needs. ACF-F found a slightly higher prevalence of acute malnutrition (not significantly so) in the more established refugee camp than in the newer camp, although mortality rates were higher among the relocated refugees (ACF-F - 12/99a). In the ACF feeding programmes the progress of children originally from Sinje was poor; some even showed a deterioration.

Results of nutritional surveys in Sinje camps

	Camp I (old refugees)	Camp II (relocated refugees)
Acute malnutrition	9.0%	6.5%
Severe acute malnutrition	0.6%	0.9%
CMR (deaths/10,000/day)	0.48	0.98
Under-five mortality rate (deaths/10,000/day)	1.05	1.61
Feeding Centre Coverage	57%	33%
Measles Vaccination Coverage (with card)	56.8%	57.1%

ACF-F undertook a food security assessment of the relocated refugees (camp II) in order to assess how they had survived since leaving Kolahun and also whether or not their ration could be reduced to be in line with that of the more established refugees. The main findings of the food security assessment are summarised below (ACF-F -12/99b):

• The refugees’ food security has deteriorated since they left Kolahun. In Kolahun many of the refugees had established coping mechanisms, including personal food production through backyard gardens, rice farms and income-generating activities (petty trade, labour contracts). During the journey to Tarvey, however, the population encountered many difficulties and households were forced to spend their savings and sell their assets. At Tarvey food availability and accessibility were limited, as were income-generating activities - particularly for the households who had remained in Kolahun the longest (usually the most vulnerable such as older, single women or women with children). In addition, during this period many of the households were split up between Kolahun and Tarvey and as a result 34% of the households in Sinje are female-headed.
• There are opportunities for resource-generating activities in Sinje and its surroundings. However, labour contracts, which represented the main source of income in Kolahun, are more limited. Mining, waged work and petty trade are the major potential sources of income.
• Some 3,000 refugees (14%) are benefiting from rice, cassava and vegetable programmes. A palm oil plantation some 20 km from the camp may also provide employment/food for some of the refugees.
• At the time of the survey, the main source of food among the refugees in Sinje was the food distributions provided by WFP. To provide for the food needs not met by the ration, the majority of refugees (59%) have had to sell part of their assets, which has eroded their already fragile economic base. An estimated 14% of the population are living in extremely precarious conditions - they have no source of income and are forced to rely on begging/credit/or asset sales and they may not be able to meet their daily needs. The majority of households are involved in low income-generating activities: 64% of households are involved in petty trade (sale of small items, firewood, bush products, hand-made products, palm wine, food ration), 4% are in business, 6% have a member who has salaried work and 12% of the households rely on labour contracts.
• Bulgur wheat is the staple food in the ration and is consumed every day as a substitute for their preferred Sierra Leonean staple food - rice. Part of the vegetable oil in the ration is bartered or sold to have red palm oil, which is preferred. Access to protein rich sources of food is determined by the purchasing power of the family (the peas in the ration are not eaten regularly, but instead are cooked in bulk every few days).
• The main sources of expenditure include food, soap, household items, health, clothes, tools and credit repayments. The poorer refugees spend a higher proportion of their money on food (80-90%) than those involved in business or waged work (40-60%).
• An immediate decrease in the ration provided to the relocated refugees, to the level of that received by the more established group, was not recommended until increased opportunities for agricultural activities and self-sufficiency were obtained. Any decrease in the ration could severely affect the nutritional situation of these people, who have no source of food other than the general distribution. This is particularly true for households without an adult capable of working, or those who are headed by women.
• The relocated refugees are not ethnically similar to the local population in Sinje and difficulties integrating with the local population are anticipated.

Refugees in Vahun

There is no new information on the nutritional situation of the refugees in Vahun.

Overall, even though the refugees relocated to Sinje have been subject to considerable harassment and extremely difficult conditions, most are still managing to meet their food requirements. However, a deterioriation in their nutritional situation was reported. Their situation continues to be precarious and therefore they are considered to be at moderate risk (category III). It is assumed that the nutritional situation of the refugees in Vahun remains non-critical (category IV).

Recommendations and Priorities:

From the ACF survey and assessment in Sinje Camps:

• Maintain the current level of ration for all refugees for the next three months.
• Re-evaluate the number of vulnerable households (those relying entirely on food distributions) and increase food assistance to this group.
• Continue nutritional surveillance; including food security assessments, anthropometric surveys and assessments of the coping mechanisms.

RNIS 29, December 1999

The seven-year Liberian civil war ended in July 1997 and, since the elections, security conditions have improved considerably. The country continues, however, to suffer from very high unemployment levels; insufficient supplies of potable water and electricity; shortages of food, shelter and health care; and continued insecurity.

The international relief community in Liberia has focused its efforts on the resettlement and reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs. Since the start of the repatriation in May 1997, some 123,000 Liberian refugees have been assisted by UNHCR to return home. In addition it is estimated that some 200,000 Liberian refugees have spontaneously repatriated. Over half of the Liberian refugees living in surrounding countries have now repatriated and an estimated 75% of IDPs have returned to their places of origin, it is probable that the remaining 25% may stay where they are. UNHCR’s organised repatriation convoys are planned to be completed by the end of 1999. Those who are still willing to repatriate (especially from Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea) beyond this deadline will be assisted through provision of a modest repatriation package until the end of June 2000 (IRIN-WA - 28/10/99; UNHCR 01/11/99, 12/12/99; USAID - 30/09/99; WFP -17/12/99).

Nutritional situation of the returnees

The RNIS has received no new surveys or food security assessments for the returnees in Liberia over the reporting period. The most recent RNIS reports have described a nutritional situation that is slowly stabilising and improving, at least in rural areas. Agricultural production has resumed, and improved access to land and markets has led to a corresponding increase in food production, a decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and less reliance on food aid. However, the displacement of farmers during the war resulted in the loss of their seeds and farm tools, which are still required in some areas. In addition, during the rainy season, when the roads are in poor condition, food