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Sierra Leone.  A coup d'etat in May 1997 led to the military take over of the elected government and has thrown the country back into a state of war. The coup has been condemned by the international community and sanctions have been imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Humanitarian goods will be exempted from the embargo with prior approval from the Authority of Heads of State. A West African peace keeping force is enforcing the embargo.

As a result of this insecurity, there have been widespread population displacements within country and to neighbouring Liberia and Guinea. Inaccessibility due to insecurity, looting of food stocks, and the current embargo have meant humanitarian assistance provided is inadequate. A number of humanitarian agencies have also had to suspend activities for security reasons. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that it is the rainy season, making what deliveries of food aid to the newly displaced are possible extremely difficult, and leading to high levels of disease. As a result, there are many reports of malnutrition, especially amongst the IDPs. For example, a survey in Kambia and Port Loko towns showed 10.8% wasting and/or oedema (see Annex I (10a)). An assessment in the southern part of Kenema district showed 30% wasting with 13% severe wasting (see Annex I (10b)) [DHA 22/08/97, 08/09/97, ICRC 25/08/97, UNICEF 11/09/97].

A survey carried out in Freetown showed 8.9% wasting and/or oedema, and 1.8% severe wasting and/or oedema (see Annex I (10c)). Rice, a staple of the diet under normal circumstances, has reportedly become scarce with prices tripling and people have resorted to eating cassava, which has comparatively less nutritional value [ACT 12/08/97, DHA 01/09/97].

The health situation is said to be deteriorating in all areas affected by the conflict. Assessments carried out at the end of July in the northern province and in the districts of Kenema, Pujehun, Bo and Kailahun confirmed a general shortage of drugs and adequate nursing care. The onset of the rainy season has led to a sharp increase in the number of cases of malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia. Cases of measles are being reported. The Northern province of Sierra Leone has poor immunisation coverage, attributable to the difficulties of maintaining an effective cold chain [DHA 04/08/97, 01/09/97].

The upsurge in insecurity has disrupted agricultural activities. Crops are usually planted between April and June but current insecurity has prevented planting and led some farmers to abandon farms. Thus, despite the implementation of the rehabilitation programmes up until May 1997, the prospects for 1997 food production are not good. Although most recent estimates are of 453,000 people requiring humanitarian assistance, this is likely to be an underestimate and there will probably be a growing number of people requiring food assistance in the coming months [FAO 19/06/97].

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