6. Liberia/Sierra Leone Region

Liberia
Sierra Leone
Guinea Conakry
Cote d'Ivoire

The nutritional situation for much of this region is stable or improving. The IDPs in Liberia and refugees outside continue to be resettled and repatriated. Although the returnees' food security situation is fragile, the surveys below indicate an improvement in nutritional status. The nutritional situation of the refugees in Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea-Conakry are not critical. Negotiations for a peace agreement in Sierra-Leone are underway as we go to print. A cease-fire agreement has led to the opening-up of parts of the country which were previously inaccessible, and a poor nutritional situation has been described in these areas. The table gives an estimate of the number of IDPs, refugees and returnees requiring assistance in these countries.

	Jun. 97	Sep. 97	Dec. 97	Mar. 98	Jun. 98	Mar. 99	Jun. 99
Liberia	710,000	700,000	700,000	726,000	209,000	495,000	505,000
Sierra-Leone	453,000	453,000	200,000	200,000	300,000	400,000	708,000
Cote d'Ivoire	305,000	210,000	210,000	210,000	140,000	101,500	103,000
Guinea-C.	545,000	405,000	405,000	405,000	614,000	470,000	400,000
Total	2,013,000	1,768,000	1,515,000	1,541,000	1,263,000	1,466,500	1,716,000

* numbers requiring humanitarian assistance may be far higher than the current estimate

Note that the nos. given for Liberia are those who WFP is giving food assistance to (including IDPs and returnees). This figure may have been underestimated previously.

Liberia

The Liberian civil war which began in 1989 led to massive population displacements both within Liberia and into neighbouring countries. Since the elections in July 1997, when Charles Taylor was elected President, security conditions have improved considerably, which has prompted increasing numbers of refugees and IDPs to return to their homes. The return and assistance operation has proceeded with impressive results, despite the often adverse conditions (IFRC - 28/04/99: OCHA -12/98).

IDPs and returnees

Since the start of the repatriation of Liberian refugees in late 1977, over 110,000 Liberians (of an original estimate of 480,000 refugees) have been assisted home by UNHCR. Some 160,000 are believed to have returned unassisted. UNHCR plans to wind down its Liberian repatriation operation by June 2000. Convoys will operate until the end of December 1999 and it is hoped that by this point all Liberians in countries of asylum will have been given the chance to be assisted home. The agency will continue reintegration projects in Liberia itself for another six months (UNHCR - 03/06/99).

The Government inter-agency resettlement commission, in co-operation with the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies, have also been successful in their attempts to assist IDPs to resettle. An estimated 48,000 (out of an initial total of 187,000) IDPs remain in Monrovia located in eleven of the remaining fifteen shelters. These people require assistance to relocate, but due to resource constraints the Red Cross programme has been suspended and the balance of IDPs have not be able to return before the rains (IFRC - 28/04/99).

Food security

The last RNIS reported on the findings of an FAO assessment of the food and crop situation in Liberia, which indicated a significantly improved overall "food situation" for the country, although paddy production remains about 70% of pre-civil strife levels (FAO - 26/01/99).

Inter-agency food security assessments have been undertaken in Margibi County in early October, 1998 (SCF - 01/01/99) and Grand Cape Mount County in November, 1998 (SCF - 01/02/99). These are intended to serve as baseline food and livelihood security information for future food security monitoring.

Margibi County -food security assessment

Margibi County was divided into three production zones, within each of which 3 to 5 socio-economic groups were identified.

· Zone 1: Upper Margibi's Gibi and Worhn Districts where the main source of livelihood is subsistence rice farming, with cassava inter-cropping, and sugar cane production. Own food production is insufficient to cover a households food requirements, which must be met through income earned from contract labour, and the collection of wild foods. Market activity is limited by the poor road conditions in the rainy season and restricted access.

· Zone 2: Central Margibi encompasses and is dominated by the Firestone rubber plantation, which employs more than 8,500 employees officially in the area, and many more on an unofficial casual basis. As a result there is a wide variation in incomes. Women and children often work for Firestone employees in collecting latex and 'under-brushing' the plantation. The report predicts a "dangerously high shortfall in food needs in 1999" as only between 0 and 10% of food requirements are met by own food production. Strategies to make up this shortfall include; consumption of Firestone-issued subsidised rice, reduced rice consumption between February and November, casual labour, and gathering wild foods. Because of the presence of Firestone, the local population consider this area to be better-off than the other zones because of the availability of subsidised rice and also the greater access to cash through labour.

· Zone 3: Lower Margibi's coastal area, where fishing and charcoal production are common. Five socio-economic groups were identified in this zone, all of which rely mainly on fishing activities and charcoal production for food and income. There is little suitable agricultural land, which restricts subsistence rice production and cassava farming. Late and limited access to seeds reduced the amount of rice grown, and production was only expected to last 3 months. Charcoal production is now a permanent adaptive strategy, rather than a coping strategy.

Interagency Food Security Assessment in Grand Cape Mount County

Grand Cape Mount is an area supporting a high number of returnees and has varying degrees of war damage. The assessment divided Grand Cape Mount into five production areas:

· Tewor/Garwula is a palm and cassava producing area. Rice production is not substantial, and the processing of palm oil has all but ceased since the closure of the processing plantation during the war. There is now more emphasis on mining of diamonds through the Greater Diamond Company, and tapping rubber, with the revitalisation of the Guthrie rubber plantation. These companies draw workers into the area from other counties, including Bong and Lofa.

· Robertsport is a fishing area, but suffers from limited opportunities to market its fish as a result of very poor roads. Women are directly involved in the drying and petty trading of fish. Agriculture is limited by the area's topography.

· Porkpa is an agricultural area which borders Sierra Leone and traditionally was an area of high rice production. Farming continued throughout the war so a supply of seed rice and cassava exists. Although rice is a major component of the diet amongst growers, it only comprises 35% of the staple food needs of poorer groups, who must depend on a range of coping strategies to make up the shortfall. These include the collection of wild food, trapping bush animals, and migration to the diamond mines for work especially during the hungry season. The conflict in Sierra Leone is more likely to impact on this border area than other districts in Cape Mount.

· South Gola Konneh is a rice and cassava producing area, to which many returnees came prior to or in 1997. A further large group returned in 1998. Most are agriculturally productive, and have established cassava and vegetable gardens. In addition, they rely on savings and assistance from relatives, wild foods and trapping animals for consumption and sale. Many of the cocoa and coffee farms are yet to restart production.

· Central and North Gola Konneh District is a gold and diamond mining area with less emphasis on agriculture. The majority of staple food is brought in from other areas. Gold mining tends to provide a steadier source of income, whereas diamond mining is more speculative. Recent returnees and poorer groups earn income by casual labour on local farms particularly in northen Gola Kennah. Because of the high demand for foodstuffs and other essentials, prices are high which creates difficulties for poorer groups.

The prevalence of wasting oedema in Grand Basa County

An ACF survey conducted in the community of Buchanan city (population approximately 72,000) in Grand Bassa county in March 1999 reported a prevalence of 6.8% acute wasting and 1.0% severe wasting (see Annex). No oedema was reported. The results of earlier surveys can be seen in the graph opposite. At the time of this most recent survey no new demographic data for the community was available, thus the survey sample was drawn from a population screening conducted by ACF in 1997. The level of wasting has remained relatively stable since July 1997. The report suggests that most of the displaced have relocated to their county of origin and that those remaining are now well-integrated into the community and the prevalence rates of wasting are returning to the pre-crisis levels of February 1996.

The report notes, however, that a significant number of malnourished children were still found. It is suggested that some, probably socially isolated, households have not become involved in the general process of improvement seen elsewhere. The coverage of the nutrition programme was low at 28.2%, which suggests that these socially isolated families either do not know of the existence and/or location of the Day Care Centre and dry ration distribution programmes, or alternatively are unable to, or prefer not to, attend.

Retrospective mortality rates were found to be relatively high at 1.13/10,000/day and under-five mortality was recorded at 2.07/10,0000/day. Deaths were attributed to a variety of illnesses including malaria and diarrhoea. The measles vaccination rate (according to possession of a card) was low at 41.1%, although this figure is considerably increased (to 86%) if based on the mother's confirmation.

Sierra Leonean Refugees

There are some 105,000 refugees from Sierra Leone in Liberia. About 50,000 of these receive WFP food rations in camps of Kolahun, Vahun, in the eastern town of Sinje and in settlements around Monrovia (UNHCR - 03/06/99; WFP - 23/05/99).

MSF undertook an athropometric survey amongst the refugees in Kolahun camps I and II Upper Lofa County in April (see Annex, UNHCR - 22/06/99). The survey found 3.4% acute wasting in camp I (population approximately 13,900); no cases of severe wasting or oedema were seen. In Camp II (population approximately 5,700) there was estimated to be 5.9% acute wasting and/or oedema and 0.9% severe wasting and/or oedema. CMR was estimated at 0.28/10,000/day in camp I and 0.2/10,000/day in camp II. These results indicate an improvement in the nutritional situation since the last survey undertaken in these camps in June 1998. The level of measles immunisation has also improved from 37.9% last year to 72.4% in April.

The main reason for the improvement was the timely general food distribution which met 80% of the basic minimum needs, for three months prior to the survey. Additional means of obtaining income were also possible for most households. The public health and sanitary conditions of the camp were reported to be satisfactory: water availability varied from 14.7-23.4 litres/person/day and between 16-23 people shared a latrine.

A security incident in Voinjama in late April led to heightened anxiety and tightened security. Residents are reported to have fled in large numbers from some towns in the area, although most have since returned. WFP food distributions were suspended in Kolahun and Vahun camps for over a month, but deliveries have since restarted (WFP -11/06/99).

A preliminary report of an exercise to verify refugee numbers in Kolohun camps indicated a 30% reduction, which was attributed to the relocation of some refugees to other parts of the country due to economic and other reasons, and also it was suspected that a number of refugees recycled during the initial registration period. Harassment of refugees, especially in Vahun, in the market place, on farms and on the road, apparently continues (WFP, 04/99).

Overall, the IDPs and returnees are still considered to be at moderate risk (category IIb), and will remain so until their livelihoods become more secure. Improvements in the nutritional situation of the Sierra-Leonean refugees, means their situation is not critical (category IIc).

Priorities and recommendations:

Given the current rate of return of both IDPs and refugees to their places of origin the needs for assistance are significant:

· Re-habilitate water and sanitation facilities.

· Re-start crop production with seeds and agricultural tools.

· Re-build health and education systems.

· Ensure the IDPs receive cooking utensils, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies.

· Rehabilitate and improve roads and bridges in areas where trade links are weak, and hence improve access to markets.

· Ensure greater efforts are made to target the poorer households, as previously the poor and better-off have been targeted equally.

· Conduct food security monitoring throughout 1999, with a view to intervene with food assistance if necessary.

· Invite the Firestone Rubber Plantation to discuss the assessment results and participate and co-operate in local initiatives to address food insecurity.

· Explore options for rehabilitating cash cropping by subsistence farmers in Upper Margibi.

· Explore ways to increase cassava production and fishing in Lower Margibi as alternatives to charcoal production.

· Ensure Cape Grand Mount is prioritised for food security monitoring, in particular the area that borders Sierra Leone.

· Establish micro-credit projects for women's groups

· Assess the underlying causes of malnutrition in the families with malnourished children and continue to monitor the nutritional situation.

· Provide training and support to the Ministry of Health, in order to incorporate the treatment or referral of malnutrition into their routine work.

· Inform and sensitise the population about malnutrition and its prevention and treatment at home and through the Day Care Centre and dry ration programme.

· Review the need for reducing selective feeding programmes given the satisfactory nutritional status of the population in these camps.

· Continue screening of new arrivals, the distribution of a general ration, and the identification and referral of malnourished children. The surveillance of the population's nutritional status (through surveys) should also continue.

· Review the situation of the most vulnerable families (e.g.: those who cannot obtain income) as rations only cover 80% of food requirements.

· A sustainable water supply is required and should be considered by UNHCR.

Sierra Leone

The fighting in Sierra Leone which broke out in December 1998 between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and ECOMOG, the West African peacekeeping force that backs Sierra Leone's government, has de-stabilised the country. The fighting was often accompanied by widespread looting and burning of property and appalling human rights violations during attacks on villages (IRIN-WA - 29/04/99, IRIN-WA - 17/05/99). Currently two thirds of the country (eastern, northern and western parts) are not controlled by the government. Approximately 2.6 million (55%) of the population live in these areas.

President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, having long refused to talk to the rebels, has been under much pressure from the international community to make peace, and eventually government officials met with RUF representatives in May in Lome. A settlement is still to be determined. The RUF wants a transitional government, which includes its own representatives. The government has yet to agree to this (IRIN-WA - 18/06/99). Given the failure of the past two settlements, it is very possible that this set of negotiations may not succeed in finding a peace agreement acceptable to all those concerned (Oxford Analytica - 24/05/99).

A cease-fire between the two groups came into came force on May 24^th and it has generally held, with a few exceptions. Subsequently the two sides agreed to the principle of "safe and unhindered access" for humanitarian organisations throughout the country. Although neither of these agreements have translated into free access to much of the north of the country, it has enabled relief agencies to access some previously inaccessible RUF-controlled areas (IRIN-WA -18/06/99).

IDPs in Sierra Leone

It is estimated that there are 370,000 displaced people in government-held areas of the country, with the most significant displacement into Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Kambia and Blama. Estimating the numbers of IDPs in rebel-controlled areas is extremely difficult. These areas have remained inaccessible to aid agencies for many months and thus there is very limited information about the humanitarian situation, as few people are able to go in and out of the rebel-controlled territory. The most recent estimates suggest there may be up to 700,000 displaced people in the country. There are also approximately 450,000 refugees in other countries (OCHA -01/05/99,17/05/99; UNHCR - 08/06/99,25/06/99; USAID - 30/04/99, 18/05/99; WFP - 19/4/99, 26/05/99).

The lack of access and the destruction of infrastructure has been one of the main problems facing the humanitarian community trying to deliver assistance in Sierra Leone, Until very recently, humanitarian agencies were unable to transport substantial quantities of relief goods beyond Freetown. Food security has been compromised in many areas by looting or destruction of farmers' stocks. Many of the IDPs have not been able to farm at all (WFP - 19/04/99). The situation in large parts of the country is still unclear as assessments have not yet been undertaken.

Freetown

WFP reports state that available information indicates that the nutritional situation of the population in Freetown is relatively stable, including those living in IDP settlements. The reports refer to an ACF screening exercise in the IDP camps which revealed 11.3% acute malnutrition and 1.4% severe malnutrition in the 0-23 month age group (WFP - 01/04/99, 19/04/99). The other emergency health needs in Freetown are also generally considered to be under control. Much of the humanitarian effort in Freetown is now concentrated on providing shelter as the rains approach. Assistance is provided for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged or destroyed buildings in areas that have recently become accessible and relatively safe for resettlement. Temporary shelter is being provided for the displaced whose area of origin remains unsafe. Cholera prevention activities are also underway (OCHA - 17/05/99, USAID - 30/04/99).

Kenema and Blama

Secure access to Bo, Blama and Kenema has been a critical problem for WFP and other agencies. WFP was unable to deliver food stocks between early April and early June to Bo, Kenema or Blama (Merlin - 05/99, 06/99; WFP - 07/06/99). More recently WFP was able to move 1,600MT of food by ship to the south of the country and from there by road to Bo and Kenema. Food has also been moved directly by road from Freetown to Bo and Kenema and 48,575 IDPs in Kenema, Blama and Ngofor have received rations (WFP - 24/06/99).

Merlin undertook a nutritional survey amongst the approximately 14,000 IDPs who came from the eastern part of Kenema district and had fled to Blama in late April (see Annex). The prevalence of acute wasting was 7.8% and severe wasting was 1.4%. Oedema was present in 1.3% of the children under five. CMR was relatively high at 2.5/10,000/day and the under-five mortality rate was 5.3/10,000/day. The major causes of death in the younger group were fever, diarrhoea and measles and in the older group, fever and malaria.

The authors considered the prevalence of wasting and/or oedema to be of concern because, although it was not yet extremely high, the population's food security was very poor. In particular, 70% of the households reported that they had no food stocks and 22% of the households' primary source of food was relief food. The majority of households' primary food source was the market, but prices in the market had fluctuated and increased greatly due to the inconsistent supply of commodities brought into the town. Other households relied either on collecting wild foods from around the town or on food donated by other people. The proportion of households which had land and were able to cultivate was low. The lack of seeds, tools, labour, land and fear of further rebel attacks were all given as reasons for not planting.

A survey conducted by Merlin in Kenema two months later (early June) seemed to bear out the concerns described above (see Annex). The prevalence of acute wasting was assessed to be 18.4% and severe wasting was found in 1.5% of the children under-five. Oedema was recorded at 3.8%. The CMR of IDPs was estimated at 1.2/10,000/day compared with 0.8/10,000/day for residents. The under-five mortality rates were 3.3/10,000/day in IDPs and 1.1/10,000/day in residents. The leading causes of death in the younger group were fever, diarrhoea and measles and in the older group, diarrhoea.

The basic data collected on food stocks and livelihood sources served only to confirm what was expected given such a high prevalence of wasting and/or oedema. The primary source of food (80% of households) was the market place. The last distribution of relief foods was in April. 16% of households were relying either on food collected from the bush or donated by other families. The vast majority of households had no food stocks and had only eaten one meal the day before interview. 85% of families stated that their primary source of income was the collection and sale of firewood, almost none had livestock. 96% of the households had no land to cultivate - a severely limiting factor for the self-sufficiency of the group.

The high mortality rates are cause for immediate concern. Many of the smaller camps have poor sanitation and limited access to water supply. A measles campaign has been undertaken in response to an outbreak in Kenema District by Merlin in collaboration with UNICEF and the MOH and a "significant reduction" in the number of children admitted to paediatric wards in the area has been reported (IRIN- WA - 04/05/99). Reported immunisation rates still remain low, but these figures are hard to verify as although the number of children with cards is low, evidence from BCG scarring and mothers histories indicate that figure is much higher.

Needs assessments in other parts of the country

As stated above access to much of Sierra Leone has been virtually impossible in many areas until the last few weeks. Needs assessments are currently being undertaken in parts of the country which have had no assistance since the outbreak of the latest round of hostilities. These assessments are reporting mixed results.

A recent UN assessment to Daru, in the Kailahun district, which is the furthest east that humanitarian agencies have been since late 1998, reported that the food situation is relatively stable but that immediate medical assistance is required. A supplementary feeding programme for the displaced children may also be required (WFP - 04/06/99). An assessment in Rogberi, some 60km east of Freetown, found a very poor situation in terms of food security and sanitation. Rebels had destroyed much of the previous year's supply of seeds so farmers were unable to plant. Much of the population had been subsisting on cassava and mangoes. In addition, the risk of waterborne diseases was "considerable" given that inadequate water and sanitation facilities were available and that overcrowding was severe (IRIN-WA - 16/06/99).

A WHO/Ministry of Health Epidemic Rapid Intervention Team undertook an assessment mission on Tasso Island in the Western Area to investigate reports of diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera. According to the report, the outbreaks were due to a lack of good water supply, poor environmental sanitation conditions and overcrowding compounded by a lack of medical supplies in the area. Some 5,000 IDPs hare reported to have joined the resident population on this small island (OCHA - 17/05/99).

Liberian refugees

WFP is providing assistance to approximately 8,000 Liberian refugees in Bo, Kenema and Freetown. Their condition has not been assessed recently. According to WFP field reports, their condition is not expected to differ from that of the local population (WFP - 19/04/99; 15/06/99).

Overall, it is extremely difficult to classify the nutritional status of the IDP population in most of Sierra Leone as there has been little or no access to much of the country since December 1998. An estimated 40,000 IDPs in Freetown are probably at moderate risk (category IIb). Higher prevalences of malnutrition in the IDPs in Kenema and other government-held areas outside Freetown have been recorded and these people may be at high risk, although they have received food rations from WFP very recently (category IIa). The nutritional situation of the remaining IDPs (an estimated 600,000) is unknown, as is that of the Liberian refugees.

Priorities and recommendations:-

· Access to rebel-held areas remains a top priority, as until this can be assured, it will be impossible to fully assess and deliver humanitarian assistance to all the affected population.

· Food agencies are prioritising emergency assistance to IDPs, therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes and hospital feeding programmes. As more of the country becomes accessible regular programmes will also resume (WFP - 24/06/99).

· Food security - seeds and other agricultural inputs (tools, fertilisers) are urgently required to allow farmers to start planting for the next agricultural season.

· IDPs safety - IDPs and refugees cannot be expected to return to their homes without assurances for their safety. In the meantime, a high proportion of food aid resources will continue to be used for emergency programmes, and displacement will have severe consequences on the country's overall agricultural production.

· Cholera preparedness - UNICEF and other NGOs anticipate that there will be a serious outbreak of cholera during this year's rainy season due to the large concentrations of people in areas with poor sanitation. Thus chlorine powder and cholera-prevention training is required (OCHA - 17/05/99, USAID - 30/04/99).

· Infrastructure - destruction and damage to homes, roads and other infrastructure has been extreme in many parts of the country and the need for reconstruction is evident. In particular, shelter is required for the IDPs during the rainy season.

· Regular surveys and surveillance activities - including surveys of urban residents and IDPs. Screening in order to identify and refer the undernourished to appropriate feeding programmes.

· Government capacity - this has been diminished in recent years as many qualified personnel have left the country. WFP emphasises the importance of building Government counterpart capacity to progressively undertake responsibility for analysing and determining the uses of food aid in the country (WFP -19/04/99).

· Maintain and strengthen supplementary feeding programmes.
· Maintain and strengthen the mortality and morbidity surveillance.

· The registration and verification of IDPs which is currently underway and the subsequent distribution of food aid should be given the utmost priority. Distribution should be on the basis of full rations (2,100 kcal/person/day), rather than vulnerable group feeding. Note that since this survey was undertaken WFP has provided a ration for 48,575 IDPs in Kenema, Blama and Ngofor (WFP - 24/06/99).

· Expand the targeted supplementary feeding programme and investigate the feasibility of providing blanket feeding to all under fives or other strategies should be investigated to prevent the situation worsening and strengthen the capacity for therapeutic feeding.

· Prioritise diarrhoeal and malaria control.

· Improve water, sanitation and shelter in the camps, alternatively move the displaced to where sufficient water, sanitation and shelter is provided.

Guinea Conakry

The situation in Guinea-Conakry is relatively stable, although violent tensions elsewhere in the region may have an impact on the country. Increasing border tensions with both Liberia and Sierra Leone have been reported (EIU-18/06/99).

Rebels from the RUF in Sierra Leone have extended their terrifying campaign over the border into Guinea, raiding the villages and nearby refugee camps. These attacks have resulted in a number of civilian (both refugee and Guinean) deaths and injuries. Guinean soldiers are reported to have killed up to 400 Sierra Leonean rebels in a recent cross-border attack in retaliation for the attacks on villages near the border. In addition, the Guinean authorities have also closed their border with Sierra Leone intermittently, preventing new refugees from arriving (IRIN-WA - 10/06/99; USCR - 03/06/99).

Latest UNHCR figures estimate that there are 450-500,000 refugees in Guinea-Conakry. Of these there are approximately some 100,000 from Liberia and some 300,000 are from Sierra Leone; the others are from a variety of countries (UNHCR- 25/06/99).

Sierra-Leonean Refugees

As a result of the cross-border raids, UNHCR has started to transfer some 50,000 refugees from vulnerable camps near Gueckadou to sites further away from the border at Katkama and Guelo. Unfortunately, the transfers are reported to have been hampered by poor road conditions and the short supply of trucks. Only 10,000 refugees had been transferred by mid-May. Given that the unpaved roads leading to these areas become virtually impassable during the rainy season, which has just begun, it is improbable that many more transfers will be undertaken in the immediate future. Refugee camps and villages in the Forecariah area were repeatedly raided in April and May, prompting UNHCR to approach authorities in this area to discuss shifting camps as well (HRW - 31/05/99; UNHCR -14/04/99, 03/06/99: USCR - 09/06/99).

In the last RNIS report it was reported that the nutrition situation of the Sierra Leonean refugees was improving. No new information is available at this time.

Liberian Refugees

Significant new influxes of Liberian refugees ceased in 1997 because of improving security in Liberia. An estimated 130,000 Liberians returned home in Guinea during 1998 and tens of thousands more have repatriated since the beginning of this year (USCR - 09/06/99). There is no new information on the nutritional situation of the Liberian refugees in Guinea. The latest RNIS reports suggested that the situation was stable.

Overall, no new information on the nutritional situation of the Sierra Leonean refugees in Guniea-Conakry has been received, it is assumed that their nutritional status remains the same as did it in March, i.e.: not critical (category IIc). No information is available on the nutritional status of refugees from other countries.

Priorities and recommendations

· Funding is required to enable UNHCR to transfer the Sierra Leonean refugees at risk from attack away from the border.

Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire currently hosts more than 100,000 Liberian refugees and several thousand Sierra Leoneans (UNHCR - 02/02/99). No new information is available on the nutritional situation of these refugees which was reported to be satisfactory in the last RNIS (category IIc).